Staff
Click on the staff member's name below to email.
The Rev. Patrick Gahan, Rector
"Hi, ya'll, I'm Father Gahan," is likely how he'll introduce himself...a sort of Mayberry meets Canterbury. Married 31 years to Kay, his childhood sweetheart from Birmingham, AL, she looked at him two years ago and said, "Pat, I'm moving back to Texas. Would you like to come?" I guess that's one way to get a new pastor. Patrick has loved serving as the senior pastor, or "rector" as we Episcopalians term them, of Saint Stephen's Church. When his friends ask him what the central Hill Country of Texas is like, he says, "It's where hippy-dom meets cowboy-dom and everything in-between." Why would you want to be anywhere else!
Nan Bernhardt, Coordinator of Family Ministries
More information coming soon!
Cynthia Drake, Parish Administrator
Cynthia says she never really left Texas; she just visited Southern California for 20 years-just long enough to pursue a nursing career, get her MBA, raise a family, and run her own business. "That's gnarly, girl!" Cynthia is our Parish Administrator. She "keeps all the trains running on time" for all 600 of us on this lovely 53 acres of ours. Trust me-it is a labor of love. Money issues and campus issues all go to Cynthia. What's equally important is that Cynthia leads our medical mission to Mexico to heal children with facial birth defects. Four times a year she takes a group of us down to Ensenada, Mexico where our folks join with Rotary International to do surgeries that change children's lives for ever. No previous medical or missionary experience is required and no long tenure in the parish is necessary. Cynthia will teach you what you need to know. "Like totally!"
Dina Dunbar, Coordinator of Nursery Ministries
Coordinator of Nursery Ministries - Whether it's your baby's first ever trip to a nursery or you're the parent of a toddler who beats you to the Nursery door, you'll be glad to see Dina's bright, smiling face and calm, professional demeanor when you arrive on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights. Dina has worked many years in our Nursery and has been Nursery Supervisor for several years, planning activities, playing with children, and training and supervising a full staff. Like all our staff, Dina has current certifications in CPR and Safeguarding God's People. A mom herself, she can help you and your child with any questions that may come up while you're here.
Carole Hofstad, Assistant Director of Music and Contemporary Music
Director of Music and Contemporary Music, Carole is a PK, too, but her father was a Lutheran pastor and her mother a Lutheran choir director. That's Norwegian Lutheran. Those occasional "ya's" you hear amongst the "ya'lls" is Carole in her Minnesota mode. Carole has a broad musical repertoire. On any given day, she will go from playing and singing the Verdi Requiem to firing up a little Bo Diddly. That's why Carole is perfect person to lead our Halftime and Nova bands, as well as accompany our adult choir. Does she like it all...you betcha!
Anne Jones, Director of Music Ministries
Anne is a PK - "preacher's kid." That's not all. She's the child of a Baptist's preacher and a Baptist's choir director. You'd think Anne would never darken the door of a church. Instead, Anne loves church. She is the only person you'll meet who can sing an ethereal aria at 8 o'clock in the morning. Come to early service one Sunday and you'll hear her for yourself. The one thing Anne likes better than singing is getting the rest of us to sing. Anne doesn't believe any of us are hopeless in the choral arts. So tune up, show up, and she'll slap a robe on you.
Traci Maxwell, Coordinator of Youth Ministries
Coordinator of Youth Ministries, educator, realtor, and mom Traci Maxwell is always in motion. Just try to pry that Blackberry out of her hand! She uses it to stay in constant communication with the Youth Ministry leadership team and a huge crowd of young people all over the Hill Country who gather each Sunday evening for faith, fun, and fellowship. She uses it to plan major summer mission trips for junior and senior high, to network with other youth ministers and ecumenical partners, to take and send zillions of photos, and to schedule her nonstop life. If you are between the ages of eleven and twenty, or have a child who is, you want to get Traci on your speed-dial (and vice versa) ASAP!
Connie Ransone
The other friendly voice on the other end of the line may be Connie Ransone, our Communications Secretary. Connie is from the majestic mountains of Colorado, a fact she never quite lets us forget. Outside of being a wonderful greeter, Connie is the editor of our electronic weekly newsletter, the e-Vision, and she maintains our website...which you are reading right now. Thank Connie. A word of advice: do anything but challenge Connie to a race because she is a 14-time Track and Field All-American and her husband is an Olympic trainer. Now you see how she keeps things "running" around here.
Carrie Watson
We call Carrie the "Doc" because she is one. In fact, no one-not even Coach Mack Brown-has more right to hold up the "Hook'em Horns" sign than Dr. Watson. She earned her bachelors, masters, and her PhD in Psychology from the University of Texas. And, thank goodness she did. Carrie is the Director of Lay Ministry and Pastoral Care. She will put you to work at meaningful tasks in the parish and she will organize care for you when tribulation or sickness strikes. You'll never have to doubt whether the "doctor is in" because she is!
Jeannetta Watson
Chances are when you first contact Saint Stephen's you'll be talking to Jeannetta Watson, our Administrative Assistant. She moved down here from a farm in Iowa to thaw out and never returned-thank goodness. Jeannetta knows everything about life at Saint Stephen's and most everything about the area. Want to get your child baptized? Call Jeannetta. Need a plumber? Call Jeannetta. Just need someone to tell you that you're special? Call Jeannetta. Heck, we do.
|