Standing Committee

Elect 1 Cleric and 1 Lay for a 3-year term.

The Rev. Shanna Neff, Rector,

St. Pauls, Brady
Qualifications: Shanna has
been ordained since 1991 and
has served in three dioceses:
the Diocese of Texas, Oklahoma, and now in West Texas.
She grew up in the Episcopal
Church and has loved serving
in our church in a variety of
ways and roles. She is grateful for the Diocese of West
Texas and would be honored to serve here.
Local Church Activities: Rector; Since ordination she
has served as rector of four congregations, as an associate in two congregations, and Chaplain at four Episcopal schools associated with the congregations.
Community Activities: Brady Clergy, Brady Rotary,
and Brady Chamber of Commerce
Diocesan Activities: Commission for Christian Education in both the Dioceses of Texas and Oklahoma;
Commission for Missions slated for growth in the
Diocese of Oklahoma; Recovery Committee in this
diocese; and camping programs for the Dioceses of
West Texas, Oklahoma and Texas
Nominated by: Mr. Brendan Weatherman, Senior
Warden and Vestry, St. Pauls, Brady

Description of duties: The Standing Committee meets

about three times a year and serves as a Council of
advice to the diocesan bishop. Among its responsibilities are granting or withholding consents to the election
of bishops throughout the Episcopal Church and interviewing seminarians and recommending to the bishop
whether or not they be made candidates for ordination.
The Standing Committee is composed of six persons:
three clergy and three lay. In the event that the office of
bishop is vacant, the Standing Committee serves as the
ecclesiastical authority for the diocese. Persons serving
on the Standing Committee should be familiar with the
Constitution and Canons, aware of issues in the wider
Anglican Communion, and be willing to undertake a
wide range of leadership needs and discernment.
Clergy
The Rev. Clayton Elder,
Rector, St. Philips Church and
School, Beeville
Qualifications: Clayton is
an experienced leader in the
diocese with a passion for
bringing the Kingdom of God
to bear through his life and
ministry by serving God and
neighbor in one-on-one moments of grace. He also has a
passion for gatherings of servant leaders discerning
Gods will for the Church and diocese.
Local Church Activities: Rector
Community Activities: President of the Ministerial
Alliance (2012-2015), Vice President of the Beeville
Vineyard (2011-2015), Board Member of the Beeville
Habitat for Humanity (2011-2015)
Diocesan Activities: Dean of the Eastern Convocation (2010-2014), Episcopal Schools Commission
(2011-present), Executive Board (2013-present) Chair of
the Nominating Committee (2013), Development Committee (2014-present), Happening Board (2015-present), Christian Education Committee (2015-present),
Cursillo Spiritual Director (2012, 2016), Kairos Spiritual
Director (2013-present), Family Camp Spiritual Director (2013), Happening Spiritual Director (2015)
Nominated by: Self-nominated

The Rev. Beverly Patterson,

Rector, St. Andrews,
Port Isabel
Qualifications: Beverlys prior
career and education includes
human resources, supervision
and training. She is a graduate and supporter of Sewanee
School of Theology.
Local Church Activities: Rector
Community Activities: Occasional volunteer at Boys
and Girls Club; in the last five years: Rotary, Scouting,
Leadership Laguna Madre, PIISD SHAC committee
Nominated by: The Rev. Scott Brown, Rector,
St. Albans, Harlingen
Continued on next page.

The Rev. Christopher, Roque,

Rector St. Johns, Sonora;
Vicar, St. James, Ft. McKavett
Qualifications: Chris has the
necessary skills, experience,
and discernment to serve on
the Standing Committee, as illustrated by his leadership and
involvement in local church,
community, and diocesan activities. Further, Chris
is known for his ability to collaborate with and lead
others as well as grasp the larger picture in various
contexts.
Local Church Activities: Rector-St. Johns, Sonora;
Vicar-St. James, Ft. McKavett; Assistant Rector-St.
Johns, McAllen; Chaplain of local Order of St. Luke
Chapter; Chaplain of local Daughters of the King
Chapter; five-time member of Honduras Mission
Teams, DWTX Mexico Veterinarian Mission Team;
TLU Faculty Sponsor to Canterbury on Campus/
TLU-Seguin; Former Junior Warden-St. Johns, New
Braunfels; Adult EYC Sponsor to St. Johns, New
Braunfels; Worship Team member-St. Johns, New
Braunfels
Community Activities: Board member of Hospice of
San Angelo, Current Sonora Good Samaritan Community Advisory Board member (and former chair),
Boy Scoutmaster of Sonora Troop 19, Volunteer Sutton County Food Pantry, member of Friends of Fort
McKavett, former President of Sonora Ministerial
Alliance, former Board member for Friends of Historic Sonora, former Board member Sonora Eaton Hill
Nature Center, former third Vice-President Sonora
Downtown Lions Club, City of Sonora/Senior Police
Officer, Chaplain to Sutton County Sheriff Office and
Jail, Retired Captain (current Chaplain) Texas Lutheran University Police, Hospital Chaplain of Hudspeth
Hospital (Sonora), Schleicher County Medical Center
(Eldorado), Shannon Medical Center (San Angelo),
Adjunct Chaplain to Fort McKavett State Historical
Site, Certified Mental Health Peace Officer
Diocesan Activities: Evangelism Commission, Christian Education Commission, Northern Convocation
Disaster Representative, Cursillo Spiritual Director
and Assistant Spiritual Director, Camp Capers Dean
and Chaplain, Mustang Island Family Camp Chaplain
and Teacher, former Director of Diocesan Disaster
Response Commission, former Province VII Delegate,
former TMI Trustee, Nomination Committee for
Council 2010, former Board member-Good Samaritan

Community Services, Rio Grande Valley

Nominated by: Northern Convocation Clericus
Lay
Mr. Steve Alwais,
St. George, San Antonio
Qualifications: Steve is an
experienced leader and the
recent Chairman of the St.
George Building Committee.
He is a dedicated Episcopalian.
Local Church Activities:
Senior Warden, past Junior
Warden, member Finance Committee, Church School
Board, Council Delegate
Community Activities: Media and Audio team, Board
of Directors-SA Livestock Show, past Chairman Public
Affairs Committee Livestock Show, volunteer producer
and voice of Public TV (KLRN) Auction, past Chairman National Cub Scout Committee, Local Council
Commissioner
Diocesan Activities: Rector Cursillo #270, served on
several Cursillo Teams
Nominated by: The Rev. Ram Lopez, Rector,
St. George, San Antonio
Mrs. Patty Brooke,
St. Davids, San Antonio
Local Church Activities: Lay
Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Christian Formation Coordinator, Formation Teacher,
Council Delegate, Provincial
Synod Delegate
Community Activities:
Retreat/workshop leader, Cer-

tified Spiritual Director

Diocesan Activities: Currently serves on Discernment
Committee; has served on Executive Board, Evangelism Committee, Cursillo Rector and team member,
Stewardship Committee, Commission for Womens
Ministries
Nominated by: The Rev. Lisa Mason, Rector,
St. Davids, San Antonio
Continued on next page.

Mr. Michael T. Edmond, M.D.,

St. Stephens, Wimberley
Qualifications: You cannot
find a more qualified, humble,
and competent servant. Michaels personality and professionalism is coupled with
compassion, intelligence, and
grace. He is patient, a good
listener, and most importantly,
a person who follows through
on whatever he commits to. He is a self-starter and is
always prepared. He asks for input, is quiet in manner,
yet acts with genuine authority. With Michaels leadership, guidance, collaborative style, and encouragement
we have restructured our Vestry, moved to year-round
stewardship, rewritten by-laws, developed new Mission/Vision Statements, drawn up facility use agreements and covenant statements with the school, and
promulgated a new ministry organization chart.
Local Church Activities: Vestry 2012-2014, serving as
Stewardship Chair 2013-2014, Senior Warden 2014,
Council Delegate 2012, Long-Range Planning Committee 2010, Cemetery Board 2015.
Nominated by: The Rev. Sandy Casey-Martus, Rector,
St. Stephens Church and School, Wimberley
Dr. W. Clark Hendley,
St. Johns, New Braunfels
Qualifications: Clark is a
recognized leader in our parish and in the Diocese of West
Texas. His academic background as an English professor
and College Administrator,
in addition to his leadership
in two other dioceses, would
make him an outstanding
member of the Standing Committee.
Local Church Activities: Lay Reader, Chalice Bearer,
choir member, teacher for mens and womens Bible
study, leader of Sunday Adult Forums, chair of Vestry Nominating Committee; served on vestries in the
Dioceses of West Missouri and Connecticut; Senior
Warden at St. James, West Hartford, Connecticut
Diocesan Activities: Reader of General Ordination
Exams (GOEs) since 2006; member Board of Examining Chaplains since 2013
Nominated by: The Rev. Ripp Hardaway, Rector,
St. Johns, New Braunfels

Mr. Douglas (Doug) Holmes,

St. Pauls, Brady
Qualifications: I have been so
blessed and impressed with
Dougs gift of discernment. He
is invaluable to St. Pauls and
to the diocese. His passion for
his Lord is shown through his
commitment to our parish
family and the diocese. He has
a vast experience of both small
and large congregations. He has also served in small
towns as well as in cities. The Diocese of West Texas
would be lucky to have Doug on our Standing Committee.
Local Church Activities: Worship Leader, Lector, Vestry member, past Senior Warden (three terms), Council Delegate
Community Activities: Helped start St. Martins
Episcopal Worshiping Community in Mason, former
member Mason County Ministerial Alliance, Lenten
Lunch Program, Friends of the Library
Diocesan Activities: Executive Board 2013-2015,
World Mission Committee, Operations Committee
Texas Water Mission and active participant in Water
Mission Work in Honduras
Nominated by: The Rev. Shanna Neff, Rector, St. Pauls,
Brady
Mrs. Elizabeth Liz Nisbet,
Church of the Good
Shepherd, Corpus Christi
Qualifications: Liz has served
the Diocese of West Texas in
various ways, has a good understanding of the needs and
strengths of the diocese, and
has a deep care for its continued growth.
Local Church Activities: Senior Warden, Junior
Warden, Finance Committee, Executive Committee,
Chairman Endowment Outreach, Council Delegate
numerous years.
Community Activities: St. James Episcopal School
Board of Trustees, PBS Board, Driscoll Childrens
Hospital Board, Texas State Aquarium Board, Christus
Spohn Hospital Board, Jr. League Fund Development
Advisor
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Continued on next page.

Diocesan Activities: Executive Board, Foundation

Committee, Steering Planning Committee for Mustang
Island Conference Center, Co-chair of construction of
MICC, Search Committee for Camps and Conferences
Director
Nominated by: Vestry, Church of the Good Shepherd,
Corpus Christi

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