163^rd Diocesan Council, Feb 10-11, 2012

St. Thomas, St. Andrews' & St. Francis served as host parishes for the 163^rd Council of the Diocese of Texas at the Brazos County Expo Center. Volunteers from all parishes and St. Michael's Episcopal School turned out in force to help approximately 1000 Episcopalians with parking, registration, exhibits, the business meeting & more. Bonnie Harris-Reynolds (organ), Karen Pilant (flute), Mark Oakland (trumpet) & the St. Thomas choir joined with other choirs, instrumentalists & Sandra Montes to provide music for the Opening Eucharist.

The Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, Bishop of Cuba, gave the sermon at the Opening Eucharist. In his address to the Council, Bishop Doyle reviewed the family history of the Diocese of Texas and called for us to "stand united in our common mission and ministry". In elections for boards and officers of the Diocese, Rev. Rhoda was elected to serve on the Diocesan Executive Board. The Rev. Lisa Hines (Calvary, Bastrop; formerly locum tenens at St. Thomas) reported on the tragedy of the wildfire in September, & the on-going rebuilding effort there.