November 5, 2026

Dear Friends,

I’m a curious person, and one of my favorite things is asking people how they found their way to St. Nick’s. Some of you grew up Episcopalian and can find your way around our Book of Common Prayer in the dark. Some of us are brand new to church, and still others have been involved in other church traditions. For all of us, something or someone moved us to walk into our warm and welcoming space and see what God is up to here at St. Nick’s.

I love hearing your stories – the stories of what brought you here and the stories about what keeps you here. I love hearing how being invited into a ministry helped you make friends. I love hearing how you came to Dinner Church and found your people – fellow foodies. I love the stories of relationship and belonging, and how God’s Holy Spirit leads us to see that at this little church, we look around and say, “These are my people.” I love these people. I love God. I wonder what Jesus is inviting me to do next…

Rev. Jennifer and I would love to spend some time with you and that question at our Confirmation Retreat on Friday, November 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We’ll meet at St. Nick’s, in the sanctuary and the church offices. Adults and teens are welcome.

We’ll talk about the Bible, the creeds, why Episcopalians worship the way we do, Anglican history, our polity, and how we pray and study in our tradition. We’ll also spend time with the promises we make at Baptism. What does it look like to seek and serve Christ respecting the dignity of all people? What might it look like to use a gift you’ve been keeping to yourself? Those are the kinds of questions I hope you’ll bring.

When our Bishop, David Read, visits in December, some of us will come forward for Confirmation, some for Reception, and some to reaffirm our baptismal vows. Here’s how to tell which might be right for you.

Confirmation is a sacramental rite for baptized teens and adults who are ready to make a public commitment to Jesus Christ and take responsibility for living out their baptismal promises. If you were baptized as a baby, this is a chance to say for yourself what others once said on your behalf. The bishop lays hands on you and prays for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you for the life you’re promising to live.

Reception is a formal welcome into The Episcopal Church for someone who was baptized and has already made a public commitment to Christ in another Christian church. If you were confirmed in the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Church, for example, Reception is generally the next step. If you were confirmed or made a public profession of faith in a Lutheran church or another Christian tradition, come tell us a little about your church background. We’ll help you discern which rite fits.

Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows lets someone who has already been confirmed renew those promises publicly, with the bishop’s prayer and the congregation’s support. Maybe you’re finding your way back to church. Maybe God has carried you through a hard season, and you want to give thanks.

If any of that stirs something in you, come to the retreat. Come if you’d simply like to learn more. This retreat is, first and foremost, a time of formation and learning that deepens your journey with God. Please let us know you are coming by texting me at 214-213-0739 or emailing me at revbeth@stnickshillcountry.org. And, of course, I hope everyone will save the date for Sunday, December 6, and join us for our 7th anniversary celebration. We will worship together, encourage our confirmands, celebrate our life together, and be blessed by our Bishop’s visit!

In addition to our confirmation events, we have lots of happenings this November.

Join us for our Church Workday and DUO No Littering Ministry on Saturday, November 7, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Trees need decorating, spaces need sprucing up, and litter needs picking up around Bulverde. We have projects for all ages, and there’s plenty of good work for us here at St. Nick’s.

On November 22, Christ the King Sunday, we’ll close out the church year by singing some of our favorite hymns and preparing our hearts for Thanksgiving. Then on Friday, November 27, we’ll welcome our neighbors during the Bulverde Christmas Lighting with cocoa, cookies, crafts, and music. Talk with Jeremy if you’d like to adopt and decorate a tree.

Last but not least, Advent begins Sunday, November 29. We’ll light the first candle on the wreath, and you can pick up Jesse Tree devotions to follow the story of God’s love at home from December 1 through Christmas Eve.

As always, there’s a place for you at Sunday worship at 8:00 a.m. outdoors or 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, and at Dinner Church on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

I hope I’ll see you this month. And if you have a story about how you found your way here, or where you think God might be leading you next, you know I’d love to hear it!

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,

Rev. Beth+