Put Me in Coach

By Mallory Brown

No one (except maybe Tony Pierce) gets excited for business meetings. Still, I kept an open mind as I drove to Council, asking myself, “What if a business meeting felt more like Pentecost?”

Friday night, we attended Eucharist, and I realized that I had gotten myself into a movement of the Holy Spirit. What began as a regular church service transformed the moment the brass band struck up Handel’s “Water Music,” its clear notes lifting the air and the spirit. 

As the music played, the church banners paraded past, and I remember one thing most: goosebumps rising in my arms in a sudden wave. In that instant, the energy in the room felt tangible, as if the very sound itself was the Spirit moving through us. I watched Tony, holding our banner with such excitement, and Rev. Dana entering the room, smiling from ear to ear.

The rest of the service unfolded in a joyful haze—songs in Spanish and English, an ASL interpreter translating, Bishop Andy speaking about “if evil has no bottom, goodness has no ceiling.” But what stays with me is that single physical sensation, the goosebumps. To me, that remains proof that we were truly in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Saturday began with prayer and a fiery, hopeful address from Bishop Doyle. His call for delegates to see and love our neighbors was impossible to ignore. I had never seen a business meeting start this way!

Now, on to business. I dreaded the debates. However, I had forgotten that Episcopalians don’t argue, but respectfully differ, each showing restraint in their allotted three minutes. In the end, there was no heated debate, just a polite process that passed smoothly, without even a ‘hmm’ or ‘oh my.’

Beyond the procedural aspects, Saturday brought stories of resurrection and reconciliation: Fort Worth rejoining the diocese, three new congregations, a priest retiring for the third time (she swears it’s the last, but we doubt), a multi-million dollar budget coming within $20 of proposal (Jeff Henderson would be proud), and youth delegates embracing the future while reminding elders there’s still work to do. Each of these stories started as one faithful person’s idea, one conversation, or one bold decision.

Hearing these stories, I felt encouraged about the possibilities for our own parish, and I found myself wondering: What small step could we take that might lead to our own moment of renewal? The experience of new congregations joining and Fort Worth’s return served as a reminder to all that revitalization is possible no matter our history. The nearly balanced budget and focus on youth show that our collective efforts are making an impact, giving me hope for future projects and ministries at our parish. These decisions and stories remind us that we are part of a larger journey, and what happens at Council can directly influence and inspire new opportunities for growth and connection here at home.

At lunch, we sat with Houston church delegates who lost their building to flooding and later relocated. They answered Bishop Doyle’s call to feed the hungry by building a community garden with over 50 public plots and six beehives, right in a Houston food desert. We then shared our answer: The Blessing Box, and explained how it is helping our community. Seeing how our ministries sparked meaningful conversation, I realized this is a story any of us could continue.

So next year, when Rev. Dana asks if you want to attend the council meeting, consider saying, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today!” or maybe, like a true Episcopalian, “That sounds lovely.” (Or ask me, because I won’t turn down that opportunity to feel the Spirit again.)