PVAMU’s Dr. Fred Bonner is Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Dr. Fred A. Bonner, II, is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View.  The Free Breakfast is hosted by men of St. Francis.

In view of the increase in the flu and concerns of COVID-19, all attendees are required to wear masks.   Also, due to limited seating space, all attendees are asked to  CONFIRM ATTENDANCE to stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Dr. Bonner is a professor and Endowed Chair in Educational Leadership and Counseling and Founding Executive Director of the Minority Achievement, Creativity and High-Ability (MACH-III) Center in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University and Founder of FABII Consulting.   Bonner previously held the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education at Rutgers’ Graduate School of Education; Professor of Education and Associate Dean of Faculties, Texas A&M University, College Station, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Adjunct Professor, Owens Community College-Ohio, Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University-Ohio and a Fellow with the American Council on Education (ACE), Norfolk, Virginia.  The MACH-III program is the recipient of  a $1.4 Million Dollar Grant from the W.K.Kellogg Foundation support the development of a framework that will increase the number of Black males in public schools who teach students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM.

Bonner holds the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and College Teaching from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Baylor University, Waco,

Texas and the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas and the Certification of Educators in Texas.

Bonner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Association for Higher Education Black Caucus Dissertation Award, the Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundation's Dissertation of the Year Award from the University Of Arkansas College Of Education, the Extraordinary Service Award from the Texas A&M University College of Education and Human Development, the Faculty Member of the Year and the Texas A&M University Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) Cohort. 

He is the author several books including “Square Pegs & Round Hole,” "Diverse Millennial Students in College" and “Building on Resilience: Models and Frameworks of Black Male Success Across the P-20 Pipeline,” which highlights the experiences of postsecondary gifted African American male undergraduates in predominantly white and Historically Black college contexts (Academically Gifted African American Male College Students).  He also is the Founding Editor of the Journal of Minority Achievement, Creativity and Leadership (JMACL) with Penn State University Press and Editor of the Book Series–Diverse Faculty in the Academy with Routledge Press; and his research, manuscripts, monographs and journal articles have been featured in both national and international publications. 

Bonner has completed three summers as a research fellow with the Yale University Psychology Department (PACE Center) focusing on issues that impact academically gifted African American male college students. He spent several years as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow in the Office of the President at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bonner holds and has held membership in several civic, social and professional organizations to include the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, American College Personnel Association, Association for the Study of Higher Education, Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., to name a few.

Bonner’s service is guided by the Motto: “Go Forth and Do Great Things!”  He is well regarded in the educational community for his in-depth research studies and collaboration to improve the achievement and professional and educational development gap of African American males in the society.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 10:30 a.m.

Members of the Men's Breakfast Team include Donald W. Sowell, Coordinator, Dr. Glenn S. Berry, Albert Garfield, Darryl S. Johnson, Charles Muse, Frederick V. Roberts, Seab A. Smith, Michael Sowell, William Sowell and Herbert R. Thomas.

Judge William E. B. Blackmon is Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Judge Willie E. B. Blackmon is the Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on Saturday., November 19, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of the church on 2000 Phillip Street. The breakfast is Free. The church is observing the COVID-19 and the Church's Protocol which requires attendees to wear masks.  Please call 936-857-3272 to confirm attendance as space is limited.

Judge Blackmon is a retired municipal court judge and currently serves as a lawyer for a military support group in Houston and College Station, in addition to being a substitute teacher where he provides guidance and mentoring for the students. He served as a 2^nd Lt. in the US Airforce, is the author of Integration in Aggie Athletics and was one of the first Black athletes and a track star at Texas A&M University.

Blackmon holds the Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University in 1973 and the Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1982.  He is the founder of the Law Office of Willie E.B. Blackmon.  Blackmon was admitted to the Texas in 1989 and has appeared before the US Supreme Court; US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; Michigan Eastern District Court; Texas Northern District Court; Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court; Michigan; Nebraska;. His practice areas include Municipal, Military, ADR, Criminal, Wills-Trusts-Probate, Arbitration, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning.

He has received numerous awards for his service and achievement over the years to include the National Bar Association’s Living Legend Award and the Texas Aggie Bar Association — Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among his many honors from Texas A&M University are Athletic Hall of Fame, Co-founder of the TAM Lettermen's Association, Track & Field Officials Association Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Alumnus Award.  Additionally, his name is honored by inscriptions on the Distinguished Alumnus Monument in Aggie Park, honored with name recognitions in various buildings on Kyle Field, E.B. Cushing Track & Field Stadium, the Williams Texas A&M University Association of Former Students Building, and the Texas A&M Indoor Track Stadium. He is also a Member of Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame, African American Museum, a Recipient of Letter from Commander Air Force One for the 147‘^h Fighter wing's safeguarding the life of the President of the U.S. on 911 and listed on the Wheatley High School Wall of Honor.

He was one of the principal movants in the placement of the State Senator Matthew Gaines Statue on the A&M campus (Gaines co-authored the bill that created A&M and Prairie View).

Judge Blackmon pays homage to Curtis and Marvin Mills, Hugh McElroy, Emory Bellard, Pat Thomas, Carl Roaches and Bubba Bean, who all played a role and supported his tenure as an athlete at Texas A&M University. He also expresses thanks to Coach Pat Henry, President Gates and Porter Garner for their continued support and recognition of his service to the university.

Judge Blackmon speaks on Integration in Athletics at Texas A&M University

 

BISHOP DOYLE TO CELEBRATE EUCHARIST AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The Rt. Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Texas will celebrate the Eucharist at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 2000 Phillip and Dooley Streets, Prairie View, Texas.  Additionally, Bishop Doyle will administer baptism to  Master Daniel T. James and Ms. Bargavi Krishnan and reaffirmation to Mr. George U Ekechukwu.

The public is invited and masks are required for the service.

Bishop Doyle was consecrated the ninth Diocesan Bishop of Texas on June 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, following the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly.  Bishop Doyle describes his six-word autobiography as: “Met Jesus on pilgrimage, still walking.” Bishop Doyle received his M.Div. from  Virginia Theological Seminary after receiving a fine arts degree from the University of North Texas. 

Previous to his election in 2008, Bishop Doyle served for five years as Canon to the Ordinary. He also served churches in Temple and College Station, as well as being elected deputy to several General Conventions.  He most recently served on the Structure Committee and is currently president of the Compass Rose Society, a global group of patrons and leaders making a difference in the Anglican Communion.  

Bishop Doyle’s focus for ministry is service, evangelism and reconciliation, planting 15 new churches and more than 50 new “missional communities” in the next five years. An avid reader and fly fisherman, Bishop Doyle has written several books, often mixing references from pop culture's music and movies with the latest in secular leadership trends in order to reach the broadest spectrum of readers and challenge Episcopalians to move into their communities with the Gospel in word and action. His writings include: "Unabashedly Episcopalian: The Good News of the Episcopal Church", 2012; "Proudly Episcopal", 2015; "Church: A Generous Community Amplified for the Future", 2015; "A Generous Community: Being Church In A New Missionary Age", 2015; "Small Batch: Local, Organic, and Sustainable Church", 2016; "The Jesus Heist", 2017; "Vocātiō: Imaging a Visible Church", 2018; "Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World", 2020; "Embodied Liturgy: Virtual Reality and Liturgical Theology in Conversation", 2021.

Bishop Doyle’s ministry includes service as a deputy to General Convention in 2006 and 2009. He served on the Dispatch of Business committee in 2006 and as a legislative aide in 2000. Locally, Bishop Doyle’s ministry includes a broad range of experience on boards including the diocesan foundations, finance, and communication, Mission Funding, the diocesan Executive Board and the Hispanic Commission.

Bishop Doyle is a gifted and experienced teacher and preacher, and has a particular interest in reaching younger generations in order to partner with older and experienced church members to share wisdom across generations, invigorating growth and membership. He has training and expertise in mediation as well as multicultural ministry. Bishop Doyle is bilingual and looks forward to responding to an increasingly diverse population in the Diocese of Texas.

A published author and accomplished painter, Doyle and his wife JoAnne have two daughters, Zoë and Caisa.

St. Francis is in its 72nd year and commemorated the 48th anniversary of celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint for the church on October 4, 2022. The Reverend Rhonda Rogers is the Rector.

Remembering The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Engle, former Rector of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Pauls

The Reverend Dr. Cynthia L. Engle, former Rector of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View passed away on July 2, 2022 at her home in Cypress, Texas.  Her two children, Brian and Christine was by her side as they had been following her health failings beginning in Summer of 2021.

Funeral service for Reverend Engle is set for July 20 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 414 E McAlpine St, Navasota, TX 77868 - (936) 825-7726.   Condolences may be sent to: The Family of Cynthia Engle, P. O. Box 2309, Cypress, TX 77410-2309.

Reverend served as Rector of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church from July 1, 2011 to August 31, 2019. She previously served a two-year stint as Deacon and Priest with St. Mark's in Beaumont, where she covered all aspects of Parish Ministry and the implementation of Stephen Ministry.

Engle also served as Rector of St. Paul’s Navasota, concurrently with St. Francis.  As rector for both churches, Engle brought her experiences in virtually every aspect of Church life, including officiating, preaching, music ministry, worship leadership, altar guild, Lay Eucharistic Ministry, acolytes, cross-cultural outreach with international communities in USA and England working with the homeless, hospital and chaplaincy. The members benefited from the rich experiences which broadened their commitment to being servants of Christ to the communities at large.  Reverend Engle is remembered for her true love of the animals in tribute to the Patron Saint Francis of Assisi.  She looked forward to the blessings of the animals that was also extended to stuffed animals that the children would bring to the event.

She began her professional career as a music teacher in Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District and completed stints with the Corpus Christi Independent School District, Corpus Christi and Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi. Her other experiences include serving as an Adjunct Professor of Old Testament at the Fuller Theological Seminary Regional Campuses (Texas, California, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona); Tutorial supervisions in Hebrew grammar and text, Cambridge, UK; Teaching Assistant, Old Testament and Greek tutorials, Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA, teaching at the Philharmonic Summer Workshops in Laredo. Her other experiences include stints with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Service in Phoenix, AZ and the Bethlehem Haven Shelter for Women in Pittsburgh, PA.

Reverend Engle’s service in the ministry began in 1996 in Arizona where she served as Director for Ioize Worship Group in the Diocese of Arizona, followed with services as a Volunteer Lay Chaplain with St. Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix, Pastoral Assistant, Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Cave Creek, Director of Christian Education, Christ Church of the Ascension and Deacon, Christ Church of the Ascension in Paradise Valley, Arizona. She also completed medical missions to Diocese of Honduras, Central America.

In 2008, Reverend Engle returned to Texas and was ordained a Deacon in December 2008 in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. She received her ordination in December 2009.

Engle holds the Bachelor of Music from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Master of Divinity from Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA and the Ph.D. in Old Testament from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England and certificates in continuing education in Hebrew Reading from Fuller Seminary Southwest and Languages from Phoenix College in Phoenix, Arizona.

She is the recipient of many awards including academic grants and scholarships from Trinity in Cambridge and Selwyn College and Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, Fuller Seminary Southwest and Mercer, the Board of Women Graduates and the Outstanding Greek Award from Trinity School for Ministry.

As a musician, she’s enjoyed a lifelong and ongoing freelance musical performances with Music Societies at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, the Mesa Symphony, Mesa, AZ, Symphony North Houston, Corpus Christi Symphony, the Laredo Philharmonic and the Prairie View A&M University Symphonic Band.

Engle was born in Waco and grew up in Houston. She has a son Brian, who taught gymnastics and daughters Christine, a stylist and theatre director, and a foster daughter Heather Ryland, an artist.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Engle family.