Recap of the 177th Annual Diocesan Council Business Meeting
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Convention Center
The Woodlands, Texas
Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
The IX Bishop of Texas, C. Andrew Doyle called the 177th Annual Diocesan Council Business Meeting to order followed by the Rev. Beth Holden, Council Chaplain, who prayed and read scripture immediately after.
Representatives of the Committee for Supervisors and Tellers facilitated the ballot testing and survey and the Rev. Cn. Marcea Paul declared a quorum for the Business Meeting and presented the Report concerning Credentials.
Interim Dean of the Seminary- the Rt. Rev. Diane Bruce, Campus Ministry delegates, and Youth delegates, were all recognized by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle and the bishop introduced and recognized Diocesan Council Parliamentarian Lee Woodward and Diocesan Chancellor David Harvin. The Rev. William Fowler presented the Report of the Committee for Dispatch of Business.
The Rev. Cn. Marcea Paul reported that there was no unfinished business from the 176th Diocesan Council and the minutes from the 176th Council certified. The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle appointed regular committees of Council to fill vacancies.
The Rev. Perry Mullins presented the Report on new Parishes, Missions, & Fellowships. Both St. Luke’s in the Meadows, Fort Worth, and St. Julian of Norwich, Cedar Park, were admitted into union at the 177th Council.
The Committee for Supervisors and Tellers announced its readiness for business, provided instructions, and the sample ballot was launched. After a short break, the bishop delivered his address.
In summary:
The bishop began with an interpretation from the bible taken from Luke 10:1-16. He shared a quote from the Journal of Joy: “If evil has no bottom, then and goodness has no ceiling.” He implored that we are called on to go out in Jesus’ name and that the diocese seeks those who feel Jesus has appointed them to do his work. From the text, Jesus appointed 70 and sent them in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He offered that we should be called to go everywhere. The diocese has churches, big and small. He reminded clergy and lay that goodness happens in the wilderness and on the countryside, too. Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. We must stop working hard without prayer and all work must be undergirded with prayer.
The bishop reminded that there is no room in the Church for politics, and all must remember that we are dual citizens of this country, first in the Kingdom of God.
He reiterated that we are a lay-led, clergy-supported diocese. Jesus sends us on our way but doesn’t tell us what to do. He emphasized that the ministry of the gospel is hard and has never not been hard. He said that the lie that we don’t have enough is a lie and that we can all have accoutrements, but if we don’t have complete dependence on the Lord, then it is nothing.
The bishop referred to Jesus’ soliloquy in the Book of Luke stating that we must seed homes of peace. He underscored that our churches are not ours, yet they’re our Father’s churches. We’re doing his work, his ministry and we go to these homes to receive peace. We remain there and receive food, sacramental life and especially in a world now where it’s hard to see the kingdom of God. No matter what you see or don’t see, the Kingdom of God is here.
He defined the core meaning of vocation: It is to go and speak with God’s tongue. He reminded that we get to see the ministry that takes place in our lives. The bishop encouraged all, sharing that he sees evil thwarted from the ministry in the congregations of the diocese.
The bishop was pleased to share that during the SNAP-Gap, our people stepped up and donations tripled. He rejoiced that God is victorious in this world.
He highlighted other evidence of God at work including a deacon in our diocese who was called to the gulf by the Coast Guard to pray during the conflict with Venezuela. He noted a small congregation rejuvenated by youth in its community. Another has grown exponentially. In yet another congregation, a group of women provided a shelter of care for immigrants, to be cared for by Christ. He encouraged in that we’re listening and helping, providing food, and that if we get sad and depressed, then we must find a good story and share it. The bishop then implored all in attendance to share good news, and they did.
Near the end, the bishop exclaimed, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see in the Diocese of Texas. You see good news preached, lives changed. Everyone is looking for what we have found.”
The bishop concluded by offering the good news from our diocese in campus ministry growth, church plant growth, missional communities, and stewardship through our foundations including monies given to the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. He shared good news regarding transitions in ministry. He gave updates on attendance and numbers around Discovery Retreat, Leadership, those in discernment and those on seminary track.
He announced that membership grew this past year in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA), and that while we need to return to our average of 25,000, we’re nearly at 22,000.
The bishop said he was grateful - grateful to the people he loves and that he understands the difficulties since COVID. He understands that our parishes, congregations, institutions, and entities are not alone. God, he said, came into this world to save us.
He is thankful to our bi-vocational ministry as they go where God sends them. He is grateful for the past 18 years to share in this ministry – and has witnessed what faith and giving look like. He closed by asking all to do good works and share what we have. The bishop is grateful that he continues to do this work.
After the bishop’s address, the Rev. Daryl Hay provided the Report of the Committee for Nominations. Then, nominations were read with no additional nominations from the floor.
The Rev. Andrew Ellison and the Rev. Hayden Paul provided the sample ballot results and balloting procedures, and the Nominations ballot was launched. The Rev. Beth Holden offered a prayer once voting commenced.
Note: Linda Riley Mitchell, CPA, and the Rev. Cn. Marcea Paul were elected at the start of voting by acclamation as Treasurer and Secretary of the diocese, respectively, as they were unopposed.
Maria Boyce delivered the Report of the Committee for Constitutions and Canons, and the Rev. Patrick Hall delivered the Report of the Committee for Resolutions as called by the Committee for the Dispatch of Business.
There was a presentation from the Youth delegation followed by a video report from the President/CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation, Ann Barnes, MD. Bishop Doyle presented the Rev. Francene Young and the Rev. Jan Halstead Bishop’s Awards. They were recognized by remarks from both the bishop diocesan and the Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan.
As the meeting approached the hour of lunch, Bishop Doyle offered a prayer for our armed forces in light of very recent unrest in the Middle East involving our troops. The Rev. Beth Holden, as called for by the President, the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, provided the Noonday Prayer and Necrology. Announcements were delivered and a one-hour recess for lunch was taken. Immediately after lunch, the meeting reconvened and final election results were announced.
Election Results
Note: Linda Riley Mitchell and the Rev. Cn. Marcea Paul were elected at the start of voting by acclamation for Treasurer and Secretary of the diocese, respectively, as they were unopposed.
Standing Committee Clergy Order
· The Rev. Jacob Breeze, Holy Family, Houston
Standing Committee Lay Order
· Ed Zeigler, Holy Comforter, Spring
Executive Board Clergy Order
· The Rev. Jason Ingalls, Holy Spirit, Waco
· The Rev. Samantha Smith, Saint Paul’s, Waco
Executive Board Lay Order
· Ellen Eby, Holy Comforter, Angleton
· Marilynn Patterson, St. Dunstan’s, Houston
· Zack Sharp, St. John’s, Carthage
Trustee of the Church Corporation
· Angela Tekell, St. Alban’s, Waco
Trustee of the University of the South, Sewanee
· Whitney Kirby, St. Andrew’s School, Austin
General Convention Deputy – Clergy Order
· The Rev. Jimmy Abbott, Trinity, Galveston
· The Rev. Cn. Christine Faulstich, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
· The Very Rev. Cynthia Kittredge, Seminary of the Southwest
· The Rev. Luz Montes, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston
General Convention Deputy – Lay Order
· Stephanie Drum, St. Alban’s Waco
· Marcia Quintanilla, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston
· Anthony Chapple, St. James’, Austin
· Linda Patterson, St. Andrew’, Bryan
Celebration of New Communities and The Ringing of the Great Commission Bell
The Rev. Perry Mullins announced two new fellowships and the two new parishes of the diocese. Clergy and lay representatives from those fellowships and parishes processed to ring the Great Commission Bell. New fellowships are Espíritu Santo, Bryan and St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church, Fort Worth. New parishes are St. Luke’s in the Meadow, Fort Worth and St. Julian of Norwich, Cedar Park.
Linda Riley Mitchell, CPA, CFO and Treasurer of the Diocese provided the Report of the Treasurer of the Diocese and Bette Lehmberg presented the 2026 Diocesan Budget.
The bishop presented his list of nominations as posted previously. He also mentioned his announced his appointments. The bishop invited a Campus Ministry representative for a presentation.
Per Article 12, the bishop briefly discussed four proposed changes that were passed at the 81st General Convention in 2024.
Allen Kight reported on Camp Allen and announced the opening of the Bishop Quin Hotel Wing. He brought attention to the Lone Star Family Roundup at Camp Allen. The Rev. Cn. Kellaura Johnson introduced new clergy of the diocese by way of a video.
The Rev. Cn. Christine Faulstich reported on the Committee for Council Management and extended an invitation to 178th Council in Galveston, Texas. The bishop recognized the volunteers and others who make Council possible.
The bishop gave the benediction and council was adjourned.