The Reverend Scott Painter, Vicar
Scott joined Grace Episcopal Church in the fall of 2018. Prior to his ministry as a Priest, Scott served as a pastor in another church and then taught English in public and private high schools for many years. He holds degrees from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, The University of Houston and the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. Prior to joining us at Grace, he served at St. Stephen’s, Houston.
Scott lived his entire childhood in the farmlands of Northwestern Ohio. As the child of a Pentecostal minister, Scott's journey of faith led him on a winding road from the church of his parents to The Episcopal Church, where he found a compelling embrace of mystery, inclusion, and inspiring and beautiful worship.
Scott and his spouse Tami have been together for 25 years. They arrived in Texas in 1999, via Missouri and Oregon. Tami is a senior consultant in the human resources industry. Scott & Tami live together with their son Rowan and the family dog, Enzo. Scott enjoys traveling, laughing, binge watching shows on Netflix, listening to live music, and writing & playing music on the piano. He is passionate about walking with others in their journeys of faith, wherever those journeys lead--always looking for signs of grace.
Scott lived his entire childhood in the farmlands of Northwestern Ohio. As the child of a Pentecostal minister, Scott's journey of faith led him on a winding road from the church of his parents to The Episcopal Church, where he found a compelling embrace of mystery, inclusion, and inspiring and beautiful worship.
Scott and his spouse Tami have been together for 25 years. They arrived in Texas in 1999, via Missouri and Oregon. Tami is a senior consultant in the human resources industry. Scott & Tami live together with their son Rowan and the family dog, Enzo. Scott enjoys traveling, laughing, binge watching shows on Netflix, listening to live music, and writing & playing music on the piano. He is passionate about walking with others in their journeys of faith, wherever those journeys lead--always looking for signs of grace.
The Reverend Dr. John K. Graham, Assisting Priest
Dr. John K. Graham is both a physician and a priest, leading The Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center as President and CEO, and also serving as Grace's Assisting Priests, where he teaches, preaches, and assists with special projects. He joined Grace Episcopal Church in 2015.
John earned his M.D. Degree from Tulane Medical School in New Orleans and is board-certified in two medical specialties – otolaryngology and plastic & reconstructive surgery. John was in the private practice of medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana for 20 years.
In 1990, John left the practice of medicine and responded to God’s call to the priesthood. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. In 2001, John received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. John has served at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston, and St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston.
In the Diocese of Texas, John was a founding member of the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, a ministry to the medically under-served in the region. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of El Buen Samaritano, a ministry to the medically under-served Hispanic community in Austin, Texas.
John has authored two books, Mold Me and Shape Me, and most recently, Graham Crackers and Milk: Food for the Heart and Soul. He and his wife, Pat, have five grown children and 18 grandchildren.
John earned his M.D. Degree from Tulane Medical School in New Orleans and is board-certified in two medical specialties – otolaryngology and plastic & reconstructive surgery. John was in the private practice of medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana for 20 years.
In 1990, John left the practice of medicine and responded to God’s call to the priesthood. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. In 2001, John received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. John has served at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston, and St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston.
In the Diocese of Texas, John was a founding member of the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, a ministry to the medically under-served in the region. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of El Buen Samaritano, a ministry to the medically under-served Hispanic community in Austin, Texas.
John has authored two books, Mold Me and Shape Me, and most recently, Graham Crackers and Milk: Food for the Heart and Soul. He and his wife, Pat, have five grown children and 18 grandchildren.
The Reverend Dr. Alejandro Montes, Assisting Priest
The Reverend Dr. Alejandro Montes is originally from Peru and is a retired priest of the Episcopal Church. He served as the Vicar and then Rector of San Mateo Iglesia Episcopal for more than 20 years. He joined Grace in 2019.
Alejandro has also served as Chaplain in the Houston Police Department and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work of reconciliation and social justice in the community, including March 29 being declared in Houston as “Father Alejandro Montes Day" by the Mayor of Houston.
Alejandro has also served as Chaplain in the Houston Police Department and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work of reconciliation and social justice in the community, including March 29 being declared in Houston as “Father Alejandro Montes Day" by the Mayor of Houston.
The Reverend Dawn Shepler, Deacon
Dawn sensed a call to be a Deacon in 2009 while living in North Carolina. She earned her Master of Divinity degree from Illif School of Theology and was ordained in the Diocese of Colorado in 2017 while serving as a chaplain in Missouri. Dawn is a licensed Chaplain serving mental health patients in Harris County. At Grace, Dawn’s ministry is centered on serving, outreach, and pastoral care.
Dawn is a native Houstonian. After moving and traveling to many places around the US and abroad, Dawn returned to Houston in 2019, bringing her near her adult daughters and their families (including 3 grandchildren). Dawn’s adult son resides in Minneapolis.
Dawn says of her calling to ministry: “I have always been a Spirit seeker, and as a deacon, I love helping others connect spiritually within and outside the church.”
Dawn is a native Houstonian. After moving and traveling to many places around the US and abroad, Dawn returned to Houston in 2019, bringing her near her adult daughters and their families (including 3 grandchildren). Dawn’s adult son resides in Minneapolis.
Dawn says of her calling to ministry: “I have always been a Spirit seeker, and as a deacon, I love helping others connect spiritually within and outside the church.”
Mr. Ellis Montes, Music Director
Ellis Reyes Montes is a cradle Episcopalian and musician from Sugar Land, TX. Coming from a family of priests and musicians, he appreciates the liturgy of the Episcopal Church and the role that music plays in all forms of worship. While leading worship with a blend of contemporary music and traditional hymnody, Ellis also studied classical music as a bassoonist, completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and his Master’s Degree at Roosevelt University.
From an early age, Ellis played keyboard and led music with the worship team at Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo, which grew to become one of the largest Spanish-speaking congregations in the Episcopal Church. During his time at San Mateo, Ellis played, directed, and composed liturgical music. He was invited on many occasions to lead worship at conferences around the country, including “Why Serve” and General Convention. Ellis also helped to develop and lead a new worship service at Christ Church Cathedral and another at Iglesia Episcopal Santa Teresa De Avila in Chicago, IL.
Even though his studies took him to different parts of the country, Ellis continued to worship from the choir lofts wherever he went, learning the traditions of different churches and honing his skills in leading choirs and congregations. More recently, Ellis has been expanding his performance career by performing frequently with historically informed ensembles including Ars Lyrica Houston and Les Touches Consort.
From an early age, Ellis played keyboard and led music with the worship team at Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo, which grew to become one of the largest Spanish-speaking congregations in the Episcopal Church. During his time at San Mateo, Ellis played, directed, and composed liturgical music. He was invited on many occasions to lead worship at conferences around the country, including “Why Serve” and General Convention. Ellis also helped to develop and lead a new worship service at Christ Church Cathedral and another at Iglesia Episcopal Santa Teresa De Avila in Chicago, IL.
Even though his studies took him to different parts of the country, Ellis continued to worship from the choir lofts wherever he went, learning the traditions of different churches and honing his skills in leading choirs and congregations. More recently, Ellis has been expanding his performance career by performing frequently with historically informed ensembles including Ars Lyrica Houston and Les Touches Consort.
Bishop's Committee
|
Philip Montgomery, Bishop's Warden
Colin Dunham, Junior Warden Dorothy Gretchen Hickman Joseph Astride Point du Jour Nnadi Norma Burlingame Melissa Duran John Mikusa, Clerk Nigel Minion, Treasurer |
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Our Bishops:
The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of Texas
The Right Reverend Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan
The Right Reverend Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan
The Right Reverend Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant
Diocesan Website: epicenter.org
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church Website: episcopalchurch.org
The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of Texas
The Right Reverend Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan
The Right Reverend Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan
The Right Reverend Hector Monterroso, Bishop Assistant
Diocesan Website: epicenter.org
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church Website: episcopalchurch.org
