Meditations from the Dean
Dean Goodman visits the Big Bend Missions
As part of the Dean’s ongoing visits to congregations around the diocese, this past weekend he and his family visited the Big Bend Mission. Originally begun under Bishop Kelshaw, the Big Bend Mission unites three congregations: St. Paul’s Church in Marfa, St. James’ Church in Alpine, and the Church of St. Mary and St. Joseph in Lajitas. The purpose of this cluster ministry was to strengthen the witness of these congregations in their respective communities by pooling resources and to allow them to share one priest, who would “ride the circuit” on a Sunday to provide services.
St. Paul’s recently made a request to Bishop Vono to allow them to separate from the Big Bend Mission and become an independent mission, with a five-year plan to become a self-sustaining parish. The same weekend that Dean Goodman visited, Bishop Vono, Canon Kathy McNellis and Dean Tom Gray met with the Bishop’s Committee of Big Bend to discuss this request. While it still must be presented to the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, those at this initial meeting greeted the plan positively.
The Dean and his family stayed in Marfa, Texas, during their weekend visit to the Big Bend. Dean Goodman celebrated the Eucharist and preached at the 9:00 service at St. Paul’s. After a brief visit to the Coffee Hour, he was off for the half-hour drive to Alpine and St. James’, whose Eucharist begins at 11:00. At both churches the people were excited about the Bishop’s visit the day before, and they welcomed the Goodmans with warm hospitality, sharing with them the energy for the future. Dedie Taylor, the Bishop’s Warden at St. Paul’s, assisted at the 9:00 service and announced the Bishop’s positive endorsement of their plan, which was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the congregation. At St. James’, a young couple are actively planning a campus ministry at Sul Ross University, located in Alpine, to extend the connections that already exist between the church and the school.
On Saturday the Goodmans explored the area around Marfa and Fort Davis, visiting the MacDonald Observatory for an extended tour. Sunday evening they were hosted for dinner at the home of Lonn and Dedie Taylor. Lonn is a member of the Standing Committee of the diocese. The evening was filled with wonderful conversation and warm fellowship. When you visit Marfa, the Dean recommends a fine independent bookstore there, the Marfa Book Works.
For more thoughts from Dean Goodman including daily Lenten meditations, you may go to his blog: www.fromthedean.wordpress.com: www.fromthedean.wordpress.com