Dear Friends in Christ,

It is good to be back in the swing of things after a relaxing vacation and some good time away during July. Following our 50th wedding anniversary in June, Donna and I were able to spend a week at a Los Cabos beach resort in Mexico, which was followed by a few days in Philadelphia where we went with our youngest granddaughter in order to get her acquainted with the University of the Arts where she will be a first-year student in their dance program. We then drove up to Seminole, Oklahoma, to spend some time with Bishop Wantland, which included a wonderful visit to the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulfur. Life in the Diocese moved on in my absence.

July included the completion of the search process for a new Rector at St. Andrew’s in downtown Fort Worth. It was my pleasure to consent by telephone to the calling of Fr. Jake Worley as the 16th Rector of this historic congregation that has had such a big role in the life of our Diocese over the years. The Worley family (including two of their five children) will be moving here from Arizona in August, with plans for his first Sunday to be Sept. 2. Please pray for them and for a smooth transition into this new ministry.

It was also during my vacation time away that I received notification from Fr. David Allen, the retired Rector of St. Francis in Dallas, that he and his wife were becoming Roman Catholics and that he wished to resign from the ordained ministry. Acting with the consent of the clerical members of the Standing Committee, I have accepted his renunciation of holy orders with sincere regret.  We wish the Allens well in this new phase of their spiritual journey and will be praying for them.

Congratulations to Deacon Joseph Francis, who has been approved for ordination to the priesthood!  The date is set for Saturday, Sept. 8, with the 10:30 a.m. service at St. Vincent’s Cathedral, where he serves as diocesan curate. This is a happy celebration for the whole diocese as still another faithful priest takes up his ministry in our midst.

I am also happy to report that we have a new seminary student who is beginning his studies at Nashotah House this fall, in preparation for ordination as a priest.  Jonathan Mohler is being sponsored by the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in Arlington. He and his wife, Kathleen, have three small children. Do pray for the Mohlers during this exciting time in their pilgrimage as they move to Wisconsin.

Best wishes, and God bless you in your witness and ministry.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth