The North Region has been rich in bishops and joy as three ordinations to the priesthood happened in a span of ten-days in the Region.
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Rev. Laura Warner Gilmer was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests by the Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller. She has been serving as a deacon at St. Stephen’s in Hurst, but St. Stephen’s knew their space was too small for everyone who would want to attend, so St. Martin’s offered its hospitality. Gilmer will be serving as curate at St. Stephen’s where the Rev. Allison Liles is the vicar.
PhotoCred: Joe Stark and Chuck Luke
Gilmer was ordained to the Episcopal Diaconate and Priesthood in the Diocese of Texas after completing the 3-year Iona School for Ministry program. This mother of four (and grandmother of four) works full-time as parish administrator in another Episcopal Church in the metroplex. After discovering the “All are Welcome at the Table” tradition of Episcopal worship, Laura was confirmed 28 years ago and participated heavily lay ministry until she could no longer ignore God’s call to ordination. A veteran of Stephen Ministry and independent senior living administration, Laura has a heart for pastoral care and outreach that is fed by the loving work in the world celebrated by St. Stephen’s.
On Thursday, January 25, the Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher ordained the Rev. Eric Bumgardner to the priesthood at Trinity Fort Worth, where Bumgardner has been serving as deacon. He will be serving as curate at Trinity.
PhotoCred: Carrie Stanley
Most recently from Austin, Bumgardner completed his MDiv at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest and was ordained to the transitional diaconate in June. Originally from Arkansas, Eric grew up in Italy, and — upon returning to the States — worked and taught in higher education for more than 20 years before responding to a call to the ministry. Eric is married to Keirsten, who teaches children with special needs, and together they have two grown sons, Jack and Sean.
On Sunday, January 28, the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle ordained the Rev. Gavin Tomlin to the priesthood at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller, where Tomlin has been serving as deacon. He will be serving as curate at St. Martin’s, where the. Rev. Alan Bentrup is rector.
PhotoCred: Katie Sherrod
Tomlin is a recent graduate from Virginia Theological Seminary, having been sent there by the Diocese of Texas in 2020. He was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended college in Virginia (graduating in 2017), before making his way to Central Texas to take a job with a Camp/Retreat and Conference Center in Columbus. After becoming a member of St. James in La Grange, Gavin was sent by the community and the Diocese of Texas to VTS to complete his school before coming back to Texas to serve. Gavin lives in Keller with his dog, Woods.
