Episcopal Church of the Resurrection

Mission of the Month

Additional Way to Give

Refugee Services of Texas – Fort Worth

If you are looking for another way to give this Christmas or any time throughout the year, check out Refugee Services of Texas–Fort Worth. Their needs are many as families are relocated to our area. You may contact them at their office, 4200 South Fwy Ste 320, Fort Worth, TX 76115 or call (817) 413-3772. They also have a Facebook wish listhttps://www.amazon.com/…/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws…Thank you.

August Mission of the Month – 2021

For the month of August we supported our veterans. The following items were gathered and delivered to the representatives of the Wise County Veterans Services:

  • produce bags (reusable/cloth)
  • travel laundry soap
  • deodorant
  • individual shampoo
  • toothbrushes/toothpaste
  • mouthwash
  • lotion
  • travel body wash
  • pocket combs/brushes

Here is veteran representative Blake Walls and Resurrection’s Susy Sportsman

July Mission of the Month – 2021

We started worshiping in person in May, 2021 and after a few months we were back at it with our outreach work. Our July mission was to support Wise Hope Shelter and Crises Center which provides safety, strength and hope to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Wise, Jack and Montague counties.  Here is what we provided to them:

School supplies for the clients’ children included:

paper towels, paper plates, zip lock bags, facial tissues, sanitizing wipes.

For those living at the shelter, they were in need of laundry detergent, sanitizing wipes, feminine hygiene products, kitchen trash bags, individual mouthwash, bug repellent, local gift cards (restaurant, Walmart, gas), large and XL zip lock bags, facial tissue, coffee and coffee creamer, indoor/outdoor kids’ activities.

Here is a photo of what we delivered to them:

Mission of the Moment – 2020

Well, folks, as all of you know, 2020 has been a year of change, isolation, fear, sadness, loneliness, sickness, etc. COVID-19 is a horrible virus and we hope all of you are staying safe and healthy. Due to the fact that our church building is so small, we have been unable to meet physically for worship…social distancing is not possible. Therefore, the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Decatur meets via Zoom each week. Also, there is a link on this site to view the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth’s weekly services.

Because gathering items for our missions each month is not safe, we have had to forego our Mission of the Month. It has become Mission of the Moment in which we reach out to individuals as well as organizations as the needs are brought to our attention. We will get back to a more hands-on approach when it becomes safe for us to do so.

Before the shelter-at-home order went into effect, we did provide needed items to our local veteran organization and began gathering used eyeglasses for the leper colony in India. We have monetarily supported other organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, 4Saints Food Pantry, Wise Hope Shelter and Crises Center, and Episcopal Church in Navajoland. We are also helping our communities by donating blood when able.

We have installed a Little Free Library and have it stocked with books for young children, teens, and adults. We offer some Spanish and bilingual books and they have been enjoyed by many of our neighbors. As soon as this pandemic is over, we will have a formal dedication. Our Little Free Library will be the first of its kind registered in Wise County, TX. Here are a few pictures:

With the changes in our lives during the past year, we all can find blessings every day if we look for them. Whether getting a glimpse of deer grazing in a pasture along with the cattle, watching birds come in for some seed, or seeing smiling eyes above the masks of people we see once in a while– all of these are blessings. But, the biggest blessing of all is being able to help when people are hurting. It doesn’t take much, but it is appreciated more than you know. Thank you all for the little bit of comfort we can offer to those who need it.

October Mission of the Month – 2019

Woof! Meow! Bark! All the wonderful sounds of some of God’s greatest creatures filled the grounds of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Decatur, TX, on October 5. We celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on that beautiful Saturday along with our brothers and sisters from the First United Methodist Church of Decatur. Our own Fr. Tony Hiatt was paired with Pastor Cassie Wade in officiating our meaningful service, giving thanks to God for the animals given to us to care for and watch over.

Every October we also gather items needed at our local animal shelter. This year we collected the following items for the Bridgeport Animal Shelter: Cat litter, bleach, Dawn liquid detergent, kitten food, puppy food, inexpensive leashes. Afterward, there was a neighborhood hot dog lunch for anyone wishing to come and stay for fellowship and a meal. It was a great day!

Here are some pictures:

August & September Mission of the Month – 2019

Little children and senior citizens have much in common. Each group gets excited during the holidays; their eyes light up at the wonderment of the seasons — Easter with parades and baskets of chocolate, Thanksgiving with fall decorations and turkey and dressing, Christmas with all the colorful lights and stockings hung high on the mantel. Who wouldn’t be excited?

Seniors who live in assisted living settings, or in nursing facilities sometimes don’t have the same excitement as they used to have when they were in their own home settings.

During August and September, we decided to work with the Wise County Committee on Aging to gather items for stocking stuffers to hand out to residents of assisted living and nursing/rehabilitation centers. Many, many items were collected which included games, thank you notes, blank stationery and stamps, adult coloring books and crayons/pencils, books, lotions, throws, etc.

Here are a few pictures of the items gathered and delivered:

Ellen Whitley, Jill McClendon, Amy Pegues

If anyone needs assistance from the Wise County Community on Aging or would want to help by volunteering their services, please contact the Committee:

Amy Pegues, Executive Director
Wise County Committee on Aging, Inc.
300 N. Trinity St
PO Box 903
Decatur, TX 76234
Phone 940-627-5329 
Fax 940-627-1945
Email wisecountymeals@gmail.com
Services: Meals and Transportation

July Mission of the Month – 2019

I remember how much fun it was to go with my mother to the store to pick out folders, pencils, pens, ink (yes, we used real ink in fillable pens back in the day).  It was an exciting time–ready to get back to friends and explore new subjects.  

Children who are in peril, who must leave their homes quickly because they, their siblings, and mother are not safe, leave without anything but the clothes on their backs.  Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center temporarily houses women and children who have nowhere safe to go.  When it comes time for school to start, the children have no supplies.

Our July Mission of the Month was to gather as many school supplies we could and take them to the shelter.  When school time approaches, Wise Hope lets the children pick out a backpack, and then, like going to the store, they are given their list and all the items are picked and placed into the backpack.  Everything they need in one trip to the shelter’s office.  No worries…just happy faces.

Recently I was told the Decatur center also helps Bowie in Montague County and Jacksboro in Jack County with supplies.  That is three counties in North Texas we are helping.  Wise Hope is always grateful for the help we provide the shelter, and I cannot thank our members enough for their generous giving.

We also collected several nice towels and washcloths.

Below are several pictures of the things we gathered:

If you know of anyone who needs to leave a dangerous situation, below is the shelter’s information:

Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center

24 Hour Crisis Hotline – 940-626-4855

P.O. Box 569 • 608 North Business 81-287 • Decatur, TX 76234

Tel: 940-626-4855  • Fax: 940-626-4117

June Mission of the Month – 2019

Youth is the future of a family. In fact, youth is the future of the future. We may be a small congregation, but we now have three (3) young children in our midst and we couldn’t be happier. You have seen the pictures from the shower we had to welcome Lily Stromberg in December, 2017. Lily is the daughter of Christy and Matthew Stromberg. Now, take a look at the pictures from a shower we held to help welcome Jack Little into our family. Baby Jack is the son of Puja Chandra-Little and Rob Little, and little brother of Asha. What a beautiful day of gift giving, great food, and wonderful fellowship.

May Mission of the Month – 2019

Self help. Haven’t we all heard the term? Sure, we are supposed to take care of ourselves so we may have the energy to help others. So, for our May Mission of the month we decided to help ourselves by giving our church grounds a much needed grooming. We have a wonderful gentleman who mows, edges, and trims bushes for us, but we needed to weed the flower beds, plant some flowers, paint the railings, and add mulch all around to keep the ground from drying out so fast.

Below are pictures of our special work day on May 11. We were treated to hot dogs, chips, drinks, and sweets by Julie and Phillip Booker. It was a pleasant day to be together as a community by caring for the building and grounds we love. It is our hope that its welcoming beauty will be noticed by all who pass by.

Liz Ward, Phillip Booker, Pam Krueger

April Mission of the Month – 2019

Being a mother is a precious gift but being a mother and having to leave your home to find a haven must be the worst possible scenario.  Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is that haven in Wise County.

Celebrating Mother’s Day in a shelter is sad, especially if the children are not with the mother.  For our April Mission of the Month we gathered items like facials, soothing lotions, hair accessories, nail polishes, devotionals, journals, pens, etc.  These items were put together in special baskets and given to the mothers who were staying at the shelter on Mother’s Day.

Thank you all so much.

If you know of anyone who needs to leave a dangerous situation, below is the shelter’s information:

Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center

24 Hour Crisis Hotline – 940-626-4855

P.O. Box 569 • 608 North Business 81-287 • Decatur, TX 76234

Tel: 940-626-4855  • Fax: 940-626-4117