Among the Flock

Visitation: Church of the Ascension in Dallas

Bishop Rob Price visited the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas on Sunday where he confirmed eight youth.

This church was full of children on Sunday morning with several serving in the acolyte corps. Many of them chatted with the bishop after the service before running off to other activities. Both youth and adults asked the bishop questions about his pontificalia and he was happy to provide the history and meaning.   

During the service members of this parish were enthusiastic about their new bishop, applauded him twice and provided a huge reception of wonderful food and community. Cookies, cake and a catered buffet of rice, vegetables fish and beef filled the parish hall as folks gathered, ate and visited with the bishop and one another. 

“I was moved by the welcome I received and the joy I experienced at Ascension,” Bishop Price said. “Their service music was especially impressive, with a full choir and gifted organist. Even more winsome was the engagement and friendliness of the parish, children and youth confirmands. I am grateful for Father Oliver Butler’s stewardship of the parish during the interim period, and look forward to Ascension's flourishing with Mother Rebecca Tankersley’s leadership.” 

This church is abuzz with mission work, evangelism and all good things. While these believers want the world to know about Jesus, they are also passionate about making sure people have the physical sustenance of life - food and water. They routinely provide water for the neighborhood Sand Branch in Dallas County where there is no potable water. They raise money, haul heavy cases of water and build relationships in that community that has been long neglected and marginalized.

The parish also grows a garden where some of the proceeds go to the parish food pantry. On Sunday it was full of vegetables and herbs. The garden recently provided leafy greens to the bags of food given away to those in need. The church also purchases from wholesale dealers with parish funds, and procures more items from regional charity sources. This food ministry is operated with love by volunteers including Janice Truitt who said it changed her life.  She started volunteering to run the ministry two years ago. "All people need love," she said. "This is what I could do to help others." Truitt and her husband lost their son a few years ago and were going to church while grieving their loss. Two years ago she thought she was finally in a place to help others. "For my husband and I, it gave us great purpose," Truitt said. "It increased our own meaning of life, and it brought healing." 

There is not shortage of wonderful stories and ministries at this parish. These followers of Christ love others with their whole hearts and live that out daily. The Diocese is grateful for all of the spiritual gifts they bring to each other and their community.

Visitation: St. Philip's in Frisco

Bishop Rob Price visited St. Philip's in Frisco on Sunday where he confirmed nine people, received another into the Church, and prayed over a newly baptized baby.  He gave the homily at two services and met with the vestry. 

The parish marks its anniversary each year with an outreach project to serve the local community. On Sunday, the church celebrated 24 years of ministry by packing125 donated backpacks with needed school supplies. Working with a ministry partner, Cornerstone Assistance Network of North Central Texas, these backpacks will reach high school students in the community to prepare them for the upcoming school year. 

Music is big at St. Philip's and the parish is blessed to have music director Scott Rudes who leads the music ministry in a blended style of worship. On most Sunday's parishioners can praise the Lord through traditional hymns as well as more modern praise and worship music. This is all led by a 7-person vocal team and band. The adult choir sings at both services on the fourth Sunday of the month and offers a more traditional style of music. 

Rudes is a former principal at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas and brings a high level of expertise and passion to his music ministry at St. Philip's. He began accompanying services on the piano at church when he was 13, and shortly after that began studies in the organ. "God has always provided me with a strong calling to music," Rudes said. "From age 5, I sang in the choir and started my studies in piano. It was the Church that afforded me the first opportunities for music leadership."

There are plenty of strong leaders at St. Philip's including Keleigh Linebrink who has a passion for youth and the meaningful programming that helps them grow. At St. Phillip's she brought back the youth program Happening which is aimed at renewing the Church in the power of the Holy Spirit, and making it easier for young people to respond to its call, and to spread the Kingdom of God.  Happening was active in the diocese for many years but had taken a hiatus prior to the pandemic. When Linebrink brought back the programming to her church, she made it open to the entire diocese and is currently helping to plan another one this year. It's put on by teenagers with adult supervision.  Her Children also went  through Happening and loved it and are now helping to plan the next one.  Linebrink said she too went through the program as a teen and it changed her life. Now she wants to help others have the same experience.  "I want to pour into the kids the way I was poured into," Linebrink said.  

Other leadership news at the parish includes a bittersweet transition as their beloved Rector, the Rev. Canon Michael Gilton, retires and longtime priest at the church, the Rev. Clayton Elder takes on the role. Please pray for the parish, Gilton, Elder and their families during this time of change. 

This parish loves service and mission, and is a gift to their community and the diocese. Good things are happening there.