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Leadership & Staff

Meet our dedicated team of clergy, parish leaders, and staff that keep Epiphany running.

Clergy

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Interim Rector

The Very Rev. Dr. Neal Michell

Born in Dallas, Texas, Canon Neal graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Following his undergraduate studies, he attended law school at the University of Houston Law Center and practiced criminal defense law in Houston and civil law in Del Rio, Texas. Canon Neal earned his Master of Divinity from the University of the South and his Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. Over the course of his career, he has been the Rector of three parishes in the Diocese of West Texas, planted a church in Germantown, Tennessee, and served the Diocese of Dallas in many ways. Within the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Canon Neal has served as Canon for Strategic Development, Canon to the Ordinary, Dean of St. Matthew's Cathedral, and Prebendary. Canon Neal has authored two books on church leadership: How to Hit the Ground Running and Beyond Business as Usual. He also writes The Living Church's blog, Covenant. Canon Neal is on the Anglican Digest board and has led workshops and speaking engagements in over 30 dioceses of The Episcopal Church in four countries. He has consulted with numerous churches and clergy on congregational development, and has gone on mission trips to six countries. In retirement, he served as Visiting Professor in Pastoral Theology at Nashotah House Seminary. He and his wife Varita have four children, and five grandchildren, and reside in Richardson. Prior to accepting the role of Interim Rector, Canon Neal and Varita have called Epiphany their church home for over four years.

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Curate

The Rev. Ignacio Gama

The Rev. Ignacio Gama began serving at Epiphany in the summer of 2022 after graduating from Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. A native of Mexico City, Ignacio lived in Boston and New York City for several years while pursuing studies and work in Opera. It was through music that he discovered the Episcopal Church, where he sensed the calling of the Lord Jesus and experienced the joy of serving God’s people. While at Nashotah, Ignacio served as a seminarian at Zion Episcopal Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and met his fiancée, Celeste. He loves the outdoors, reading, live music, sporting events, and new food experiences.

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    Priest Missioner

    The Rev. Christopher Stephen

    Father Chris and his wife Mahvish were born and raised in Pakistan. They have two boys, Ethan and Eliah. Father Chris achieved his first theological degree from Gujranwala Theological Seminary in Pakistan. He was ordained in the Church of Pakistan, Diocese of Karachi, and served at St. Thomas Theological College as well as several churches in the Diocese of Karachi. He has a Master of Sacred Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently working on his Ph.D. dissertation in their Department of Theological Studies. In his role at Epiphany, Father Chris conducts the weekly Hindi-Urdu Worship Service and teaches discipleship classes. His ministry also includes outreach to international students at the nearby University of Texas at Dallas.

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    Priest Assistant (Retired)

    The Rev. Canon Dr. David Petrash

    Canon David Petrash, who also serves the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas as Canon Pastor, answered the call to ordained ministry after a career in teaching and administration at Grayson County College in Denison, Texas. He holds a Doctor of Music Arts Degree in organ performance from the University of North Texas. Before an eight-year ministry as Vicar of Our Merciful Saviour Episcopal Church in Kaufman, Texas, he was a full-time hospice chaplain at Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke, and Fannin Counties, headquartered in Sherman, Texas. Canon David has recently served as Interim Rector of St. James on the Lake (Kemp, TX), St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Dallas), and Interim Dean of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. His primary emphasis at Epiphany is leading the church's Pastoral Care programs and ministries.

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    Vestry

    The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. Epiphany's vestry is comprised of 12 representatives elected by members of the parish with the rector serving as the presiding officer.

    The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden has responsibility for church property and buildings. There is also a treasurer and a clerk.

    The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation, support the church's mission by word and deed, select the rector, ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.

    Officers

    Senior Warden

    Margie Roche

    Treasurer

    Curtis Bowden

    Junior Warden

    Jeff Jones

    Clerk

    Denise Lindgren

    Members

    Term Ending 2023

    Kevin McCoy, Sam Mettauer, Vicki Stevens, Tara Thornberry

    Term Ending 2024

    Emily Broad, Jeff Jones, Meaghan Roche, Brian Terrell

    Term Ending 2025

    Chris Bailey, Bob McLendon, Margie Roche, Becky Umstead

    Staff

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