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Saint Michael and All Angels
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Bill Power Remembers Bob Estill

Foreword by Rector Chris Girata

When I received the news of Bob Estill’s death, my immediate reaction was to give thanks for the life and ministry of a true servant of God. As our fourth rector, Bob may have only been a part of the Saint Michael community for four years, but he made a meaningful impact. His ministry here ended when he became the Bishop of North Carolina, a position he held until his retirement. As you will see in Bill Power’s touching remembrance, the ripples of Bob’s ministry can still be felt today. We can be proud of our part in his wonderful journey. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

What I remember most particularly about Bob was his ironic self-deprecatory sense of humor. He did not take himself too seriously and enjoyed making himself the butt of an amusing story. He told me one day about a conversation he had had with a parishioner who was very upset about his children. He had poured money and energy and emotion into them. He had given them the best education and opportunities in life that he could imagine, but they appeared to be making nothing of their lives. When Bob tried to commiserate with him, the fellow said to Bob that he had no idea what it was like to have a son who was making nothing of himself. Bob agreed and shortly thereafter, he escorted the fellow out of his office and into the hall where they encountered Bob’s son, Bobby, with a mop. Leon had hired him to work in maintenance at the church. “Hey dad,” Bobby said. Bob bade the parishioner goodbye and retreated to his office.

Bob suffered from the fact that he followed Donald Henning, a man with a big personality, a delightful speaker and an effective preacher. Bob was a good thoughtful preacher, but he wasn’t Henning and he knew it. Nevertheless I remember one of Bob‘s sermons better than most I have heard from that pulpit. He had to come back as a visiting preacher to Saint Michael after being elected to the episcopacy, and in the last sermon I heard him preach he told this story: He was driving from Durham to a nearby town for a baptism and confirmation and he noted on one of the overpasses that some clown had run the risk of hanging over the railing and painting on the overpass these words, “I love you Lisa.” Bob wondered about the guy’s sanity as he drove on, but when he came to the next overpass there it was again, “I love you Lisa.” This message occurred on each overpass that Bob came to until the last one. When he pulled onto the access road, he saw that the message read, “I will always love you Lisa.” Bob used that experience to define the essence of baptism with God’s declaration, “I will always love you.”

Bob’s most lasting contribution to this parish was the Christian education program. He hired a staff and was responsible for organizing a program that was designed to nurture both children and adults from the cradle to the grave. So, he was responsible for the hiring of experienced teachers like Shelly Vescovo, Nancy Solano, Nancy Somodevilla, Alice Aston Bass, Bill Clarkson, Ann Mills, and others to establish a program that lasted for 20 years. He knew that the future of the parish depended upon the education of its children and he pursued that goal with enthusiasm.

I would be remiss if I did not say that Bob was a good personal friend whom I shall remember fondly as long as I live. Whenever I think of him, I smile. Ave Atque, Bob, I salute you.

Farewell.

Ordained in 1955, The Rev. Robert W. Still became the fourth rector of Saint Michael and All Angels, serving from 1976-1980. In 1983 he was installed as the ninth Bishop of North Carolina.


Tags: Blog & Newsroom

The Archangel November/December 2019

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A Message from the Rector - "Deep Gratitude"

We have a lot to be grateful for this holiday season, even if we've recently suffered hardship. Rector Chris Girata hopes that you find this holiday season deeply renewing.

Read More »

Walking the Camino de Santiago: A Saint Michael Pilgrimage

Rev. Mary Lessmann and pilgrimage participants recap a very special experience walking the 72 miles of the Camino de Santiago.

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Refresh + Renew + Revive

Rector Chris Girata and Refresh campaign chair Peggy Carr offer an update now that all of the work for this project has been completed.

Read More »

Bill Power Remembers Bob Estill

Bill Power reflects on the ministry and legacy of the fourth rector of Saint Michael and All Angels after his recent passing.

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Stephen Ministry: Strictly Confidential

Stephen Ministry Lay Leader Marillyn Seeberger shares details on this impactful 1:1 ministry and when someone might need a Stephen Minister.

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Jubilee Park Feels Like Home

An update on the Jubilee Housing Task Force and how they are improving the lives of elderly Jubilee Park residents.

Read More »

A Cherub's Life

Wondering what it's like to be in our Cherub Choir? We followed Elsie Ross as she and the other children enjoyed rehearsals and performances this fall.

Read More »

Read the full issue

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 363-5471

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Sunday Services:

9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
8 p.m. Compline in the Church

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Under normal circumstances, Saint Michael offers more services every day of the week. Learn more about our full worship schedule here.

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Saint Michael and All Angels is a member parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. We practice The Way of Love as members of The Episcopal Church.

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Sunday Services:
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service
8 p.m. Compline

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Saint Michael and All Angels
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225

Contact Us
(214) 363-5471

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Welcome Children Service Times Getting Here & Campus Map Membership

Welcome! | Saint Michael and All Angels is a community of passionate people seeking to follow Jesus in a meaningful way that impacts both our own lives and that of the community around us. We are blessed with our parish home and so glad to share it with you. If you find yourself in Dallas, we would love to have you join us for worship!

- The Reverend Dr. Chris Girata, Rector

Welcome to Children and Family Ministry!

Our team in Children and Family Ministry provides children, ages 0 – 5th grade, and their parents with the tools they need to become faithful disciples of Christ. We achieve this through fun and interactive programming that allows children and families to explore their faith together.

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Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in Saint Michael Chapel
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II) in the Church
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service in Saint Michael Chapel
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in the Church
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer and Eucharist Rite I in Saint Michael Chapel
8 p.m. Compline in the Church
Saturday Services:
8:30 a.m. Eucharist in Bishop Moore Chapel
5:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass in Saint Michael Chapel
Weekday Services:
7 a.m. M/W/F: Morning Prayer in Bishop Moore Chapel
7 a.m. T/Th: Holy Eucharist (Rite I or II) in Bishop Moore Chapel
10 a.m. Wed.: Healing Service in Bishop Moore Chapel
Click here for service descriptions and more info

We are located just south of Northwest Highway off of Douglas Ave. at Colgate Ave. Via Northbound Tollroad: Exit Lovers Ln, continue straight on Lomo Alto a few blocks to Colgate. Church is on your right. Via Southbound Tollroad: Exit Northwest Hwy, turn left to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right. Via US 75: Exit Northwest Hwy and go west to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right.

Maps & Directions

If you are new to Saint Michael, curious about the path to membership, or simply want to learn more about life at our parish community, we invite you to join us for two different class events we have throughout the year: "Saint Michael 101" is an introduction to life here at SMAA, and "Episcopal Christians", where we explore what it means to walk as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition, discussing topics like our Anglican heritage, worship, the Bible and formation etc.

Saint Michael 101 Episcopal Christians
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Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Saint Michael as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

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The Foundation of Saint Michael and All Angels is essential to the vitality, growth, stability and success of our parish. Its grants support the mission of the Parish, consistent with priorities established by the Vestry and the Rector.

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As God’s stewards, we build on the foundation left by those who came before us. We, in turn, have the opportunity, with a bequest to Saint Michael, to sustain and enhance our parish ministries and programs for the benefit of future generations.

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