Ascension Episcopal Church Vestry

Vestry

The Vestry is the key lay leadership of the church. They focus on the mission and vision of the church as well as make major financial decisions. The Vestry is comprised of 12 duly elected Parishioners in good standing in accordance with DOT Title III, Section 2. They meet the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Potential Vestry members are nominated by parishioners and then asked if they are willing to serve the church. If they agree, their name is placed on a ballot and at the annual meeting, parishioners elect who they would like to have serve. Vestry members serve three years on a rotating basis. The Senior Warden is appointed by the Rector and the Junior Warden is elected from within the Vestry.

Glenn Criswell
My wife Amy and I have been members of Ascension since 1998. We have two teenage boys, Michael and Colin, both of whom attended Ascension Episcopal School in their primary years. Now Michael attends Baylor University and Colin is a Junior at Stratford High School. I am a fourth generation Houstonian and have lived in West Houston most of my life. My educational experience includes an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and a MBA from Rice University. I previously served on the vestry at Ascension from 2005 to 2007 and presently serve as a lay reader - usually for the 8 AM service. I work in the commercial real estate industry as an IT manager.

Liz Goodman, Secretary
My name is Liz Goodman and I am delighted to serve as a part of the vestry! I was raised in the Methodist church, but when I married my husband Chad 13 years ago we joined the Episcopal church. Chad and I, and our two children Charlie (10) and Emerson (8), joined Ascension almost 5 years ago. We fell in love with the family feel and the warm welcoming congregation! Since then, I have been involved with the Jr. acolyte ministry, the post-service coffee hostess team, outreach and women’s evening bible study. I am currently the Dean of Instruction at River Oaks Elementary – a gifted and talented school for HISD. I am excited to join the leadership of the church and help carry out the vision and mission of Ascension to the best of my ability!

Margo Kaplan
Margo Kaplan came to Ascension Episcopal Church in the fall of 2012 and became a member shortly after in January 2013. Margo is married to Craig Kaplan and they have two daughters, Mackenzie and Catherine. In her time as a member at Ascension Margo has been involved with many activities and ministries. She is the co-ministry leader to the Junior Acolytes and works as a member of one of the Coffee Hosts teams. Margo also assists with Sunday School for children and has helped host family Super Bowl parties and family game days at Ascension. She has also been a member of the planning committee and hosts for the Ascension Supper Clubs. In her time outside AEC Margo works for her family’s hotel management company and enjoys vacationing with her beautiful daughters, husband and many nieces and nephews who live Houston.

Sharon Black

My name is Sharon Black. I am married to Mike Black, mother to Valerie, grandmother to Jana, Mariam, and Margaret; I am self-employed and stay involved in the community as a member of The World Affairs Council in Houston, and Daughters of the American Revolution. At Ascension, I keep busy as a Sunday School volunteer and choir member. In my spare time, I enjoy such hobbies as reading, playing the piano, gardening, studying natural health, and training dogs for service work. I also volunteer at Freedom Place, a safe harbor for young girls rescued from human trafficking, and with Houston Interfaith Ministries. As a member of the Vestry, I look forward to helping Ascension continue to grow and serve God in our everyday lives.

Allison Garcia

Allison Garcia was born in Indiana, but became a Texas transplant when her dad's job moved the family to Laredo. Despite the culture shock, she was pleased to learn there were places where tacos were considered appropriate breakfast fare. The lifelong writer and book lover earned her bachelor's degree in Communication, with a minor in Journalism, from Texas A&M University. After college she moved to Victoria, Texas, where she served as Business and Agriculture Reporter for the local paper. Nearly seven years later, in 2014, she made her way to Houston to work with a local marketing firm. Soon after, the lifelong Episcopalian came to Ascension - and immediately felt at home. Allison is a regular Sunday school teacher and lay reader, and has served on both the Vision and Stewardship committees. She lives in Westchase with her husband, Cory, and their very spoiled dog, Marley.

Nigel Hypolite

Nigel Hypolite is from the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul Episcopal Church and has maintained a close relationship with God. After spending 6 years in the Army, he moved to New York City to pursue a degree in business administration. Nigel began his extensive career in mortgage and financial services while in school and has spent the last 15 years helping clients realize their dreams and goals of home ownership. Nigel currently lives in Pearland, Texas with his wife of over 5 years and his two children. He is active in his community. He continues his love for the outdoors and commitment to good health by running, biking and playing tennis.

Michelle Feagin
Michelle established Health Insurance Solutions, an Independent insurance agency specializing in Medicare plans. She attended Illinois Central College, completed Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation and served as Education Chair with the Houston chapter of National Health Underwriters. She is mother to 3 sons and grandmother to 2 boys and 2 girls. She enjoys playing with her grandkids, jigsaw puzzles, cards, walking with pets, fishing, camping, and movies. Michelle has been a very active member of Ascension Episcopal Church, where she has assisted parents of children addicted to alcohol or drugs with support and guidance through a chapter of Al-Anon. She volunteers with Mission of Yahweh and the WHAM food pantry. She has served as a committee member and chairman, and merit badge counselor in her sons’ BSA troop. Michelle believes her keys to success are to focus on listening to the questions and concerns of each person. God gives us two ears and one mouth for a reason. She considers her work to be a part of her ministry to the community.

Tom Sutton, Senior Warden

Tom Sutton has agreed to serve one more year to facilitate a smooth transition with the new rector. We have had many changes in the last eighteen months and Tom has been integral to keeping things moving. Here is a little information about him. He grew up in west Houston and attended Texas A&M, married Dana in 1980, has 2 wonderful daughters, and now two sons-in-law and two granddaughters. Tom has had many different jobs over the course of his life, from owning a nursery and greenhouse operation to working for Waste Management. He is now retired. He has been an Episcopalian for over 30 years and has served on the vestry for Reverends Al Lawrence, Walter Ellis, Todd Bryant, and Bob Flick. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve again.

Olive Gomes

I am member at Ascension and have been for 27 years. My ministries at Ascension include the Daughters of the King and the Prayer Team. I am a teacher and love to garden. My family includes six siblings and many nieces and nephews. My mottos in life are " I cannot do everything but what I can do I will do" and " Make a friend, Be a Friend, Bring a friend to Christ. One of my favorite bible verse is 1Peter 3:10 " Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful." I am willing to serve and please keep me in your prayers for God's guidance.

Edwin Murvee

My name is Edwin Ballah Murvee. I was born and grew up in Monrovia, Liberia; where I graduated from the Assemble Of God High School. I left Liberia during the civil war and migrated to Ghana where I live as a refugee for some years and was blessed to have traveled to Hong Kong where I also lived for few years and became an Evangelist. I am a happily married husband to my beautiful wife Jolie, for 19 yrs. We have 3 amazing children, Philip, Maxi and Edlishia. I studied Computer Information Systems at Houston Community College and then the University of Houston. As a Vestry member, I hope to continue the good work that has previously been established by those who came before me, and if need be, make improvements.

Gemma Williams

Thank you, for allowing me to be a part of Ascension Vestry. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and being a long term member of Ascension, I have always respected all of the work that the vestry have done for the church, hoping that I can keep up and learn from the best. I moved to Houston in 1983 from New York, and was visiting in the neighborhood and found Ascension Church. I attended on and off during Reverend Al Lawrence’s tenure. I was baptized, and I received my confirmation from St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Trinidad; then in 1988, I officially joined Ascension Church and my son Alpha Williams was confirmed. Shortly after, in 1990 at three months old, my daughter Alexandria Williams was baptized, and later confirmed in November 2007. In December of 2010, I became a proud grand mother of Melanie Williams. Melanie, has attended Ascension School from infancy to pre-kindergarten.

Serve until Jan 2020
Tom Sutton
Glenn Criswell
Liz Goodman
Michelle Feagin
Margo Kaplan

Serve until Jan 2021
Sharon Black
Olive Gomes
Edwin Murvee
Gemma Williams