Standing Committee

One clergy person and one lay person to be elected for a three-year term. Retiring incumbents, the Rev. John Badders and Mr. Richard Mosty are ineligible.

Description of duties: from Article V, Canon 3. The Standing Committee meets about three times a year and serves as a Council of Advice to the diocesan bishop. Among its responsibilities are granting withholding consents to the election of bishops throughout the Episcopal Church and interviewing seminarians and recommending to the bishop whether or not they be made candidates for ordination.

Current Committee Members	Church	Term ends
The Rev. John Hardie	St. Mark's, CC	2010
Mrs. Helen Schnelzer	Christ Church, SA	2010
The Rev. Tim Vellom	St. Matthew's, Universal City	2009
Mrs. Alice Ann Fischer	Good Shepherd, CC	2009
●The Rev. John Badders	St. John's, McAllen	2008
●Mr. Richard Mosty	St. Peter's, Kerrville	2008

●Incumbents are ineligible for re-election.

Nominations

Clergy Order - elect 1 for 3 year term
	The Rev. Faith Bledsoe - Rector, St. Francis, Victoria Gifts and Talents -- Deep life of prayer; wisdom, discernment, listening, commitment to the Church. Local Church Activities - Rector Diocesan Activities - Continuing Education Committee, Nominating Committee, Evangelism Committee. Length of time in Diocese - 5 years Nominated by - The Rev. Michael Marsh and the St. Francis Vestry
	The Rev. Scott Brown - Rector, St. Alban's, Harlingen Gifts and Talents - Enthusiasm and a heart for all God's people. Local Church Activities - Rector Diocesan Activities - Executive Board, Program Committee for Camps and Conferences, Camp Capers Dean, Editorial Board for Church News Length of time in Diocese - 9 years Nominated by - Nominating Committee
	The Rev. Dr. Patrick Gahan - Rector, St. Stephen's, Wimberley Gifts and Talents - Demonstrated leadership, creativity, twenty years in ordained ministry serving Episcopal Church; service to larger Anglican Communion in Newfoundland and worldwide mission work. Local Church Activities - Has twice served as rector of parishes Diocesan Activities - Executive Board (Diocese of TX); Trustee of St. Stephen's School; Trustee, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest; Clergy and Compensation Committee (Diocese of Maryland) Length of time in Diocese - 3 years Nominated by - Nominating Committee
	The Rev. Ramiro "Ram" Lopez - Rector, St. George, San Antonio Gifts and Talents - Experienced in a wide array of diocesan activities; passion for the life and vitality of the Episcopal Church; ability to work with multiple generations - especially youth and young adults. Local Church Activities - Rector Diocesan Activities - Executive Board; Chair, Camp Capers Program Division; Chair, Nominating Committee; Alternate Deputy to General Convention; Trustee, University of the South; Recovery Ministries; Camp Capers Site Committee; Camp Capers Dean/Chaplain; World Mission Division Length of time in Diocese - 25 years Nominated by - Nominating Committee
Lay Order - elect 1 for 3 year term
	Blaine Bennett, member of St. Philip's, Uvalde Gifts and Talents -- Leadership experience, deep spirituality Local Church Activities - Past Sr. Warden, Vestry, Choir member, School Board, Council Delegate, Sunday School Teacher Length of time in the Diocese - 20+ years Nominated by - Senior Warden, St. Philip's, Uvalde
	J. David Enos, member of St. Andrew's by the Sea, Port Isabel Gifts and Talents - A lifetime membership in the Episcopal Church in different parts of the country; organized; good people skills; former Plant Manager during working years. Local Church Activities - Vestry member, past Senior Warden, Lay Reader (lector), Lay Eucharistic Minister, Council Delegate, leader in all church sponsored fund raising events Length of time in the Diocese - 6 years in Del Rio, 10 years in Port Isabel Nominated by - The Rev. Philip Taylor, Rector
	Marilynne Herbster, member of St. George, San Antonio Gifts and Talents - The gift of servanthood, prayerful discernment, compassion, hospitality. Local Church Activities - Council Delegate, choir member, Daughters of the King Diocesan Activities - Lay Ministry Committee Length of time in the Diocese - 25 years Nominated by - Mrs. Patricia Fullen Whitehouse
	Betty Mosty, member of St. Peter's, Kerrville Gifts and Talents - Commitment to my personal faith and to the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church. Local Church Activities - Bible study leader, Sr. Warden (x2), VCS director (x5), ECW past president, Happening Parish Coordinator (x3), School Board member, J2A mentor, Lenten Speaker, Council delegate (x15), Stewardship chairman Diocesan Activities - Cursillo team member (x10), past president Cursillo Secretariat, Stewardship committee, Stewardship of Creation, Courtesy Resolutions Committee (x3), Executive Board, Honduras vet mission trip (x3) Length of time in the Diocese - 30+ years Nominated by - Nominating Committee

Constitution & Canons of the General Convention

Article IV. In every diocese a Standing Committee shall be elected by the Convention (Council) thereof, except that provisions for filling vacancies between meetings of the Convention may be prescribed by the Canons of the respective dioceses. When there is a Bishop in charge of the diocese, the Standing Committee shall be the Bishop's Council of Advice. If there be no Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop canonically authorized to act, the Standing Committee shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese for all purposes declared by the General Convention. The rights and duties of the Standing Committee, except as provided in the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention, may be prescribed by the Canons of the respective dioceses.

Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of West Texas

Article V, Section 1. The Annual Council shall elect a Standing Committee consisting of three priests and three lay communicants eligible for election to membership in the Council. The Council shall elect one priest and one lay communicant annually, and they shall serve for a term of three years. No members of the Standing Committee after serving a full term or part of a term thereon shall be eligible to serve again on the Standing Committee for a full year after such service. A vacancy may be filled for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining members.

Article V, Section 2. The Standing Committee shall have all the authority conferred upon it by the General Constitution and Canons, and in addition thereto, shall have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Canons of the Diocese.

Canon 3, Section 1. The Standing Committee shall annually elect its own president and other officers under the temporary chair of the previous year's chair, at or immediately following adjournment of the Council. It shall keep a record of its proceedings, and annually report its proceedings to the Council, except such as pertain to the exercise of its function as a council of advice to the Bishop.

Canon 3, Section 2. No member of the Standing Committee, during his/her term as a member thereof, shall be eligible to election to membership on the Executive Board.