122nd Council of the Diocese of West Texas “Let Love be Genuine.” 

Over 650 Clergy, Council Delegates, Alternates, Guests, Exhibitors, and staff were greeted with beautiful weather as they gathered in Corpus Christ for the 122^nd Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Council. The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas, called Council to order at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26^th, beginning a busy agenda that was filled with ministry reports, Council videos, business proceedings, workshops, worship, exhibits, and special events, including Sip ‘n Shop and the Bishop’s Luncheon.  

Council Host Churches, including St. Francis and Trinity in Victoria, and St. Philip’s in Beeville, offered welcoming smiles and guidance as attendees arrived and provided hospitality throughout the event.  Leading the Host Church teams were:

• St. Francis, Victoria: The Rev. Stephen Carson, Rector and Melanie Klotzman, Council Co-Chair.

• Trinity, Victoria:  The Rev. Michael Koehler, Rector, and Susan Hall-Angerstein, Council Co-Chair.

• St. Philip’s, Beeville: The Rev. Andrew Green, Rector, and Carol Green, Council Co-Chair.  

Following the introduction of the Council Host Churches, Bishop Read recognized new clergy, seminarians, and visiting and Diocese of West Texas bishops.  

• New Clergy: The Rev. Joseph Dewey, Christ Church, San Antonio; The Rev. Kara Leslie, Church of the Messiah, Gonzales; The Rev. Deepu George, Grace, Weslaco; and The Rev. Cruz Hector Torres, St. John’s, McAllen; and, The Rev. Mary Keenan, St. Elizabeth’s, Buda. 

• Seminarians & Churches: Riva Heron, St. John’s, New Braunfels; Jennifer Murphy, St. Nicholas, Bulverde; Maggie Paul, St. Helena’s, Boerne; Susan Turlapati, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs. 

• Visting Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota.  

• West Texas Bishops: Bishop Read sent greetings to The Rt. Rev. James Folts, 8th Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge and wife Catherine, 9th Bishop; The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed and wife Patti, 10th Bishop; and The Rt. Rev. Rayford High and wife Ann, Assistant Bishop, Retired. 

• Guest Speakers: The Rev. Nancy Frausto, Director of Latinx Studies, Lecturer in Multicultural Ministry, Seminary of the Southwest and Race Hodges, Program Officer, Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development.

2026 DIOCESAN THEME ‍
Bishop Read discussed the Theme for 2026, “Let Love Be Genuine”, from Romans 12:9, opening with the recitation of the scripture.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Delegates and Clergy were then asked to reflect and discuss the following questions:

1. What makes Christian love “genuine”?  When is it not?

2. Which of Paul’s exhortations on Christian living is the easiest for you and your congregation?   Which one(s) is the most challenging for your congregation?

3. When and where have you recently experienced someone living- into one of these exhortations?  Share the story. ‍

THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS
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On Friday, February 27, Bishop Read addressed Council attendees.  He spoke of why he chose the theme, Let Love be Genuine from Romans 12:9, sharing,  

“According to Paul, God’s deep and reckless love of us is the beginning of holy living.  We love genuinely because God first loved us genuinely, authentically and justly.”

Bishop discussed how clergy and congregations can demonstrate genuine love in diocesan communities.

Updates were provided on Hill Country Flood Relief, the Diaconate and Path to Ordination, Church Planting, World Mission, and Apportionment and Endowments.

Additionally, he discussed the resources that are available through the diocesan staff departments stating, “The Diocesan staff exists to serve the clergy, congregations, schools, ministries and people of West Texas.  We are ready to help.”

Expounding on the service of the Diocesan Office, Bishop Read closed his address with these words, “You get bishops who genuinely love you deeply and dearly; who pray for you every day; and who are a phone call away.  This is my third year to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.  There is no higher honor or privilege than I can imagine than to serve the Lord with you in this place.”

Click here to watch or click here to read the Bishop’s Address

BISHOP SUFFRAGAN ADDRESS
The Rt. Rev. Angela Cortiñas delivered the Bishop Suffragan Address on the morning of Saturday, February 28. She provided an overview of her first year as Bishop Suffragan of West Texas, thanking clergy, congregations, and schools for welcoming her warmly during her approximately 40 visits throughout the diocese by the end of 2025.

“Each visit has touched my heart and informed my growing sense of what God the Diocese need from me as a bishop as I walk this journey with all of you”.

Bishop Cortiñas provided an overview of the Clergy Wellness and Education programs that were conducted in 2025, as well as those planned in 2026 including convocation visits, clergy book study, women’s clergy retreat, curate cohort program, and new clergy orientation.

Additionally, she discussed the work of the Christian Formation and Latino + Immigration Ministries departments, encouraging clergy and congregations to participate in the programs that are offered.

Bishop Cortiñas concluded with a thank you to the people, clergy, Bishop Read, and diocesan staff, stating:  

“I give thanks every day that God has called me to serve you as your Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of West Texas.”

Click here to watch the Bishop Suffragan’s Address

COUNCIL IN ACTION 
The 2026 Council in Action ministry partners included the Trinity Episcopal School’s Hunger Bag Initiative and the Golden Cresent Food Bank. Erin Koehler, Teacher at Trinity Episcopal School and Rita Victory, Parent Liaison at Hopkins Elementary in Victoria provided information on how these programs are addressing food scarcity.  Food and financial donations are still being accepted.  To learn more about Council in Action and how you can contribute, click here.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
A recognition of appreciation was given to Mr. Brian Kates, member of St. David’s, San Antonio, and the Standing Committee, for his generous contribution of time and talent to the diocese in the areas of real estate.  Brian’s expertise has been instrumental in the ensuring the diocese is well represented in real estate dealings.  In honor of Brian, a donation was made in his name to the Diocesan Camps + Conferences Endowment Fund.

PRESENTATIONS
A variety of presentations were provided by diocesan ministries, department, and guest speakers. Click here to visit the Diocese of West Texas Council 2026 Vimeo page to view presentations.

• TMI Episcopal, presented by the Rev. Scott Brown, President + the Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson, Chaplain

• St. Peter’s Help and Hope for the Hill Country Ministry presented by the Rev. Bert Baetz, Rector, Katharine Boyette, Help and Hope Ministry Coordinator, and Kristina Hernandez, Executive Director of the Children’s Bereavement Center

• Investment Goal for St. Andrew’s, Corpus Christ, presented by the Rev. Gerald Phelps, Rector

• 2025 Episcopal Foundation of West Texas Results, presented by Dan Butt, Executive Director

• Change of Location and Investment Opportunity, Grace Church, San Antonio, Presented by the Rev. Tim Swan, Rector

• Diocese of West Texas Financial Report, Ted Burkhart, Treasurer

• Discernment + Discovery Weekend, presented by the Venerable Mike Besson, Archdeacon of West Texas, Tami Woods, Director of College + Young Adult Ministries and member of Discernment Committee

• The Community of St. Francis and Clare, presented by the Rev. Rich Nelson and the first cohort of St. Francis and Clare:  Cece Constantino, Daniel Jaime, Melanie Jakubisin, Luke Merritt, Emilia Pelsor, Bill Schneider

• Iona School of Ministry in West Texas, presented by the Rev. Alex Holloway, Interim Dean

• Latino + Immigration Ministries, presented by Flor Saldivar, Director

• Church Planting Task Force, presented by the Rev. Mike Michie, Chair, Rector at St. Thomas, San Antonio and Jeremy Wyndham, St. Nicholas, Bulverde

• Optimizing Digital Communications, presented by Meg Grant, Executive Director of Communications, Diocese of West Texas

• Good Samaritan Community Services, presented by Simon Salas, CEO, Mercedes Moreno, Senior Director of Development and Communications, and Patrice Owens, Youth and Family Services Coordinator.

• Camps + Conferences, presented by Rob Watson, Director

• College + Young Adult Ministries, presented by Tami Woods, Director

• Lighthouse Faith at Reconciliation, San Antonio, presented by Tamara Talasek, Director of Family Ministries

• Small Church Ministry, presented by the Rev. Canon Leyla King, Canon for Mission in Small Congregations, Diocese of West Texas

• Small Church Diocesan Support, the Rev. Anna Tarver, Chief Financial Officer, Diocese of West Texas

• Re-Imagine, presented by the Rev. Brian Fox, Rector at St. Paul’s, San Antonio and the Venerable Mike Besson, Archdeacon of West Texas

• Recovery Ministries, presented by Jody Guerra, Chair
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EXHIBITS AND SIP ‘N SHOP 
Council’s Thursday agenda concluded with Sip ‘N Shop, a time for fellowship, food, shopping, and conversation with exhibitors. Gold Sponsor Exhibitors included Horizons Stewardship and Seminary of the Southwest.

BISHOP'S LUNCHEON ‍

‍Featured speaker at this year’s Bishop’s Luncheon was the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota who spoke on Five Commitments of the Remnant Church, detailing how the Diocese of Minnesota has adopted five core values that are focused on mission and ministry, adapting to changing times:

Five Commitments of the Remnant Church

• We settle into being unsettled

• We invest in strengthening the core, not convincing the edges

• We look to the past to harvest wisdom, not to nurse nostalgia

• We embrace the gift of small

• We focus on launching and supplying canoes more than repairing the ocean liner
  

Bishop Loya also spoke to the delegation on Friday afternoon.
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WORKSHOPS 
Clergy, delegates and guests had the opportunity to participate in two workshop sessions:

Thursday Workshops and Leaders

Thursday’s workshops were organized by church size and addressed opportunities and challenges unique to each group.  Workshop leaders included:  

• Resource: The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, Bishop of West Texas

• Program: The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortinas, Bishop Suffragan of West Texas,  

• Transitional: The Rev. Mike Besson, Archdeacon of West Texas

• Small: The Rev. Canon Leyla King, Canon for Mission in Small Congregations and the Rev. the Rev. Stepheya George Stephen, Rector, All Saints, San Benito  

• Mission: The Rev. Susan Burnham, Rector, St. John’s Sonora, and The Rev. Rob Harris, Rector, St. Christopher’s, Bandera  

Friday Workshops and Leaders

• FEAR FACTOR – Led by the Venerable Mike Besson, Archdeacon of West Texas

• FROM WELCOME TO BELONGING: STARTING AND SUSTAINING LATINO MINISTRY – Led by the Rev. Nancy Frausto, Director of Latinx  

• FUNDRAISING FOR KINGDOM WORK – Led by the Rev. Mike Michie, Rector, St. Thomas, San Antonio, and the Rev. James Derkits, Rector, Trinity by the Sea, Port Aransas

• KEEPING OUR LAMPS LIT: PREPARING TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR IN TIMES OF DISASTER- Led by Race Hodges, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development

• PLANTING SEEDS OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION + NURTURING GROWTH – Breakout 1: Led by Jena Baldridge, Family Minister, St. Nicholas Bulverde, and Suzanna Green, Director of Christian Formation, Diocese of West Texas; Breakout 2: Led by Jenny Ligon, Family Minister, St. Peter’s, Kerrville, and Tamara Talasek, Director of Family Ministries, Reconciliation, San Antonio

• RECLAIMING SPIRITUAL ATTENTION IN AN AGE OF DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS – Led by the Rev. Brian Fox, Rector, St. Paul’s, San Antonio

• SO, YOU'VE BEEN ELECTED WARDEN: NOW WHAT? – Led by the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, Bishop of West Texas, and the Rev. Canon Leyla King, Canon for Misson in Small Congregations, Diocese of West Teas   

• STEWARDSHIP OF TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE – Led by the Rev. Ripp Hardaway, Rector, St. John’s, New Braunfels
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EUCHARIST

A beautiful Council Eucharist was held Friday evening. The liturgy was recited in English and Spanish, and Mariachi’s and musicians, including the Rev. Stephen Carson, St. Francis, Victoria, the Rev. Rod Clark, St. John’s, McAllen, and the Rev. James Derkits, Trinity by the Sea, Port Aransas, provided a joyful, moving chorus.

The Eucharistic offering was designated for the Diocesan Immigration Crisis Relief Fund received over $5,000.  The fund will provide financial assistance to diocesan church members experiencing immigration-related hardship. 100% of donations will be distributed directly to impacted members of our diocesan family. Click here to learn more and click here to donate.

Click here to watch the Bishop Cortiñas’ sermon.
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COUNCIL CLOSING
Bishop Read concluded Council providing a brief overview of the information presented during the 122^nd Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and posing the below questions and parting words:

• What will your congregation, or your vestry, or you do differently because you attended Council?

• What are the 1-2 things (maybe 3) you want to explore because you came to Council?

• Where is your congregation stuck and how can you reach out for help?

“Whatever you do, in all you do, Let Your Love Be Genine.”

Click here to listen to the Council Closing.
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ELECTION RESULTS 

The following were elected during the 122nd Council: 

Standing Committee 

Clergy: 

• The Rev. Gerald Phelps, St. Andrew’s, Corpus Christi 

Lay: 

• Mrs. Margarita Mejia, St. Helena’s, Boerne: Full 3-Year Term

• Ms. Mary Hayden Manning, St. David’s, San Antonio: 1-Year Term 

Executive Board 

Clergy: 

• The Rev. Brian Fox,  St. Paul’s, San Antonio

• The Rev. Kara Leslie, Church of the Messiah, Gonzales 

Lay: 

• Mrs. Nancy Hawkins, St. Luke’s, San Antonio  

• Mrs. Dawn McLendon, St. Helena’s, Boerne

• Dr. Lorena Molina-Rojas, St. John’s, McAllen

• Mr. Brian Zook, St. Mark’s, San Antonio

TMI  Episcopal Board of Governors 

• The Rev. Bert Baetz,  St. Peter’s, Kerrville 

Episcopal Corporation in West Texas Trustees 

Clergy: 

• The Rev. Peter Thaddeus,  Grace, Cuero 

Lay: 

• Mrs. Julianne Galloway, St. Andrew’s, Seguin 
  

Sewanee: The University of the South Trustees

• Ms. Abby Cole, St. Luke’s, San Antonio

General Convention Deputies

Clergy:

• The Rev. Brian Fox, St. Paul’s, San Antonio

• The Rev. Canon Leyla King, Diocese of West Texas

• The Rev. Ramiro Lopez, St. George, San Antonio

• The Rev. Beth Wyndham, St. Nicholas, Bulverde

Lay:

• Ms. Mary Hayden Manning, St. David’s, San Antonio  

• Mrs. Margarita Mejia, St. Helena’s, Boerne

• Mr. Curt Mowen, St. Luke’s, San Antonio

• Mrs. Jennifer Wickham, All Saints’, Corpus Christi

General Convention Alternate Deputies

Clergy

• The Rev. David Chalk, St. Francis, Canyon Lake

• The Rev. Allie Melancon, St. Thomas, San Antonio

• The Rev. Reagan Gonzalez, Reconciliation, San Antonio

• The Rev. Stepheya George Stephen, All Saints, San Benito

Lay

• Ms. Susan Alwais, St. George, San Antonio

• Mrs. Rosine Carter, Church of Annunciation, Luling

• Ms. Beth Hawkins, St. Mark’s, San Antonio

• Mr. Daniel Jaime, Advent, Brownsville
  

The following General Officers of the Diocese were elected at the 122nd Diocesan Council. 

• Chancellor, Mr. Rob Schneider, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs 

• Secretary, The Rev. Ramiro Lopez, St. George, San Antonio 

• Treasurer, Mr. Ted Burkhart, St. Luke’s, San Antonio

• Registrar, Mrs. Leigh Saunders, St. David’s, San Antonio 

• Historiographer, Mr. Bryan Gonzalez, St Luke’s, San Antonio

• Archivist, Mrs. Alayna Barrett-Fox, St. Paul’s, San Antonio 

RESOURCES   

Direct Links to Featured Videos

• Bishop’s Address, The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D.

• Bishop Suffragan Address, The Rt. Rev. Angela Cortiñas

• Day 1 (Feb 26) Council recording and presentation slides 

• Day 2 (Feb. 27) Council recording and presentation slides 

• Day 3 (Feb. 28) Council recording and presentation slides 

• Welcome Video by Convocation

• Help and Hope for the Hill Country, St. Peter’s, Kerrville

• When the Church Leaves the Building, Annunciation, Luling 

• Camps + Conferences

PRAYERS

Necrology 

RESOLUTIONS

Report of the Committee on Constitutions and Canons

Resolutions on the Bishop’s Address

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