clergy conference

WHO | WHAT | WHEN | WHERE

2025 CLERGY CONFERENCE

Monday, October 20 – Wednesday, October 22
(Ancillary Meetings: Sunday, October 19)

Plenary, Seminar Presenters and Special Guests

Guest Homilist

Bishop’s Special Guest for Conversation with…

Workshop Presenters

Commission on Hispanic Ministry	The Rev. Troy Mendez Executive Director, Episcopal Evangelism Society Come and See: Evangelism as Invitation and Sacred Curiosity
Kathy Dunn Executive Assistant to the Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher Gimme a Break!: Taking a Sabbatical	The Rev. Canon Dr. Judith Maltby Emerita Fellow, Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford Vassar Miller’s Eucharistic Life of Christ: ‘Love’s Bitten Tongue’
Ryan Flanigan Director of Music, Resurrection South, Austin Liturgical Folk – Music of the People	Kelley McRae Missioner for Congregational Vitality – Northwest, Diocese of Texas Missional Community: Knitting Together the Church and its Neighbors
The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher Bishop Suffragan, Diocese of Texas Gimme a Break!: Taking a Sabbatical	The Rev. Lance Ousley Rector, Emmanuel, Houston Returning to the Roots of Discipleship: Seeding the Garden with Cultivated  Relationships
The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia Theologian in Residence, Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue, New York City Models of Evangelization: From Discernment to Practice	Canon Dr. Josh R. Ritter Canon for Formation, Diocese of Texas Deliberate Disciples: Doing Discipleship Differently
The Rev. David Gortner Rector, St. Luke’s, Coeur d’Alene, ID	The Rev. Lizzie Robbins Missioner for New Communities, Emmanuel, Houston Ecclesial Cultivator, The Neighborhood Garden Project Returning to the Roots of Discipleship: Seeding the Garden with Cultivated  Relationships
Scott Gunn Executive Director, Forward Movement How are we doing at spiritual growth? Evangelism in a post-Christendom world.	Josh Singleton Founder/Executive Director & Lead Cultivator, The Neighborhood Garden Project Returning to the Roots of Discipleship: Seeding the Garden with Cultivated  Relationships

Who Should Attend

All ordained clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Texas and actively serving at a church or institution are expected to attend the full conference in 2025. 

Although all licensed clergy are welcome to attend, retired clergy are encouraged to attend the Conference for Retired Clergy & Spouses on October 6-8, instead of Clergy Conference.

While Camp Allen is a family friendly facility, Clergy Conference is strictly for clergy, Iona School students serving as Pastoral Leaders, and diocesan staff.

Covid-19 Policy

Face masks are not required during this year’s conference; however masks are always encouraged for all who wish to wear one.  We encourage all clergy to be vaccinated and boosted for Covid-19 per the CDC’s current guidelines.  

The Covid policies are subject to change, as needed, in order for us to gather safely.

Registration & Accommodations

On-line registration for the Clergy Conference opens on September 4^th via campallen.org, click on ‘Register for Events Online’. Hotel reservations and signups for ancillary meetings are made at the same time. There is no cost to attending clergy.

ROOMING NOTE: Because the attending clergy outnumbers the rooms available at Camp Allen, it is policy that attendees double up accommodations. This means that requests for single rooms are not likely to be granted. Single rooms are limited to persons of significant disability or handicap and requests for single rooms are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated.

Check-In

For those attending any of the Ancillary Meetings, check-in will open at 2:30pm Sunday. General participant check-in will open at 8:00am Monday.

Additional Presentations that will be available include:

Considering a Curate?
Rectors who would like to explore the benefits and requirements of having a curate on the church staff are invited to visit with the Rev. Canon Christine Faulstich at an informational meeting. All rectors interested in receiving a curate are expected to attend. To reserve your place, sign up at the conference check-in table. Bring breakfast with you.

Understanding your Retirement Options
Active clergy approaching retirement age are invited to attend. This session will provide an overview of information or changes that may affect you at pre-65 and post-65.

Activities & Extras

Be sure to take advantage of all the complimentary activities offered during Clergy Conference. Choose from fishing, canoeing, tennis, archery, skeet shooting, trail rides, giant swing, the high ropes/zipline, frisbee golf, and of course shopping. In addition, the hike and bike trail is awaiting all takers. The activities requiring a minimum number of participants will have sign-up sheets at the conference check-in station.

Fly Fishing
Mark Marmon will be back to offer his fly-fishing expertise for beginners and veterans. Here’s your chance to wrangle one the giant perch residing in Camp Allen’s lakes.

Massage Therapy
Massage therapists will be on hand this year. Complimentary chair massages will be offered throughout the conference. Table massages will be available by appointment only and the cost is paid by you. Sign-up sheets for both will be available at the activities sign up table.

Game Time
Meet up with your fellow clergy during free time on Tuesday and show your competitive side by engaging in popular board games, Legos, and puzzles.

Pickleball Tournament
Bring your paddle if you have one, but even if you don’t meet at the tennis courts on Tuesday.  An intro class will be first for beginners and then the competition begins. Who will win this year?  Prepare for fun!

Pre-Conference Meetings & Presentations

Several meetings have been scheduled for the Sunday and Monday prior to the conference beginning. If you are to attend one of these meetings, you will contacted by the convener in advance. 

Meeting	Contact
Iona Priest Clericus	The Rev. Paul Skeith, 512-766-7925 (c)
Deacon Clericus	The Rev. Jan Halstead, 512-470-9640 (c)
New Clergy Orientation	Kathryn Herman, 713-353-2121 (w)

Immunizations

Tdap shots influenza and Covid-19 immunizations will be available at the conference early Tuesday morning. The specific time will be in the conference program. If you would like to take advantage of any of the vaccinations you need to do the following two things:

• Complete the attached Consent & Release form prior to receiving any vaccination.
• Bring all of your insurance cards with you to Camp Allen. (Our providers recommend that you bring all of your insurance cards as some vaccines are covered under medical and some under RX coverage.)

Most insurance plans and all Medicare plans will cover flu and Covid vaccinations. You will be financially responsible for any vaccines not covered by your insurance.

Questions & information

Any questions you have regarding the Clergy Conference can be directed to Julie Paré, 

713-353-2128, jpare@epicenter.org.

schedule

(Subject to change)

Monday, October 20

Time	Event
1:30 pm	Welcome, Announcements
2:15 pm	Plenary 1
3:45 pm	Seminars
5:30 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm	Introduction of New Clergy
	Fireside Chat with Bishop Doyle
9:00 pm	Social

Tuesday, October 21

Time	Event
6:30 am	Immunizations
7:30 am	Morning Prayer, Spanish
8:00 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Announcements
9:15 am	Plenary 2
10:30 am	Workshop Session 1
11:30 am	Lunch
	Free Time
5:00 pm	Eucharist
6:30 pm	Dinner
7:30 pm	Bishop’s Conversation with…
8:30 pm	Social

Wednesday, October 22

Time	Event
7:30 am	Morning Prayer, English
8:00 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Workshop Session 2
10:15 am	Workshop Session 3
11:30 am	Bishop’s Address
12:30 pm	Lunch, Dismissal