Nominations

Elected Offices to be Filled at the 123rd Council 
Nominations open October 1 through November 5, 2026

Greetings Diocese of West Texas,

It is nomination season in the Diocese of West Texas! A time when we are called upon to serve beyond the walls of the churches we call home, beyond the communities in which we live, and even beyond the boundaries of our convocations. We are given an opportunity to prayerfully consider and discern how the Holy Spirit may be calling us into a new or different way of loving and serving God and loving and serving our siblings-in-Christ throughout the Diocese of West Texas.

Considering nomination as a member of the clergy, or as a layperson, may stir a range of thoughts and emotions; some helpful, and others, maybe not so much. Marianne Williamson has a quote worth considering when uncertainty or fear may distract us from an opportunity God has given us.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

As we enter this season of nominations for elected offices in the Diocese of West Texas, we hope you and your congregations will prayerfully discern where God is calling you to shine. How are you, or someone in your congregation, being called to make manifest the glory of God? What liberating work is the Holy Spirit beckoning you to be a part of? How might we serve as the light of Christ in the Diocese of West Texas and beyond?

The Diocese of West Texas has been blessed with the gift of diversity; geographically, culturally, and especially in the beauty and strength of our people. We honor God, each other, and our neighbors when we affirm this blessing of diversity in our nominations. May we foster representation of all our people and convocations at our diocesan council in McAllen this February.

We, the Nominating Committee, invite you to offer yourself for nomination, and to encourage others of all ages (18 years+) and backgrounds, to nominate themselves for the good work God has given us to do.

Please note, nominees do not have to be present at Council to be elected.

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Nominations open on October 1 and close on November 5, 2026.

Offices to be Filled

Standing Committee

One clergy and one layperson are to be elected for a three-year term.

Executive Board

Two clergy and four laypersons are to be elected for a three-year term.

Episcopal Church Corporation of West Texas Trustees

One clergy and one layperson to be elected for a three-year term.

Sewanee: The University of the South Trustees

One layperson to be elected to a three-year term.

TMI Episcopal Board of Governors

One person, either clergy or layperson, shall be elected for a three-year term and follow term limits as described in the TMI Bylaws.

All nominees must be confirmed communicants in good standing.

Detailed descriptions and eligibility for each office can be found here.

Steps for Nominations

Step 1. Clergy and laypersons are invited to submit applications for positions to be filled. Each nominee will complete their own form. The positions to be filled and descriptions for each committee or board may be found

Step 2. Completed nomination forms are due to the Diocesan Office no later than November 5, 2026.

• Click here beginning October 1 to access and complete the nomination form.
• If you have any questions or need assistance with the form, please reach out to Leigh Saunders at Leigh.Saunders@dwtx.org.
• The form must be received by November 5, 2026.
  

Step 3. The Nominating Committee will meet to review the nomination forms. The slate of nominees will be published in the Council Booklet and released during the Pre-Council meetings.

Step 4. Elections held at the 123rd Diocesan Council February 18-20, 2027

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, we thank you for your prayerfully considering serving and leading in our diocese.

In Faith, Hope, & Love,

The Rev. Rachel Joiner

Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Mrs. Ivette Sullivan

Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Elected Offices to be Filled at Council 2027

‍Elected Offices Nomination Form for Council 2027 (Opens on October 1)

‍Diocesan Constitution and Canons

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Diocesan Nominating Committee

The Rev. Rachel Joiner, Co-Chair, St. Mark's, San Marcos

Mrs. Ivette Sullivan, Co-Chair, Trinity by the Sea, Port Aransas

The Rev. Dee Bright Sr., Church of the Redeemer, Eagle Pass

The Rev. Chris Cole, Resurrection, Windcrest

Mrs. Stacy Dowdy, St. Peter's, Kerrville

Mr. Mark Keddal, St. Andrew's, Seguin

Mr. Spencer Klotzman, Trinity, Victoria

Dr. Lorena Molina-Rojas, St. John's, McAllen

The Rev. Jonathan Wickham, All Saints', Corpus Christi