Q~gnl!yt!Q~~§!QJ~! Newsle-t-ter January 2003 ( We are many parts; we are all one body.
Dignity/Houston. Inc. THIS MONTH AT DIGNITY ... is a not for profit organization dedicated to the spiritual welfare of gay and lesbian Bill Moon Catholics and friends. All are invited to our DHN Editor religious services and social gatherings. Dignity/Houston just completed one of the busiest seasons Dignity Center: 1307 Yale, on its calendar, and we thank all those whose participation Houston Heights Mail: PO Box 66821, made the holidays special: Houston TX 77266 Phone: (713) 880 ••2872 ...Thanks to Carolyn, Margaret, Jim, for organizing the Winter Web: www.dignityhouston,org Retreat, and to Fr. Bill Tarter for presiding ... Email: [email protected] ...to Scott and the board for organizing, decorating, and Memberships: Individuals I $45 year Couples / $84 Year serving Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners ...
The Board of Trustees meets monthly. ...to Robert, Charles, Juan, Jim, Kevin, Bill, and Kolbe's All are welcome to attend. Thomas Nitschke for joining us at our annual Christmas President: Kevin Kelly Caroling at Kroger benefiting Stone Soup... Vice President: Jim LeBlanc Treasurer: Bill Moon ...to our President Kevin for organizing and hosting the New secretary: Richard Cole Year's Day brunch ... Trustee: Joe Quinn Trustee: Scott Garrett ...to our priests and musicians for their service each week... Trustee: Mike Noll ...and most of all, to you, our loyal membership, for your Dignity/Houston News publishes a monthly newsletter, email continued support of Dignity/Houston. updates, and a web site for our community. We welcome reader's input. This month, we're back to the regular schedule of mass
Editor: Bill Moon every Saturday night, and on the first and third Sunday [email protected] afternoons. Write: PO Box 667235, Houston TX 77266 Thanks for spending the Holidays with Dignity! +) Or Call: (713) 526-3619 Dignity/USA Taking Responsibility Web-site: www.dignityusa.org E-mail: [email protected] Winter Retreat Mail: 1500 Massachusetts Ave NW Suite 11 George Wetzel Washington DC 20005 DHN Columnist Phone: (800) 877-8797 On the Dignity/Houston Winter Retreat, Fr. Bill Tarter Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, encouraged us to look back to our own personal or the Roman Catholic Church. Publication genealogies to get some perspective on just where we of names should not be construed as an indication of sexual orientation. Taking Responsibility continued on page 2 Taking Responsibility continued from page 1 CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP Membership is $45 for individuals and $84 each come from. -He was asking us to draw from the for couples. We will ~ help anyone parallel of the gospel story outlining the genealogy of who needs assistance paying. Your Christ from the time of Abraham to Joseph (the begats membership demonstrates a commitment of the Christmas liturgy). to furthering our goals and supporting local As we shared some of our own genealogical insights - activities. To update your directory info, or including the observation that our own lines seem to be for any questions, contact Mike Noll at "dead ends." (713) 880-2872 or [email protected] With that, Bill suggested that we look at our genealogy as the "roots" of our life. Those roots, through us, SATURDAY MASS become the trees of our lives. We celebrate mass EVERYSaturday night Instead of concentrating on the fact that we do not at 7:30 p.m. Our schedule at press time: have progeny to add to the genealogy, we have our very lives to show and display our own generative acts, Presider Host Music Date actions, and contributions to our world. 01/04 Fr. Don Mike N Greg G There are those in our society and in our church who 01/11 Fr. Paul Bill M Greg G claim that we have nothing beneficial to add to the mix of our times - and to prove their point, they are 01/18 Fr. Maurice Jim L BJ adamantly opposed to many attempts to do just that. 01/25 Fr. Eddie Scott Mike C One tactic used here in Texas is to claim that what we do in the privacy of our bedrooms should remain a SUNDAY SERVICES crime (yes, Virginia, if heterosexuals do the same Join us select Sundays at 5:00 p.m. thing, it is not a crime).
01/05 Fr. Bill Phil H Another tactic is to claim that we have an "agenda" - as if seeking normal relations, rights, and privileges is 01/19 Fr. Bill Phil H some how suspect in our state or our religion.
OFFERTORY Look carefully in the coming year to how you can 11/30 214.00 12/07 289.00 contribute to our world and our people.
12/14 220.00 12/21 285.00 Happy New Year! .:.
12/25 155.00 12/29 217.00 HAPPY BIRTHDAY We thank members for their generosity! Jan 19 Bill G LET Us HEAR FROM YOU! Jan 23 Kevin K This newsletter is the voice of ALLour members, and first-time submissions are highly encouraged. Please submit articles ARE YOU ON THE DIGNITY NEWS ~IST? and news items by the third Saturday of the month. Send to Bill Moon, at We offer a monthly newsletter and periodic email updates. To sign up, contact us at (713) 880-2872 or [email protected] or through the web site by logging on to www.dignityhouston.org [email protected] or www.dignityhouston.org
DHN • January 2003 • Page 2 DIGNITY/HOUSTON WINTER RETREAT December 13-16, 2002 Thousand Trails Park, Columbus TX
Joel, perched above the Thousand Trails sign, waves as Carolyn, Dave, Joe, Jim, Margaret, and George pose for a group photo.
Above: Margaret and Fr. Bill
Middle Right: Carolyn, Joel, Joe, and Dave
Bottom Right: Jim, George, and Fr. Bill
DHN • January 2003 • Page 3 HOLIDAYS WITH DIGNITY
Gene starts the serving line at Randy, Joe, Jean-Louis, and Bob share a laugh. Thanksaivina Dinner.
Jose, Kevin, and Randy
Joe, Brent, and Bernard
Dignity Group enjoys food and fellowship. Jim, Bill, and Scott
DHN • January 2003 • Page 4 Schedule of Events A Voice in the Desert: Dignity/USA National Convention WEEKLY MASS AND DINNER August 7-10, 2003 EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 7:30 P.M. Wegather for masseach Where's the one place in the world you can experience Saturdaynight and then go to New York, Paris and Venice? Or, return to the days of dinner at a variety of Caesar, Egyptian Pharaohs, Knights in King Arthur's Court \restaurants. Joinus! and Arabian Nights? Dignity/USA will hold its 1.6th Biennial - SuNDAY MASSES
SELECT SUNDAY AmRNOONS Convention in Las Vegas! JANUARY 5 AND 19 The host hotel is the Alexis Park Resort, an all suite hotel 5 PM and resort. The convention theme is "A Voice in the Fr. BillTarter will celebrate Desert." We will have guest speakers, seminars, liturgies, masstwo Sundaysthis month. presentations and, of course, a lot of fun with family and friends. Join us and plan today to attend.
Keynote Speaker Richard Sipe- Mr. Sipe is a psychotherapist and former Benedictine monk and priest BoARD MEETING married to a former Maryknoll nun, Marianne Benkert, MD., a psychiatrist at UCSD's Owen Clinic. For more than THURSDAY - JANUARY 9 30 years, he has been engaged in research on the 7:30 P.M. institution and practice of priestly celibacy. All are invited to attend our monthly meeting. 2003 Dignity/USA Convention Central-The Alexis Park Resort is the premier non-gaming, all suite hotel in Las SPRING SALE FUNDRAISER Vegas. The hotel is located two blocks from the Las Vegas SPRING 2003 Strip and four blocks from the Gay Quarters. Room rates for the all suite hotel begin at $89/night (single or double TBA occupancy) plus 9% room tax. Additional guests are $20 As part of our ongOing each per night and children 12-years of age and under fundraisingefforts, DHwill stay free. Plan ahead by calling 800-582-2228 (in the conducta yard/garage sale. Continental US) or 702-796-3322 (outside the continental Membersare askedto begin US) to make your reservation today. setting asideany items they Important note: In order to receive the advantage of wishto donate. the Convention Rate, all hotel reservations must be Date/TIme/Locationwill be made via phone (not the hotel website). announcedsoon. For more information, log onto www.dignityusa.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Dignity/Houston is seeking volunteers to launder and iron altar linens. Those interested in assisting our liturgy team are asked to contact a board member. We thank you for your service!
DHN • January 2003 • Page 5 DHN PO Box 667235 Houston, Texas 77266
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
) 20 Robert Heer 20481/2 Colquitt St Houston, TX 770983406
HAPPY NEW YEARI
DHN • January 2003 • Page 6 Q~grtltYJtQ.!!~ Newslet-t-er June 2003
We are many parts; we are all one body.
DignitylHouston. Inc. THIS MONTH AT DIGNITY ... is a not for profit organization dedicated to the spiritual welfare of gay and lesbian Bill Moon Catholics and friends. All are invited to our religious services and social gatherings. DHN Editor
Dignity Center: 1307 Yale, June is Pride Month in Houston, and the Houston Houston Heights Pride Committee celebrates its Silver Anniversary Mail: PO Box 66821, on Saturday, June 28, with the annual Pride Houston TX 77266 Phone: (713) 880-2872 Parade along lower Westheimer. Web: ww"'! .dignityhouston.org Email: [email protected] We at Dignity are proud to celebrate our organization's 29th Anniversary the next day, Memberships: Individuals / $45 year Couples / $84 Year Sunday, June 29, with a special Pride Mass followed by an ice-cream social. The Board of Trustees meets monthly. All are welcome to attend. We also have a Special Membership Meeting President: Kevin Kelly scheduled for June 14 to vote on the Building Vice President: Jim LeBlanc Project. It promises to be an interesting month! Treasurer: Bill Moon Secretary: Richard Cole Help us Build for the Future with Dignity! .:. Trustee: Joe Quinn Trustee: Scott Garrett Trustee: Mike Noll
Dignity/Houston News publishes a monthly newsletter, email updates, and a web site for our community. Taking Responsibility We welcome reader's input.
Editor: Bill Moon A New Home? [email protected] George Wetzel Write: PO Box 667235, DHN Columnist Houston TX 77266 Or Call: (713) 526-3619 As we approach the defining step of purchasing a DignitylUSA building for our own worship space, and the adjacent building, this is the time to outline a Web-site: www.dignityusa.org E-mail: [email protected] budget for the coming years which will utilize our Mail: 1500 Massachusetts resources and plans for the future. Ave NW Suite 11 Washington DC 20005 A realistic budget that the board and membership Phone: (800) 877-8797 are invested in and committed to the Opinions expressed are not necessarily those development of this asset and to the growth and of the editor, Dignity/Houston, Dignity/USA, or the Roman Catholic Church. Publication development of the entire Dignity/Houston family. of names should not be construed as an indication of sexual orientation. A realistic budget with a committed and involved Schedules subject to change. Taking Responsibility continued on page 2 Taking Responsibility continued from page 1 CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP Membership is $45 for individuals and input from the membership will be a new challenge for $84 for couples. We will ~ help the board. Public discussion of priorities of action and anyone who needs assistance paying. fundraising have not characterized our past. Your membership demonstrates a A realistic budget may make it possible to more commitment to furthering our goals and effectively deal with realistic fund raising and how and supporting local activities. To update why we want to develop our own piece of real estate. your directory info, or for any questions, As I see it, there is a potential for trouble here if we do contact Mike Noll at (713) 880-2872 or not do the "heavy lifting" of a realistic budget. With a [email protected] rough Catholic population in the Houston area of nearly SATURDAY MASS one million, it is growing increasingly clear that our quest to represent and endorse gay/lesbian CatholiCSis We celebrate mass EVERY Saturday night remarkably feeble. at 7:30 p.m. Our schedule at press time: Granted, most gay and lesbian Catholics would rather leave the decisions about budget/liturgy/outreach to Date Presider Host Music "others" (the smells and bells). Fr. Don 06/07 Bill Greg If we continue such thinking and acting, it is my 06/14 Fr. Paul Jim Greg opinion that we should merely accept "intrinsically disordered" as reasonable and give up the fight for 06/21 Fr. Maurice Kevin Greg fairness, honesty, and integrity surrounding the need 06/28 No Mass - Pride Parade for the Church to reevaluate its sexual morality based 06/29 Fr. Maurice - Pride Mass 3 pm on modern science. The decision is ours to choose or reject. .:. SUNDAY SERVICES Join us select Sundays at 5:00 p.m. 06/01 Fr. Bill 06/15 Fr. Bill ARE YOU ON THE DIGNITY NEWS LIST?
OFFERTORY We offer a monthly newsletter and periodic emaiJ updates. To sign up, contact us at (713) 880-2872 or 05/03 212.00 05/10 177.00
05/17 152.00 OS/24 176.00 dignityhouston@ao/.com or www.dignityhouston.org
05/31 189.00 We thank members for their generosity! HAPPY BIRTHOA Y
LET Us HEAR FROM YOU! June 1 Maria A This newsletter is the voice of ALL our June 2 Bobby M members, and first-time submissions are Jerry A highly encouraged. Please submit June 7 articles and news items by the third June 13 Mike C Saturday of the month. Send to Bill June 17 Jim L Moon, at [email protected] or through June 29 Fr. Lawrence the web site by logging on to www .dignityhouston. org
DHN • June 2003 • Page 2 PRIDE MONTH ACTIVITIES
PRIDE DAY AT SIX FLAGS ASTROWORLD Saturday, June 21 from 11 am - 10 pm Benefiting the Pride Committee of Houston and Q Patrol, featuring Latin Divas recording artists: Miss Lupita and Adassa. Special appearance by Ms. Thea Austin debuting her new remix of her #1 Pop Hit "Rythym Is a Dancer 2003". . Location: Six Flags Astroworld, 610 South Loop between Kirby and Fannin across from Reliant Park Cost: Ticket Price: $35.00 in advance, $39.95 at the door (includes all you can eat catered lunch and concerts) Details/Contact: 713-521-0107 www.southBeachthenightclub.com
SIXTH ANNUAL HOUSTON PRIDE SK FUN RUN AND WALK Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 am The sixth annual running of this race will benefit AssistHers, a volunteer organization that provides in-home support and care to lesbian women with chronic or disabling illnesses. The race is sponsored by Houston Montrose Athletic Association, a 501(c)(3) corporation. Location: A 3.1 mile race starting at Sam Houston Park, with an out-and-back course along the inbound side of Allen Parkway. Cost: Registration fee of $20. Details/Contact: To download a registration form from the Fun Run Web page, go to www.geocities.com/houstonpride5k/index.html. To receive a form by mail, or to volunteer to help on race day, call Mac Crone at (713) 661-8919. Forms are also available at Copy.Com, Lobo, Houston Gay & Lesbian Community Center, and Landmark Greenway and River Oaks theaters. Online registration is available at VNffl. SignMeUpSports. com. XALT - XTREME ADORATION OF THE LORD TOGETHER (PRAISE DAY) Sunday, June 22 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm An interactive night of praise and worship to God with specific focus on our wonderful savior, Jesus, featuring local talents in song, sign and poem. A dessert reception and fellowship follows. Location: Community Gospel Church, 4305 Lillian, Houston, TX 77007 Cost: Free Details/Contact: 713-880-9235 www.comll1unitygospel.org PRIDE PARADE 2STH ANNIVERSARY Saturday, June 28 at 8:45 pm Experience the fun and excitement you have come to expect from the Southwest's largest GLBT event. This year, the Houston Pride Committee celebrates its 25th anniversary and Dignity/Houston will once again enter a float in the annual parade. Location: Along lower Westheimer. Cost: Free Details/Contact: Show your pride in both Dignity and the GLBT community by volunteering to design, build, or ride on the float. Board members Richard Cole and Mike Noll are coordinating this year's parade efforts. Please contact them at [email protected] or (713) 880-2872 to participate. DIGNITY 29TH ANNIVERSARY PRIDE MASS Sunday, June 29 at 3 pm As in past years, Dignity/Houston will not celebrate mass on the evening of the Pride Parade, but will instead host <: special Pride Service Sundav efternoon, followed by en iCE cream socla!
LCi~CQ~tcr~~Dignit r Center I ::'307 \ aiel Ho· 'st- l f1€ighlt Details/Contact: Fr. Maurice will celebrate mass. To volunteer to serve, contact us at (713) 880-2872[ or [email protected] or www.dignityhouston.org.Join us!
DHN • June 2003 • Page 3 Boston Chapter Opposes Special Announcement Bishops Campaign From our National President Same-Sex Unions at Issue Pat McAaron DUSA President Dignity/Boston June 1, 2003 Following discussions with family, friends The leaders of Dignity/Boston today voiced and colleagues I have made the decision to opposition to the campaign of the four Catholic step down as president of DignityUSA when bishops of Massachusetts to rally parishioners my term is completed. This was not an easy against civil recognition of same sex unions. decision nor was it made lightly. Catholic pastors across the Commonwealth have Recognizing my own strengths and been instructed to read and distribute a lengthy weaknesses and after careful consideration I letter from the bishops detailing their opposition have come to the conclusion that Dignity will to same sex unions and calling on faithful be better served by me serving in other Catholics to contact legislators in favor of a new capacities of the organization. law banning recognition of the partnerships of I am confident in the future of this noble and gay and lesbian people. just organization and look forward to "It's appallinq that the Church that should stand working with the new president. With the for respect for all people is seeking to use its capable assistance of our board of directors power and reach to advocate for discrimination," and our Executive Director I will continue to said Chuck Provancher, president of do my very best as president of DignityUSA Dignity/Boston. "We stand in witness against until my term is completed on September the church that would deny the loving, 30, 2003. .:. committed partnerships of same sex couples.
"At Dignity/Boston, we have celebrated and blessed many such partnerships joined by National Ballots Mailed hundreds of supportive family and friends. These relationships are already a reality; these DignityUSA Washington, DC couples should not be denied the legal protection that the institution of marriage You are reminded that ballots for provides. Contrary to the claim of the bishops, DignityUSA's national election are in the these loving partnerships do not threaten or mail. Exercise your privilege of membership diminish heterosexual marriage." . by casting your votes and returning your ballots by July 1. To be counted, all ballots The leaders of Dignity/Boston call on all must in the national office by July 1, 2003. members and everyone who values human rights to ask their legislators to oppose We have a total of seven nominees for three Massachusetts' H. 3190 .• :. director positions and one slate for president & vice-president. Write-in candidates are also permitted. Dignity/Boston recently celebrated their 30th If you have not received a ballot by June 1 year of service to the Boston GLBT Catholic please call the national office at 800-977- community. Visit them online at 8797 or by email [email protected] WWw,dLqflitxbosJofLprc our vote wili only count if you cast it! .~,
DHN • June 2003 • Page 4 Schedule of Events
WEEKLY MASS AND DINNER
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 7:30 P.M. We gather for mass each Saturday night, celebrated by our roster of priests. After mass, join us for dinner at a variety of nearby restaurants.
SUNDAY MASSES
JUNE 1 & 15 5 P.M. Fr. Bill Tarter will celebrate mass. Special Membership Meeting Saturday, June 14 @ 7:30 pm SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 1307 Yale, Houston, TX SATURDAY - JUNE 14 The Board of Trustees of Dignity/Houston has called a 7:30 P.M. To vote on a proposal to empower the special membership meeting to vote on a resolution board to acquire the building at 10th & empowering the board to use funds in the Building Oxford, and any other business Fund (less $25,000 which shall be set aside for future brought before the meeting. maintenance needs) to acquire and renovate the BOARD MEETING church property at Tenth Street and Oxford, Houston THURSDAY - JUNE 19 TX. The board scheduled two additional viewing 7:30 P.M. All are welcome to join our meetings. sessions, on Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7,
HOUSTON PRIDE PARADE to grant accessfor members. Photosof this property
SATURDAY - JUNE 28 are available by logging onto www.dignityhouston.org 8:45 P.M. and clicking on the May Newsletter link. For Dignity/Houston will once again enter information about any aspect of this building project, a float in the annual parade. No mass tonight. please contact the board at [email protected] or (713) 880-2782, or President Kevin Kelly at PRIDE MASS/SOCIAL [email protected] (713) 861-2697. To vote, a SUNDAY - JUNE 29 3 P.M. person must be a member in good standing of Join us as Fr. Maurice celebrates a Dignity/Houston for one month prior to the meeting. special pride mass, followed by an ice Eligible members unable to attend the meeting may cream social. request an absentee ballot by writing Dignity/Houston, DIGNITY/USA NATIONAL CONVENTION PO Box 66821, Houston TX 77266, or emaHing AUGUST 7 - 10 LAs VEGAS, NEVADA [email protected]. Absentee ballots must be For details, log onto received by noon on meeting day. www.dignityusa.org
DHN • June 2003 • Page5 DHN PO Box 667235 Houston, Texas 77266
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
\
Planning our Future with DIGNITYI
DHN • June 2003 • Page 6 , y DignifY/Houston PO Box 66821 Houston, Texas 77266 Dignity lVW1V.dignitJhouston.o~ HOUSTON
June 19,2004
Dear Dignity Sisters and Brothers,
One of the top priorities of the current Board of Trustees of Dignity/Houston has been to address the declining state of both our spiritual health and physical surroundings. Our board has inherited several problems - in the past five years, our membership is down by one- third, and our offertory is down nearly half. At the same time, our worship facility on Yale Street, where Dignity has been conducting services since the early 1990's, is deteriorating.
Sadly, there are numerous problems at Yale. The roof leaks in several places. We have experienced wastewater backups in the sewage system, which is linked to the adjacent food service establishments. Sheetrock is bubbling and cracking. The back wall is crumbling due to water leaks. During our Easter mass, water from the heavy rains poured in under the back door and had to be mopped up during mass,
Complaints to the landlord have generated no action. In addition, our front 'air conditioning system is no longer working, and the cost to Dignity to replace it would be $2,500. We have also had our back air-conditioner serviced twice in 2004 just to keep it running. The cost of sheetrock repair and painting will be several thousand dollars. Because of these and other problems, our board was faced with the decision of spending more money on a decaying facility or looking elsewhere for accommodations.
Earlier this year, we began discussions with representatives of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church regarding sharing worship space. Grace is located in the Montrose area at the comer of Waugh and Missouri Streets. It is a large, beautiful church with several offices, a fellowship hall, and a large, well-lit parking area. It is also a congregation that welcomes the GLBT community, and their board is enthusiastic about the prospect of sharing space with Dignity.
Under a Grace proposal, Dignity would have its own exclusive office space, use of the sanctuary for Saturday night masses, use of a smaller chapel for Sunday and other services, and use of the large,fellowship hall andcommercial size kitchen for monthly breakfasts and potluck dinners. . Dignity would also reap the benefits of the synergy generated by a relationship with Grace - their council has expressed an interest in co-sponsoring community events with Dignity, and several other community organizations hold their meetings at Grace.
The financial benefit to Dignity would be substantial. At Grace, Dignity can save over $300 per month on rent, utilities, security, and maintenance. This would have a positive impact on our balance sheet.
Moving to Grace would also allow board members to concentrate on the spiritual aspect of Dignity, rather than time-consuming maintenance tasks.
Most important, it would also provide a cleaner, safer, more spiritual environment for our members and guests. Often, we have visitors show up for a week or two and never come back. It is likely that many would return if the surroundings looked more like a place of spirituality rather than a run down meeting hall.
The board is mindful of the ultimate goal of building or acquiring our own worship space outright, and the concerns that some would have about sharing space with another established church. We still can work toward owning our own building. But in the immediate future, we must take action to both cut costs and provide a safe and serene worship space. We feel that a move to Grace will accomplish those goals.
At our June 16,2004 meeting, our entire board voted in favor of a move to Grace. We will hold a special membership meeting on Saturday, July 10, 2004 to allow the membership to voice their opinions.
Naturally, we hope that you will join us in moving forward with Dignity and Grace.
In God's Peace,
Richard Cole President, Dignity/Houston
And the Board cf T,rustees: Mike Noll Margaret Thibodeaux Bill Moon Scott Garrett Jim LeBlanc "T"EV'LL KNO~I. Jl CHRISTIAN BY OU.. OVE,"- NOT BY OUR NAME, SUNDAY W lP 10:3Q AM
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 2515 Waugh, Houston, Texas 77006 www,gracelutheran-houston,org
DIVERSITY - Grace embraces everyone, regardless of gender, race, disability, or sexual orientation, and follows God's call to love one another without judgment, without fear, and without discrimination.
HISTORY - Grace was formally organized on April 16, 1922. Grace was the first mission congregation in Houston of the United Lutheran Church in America, which provided financial support until Grace became self- supporting.
ORGANIZATION - As a corporation, the congregation's life and activities have been overseen by elected members of the Church Council, with the Pastor ex-officio as president.
FACILITIES - Members of Grace first worshipped in a one-room chapel at 2715 Waugh Dr. In 1921, the ULCA Board of Home Missions purchased the one-story, one-room Hyde Park Chapel from Second Presbyterian Church. The present church site at Waugh Drive and Missouri was purchased in 1944. Expansions and additions in 1960, 1970 and 1985 resulted in the facility in use today.
OUTREACH - With the designation as a Mission Redevelopment Congregation in September 2001, ministry to the community has become the prevailing focus of Grace's congregation. Some of the groups that currently meet at Grace are Lutherans Concerned, Women at the Well, HATCH, Hyde Park Civic Association, the Lunch Bunch, Film Crew, Cleaning House AA, and Saintly Seniors.
Photos and layout by Bill Moon, Dignity/Houston Information provided by Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2004 ••• Dignity HOUSTON
Notice of a SPECIAL MEETING
.Of the Membership of DIGNITY/HOUSTON, INC.
Saturday, June 14, 2003 @ 7:30 pm 1307 Yale, Houston, Texas
for the purposes of:
• Voting on the following resolution: That the Board of Trustees of Dignity/Houston, Inc., be empowered to spend any principal amounts currently in the Building Fund (less $25,000 retained for future maintenance) to purchase and renovate the church building at 945 Oxford, Houston, Texas. Any excess funds in the Building Fund will be retained for future maintenance and renovation expenses.
• Any other business brought before the board.