Province VII Synod Delegates and Alternate Delegates

Church

The Rev. Adrian Amaya, Rector, St. Philip's, Beeville

Gifts and Talents - Good preacher and public speaker; can teach difficult concepts to varied audiences; connected to both the traditions of the Church and pop culture; writes very well across disciplines; loves to work with children and young adults; very computer savvy; quite the cook.

Local Church Activities - Rector and Ex-Officio member of the St. Philip's School Board

Diocesan Activities - Bishop's Happening Movement, Discernment committee since 2006, Representative to Province VII (2005), Environmental Stewardship Committee, Christian Faith and Action Committee (Prison Ministry), Spiritual Director and Assistant Spiritual Director of Cursillo weekends, Spiritual Director of Kairos weekends held at two Texas Department of Criminal Justice Facilities, Spiritual Director and Assistant Spiritual Director of Diocesan Happening events, Dean and Chaplain of Camp Capers summer camps

Length of time in the Diocese - 13+ years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

The Rev. Maurice (Reese) L. Friedman, Vicar, Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio

Local Church Activities - Vicar

Diocesan Activities -- Province VII Delegate, Disaster Preparedness task force, Consultant with Commission on Liturgy and Music

Length of time in the Diocese - 12 years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

The Rev. Lori Johnson, Asst. Rector, St. David's, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - Approachable, pastoral, knack for finding information and resources, collegial/team oriented

Local Church Activities - Assistant Rector

Diocesan Activities - Diocesan Core Values Workshop and took part in discussion on training and mentoring of new clergy.

Length of time in the Diocese - 1 year

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

The Rev. C. Earl Mahan, Rector, St. Matthew's, Edinburg

Gifts and Talents - 14 years in parish ministry, commitment to Diocesan engagement with the wider Church

Local Church Activities - Rector, Council Delegate

Diocesan Activities - Mustang Island Conference Center Program committee, Dean of the Rio Grande Valley Convocation

Length of time in the Diocese - 2 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Michael Hoffman

The Rev. Mary Margaret Mueller, Rector, Grace, Llano

Gifts and Talents - Create ideas, works well with others, loves the church and can recruit others

Local Church Activities - Rector

Diocesan Activities - Executive Board, Examination of Candidates, Trustee of TMI, Trustee of Sewanee

Length of time in the Diocese - 25 years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

The Rev. Tom Murray, Asst. Rector, St. Peter's, Kerrville

Gifts and Talents - Willingness to represent the Diocese of West Texas with integrity and energy

Local Church Activities - Assistant Rector, Order of St. Luke the Physician Chaplain, Community of Hope - Leadership Team

Diocesan Activities - Executive Board, Spiritual Director Y.E.S., Chairman of Commission of Ministry of the Disabled

Length of time in the Diocese - 2 years

Nominated by - Parishioner, Linda Jordan

The Rev. Patrick Ormos, Rector, St. Francis, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - I have been involved in the church for more than 30 years as a layperson, and then priest in two countries and five dioceses.  During that time I have served on many different Diocesan committees from Program Committee (Montreal) to Diocesan Restructuring Committee (N. IN), including the Congregational Revitalization and Development Committee (N. IN) and Deputy to General Convention 2000 and 2006 (N. IN).  I bring an international and classically Anglican theological viewpoint to the table.

Local Church Activities -- Rector

Diocesan Activities - See above committees in other dioceses

Length of time in the Diocese - 7 months

Nominated by - Vestry

The Rev. Scott Penrod, Rector, Trinity, Pharr

Local Church Activities - Rector

Diocesan Activities - Mustang Island Program Committee, Compensation Committee, Evangelism Committee, Cursillo Secretariat, Cursillo Spiritual Director, Happening Spiritual Director

Length of time in the Diocese - 54 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Michael Hoffman, Nominating Committee

The Rev. Cristopher Robinson, Asst. Rector, St. Thomas, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - A talent for big-picture or prophetic thinking, gifts of administration and organization and a history of successful management (was a consulting engineer before seminary)

Local Church Activities - Assistant Rector

Diocesan Activities - Dean and Chaplain at Camp Capers

Nominated by - Parishioner - Nancy Springer-Jakubovic

The Rev. Christopher Collin Roque, Asst. Rector, St. John's, McAllen

Local Church Activities - Assistant Rector

Diocesan Activities - Board Member for Good Samaritan Community Services - Rio Grande Site, Cursillo Spiritual Advisor, Diocesan Disaster Response Task Force Committee

Length of time in the Diocese - 37 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Michael Hoffman

The Rev. Chuck Sharrow, Vicar, St. Paul's, Brownsville

Gifts and Talents - Personal prayer and daily Bible reading, a dependence on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life and ministry, healing ministry, listening, prayer and discernment

Local Church Activities - Vicar, Brownsville pastors association, Love INC of Brownsville

Diocesan Activities - Evangelism Committee, Continuing Education Committee, SOMA mission trips to Argentina 1999 and Honduras in 2001, Medical missions chaplain to Honduras 2001 and 2002, Saving God's children trainer, Happening Spiritual Director, Camp Capers Spiritual Director

Length of time in the Diocese - 13 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Michael Hoffman

The Rev. Jonathan Wickham, St. Mark's, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - Collaborative decision making, openness to new ideas and people, experience in church leadership at local and diocesan level, a desire to strengthen and renew the ministry of the church.

Local Church Activities - Lay - Experience as a Council Delegate, professional youth minister, lay reader, chalice bearer.  Ordained experience as Assistant Rector, Episcopal School Chaplain, Liturgy coordinator

Diocesan Activities - Former Deputy for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, former Director of Camps and Conferences, Bishop's Happening movement, Camp Capers Dean and Chaplain, Camps Development Committee, Christ Chapel at Texas State Board Member

Length of time in the Diocese - 12 years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

The Rev. Dori Zubizarreta, Vicar, St. Boniface, Comfort

Gifts and Talents - 27 year full time ministry, 10 year ordained ministry, 9 years as a missionary to Honduras

Local Church Activities - Board of Chaplains, Los Fresnos US Immigration Center; NOVA - Certified Volunteer (National Organization for Victim's Assistance); Hospital Visiting Chaplain - Valley Baptist Medical Center

Diocesan Activities - 2007 Delegate-United Nation Council on the Status of Women; Dean of  Valley Convocation of Churches; Chaplain-Camp Capers Primary & High School Camp; Lucio Blanco, Mexico-Housing Project for houses destroyed by fire

Length of time in the Diocese - 4 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Mary Margaret Mueller

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

Nancy Bennett, member of St. Philip's, Uvalde

Gifts and Talents - Enthusiasm, dedication, faithful

Local Church Activities - Choir, Women of St. Philip's, Sunday School Teacher, Council Delegate

Length of time in the Diocese - 20+ years

Nominated by - Vestry

Cathy Chatham, member of All Saints', Corpus Christi

Gifts and Talents - Lifelong involvement in mission and ministry in DWTX, deep faith and commitment to inclusivity, hospitality and the creative process; extensive experience in church operations at parish, diocesan, provincial and national levels

Local Church Activities - Lay Eucharistic Minister, Council Delegate, Co-coordinator Design Team of LifeStreams (Rite III Sunday Service), Spiritual Formation Educator, hospitality, building & grounds, EFM graduate, Vestry, newsletter editor, Christian Ed Director/teacher/workshop event planner, VBS Director

Diocesan Activities - Executive Board, Ministry for Higher Education, Camp Capers Dean/staff 25+ years, Diocesan Council Co-Chair, Dept. of Christian Ed Chair, Camps and Conferences, Diocesan Youth Commission Chair, Capital Campaign, Christian Faith in Action team, Cursillo, Happening, Vocare, Steering Committee, Co-founder Episcopal Youth for Social Action, Province VII & National Rep for Youth Network & Youth Event design teams

Length of time in the Diocese - lifelong

Nominated by - Parish Discernment Commission and Nominating Committee

Stacy Dowdy, Youth and Young Adult Ministry Officer, DWTX

Local Church Activities - Vestry, Bishop's Committee, Junior Warden, Lay Reader, LEM, Council Delegate, Youth Sponsor, Sunday School teacher, taught Confirmation classes

Diocesan Activities - Ministry in Higher Education, Happening Advisory Board, Bishop's Youth Action Council, Department of Camps and Conferences, Mustang Island Program and Site Committees, Camp Camper Program and Site Committees

Length of time in the Diocese - lifetime

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

Gayle Gottlich, member of All Saint's, Corpus Christi

Gifts and Talents - Great love for this church, open ears, fresh eyes, ability to facilitate discussion and find common ground, idea generator and strategic thinker

Local Church Activities - Vestry, Search Committee member, Strategic Planning Committee, Youth Coordinator, Lifestreams Liturgical Team member

Diocesan Activities - Occasional "Mom" for Happenings

Length of time in the Diocese - lifetime

Nominated by - The Rev. Faith Bledsoe

Rachel Graves, member of St. George, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - Discernment, good decision making skills, listening skills, strategic planning, energy, loyalty, love of people, love of learning, diplomatic

Local Church Activities - Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Parish Volunteer, School Chapel Leader, Junior High Sunday School teacher, discernment committee

Diocesan Activities - Ministry in Higher Education, Vocare, Camp Capers Staff Director 2006

Length of time in the Diocese - 20 years

Nominated by - Parishioner, Jennifer Endsley

Jim Hawthorne, member of All Saints', Corpus Christi

Gifts and Talents - Spiritual depth and knowledge of the tradition, servant leader, servant heart, many years of vestry experience in two churches, administration, follow through.

Local Church Activities - Vestry/Bishop's Committee, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, EFM Mentor, Church School adult classes, Council Delegate, Trustee of Cliff Maus Village Trust.

Diocesan Activities - Council Delegate, Alternate Delegate, Diocesan workshops

Length of time in the Diocese - 35 years

Nominated by - Parish Discernment Commission

Bianca Leonard, member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi

Gifts and Talents - I have worked in a leadership role with youth ministry for six years.  I am organized and responsible.

Local Church Activities - Since I am the Youth Minister, I am in charge of weekly youth events, fellowship activities, mission trips and Sunday School activities.  I also do a lot of my own mission work and teach classes at our church school.

Diocesan Activities - I have been on planning teams for many diocesan events as well as on staff for Camp Capers.

Length of time in the Diocese - 12 years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

Lisa Mason, member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi; Church of Reconciliation, San Antonio

Local Church Activities - Christian Ed Director 9 years, Vestry, Capital Campaign Committee (x2), Senior Choir, Handbell Choir, Youth Sponsor, Parish Retreat Co-coordinator 2 years, Council Delegate several years, Field placement seminarian for 2007-2009 at Reconciliation, SA, ETSS Visitor's Weekend Coordinator Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Middler Class representative Homiletics Search Committee Member, Sacristan

Diocesan Activities - Executive Board member, Secretary, Province VII Synod Alternate 2005, Chairman of the Mustang Island Program Committee, Past Secretariat Member, Past ERD rep for the Diocese

Length of time in the Diocese - lifetime

Nominated by - The Rev. Ram Lopez

Lou Taylor, Christian Education Officer, DWTX, member of St. Mark's, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - Experience working on a provincial and national church level; an ability to bring diverse groups together; a passion for the work of the whole Church

Local Church Activities - Church School teacher, Katrina Family Resettling Team

Diocesan Activities - Chairman of Christian Education Committee, Anti Racism Representative to Province VII, Chairman of Province VII Christian Education Committee, member of Episcopal Council for Christian Education-Province VII Rep

Length of time in the Diocese - 7 years

Nominated by - Nominating Committee

Jennifer Wickham, member of St. Mark's, San Antonio

Gifts and Talents - Organization, commitment, lifelong Episcopalian, passion for broader church relationships and ministries, collaborative, previous provincial involvement as a youth (Province VII Youth Council)

Local Church Activities - Sunday School teacher, EFM mentor, Former Christian Ed director (2 parishes), Diocesan Christian Ed committee, Camp Capers volunteer, song leader and musician

Diocesan Activities - Director of Religious Formation-St. George Episcopal School; EFM Mentor Trainer, Godly Play Teacher Trainer, Host family for Belarus Outreach, Clergy spouse activities

Length of time in the Diocese - 12 years

Nominated by - The Rev. Ram Lopez

Gail Williams, member of Grace, Llano

Gifts and Talents - Discernment, willing leadership and involvement, great support and leadership, a great student (learning, strong spiritual growth)

Local Church Activities - Vestry, Junior Warden, Lay Reader, LEM, Council Delegate (x3), assisted with Adult Sunday School and book studies

Length of time in the Diocese - 3 1/2 years

Nominated by - Rector, The Rev. Mary Margaret Mueller