122nd Council of the Diocese of West Texas

122nd Council of the Diocese of West Texas

“LET LOVE BE GENUINE.”

Over 650 Clergy, Council Delegates and 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; 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.

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.

2026 DIOCESAN THEME
Bishop Read discussed the Theme for 2026, “Here Am I. Send Me.”, 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; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹²Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. ¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸If 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.

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, visit dwtx.org/Council.

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 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 view the Council 2026 presentations.

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.

‍

THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS

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 Sataff 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 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

‍

WORKSHOPS
Clergy, delegates and guests attended two workshops during Council. On Thursday, February 26, workshops were structured by church size, allowing participants the opportunity to learn and share with peers in similar sized congregations.  On Friday, February 27, participants had the opportunity to select their workshop from a multiple of topics related to: Stewardship and Fundraising, Christian Formation, Diaster Preparedness, and Response, and spiritually focused topics on fear and spiritual distractions.

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

The Eucharistic offering, designated for the Diocesan Immigration Crisis Relief Fund and the Community of St. Francis and Clare, received over $5,000.  

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 Genuine.”

Click here to access COUNCIL 2026 RESOURCES  

‍

‍

‍