The Bishop's Address to the 122nd Council of the Diocese

The Bishop’s Address
to the 122nd Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

February 27, 2026
Corpus Christi, Texas

Delegates & Alternates; 
Clergy of West Texas; 
Friends, guests, and those watching on-line; 
Diocesan Staff: 

GREETINGS

Good morning!  Gracia y paz a ustedes, de Dios nuestro Padre y del Senor Jesucristo.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!  (Philippians 1:2)  It is right, and a good and joyful thing, that we are gathered here in the city of Corpus Christi – the body of Christ – for this 122nd Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas.

We are hosted here by three congregations and their faithful clergy and lay leaders:

+ St. Francis’ Victoria and their Rector, the Rev. Stephen Carson and Co-chair: Mrs. Melanie Klotzman.

+ Trinity Church & School in Victoria, and their Rector, the Rev. Michael Koehler and Co-chair: Mrs. Susan Hall Angerstein.

+ St. Philip’s Church & School in Beeville, and their Rector, the Rev. Andrew Green and Co-Chair: Mrs. Carol Green.

They, and the members of these three congregations, have worked tirelessly since May to prepare in every way to host us: from cookie-baking to worship planning; from communication to hospitality; from food selections to transportation, and much, much more.  I invite you to join me in thanking them with our applause and gratitude.

Send Greetings

I invite this Council, through Diocesan Secretary, the Rev. Ramiro Lopez, to send our greeting and genuine love to several of our former bishops and their spouses:

To the Rt. Rev. James Folts, 8th Bishop of West Texas, who is with us on-line from Boerne.  

To the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, 9th Bishop of West Texas, and his wife Catherine; and  

To the Rt. Rev. David Reed, 10th Bishop of West Texas and his wife Patti.  

I also invite this Council to send our greetings to the Rt. Rev. Rayford High, former Assisting Bishop in West Texas, and his wife, the Rev. Canon Ann Normand.  

I do not know many of my peers who have three of their predecessors in their diocese.  It says a lot about the health of West Texas that our bishops have continued to be a part of the life, ministry and family of West Texas after their retirement.

We also welcome to this Council, the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of Minnesota.  I was incredibly impressed by an address he delivered to the House of Bishops in the Dominican Republic last fall, and I am grateful he said “yes” to my invitation to come and share the work he is doing with us.  Although I must admit, I think it was not a hard sell for me to invite the Bishop of Minnesota – in the middle of winter – to come to the Gulf Coast of Texas, for a few days.

Bishop Cortiñas

In March of 2025, we gathered, along with our Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, and over a dozen other bishops, our clergy and people at St. John’s in McAllen to consecrate the 8th Bishop Suffragan of West Texas, The Rt. Rev. Angela Cortiñas.  I do not have words to express my gratitude to you and to the Holy Spirit for choosing her for this ministry.  And I don’t have words of gratitude to describe how thankful I am that she said “Here am I, Send Me.”  Even though forced to be temporarily left-handed, she has continued to serve the Lord, and the clergy, people and congregations of West Texas, and I am extremely grateful for her hard work, deep faith, great sense of humor, and dedication to this Episcopal Ministry.  2026 will be the first year in over five years, that there are two full-time bishops in West Texas, and I am very grateful.  She has worked hard in the areas of Christian Formation, Latino Ministries and Clergy Support.  You will hear more from her tomorrow morning.  I invite you to join me in expressing our gratitude to her for her tireless ministry across the miles and miles of West Texas.  

Council Theme

As you know, I chose our theme for this Council from Romans 12:9 – “Let Love be Genuine.”  As I mentioned yesterday, I chose this theme many months ago.  One of Paul’s purposes in his letter to the Romans is to describe for followers of Jesus Christ what it looks like to live lives that are holy and acceptable to God; lives that are transformed by our own encounter with the grace and mercy and power of our crucified and Risen Lord.  

In Romans, chapter 12, Paul writes a litany of exhortations; phrases; descriptions; and actions that describe this holy living:  

• 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 the 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;  
• Live in harmony with one another;
• Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
• Do not repay anyone evil for evil…

That long list of exhortations to holy living begins with love: “Let Love be Genuine.”  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.

I know, and you know, that the world needs that genuine love.  America needs that authentic love.  The people in our congregations, and in our neighborhoods and in our communities, need to see, and feel, and experience that genuine love because we are all surrounded by so many messages and so many actions that fall far short of it.

Our theme this year is a direct counter to a false Christian gospel that is commonly called Christian Nationalism.  Christian Nationalism is the marriage of evangelical Christianity to American politics.  This Christian Nationalism promotes a shiny, attractive, patriotic gospel on the outside wrapper, but inside it is rotten.  The particular version of this Christian Nationalism that I frequently hear proclaims that it’s o.k. to hate if it’s in the name of Jesus.  It falsely proclaims that empathy and mercy are weaknesses, and that God loves America more than anyone else. This Christian Nationalism has its roots in white supremacy and racism.  It is counter to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is extremely dangerous for America.

We have recently seen elements of this false teaching put into action on the streets of Minneapolis and in other cities in the nation and in our own diocese.  Consistently hateful speech directed at immigrants proclaims that they are somehow less human, less valuable, less worthy than others.  Violent tactics have wrought fear, intimidation, and even death to our streets.

Let me be clear.  America needs an immigration policy.  That policy will need to be enforced.  That’s not new.  I am not here to talk about the politics of recent events.  I am here to talk about what i know.  I know that every human being is made in the image and likeness of god almighty.  i know that Jesus’ most basic teaching is to love our God and to love our neighbors.  i know that I, and almost every one of you, has vowed that because we follow Jesus, we strive to respect the dignity of every human being.  And I know that the hateful and violent words actions in some places in America is in direct contradiction to the truth that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God.  Every single one.  Again, I say, there is no room in America or in the church for hatred, or for language and tactics that de-humanized people – both citizens and immigrants.  The Church is the conscience of our society, and there are times when we must speak. And when we speak we should not be partisan and add noise to a deeply, politically divided nation. We should speak about what we know.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ rises above partisan politics, and so in the name of following Jesus, I say to you that in America, no one should be stopped, or pulled from their car, or detained, or have their home invaded based solely on the color of their skin, or the languages they speak.  The Bishop of West Texas should not have to warn members of the diocesan staff and some members of the clergy that they should carry their passports with them because they are citizens of color or Latinos.

I believe America can have secure borders and compassion at the same time.  I believe we can have an immigration policy and respect the dignity of every human being. I also believe people can protest peacefully and treat others with dignity. 

The church can combat the false teaching of Christian Nationalism, and some of what we are seeing on our streets, not by posting arguments on social media sites or taking retribution against political opponents.  We combat false teaching by letting our love be genuine; we show our communities another way – a better way, by letting our love be authentic; not stooping to name-calling and intimidation but to great and just and authentic love.

If our love is genuine, it also means that we will have compassion for ice agents, border patrol agents, deputy sheriffs, and national guard members who are often put in challenging, morally questionable, and dangerous situations.  They too, our worthy of genuine love.

If we love genuinely; if we show our communities another way to be; then someday, when we are long gone, and people look back on our words and actions they might quote the passage of Isaiah we heard on Ash Wednesday:  they were the “Repairers of the Breach;” “The Restorers of streets to live in;” “They loved Genuinely.”

The last several months have been incredibly challenging for the clergy of West Texas.  To know what to say and what not to say; to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without it sounding like partisan politics; to preach when people are very sensitive to every nuance – these are challenging times.  And I invite you to thank your clergy for their faithful and challenging ministry among us as they seek to show what it means to have genuine, authentic love.

Guadalupe River Flood

During 2025, the Diocese of West Texas experienced genuine, authentic love when in the early morning darkness of July 4, a flood swept down the Guadalupe River Valley in Kerr and Kendall counties.  And, by the end of the day, 119 people had perished in Kerr County including 36 children and 16 who were age 70 or older.  It was the deadliest flood in America in over 50 years.

Within hours of the news of what was happening in the Hill Country began to spread, my phone began to ring, and my e-mail began to fill up.  One of the first to call was Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, who told me, “I see what’s happening in your diocese, and anything you need is available to you.”  Those messages of authentic love kept coming throughout the day, and through the weekend, and into the next week and for weeks and months following:  texts, e-mails, letters, checks, cards, prayers poured in – from almost every diocese of the Episcopal Church and several parts of the Anglican Communion - from bishops, archbishops, Sunday school classes, churches small and large.  And, of course, from people and congregations right here in West Texas who reached out to their neighbors in Kerrville.

Just to give you an idea, here is a map that shows the number of messages or financial contributions we received.

I was blessed to visit and watch the congregation of St. Peter’s in Kerrville come together and share tears, and hugs and genuine love with one another in the days after the flood.  And then they got to work.  The Rev. Bert Baetz, with the Rev. Mike Wheeler and the Rev. Rich Nelson, the Vestry, Lay Leaders, Katharine Boyette, Jenny Ligon, and many more that I cannot name, they got organized and formed an incredible team.  They reached out to first responders, flood victims, the mourning, children, schools, those in shock, and those who lost everything.  You’ve already heard some of their story.

St. Peter’s Church, Episcopal Relief & Development, the Diocese of West Texas, and the Hill Country Area Foundation, continue to partner to tangibly spread authentic love by serving our neighbors in great need.  As you heard yesterday, our most recent joint-work involves re-housing households who lost their homes in the floodwaters.  We have set a big hairy audacious goal to rehouse half of those who lost their homes by July 4.  And I believe we can do it.  Plans are also underway for the construction of a beautiful chapel in the Hunt community where St. Peter’s has been worshipping every Sunday since the week after the flood.

You know that not far downriver from Kerrville is our own beloved Camp Capers on the Guadalupe River.  Neither during this flood, nor during any previous flood in the last 75 years, has any building in use at Camp Capers ever had floodwaters in it.  We are absolutely dedicated first and foremost to the safety of our campers, staff members, and conference attendees.  Our camp was already certified by the American Camping Association and abides by their stringent requirements.  We are already happily responding to implement new state regulations designed to keep children and adults safe at camp capers where they can encounter our Risen Lord, experience genuine love, and have their lives transformed.  

Diaconate and Path to Ordination

For me, as a young middle school student, Camp Capers was the first place I ever saw a priest have fun.  It was the first place I observed members of the clergy do normal things like throw a frisbee, do a cannon ball in the pool, or dress up and participate in a goofy skit.  It was instrumental in orienting me toward ordination, and eventually becoming a deacon and then a priest.  

Last year at this Council, I described to you the growing shortage of clergy across the Episcopal Church, and in our own diocese.  It was one of the reasons I chose as our Council theme, a verse from the prophet Isaiah: “Here am I; Send Me.”  I am happy to share with you that our Council theme last year – well, it worked!  You, and people in our congregations responded to God’s call to them to take seriously that every one of us is called by God into ministry.  Each of us has a vocation.

Under the leadership of Archdeacon Mike Besson, and Director of College and Young Adult Ministries Director, Tami Woods, we hosted our first Discovery Weekend this past fall with 37 participants gathered to talk about discerning what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives, and the calls to lay ministry, the diaconate, bi-vocational priesthood and full-time priesthood.  Our next Discovery Weekend is scheduled for April 24 at the Mustang Island Conference Center, and there is currently still space.  

As a result of these efforts, I am pleased to share with you that there are literally 15 times more people in the discernment process toward ordination than there were in the pipeline one year ago.

And, assuming all goes according to plan, our first group of four, or maybe even six persons will begin studying this fall on the path toward becoming permanent, or vocational deacons in West Texas.  

For most of them, their studies will take place at the Iona School – our own branch of the Iona Collaborative.  For just over a year now, we have been working to reorganize and expand the Iona program in West Texas.  I’m so grateful to the ministry of the Rev. John Badders who served as the first dean of our Iona School.  He has now retired and I have appointed the Rev. Alex Holloway as Interim Dean.  Work has been underway to expand this school to have three tracks – a lay ministry track, a diaconate track, and a bi-vocational priesthood track.  There is plenty still to do, but we are on schedule to re-open this fall.  You will hear more from our interim dean at this council.

Church Planting

One area where West Texas needs clergy to serve is in the area of church planting.  Last year I appointed a task force chaired by the Rev. Mike Michie to explore, research and develop plans to plant new congregations in West Texas.  Our most recent church plant – St. Nicholas in Bulverde/Spring branch – is thriving.  Throughout West Texas, there are many prime locations to plant new congregations – we have many parts of our diocese that are growing rapidly in population.  The task force has identified nine sites as excellent locations, and I asked them to group those sites into three categories: Now, Next and Later.  

You will hear their full report this afternoon.  They are recommending that three areas be included in the “Now” category.  They are – in no particular order:

• Alamo Ranch on the west side of San Antonio outside Loop 1604.
• The Cibolo/Schertz area – north of San Antonio
• The Southeast New Braunfels to Lake McQueeney area.

We are seeking a church planter to begin work by exploring and discerning which area he or she is the best match for.  This is one of the key ingredients of church planting – matching the context, culture and uniqueness of the area with the unique gifts of the planter. Work will also be done to partner with existing congregations in the diocese so that this next plant is not a plant done by the Diocesan Office, but by West Texas.  If you, or someone you know, has a call to be a church planter, please contact me or Archdeacon Besson.  We would love to hear from you about planting a Christian, Episcopal community that shares the genuine love of Jesus Christ.

Small Church Ministries

For two years now, the Rev. Canon Leyla King has led our ministry and mission in, and with, and through our small congregations.  In West Texas, 45 of our 87 congregations have 50 people or fewer on an average Sunday.  Canon King consistently and passionately reminds us that small churches can and do have big impacts in their communities; small congregations are unique creatures in the kingdom of congregations; they can be flexible and experimental; and small congregations are and can be bright lights of episcopal identity and genuine love in their communities.  West Texas is one of the dioceses in the Episcopal Church that is leading the way in this ministry, and I am proud of the ministry we are doing.

This past year, the Diocesan Office has experimented through the leadership of Canon King, Canon Mowen, and our CFO, Anna Tarver, with a pilot program to assist small congregations with their financial management and stewardship.  It has been a great success.  At no charge to these congregations the Diocesan Office has taken on areas like payroll, monthly financial reports, assistance with audits, and more.  In the coming year we will expand that program and expand offerings to help our small congregations thrive, and grow in health, as they serve the Lord and one another.

World Mission

Along the lines of serving the Lord and one another, I turn now to the work of the Department of World Mission.  This department has undergone some structural changes following the retirement of Marthe Curry.  During 2025 the World Mission Committee and I adopted six guiding principles for the department of World Mission.

Here they are:

1. We will strive to invite, connect incorporate, involve and empower congregations and people in the Diocese of West Texas in World Mission Ministries.  That’s the most basic function of the department.
2. World Mission Ministry is primarily about relationships:  our relationships with Jesus Christ, and our relationship with the people we serve alongside.  We will strive to be more relational and less transactional.  We have much to learn.
3. We will avoid creating financial dependencies and seek to empower people with whom we have relationships, and be transformed by them.
4. To the greatest degree possible, we will coordinate our ministries with local bishops and Anglican dioceses.
5. We will plan ahead so we can communicate more effectively, better involve more congregations and people, and be good stewards of our resources.
6. Recognizing our connectedness, we will avoid operating in silos and seek to communicate and collaborate with other ministries inside and outside of the Department of World Mission.

With these guiding principles in mind, the Department of World Mission produced a catalog of opportunities that you will find on your table.  Last year at this Council, I invited you to support scholarships for clergy children and others in our companion Diocese of Nebbi.  You responded generously and graciously and I thank you, and the Diocese of Nebbi thanks you.  In the catalog you will find opportunities to partner by prayer, by financial contributions, and by in-person ministry with many of the World Mission Ministries of West Texas.  The catalog is not a complete list of what each individual congregation is doing.  It is a catalog of ministries where multiple congregations and the diocese have partnered together.  I commend it to you, to your Vestries and Bishop’s Committees as a way for you and your congregation to reach out in genuine love to people who are both near and far.  You can and should visit their booth in the exhibit area for more information and conversation.

Apportionment and Endowments

Last year at this council I called for the creation of a task force to study the diocesan apportionment.  It took me most of the year to get it formed, but I am pleased to report that the task force of a dozen clergy and lay leaders from across the diocese is formed, Co-Chaired by the Rev. Beth Knowlton of St. Mark’s, San Antonio and Mr. Seth McCabe from St. Luke’s, San Antonio, and their work will be getting underway this Spring.  As part of any discussion of apportionment and diocesan financial health, we must also talk about increasing endowment income.  Last year I called for the establishment of a general endowment to support the Camps + Conference Ministries of the diocese.  The initial goal for that endowment is $10 million.  I am pleased to report that the endowment has been established in the Diocesan Foundation.  It received its first gift of $500,000 this Fall, and with other contributions and honorariums made to it, it now totals $1,000,000.  Intentional work to expand this endowment will continue in 2026 and beyond.  If you have questions about it, please let me know and I will happy to visit with you.  

Are you Frozen?

As I travel around this wonderful Diocese of West Texas, I sometimes notice congregations or ministries that are frozen.  I notice congregations or certain ministries within a congregation, which are stuck.  And sometimes there is a feeling helpless.  I had our film crew record one of these incidents recently: click here to watch the video.

Sometimes we feel stuck; frozen by in-action and uncertainty; and we do not know what to do.  If your congregation is stuck, you are not powerless.  Help is a phone call or e-mail or text message away.  The Diocesan staff exists to serve the clergy, congregations, schools, ministries and people of West Texas.  We are ready to help.

If your congregation is stuck with no vision for what is next – call us and we can help you see the way.  If your Stewardship Ministry is frozen – e-mail us and we can connect you to people who can guide you in ways to move forward.  If your Christian Formation, or Youth Ministry or Outreach Ministries, or bookkeeping or budgeting abilities are stagnant – we have people who can help.  You are not powerless to make a change.  So let us not be like people stuck on an escalator.  Help is at your fingertips.

Someone recently asked, “What do we get for our apportionment dollars?”  While that question is a rather transactional question, and our apportionments are about ministries we can do together as a diocese.   And while I can give you a list of 100 things you get for your apportionment; I understand the question.  

One of the things you get is a hard-working, dedicated and faithful diocesan staff – and access to a vast network of clergy and people across West Texas – ready and willing to respond to you.  Just look around this room. We are the Body of Christ.  What do we get for our apportionment?   We get a community of caring Episcopal Christians willing to reach out in genuine love when another congregation is struggling or meeting an unforseen disaster. You get all of us in this room.   

And 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.

God bless you.  

And may we Let our Love be Genuine.