The Good Curate 
Saturday, January 17, 2009, 12:48 PM
5 January 2009
Monday

Beloved in God and Thomas the Apostle:

Christ’s ministry belongs to the whole Church, not just to bishops and rectors. All of you, all lay people and all clergy are a part of the ministry of Christ. Over the years, what has become increasingly clear to this priest is the fact that every one of us plays his or her part in “doing” Christ’s work in the World and in the Church. Further, perhaps more importantly, one realizes that the ministry which each of us exercises may be strengthened and expanded by the ministry of the person sitting next to us in Church. You complement what everyone else brings to the work of Christ’s ministry by bringing your own gifts. You all make “my” ministry better by sharing “yours” with all of us.

I don’t know if the two men for whom I served as their curate would be able to say, “Amen” to the preceding paragraph or not. Both are now with God. While I would like to tell you that “my” ministry while with them was always a joy for them, truth is, I cannot say that. We had our ups and our downs. I was not the best curate and have wondered why, on occasion, one of them did not fire me. My own experience as a rector with a curate has been very different.

Over twelve years ago, Christianne and I had lunch one day to discuss my asking her to join us at St. Thomas the Apostle as our curate. Twelve years! The parish which to that time had a gaggle of clergy “hangers-on” was suddenly without even one. Ernie Bel who had been interim rector between Ted and me was gone. Van Vannorsdall, who had been hanging around St. Thomas when I arrived, moved on to other work. Rob Hensley who was working for AIDS Interfaith and was the last to be with us moved to Washington, D.C. The vestry agreed with me that we could all benefit if I could find a good priest to be curate.

I did. Not just a good priest, but, in my opinion, the best one in town. Christianne had spent some time with us between other Church jobs, so she knew the parish and we all knew her. But, having her come on deck as curate has expanded our ministry far beyond what I could have imagined when I asked her to join us. She may be the best preacher we ever get to hear on a regular basis. We have been spoiled by her preaching talents. Her skills with and care for good liturgy have made our common worship much better than it would have been. She has been a good listener for many of you over her years among us. Her knowledge and ability to share it with us have been a strong part of the teaching ministry here.
She has been for me a friend, colleague, advisor, confidant and priest. No rector could ask for more from his curate.

Early on in her time among us, I remember standing at God’s Altar with her celebrating and experiencing a sense of “completion.” So that’s why women belong at God’s Altar…without them there, something is lacking, I thought. She did not announce this news flash. Rather, Christianne lived it in her person and her priesthood…for me and for all of us. I am grateful to her for the gift of her presence and for her sharing and expanding Christ’s ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle. She who has blessed us goes with our blessing and love and gratitude. We will wish her Godspeed when she leaves in March.



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St. Thom's David Silva wins CNM Award of Excellence  
Monday, November 17, 2008, 10:24 AM
St. Thomas Parishioner David Silva, chair of the parish's Outreach Committee, received the 2008 Award of Excellence in Board Leadership from the Center for Non-profit Management in Dallas.

The CNM holds a yearly gala called A Night of Light, an awards dinner benefiting the Center and honoring excellence in nonprofit management. Silva won the award at this year's event held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on November 14.

CNM says this about the Excellence in Board Leadership award:

An exceptional board leader works in constructive partnership with the chief executive, is mission-driven and strategic thinking, links bold vision and ambitious plans to financial support, expertise and network of influence, while ensuring that the organization has the infrastructure and internal capacity it needs. This award will be presented to a board chairperson who has made a significant contribution to the community and long-term impact on the organization and whose leadership exhibits best practices in nonprofit governance. The Center for Nonprofit Management will honor this leader by awarding $5,000 to the nonprofit organization that he/she serves.


St. Thomas Outreach Committee, under David Silva's leadership, has initiated an Outreach Grants program whereby the Outreach Committee of the parish provides support grants for Dallas-area non-profit agencies, particularly those addressing the needs of:
  • the homeless, hungry and impoverished;
  • those facing health / health-care challenges (both physical and mental);
  • individuals confronting spiritual / personal crises;
  • those suffering the wounds of social injustice; or
  • children, particularly those from low-income families.
On the morning after Silva was honored with the award, St. Thomas Rector Father Stephen Waller said, "I wish I had a picture of the look on David's face when they announced his name and put the spotlight on him."

David, himself, said of receiving the award, "Boy, was I surprised to win!!!!"

In addition to the Award for Board Excellence, Silva received a check for $5,000 for the St. Thomas Outreach Grants effort.

According to Fr. Waller, "His partner, Michael Legacy, was with him to enjoy this accomplishment. What a happy night! Sleep well, David! Not many dreams beat a night like this one!"



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