Among the Flock

Visitation: Church of the Redeemer in Irving

Bishop Rob Price visited Church of the Redeemer in Irving on Easter Sunday. "There was a wonderful Easter spread where the whole parish turned out to show the fellowship and joy of the day," Bishop Price said. "I was grateful how they included children and youth in the festivities of the day from the Easter egg hunt to the procession beginning worship itself."

This church is without a full-time priest, and are active and love community and outreach. They serve with Family Promise a faith based non-profit in Irving that provides shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Redeemer also partners with other churches to provide focused financial assistance and food ministry to Irving residents who are in crisis. 

This wonderful parish is also excited about their newest outreach called Change Collection Donation where they take all change and small bills from the collection plate each Sunday and donate the money at the end of the month to a designated organization. This has really caught the attention of the children at the parish and is teaching them about giving.  Leaders teach use the ministry to teach youth about how small giving adds up. They even asked Bishop Price to say something about the new effort. “Redeemer is taking a new approach to missional giving.  Through a program called 'Small Change, Big Impact’, any loose coins, $1, $5, or $10 bills left in the offering plate will be used to support and designated mission focus for that month," Price said. "The mission focus will change monthly, alternating between community (external) and church-based missions. Designed to promote in-church giving, what for many of us feels like small change, when given regularly and combined with other small gifts can quickly make a big impact."

This group of believers offers a weekly Bible study, Daughters of the King chapter, Men's fellowship group and a monthly trivia shindig organized by the parish 30-somethings where they share, learn and laugh. The Parish has partnered with the nearby Presbyterian Church for Lenten soup suppers in addition to hosting blood drives, family game nights, ice cream socials, fund-raising galas and more. These folks are active, love the Lord and love one another.  

Visitation: St. Andrew's in Farmers Branch

Bishop Rob Price visited St. Andrew's in Farmers Branch on Palm Sunday leading about 50 parishioners in procession from the Parish Hall to the church as they held palm branches and sang hymns. Later Bishop Price remarked about the wonderful diversity of the parish where there are people of all ages and races.

The church is led by the Rev. Roy Thomas, priest-in-charge. Thomas said when he was first called to the church he prayed to do God's will for the parish and has since been blessed with many good gifts.

One such gift was a rebuilt Parish Hall paid for by insurance money after a Covid-days storm blew the roof off. Other gifts came with parishioner Guadalupe Bueno, a horticulturalist, who procured a top Dallas area landscaper to construct five garden beds at the Church. The gardens consist of mostly native plants including Texas Mountain Laurel, salvia, yarrow, bulbine, aster, columbine and much more. These plants require less maintenance and brings softness and beauty to the church grounds.

Another gift comes from longtime parishioner and senior warden Jerry Kelly who said he became depressed after a leadership transition when there were more people serving as acolytes than those sitting in the pews. He offered intercessory prayers over the parish and was answered with a financial boon that made funds available to contribute to the church helping it become more vibrant and welcoming.

The congregation has since grown with believers that clearly love each other which is obvious during the pass-the-peace with many embraces and warm wishes. After the service the church welcomed the bishop, and his wife, Kate to a wonderful potluck reception with beans, cornbread, lasagna, brownies, salads and other dishes. After lunch, Bishop Price met with the clergy and vestry as part of the visitation.