For the second consecutive year, the San Marcos Conference Center was the location for the 121st Diocese of West Texas Council. Frigid temperature did not deter attendance with approximately 800 Clergy, Council Delegates, Alternates, Guests, Exhibitors, and staff gathering to conduct Council business, listen to bishop addresses, ministry and guest speakers, worship, and share fellowship together. Commencing the afternoon of Thursday, February 20 and concluding at noon on Saturday, February 22, Council encompassed a full schedule with opportunities for applicable learnings for clergy and delegates to bring back to their churches.
Introductions by the Rt. Rev. Dr. David G offered heartfelt thanks to the host churches, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs and St. Elizabeth’s, Buda, recognizing the dedication and amazing work done to prepare for Council.
Following the introduction of the host churches, Bishop Read recognized new clergy, seminarians, and visiting and Diocese of West Texas bishops.
- New Clergy: The Rev. Sharon Alexander, Rector, St. Matthew’s Edinburg and Trinity, Pharr; The Rev. Isaias Ginson, Rector, Advent, Brownsville; The Rev. Rachel Joiner, Curate, St. Marcos, San Antonio; and The Rev. Tanner Ambs, Curate, St. Luke’s, San Antonio.
- Seminarians: Deepu George, Cruz Hector Torres, Meredith Rogers.
- Visting Bishops: The Rt. Rev. Glenda Curry, Ph.D., Bishop of Alabama; The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, The Episcopal Church; and The Rt. Rev. Sue Briner, Bishop of the Southwestern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
- West Texas Bishops: The Rt. Rev. James Folts, 8th Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, 9th Bishop; The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, 10th Bishop; and The Rt. Rev. Rayford High, Assistant Bishop, Retired.
- Guest Speakers: Mr. Patrick Crump, CEO, Morningside Ministries; Rev. Canon Ellen Huber, Diocese of South Dakota; Dr. Adena Loston, St. Philip’s College; and Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, Dean and President, Seminary of the Southwest.
CELEBRATION OF A NEW MISSION AND PARISH
The first day of Council included a joyful celebration of St. Nicholas, Bulverde as a new mission and St. Andrew’s, Corpus Christ as a new parish. Click here to read more details.
2025 DIOCESAN THEME
Bishop Read discussed the Theme for 2025, “Here Am I. Send Me.”,
Recalling how Isiah answered God’s call, despite his sinfulness and feelings of unworthiness, Bishop Read then asked the Council delegation to discuss with someone other than a fellow church member, the following questions:
- Isaiah has a vision of God’s glory and holiness filling the chamber and spilling over into the whole earth. When have you been in a place that felt very holy to you? Where was it? Why was it so holy?
- After his sins are blotted out, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Have you ever felt the Lord was calling you to something? To what?
- Isaiah responds to the Lord’s call by answering, “Here am I. Send me!” What are the things that keep you from readily responding to God’s call?
COUNCIL IN ACTION
2025 Council in Action ministry partner, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC), is an organization whose mission is to create an environment where violence and abuse are not tolerated in the communities we serve. The Center provides education, violence prevention services and crisis intervention to victims of family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Generosity overflowed with a large number of items from the HCWC Wishlist and $2,500 donated during Council.
PRESENTATIONS
Attendees were blessed and inspired as guest speakers shared how their diocese, congregations, and ministries are answering the call “Here Am I. Send Me.”
In addition to the presentations by guest speakers, Council attendees were also moved, and educated by presentations on TMI Episcopal, Episcopal Schools, St. Peter’s Kerrville Intentional Community of St. Francis and Clare, St. Philip’s College, College + Young Adult Ministries, Episcopal Church Foundation of West Texas, Immigration and Refugee Ministries, Latino Ministries, Church Planting, The Diaconate in West Texas, Discipleship and Congregational Development, Small Church Ministry, Threads of Blessing, Camps & Conferences, Christian Formation and the Bishop's Youth Commission, Good Samaritan Community Services, and the Mental Health Commission.
EXHIBITS AND SIP ‘N SHOP
Always an anticipated event is the Thursday evening Sip ‘N Shop which provides Council attendees the opportunity to stop by all our exhibitor booths, enjoy great appetizers and beverages and have time to talk with fellow Diocese of West Texas friends. This year there were 65 exhibitors!
BISHOP'S LUNCHEON
Featured speaker at this year’s Bishop’s Luncheon was the Rt. Rev. Ann Curry, Ph.D., Bishop of Alabama who inspired attendees with examples of the work being done in their diocese to serve communities and show up in different ways to say, “Here Am I. Send Me.”
WORKSHOPS
Clergy, delegates and guests had the opportunity to participate in two workshop sessions, all of which had great attendance and were well received.
The workshops on Thursday grouped participants by church size and addressed opportunities and challenges unique to each group. Workshop leaders included: The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, Bishop of West Texas, The Rev. Angela Maria Cortinas, Bishop Suffragan-Elect of West Texas, The Rev. Mike Besson, Archdeacon of West Texas, and the Rev. Canon Leyla King, Canon for Mission in Small Congregations.
Friday Workshops
Council attendees had a wide variety of workshops to choose from for the Friday workshop sessions including:
- Parish Day Schools: Whose School is it Anyway; Led by Mary Katherine Duffy, Deputy for Episcopal Schools
- How Supporting a New Church can Revitalize Your Own; Led by the Church Planting Task Force.
- Federal Ministries, Jesus on the Frontline; Led by The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, The Episcopal Church.
- IONA School for Ministry: Discerning the Call, Led by The Rev. Dr. Nandra Perry, Director of the Iona Collaborative, and the Rev. John Badders, Dean of the West Texas Iona School for Ministry.
- Ten Trade Secrets of Small Church Ministry, Part 2; Led by Rev. Canon Leyla King.
- Making New Disciples and Making Disciples New; Led by the Rev. Eric Holloway, Associate Rector, St. Luke’s, San Antonio.
BISHOP’S ADDRESS
Bishop Read’s address evoked emotion and applause as he spoke about his past year as Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas and his vision for the future. He provided background on why “Here Am I. Send Me.” was chosen as the Council 2025 theme, stating “I chose this theme because of particular challenges the Diocese of West Texas is facing in these days. Nationwide, The Episcopal Church is beginning to experience a very real shortage of clergy.” He shared how volunteerism is below pre-COVID levels with churches in need of Altar Guild Servers, Acolytes, Ushers, Sunday School Teachers, Bible Study Facilitators, Vestry Members, Outreach Leaders, Office Angels, and more. Bishop Read said “With these growing clergy and lay ministry shortages in mind, I chose our theme, “Here Am I. Send me.” I chose it to remind us that each one of us is called. Every person, in every pew, in every congregation, is called. Women and men; youth and children; middle aged and senior citizens; high school and college students - all are called. The Risen Lord is inviting each one of us to actively engage in the mission and ministry of reconciling all people and all creation to God.”
He discussed multiple topics including discernment for lay and clergy, the diaconate, church planting, a scheduled review of current apportionment structure, Small Church Ministry, Immigration and Refugee Ministries, and the potential for an endowment fund to help support the operation of ministries, such as Camp Capers.
“For those ministries to continue to flourish for decades to come, their endowments need to be expanded. Now hear me out: I am not looking to fully endow our camps so that the diocesan budget and our congregations no longer play a vital role or no longer have “skin in the game.” We will always fund these ministries through the diocesan budget. But an endowment of $10 million would provide income to continue to support these ministries and the maintenance of these sites for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren in addition to helping us reduce apportionments across the diocese.”
The conclusion of Bishop Read’s addresses included an expression of gratitude
“I am the Bishop of West Texas” because I am proud of you. As I travel our diocese I see the work, and ministry, the generosity, the outreach and experimentation, the labors of love, and the challenges of our day. And I thank my God always for you. And I thank my God always for my wife, Jacqui.”
He then implored the diocese to “Say bigger prayers.”
Pray bigger prayers.” “Don’t pray for crutches – pray for wings.” “There is not one prayer you or I can pray that Jesus doesn’t wish was bigger. Pray bigger prayers, for the Diocese of West Texas, pray bigger prayers for your congregation, and pray bigger prayers for yourself. Pray bigger prayers, and stand up to say, “Here am I. Send Me.”
Click here to watch the video of Bishop Read’s address.
EUCHARIST
A beautiful Council Eucharist was held Friday evening. The liturgy was recited in English and Spanish, and musicians from St. Elizabeth's, Buda provided joyous and hormonic vocals and instrumentals.
The Eucharistic offering was designated for the Diocese of West Texas Camps and Conferences fund and received close to $9,000. This money goes towards camp scholarships, helping approximately one-third of campers attend a diocesan camp.
Click here to watch the video of Council Eucharist.
BISHOP SUFFRAGAN ADDRESS
The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas, Bishop Suffragan of West Texas, provided an address on the morning of Saturday, February 22. Giving thanks to the warm welcome she has received from the diocese, Bishop Cortiñas discussed the visits and work she has been doing since joining the Diocese of West Texas in January. She shared that she is looking forward to spending time with the people of West Texas, learning what ministries are being done in congregations, and determining how she can be of help. She expressed that getting to know and supporting clergy will be a priority – whether helping with a particular challenge or celebrating successes. Saying that we the best way to support her is simple, “Pray big and bigger prayers. Pray for me, pray for the people of this diocese, for the Church, for each other, pray for the nation. That we are all up to respond to the needs being laid out before us right now in this place. Pray that we can all respond with those words of Isaiah, “Here Am I. Send Me Lord.”
Click here to watch Bishop Cortiñas’ address.
ELECTION RESULTS
The following were elected during the 121st Council:
Standing Committee
Clergy:
The Rev. Ann Fraser, St. Mark’s, San Antonio
Lay:
Mr. Brian Kates, St. David’s, San Antonio
Executive Board
Clergy:
The Rev. Reagan Gonzalez, Reconciliation, San Antonio
The Rev. Arnoldo Romero. St. James’, Del Rio
Lay:
Mrs. Betty Mosty, St. Peter’s, Kerrville
Dr. Gene Dowdy, St. Peter’s, Kerrville
Ms. Samantha Gates, Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi
Mr. Greg Quisenberry. St. Alban’s, Harlingen
TMI Episcopal Board of Governors
Dr. Elizabeth Manning, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs
Episcopal Corporation in West Texas Trustees
Clergy:
The Rev. Jason Roberts, Holy Spirit, San Antonio
Lay:
Mr. Matthew Boutte, St. Helena’s, Boerne
Sewanee: The University of the South Trustees
The Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson, TMI Episcopal
The following General Officers of the Diocese were elected at the 121st 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. Tom Lee, St. Christopher’s, Bandera
Archivist, Mrs. Alayna Barrett-Fox, St. Paul, San Antonio
Click here to view all Council Videos
