Since I was ordained in 2010, I've served in a number of similar and relevant roles in my previous diocese and would be happy to offer my administrative and strategic planning gifts to our wider diocese if elected. In Dallas, I served on the Executive Council (analogous to our Executive Board), as a diocesan Examining Chaplain, as a member of the Commission on Ministry, as a convocation chair, and as a member of the Bishop Search Committee. In addition to these roles, I have served in a wide variety of parishes, both with regard to size and their distance to the See City. I believe my experience in growing parishes outside of the main EDOT metro areas would be an asset as the Executive Board conducts its work, so that there is good and balanced representation from across the regions of the diocese. Finally, I truly believe that the diocese is the fundamental unit of the church and that there is a great richness to be enjoyed in wider work and relationships when parishes are formed to look beyond themselves and to find their place in the wider diocesan family.

I am humbled to have been nominated as a clergy representative to the Executive Board of the Diocese of Texas. Ordained in 2011, I was in parish ministry until 2023 when I became Campus Missioner at Texas A & M. Previous service includes the Cathedral Chapter in the Diocese of Albany, where I also taught in the Deacon’s School; and in EDOT, on the Episcopal Foundation of Texas and the Strategic Mission Grant committee. I have deep desire and passion to see our diocese continue to be a leader in the larger church while still helping our local congregations continue to carry out the great commission. I believe that God has strategically placed our diocese to be innovators in the future work of the church while we continue to steward the gifts that have been entrusted to us from the past. I think I have gifts that could benefit the diocese continue in that remarkable work and would be honored to do so if elected.I am humbled to have been nominated as a clergy representative to the Executive Board of the Diocese of Texas. Ordained in 2011, I was in parish ministry until 2023 when I became Campus Missioner at Texas A & M. Previous service includes the Cathedral Chapter in the Diocese of Albany, where I also taught in the Deacon’s School; and in EDOT, on the Episcopal Foundation of Texas and the Strategic Mission Grant committee. I have deep desire and passion to see our diocese continue to be a leader in the larger church while still helping our local congregations continue to carry out the great commission. I believe that God has strategically placed our diocese to be innovators in the future work of the church while we continue to steward the gifts that have been entrusted to us from the past. I think I have gifts that could benefit the diocese continue in that remarkable work and would be honored to do so if elected.

I have been a member of the Diocese of Texas for 10 years and in those ten years I have participated in ministry at many differing levels from Chaplaincy at an Episcopal School to College Ministry to Associate Rector and now as Rector at Christ Church Temple. In this time I have seen and been the beneficiary of the work of Counsel. I believe it is my time to serve, to bring my missional impulse and desire to see the work of the Diocese continue to expand and to dive deeper into the life of the Diocese. It would be an honor for me to be a representative to Executive Counsel.

I have served as Associate Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands for the past 6 years. Before this I was a missionary with an International Interdenominational Ministry for almost 30 years. Fifteen of those years were spent overseas and the remaining at the ministries’ World Headquarters. This experience opened me to see and appreciate the many ways God touches people's lives through a wide variety of church denominations and ministry organizations. I have served as a campus minister, financial manager, ministry trainer, administrator, and spiritual director. This variety of experience helps me appreciate the many facets of ministry, and I sense I could serve the Executive Board as we trust God to expand our mission in the world.

Every priest is called to "share in the councils of the Church." As a self-avowed polity wonk, the idea of accomplishing this by serving on a governing body fills me more with joy than with dread. Before ordination I served as a diocesan delegate and as a trustee of the University of the South, and I will be part of the General Convention secretariat in 2024; if it involves a spreadsheet, a flowchart, a canon, or a rubric, I’m already interested. I feel called to serve on the Executive Board both to offer my administrative gifts to the Church and to gain a greater appreciation for the good work already underway in our diocese. I understand the work of this board to be one of the ways our diocesan family ensures that our actions are aligned with our faith in Jesus and our values as Episcopalians, and I will gladly lend my perspective and discernment to that task. If elected, I will bring my characteristic conviction that the divine is in the details, while always keeping an eye on how those details fit into and serve the bigger picture of the mission of the diocese and of the Church.

Joy is an Austin native serving at St. Mark’s in Beaumont, Texas, and prior to being ordained, she worked as a Social Worker. Joy grew up in a non-denominational church. After undergrad, she was drawn to the Episcopal Church's views on grace over guilt, intellectual rigor, and commitment to finding ways to live with and for others. Her background and diversity of experience match that of many newcomers in our pews. After graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary, she was grateful to get back to the Diocese of Texas and local friends. Joy is passionate about forming and equipping disciples, building healthy systems, preaching, and fostering discernment.

At Holy Comforter I am a lay leader and Eucharistic Minister. I serve on various committees and I have taught many formation classes at Holy Comforter. I was the co-chair for the capital campaign to build the new sanctuary at Holy Comforter. I served on the Vestry and was the Senior Warden in 2018 and 2019. I often lead the Wednesday Morning Prayer service at Holy Comforter. I am currently the leader of the Stewardship ministry.

Before retirement, for nine years, I taught high school social studies and history. And I spent thirty-four years as a Division Order Analyst, Supervisor, and Manager in the oil and gas industry. During my career I was a nationally recognized speaker, lecturer, and teacher.

Today, I spend much of my time serving the greater Spring, Texas community as a member of the Spring Interfaith Council, and I attend and serve at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church. I have facilitated three interfaith “Conversations on Racial Healing”.

I love gardening and I spend as much time as I can outside "digging in the dirt” and playing with my two rescued dogs.

At St. Alban’s Waco, I have served on vestry, as chair of a capital campaign committee, and on our stewardship committee. Professionally, after a career as a trial lawyer, I am on the faculty of Baylor Law School. I would like to think that God has given me the gift of asking hard questions. Certainly, I ask hard questions in my professional life but having grown up as the daughter of an Episcopal priest, I also have had a lifetime of asking hard questions in religious settings. I still retain that willingness to ask hard questions, serving alongside those called to holy orders, especially when stewarding the resources for the church, and discussing the serious matters that face The Episcopal Church. I also feel very called to serve the Church that I love. As I conclude my service on St. Alban's vestry, I believe the timing of this opportunity meshes with where I believe God to be leading me. I would be humbled and honored to serve.

I’m a native Houstonian that was pretty much born into the Episcopal church at Santa Maria Virgen. I’ve served on my churches committee with positions as senior warden, treasurer as well as roles in the Diocese like the Executive Board and general chair for the 2013 Council. I’m a VP for Treasury Sales with Amerant bank and I feel that my experience both professionally and within the church has prepared me for this next opportunity. Thank you for your consideration.

My Episcopalian roots in Texas were established 15 years ago, having just arrived in Fort Worth—and at All Saints’—as our former diocese and its parishes were being torn apart in what became a decade-long schism. From that moment forward, our family has felt a steadfast loyalty to The Episcopal Church, sustained and nourtured by the loving guidance of bishops High, Mayer, and others before them. For us, our church home is our home; the clergy and fellow parishoners of All Saints’ are family. We have all grown closer in the midst of adversity—often painful and confusing, but relying on each other and learning together how powerful God’s love and grace can be. For me, much of that came through my work on Vestry, as convention delegate, serving on the board of Amazing Grace Children’s Charities, the Constitution and Canons Committee of the old diocese, and chairing stewardship campaigns; as a mission worker in Belize, Kenya, and in North Texas; and serving in worship roles as subdeacon, lector, and usher. Through all this and daily fellowship, I feel a passion for our loving and inclusive way of being Christian, nurtured in tradition and liturgy, and stirred by faith and a commitment to all. This transcends my professional and civil life as well. I’ve had a gratifying career in both public and private sectors, including service as an advisor to a former US Governor, Member of Congress, and the US Dept. of Transportation; and as an Asst. VP at BNSF Railway, and now owner of a consulting firm. My civic roles include chairing the North Texas Commission and serving on the boards of All Saints Health Foundation, Fort Worth Sister Cities, and the Workforce Development Board of Tarrant County. I hold graduate and undergraduate degrees from Harvard and the University of Puget Sound. Of course, who I am is shaped and reflected by this background. And, who I strive to be is guided by my faith and practice as a member of the Diocese of Texas. In the years ahead, I am eager to support the Diocese as it sustains that “big tent” of inclusivity for a diverse and growing community of churches.

I am Chris Johnsen, and I am honored to be nominated for Executive Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Professionally, I am the 4th generation managing my family's wholesale floral business located in Beaumont, Texas. I found my church home of Saint Mark's in Beaumont since first walking through the doors in 2009. I have served on the vestry, both as a general member and as junior warden. I have also served on several boards, including past Vice President of All Saints Episcopal School board, President of Some Other Place board, past President of Ubi Caritas board, as well as a delegate to Diocesan Council. Since joining the Episcopal Church, I have felt a calling to nurture and grow our parish and the Episcopal Church, and I look forward to continuing this work on the Executive Council.

I have been active at St. Stephen's in Beaumont since I was received into the Episcopal Church almost forty years ago. I have served several positions at St. Stephen's including senior warden and delegate to diocesan council several times. I was mentor for Education for Ministry for several years which deepened my faith and introduced me to people in the greater Church. I am able and willing to work with people of different backgrounds on the Executive Board for the benefit of the Diocese of Texas.

I served a three-year term on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Oklahoma, including two years as President. I am acquainted with the full range of duties as described in the canons and am prepared to fulfill them faithfully. My prior experience includes six years of service on a Commission on Ministry, chairing the examining chaplains for the vocational diaconate, as well as the Associate Dean of the Oklahoma Iona School. I have also served as a member of the disciplinary board for clergy, a title IV intake officer, and as a Canon to the Ordinary, as well as in a variety of diocesan ministries and community non-profit leadership positions. Most recently, I have been serving on the board of the Episcopal Health Foundation here in the Diocese of Texas. In many of these capacities, I have advised bishops about the most sensitive of matters, in ways that were consistent with the Baptismal Covenant and my obligations under the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, as well as of the dioceses where I have served. By the grace of God, I am fully committed to the mission and teachings of Jesus as understood in the Episcopal Church and to furthering the great missionary traditions of the Diocese of Texas to the very best of my ability.

I have been ordained for 17 years and have served four congregations of various sizes in three separate dioceses across the country. I have been the rector of Holy Apostles in Katy since 2019. Holy Apostles is a diverse and growing congregation representing multiple nations and cultures in its membership. I also serve as a mentor/coach to clergy through the Thriving in Ministry program through Virginia Theological Seminary. Given my past and current ministry roles, I believe that I have the particular skills and experience to be a valuable member of the Standing Committee and a support to Bishop Doyle.

I have been particularly and especially blessed in my own spiritual journey by the ministries of dedicated standing committees, committees that came alongside postulants and ordinands with grace and dignity. I have enjoyed being able to serve from these experiences as mentor- to a curate and a bivocational priest, on the Foundations and Strategic Mission Grants Boards, and as a pilgrimage leader for lay and clergy trips. I would be grateful to serve the diocese in these and other tasks and perceive that, beyond experience, I can share my gifts of honesty, integrity, curiosity, an ability to say No with both dignity and conviction, and discernment to the Standing Committee.

After prayer and reflection, I feel called to stand for election to the Diocese of Texas Standing Committee as a lay representative. I have been a long-time member of my parish, All Saints' Episcopal in Fort Worth. As a new member of the Diocese of Texas, I feel called to give back anyway I possibly can to this remarkable Diocese that has embraced the North Region with clarity, compassion and genuine love. In my former Diocese, in its various morphing and names, I have served under five Bishops (depending on who is counting) in capacities that include Standing Committee, Executive Council, Disciplinary Committee, Commision on Ministry, and other assignments. I am aware that this service is a learning process and that we have never 'seen it all'. Surprise and change are constant and embraceable for growth. If I have any gifts to bring to the table, maybe resilience, tenacity, unusual experience, and loyalty to our common goals come to mind. I am not sure if I am fearless or foolish, but I trust the Holy Spirit to define that. I am honored to be considered and will do whatever I can to support the endeavors of this ministry.

I’m a lawyer and member of St. Mark’s, Beaumont. In the past, I’ve served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden of both St. George’s, Port Arthur, and St. Mark’s, and am currently the Chancellor at St. Mark’s. Through the years I’ve been a delegate to many Councils, both from St. George’s, years ago, and thereafter, St. Mark’s. I’m familiar with the structure and workings of the Diocese and have also been involved in real property transactions with both St. George’s and St. Mark’s and the Diocese. I think that my past experience with the Diocese and interaction with many priests, curates and deacons, especially as a lay eucharistic minister and friend, gives me a perspective which would qualify me for the Standing Committee. I also believe that geographical diversity is important for the committees of the Diocese. If selected as a nominee, and ultimately elected by Council, I will gladly serve.

I grew up in the Diocese of Northwest Texas. As a member of St. John's, Odessa, I taught at St. John's School for 20+ years, served on the Altar Guild, held office in the Women of St. John's, and served on two diocesan committees. As a college student, I attended the on campus services held at the University of Houston. As a member of Good Shephard, Dallas, I served on the vestry and as a lector. As a member of Trinity, Fort Worth, I have served two terms on the vestry, served on the Altar Guild as a member and the directress, serve as a lector, have coordinated several fundraisers, and managed the Capital Campaign project of installation of new HVAC and renovation of kitchen and bathroom areas. I feel that my past experiences with parishes and dioceses give me first hand knowledge of how they work together and how parts fit together. It would be my pleasure to work at the diocesan level with regard to the many parishes within the Diocese of Texas.

I currently serve as your President of the Church Corporation Board, now completing my first six year term. After prayerful consideration ,I ask for your support in another term. I have been able to bring my 34 years’ management experience in working with fiduciary matters in the trust banking and higher education areas to benefit the properties and Participating Funds of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. I have also been active as a lay Eucharistic minister, Vestry member and endowment committee member of St. Andrews. I am a toddler (not cradle!) Episcopalian, having joined the Church as a youngster with my family in Beaumont. My family have been active in churches both in the Diocese of Texas and Diocese of West Texas. My wife of 34 years, Nancy, works as a Development Director at C.A.S.A. of the Brazos Valley. She and I have three adult children and two grandchildren.

After prayer and deliberation, I am honored about the opportunity to further serve our diocese as a Trustee of the Church Corporation. I have been very active in our diocese, currently serving as EDOT Audit Committee Chair, Racial Justice Committee Chair, and as a member of the Remuneration Committee. Prior roles include serving on the Executive Board, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees of Episcopal High School. I believe my financial and business skills would be a natural fit for service as a Church Corporation Trustee.

“I am the Chancellor of the Diocese. Although I have served the Diocese in several different capacities, my previous service as a Trustee of the Church Corporation was the most rewarding. I believe strongly in the mission of the Church Corporation to preserve and protect the property of the Diocese and its churches and to offer a professionally managed fund in which our churches can invest alongside the Diocese. With my legal background and prior experience, I believe that I can be an informed and constructive Trustee.”

You asked for a note stating my qualifications for such an appointment: 1) I am a life-long Episcopalian and member of Trinity Church, having served on the vestry, including as senior warden on several occasions and on the school board of Trinity Episcopal school for several terms. In addition, I have been elected to the school board of GISD for several terms (also serving as President of that board) and currently serve on the Board of Regents of Galveston College. I have had a 45 year career as an attorney in Galveston, and for the past 20 years have served as one of the general counsel to the Moody Foundation, a $2.2 Billion dollar foundation which I am sure faces many of the same issues the Church Corporation has. 2) I am willing to present myself for election to the position. If you need any additional information let me know.

Before moving to Waco and taking the role of Director of Finance and Operations at St. Alban’s, I had a 35-year career in commercial real estate investment and residential construction in Austin. Since serving as a Trustee of the Church Corporation involves the properties of the diocese and the management of real estate, my background and experience would be of value. Making investment decisions, controlling costs, and managing insurance are just a few examples of areas where I have worked over the years. I have a degree in Finance and Accounting from Baylor University. I am honored to be considered and would be pleased to be involved in whatever capacity is needed.

I am a 1999 graduate of the University of the South and have had the distinct pleasure of serving as a Trustee of the University of the South since 2019. My time on the board of trustees has coincided with a great deal of upheaval — in the world and on the Mountain - and this experience has been one of growth and learning for me and for the University. I feel I am just beginning to understand the full scope of this role and how I can serve in even greater ways, to the enrichment of the University and the benefit of our diocese. I would be honored to continue serving, to grow the ties between the University and our diocese, and help guide the University to continued and improved success in educating a new generation of leaders in the church and beyond.

I am honored to have been placed in nomination for a position as a Trustee to the University of the South from the Diocese of Texas. As a member of Trinity Episcopal Church Galveston and an immediate past year Senior Warden of our Vestry, I have a vested interest in serving the Diocese and assuring responsible representation of the Diocese on national committees. As an academic physician for over the past 40 years, I have an intense interest in assuring a well-rounded education for young people just starting out into the discovery of their own identities and acquiring the intellectual and spiritual knowledge to help them negotiate and contribute to a challenging world. And finally, as a participant in the Education for the Ministry Program sponsored by the University of the South, I have a vested interest in assuring that the University continues to support and refine this very important program.

When I completed my Master of Theological Studies at The Divinity School at Vanderbilt University, I worked for my father for a year in search of a teaching position. People from all parts of my life and some I did not know suggested I call my alma mater, Episcopal High School. People told the department chair and administration to call me for the position. People called my own mother who was, at that time the director of Christian education at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston. I was hesitant. Was I supposed to go back to my high school? One afternoon, filled with the power of the Spirit, I picked up the phone and dialed the school and requested to talk with the Dean of Academics. Certainly, I had thought it through, but

I was literally and physically compelled to pick up the phone and call. God had offered me, as well as those at EHS seeking a religion teacher, every sign. Yes, it was what I wanted, but in that moment, I knew it was what He wanted. I have had a similar experience which led me to serve on the boards of a variety of organizations. Reviewing my work both in the capacity as a board member of these organizations and in my work as a religion teacher at an Episcopalian college preparatory school, I firmly believe that He has incrementally prepared me for the work and this ministry as trustee in service to The University of the South; and he has given me the gift of many signs in the form of others suggesting I would be a good fit for the role of trustee. It is not something I have aspired to; it is something I have been called to. While the University community has struggled with challenges in a variety of areas over the last few years, rather than complain, I was compelled to convey my thanks for Bishop Doyle’s generous recommendation for a scholarship for my daughter, to offer financial support in areas of concern for the University, and to offer myself in service to listen and work with others to promote the University as it lives into its mission and motto. Happy to listen and patiently gather information, I am goal oriented and able to offer creative solutions that meet with success. I work well with individuals as well as larger groups with a willingness to serve on established committees. Prepared by a history of service in a variety of levels on various boards, when involved, I am all in.1 My knowledge of Episcopal schools and the Safeguarding program provide a unique vantage when coupled with my association with the University as a parent. I have been an active member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church since 1978. I have a passion for The University of the South as our only remaining Episcopal university. Willing to champion the many successes of the University, I have a strong connection to several current students, alumni, and residents and am eager to support the community and institution as it addresses the specific challenges the University faces to climb to new heights in national ranking and to live more fully into its mission and motto, Ecce Quam Bonum.