To contact any staff member at the church office, call (512) 476-3523.

Clergy

• Rev. Morgan S. Allen, Rector - About

  Morgan began ministry at Good Shepherd in May of 2009, after serving parishes in Louisiana and Texas, as a priest, deacon, and lay professional. Born in Monroe, Louisiana, and raised in Shreveport, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Louisiana State University and received his M.Div from the Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin. Morgan and his wife, the former Missy Boutte, were high school sweethearts and have two children, Michael Stephens and Mary Virginia; an old beagle named Buddy; and several 1972 Buick Gran Sports.

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• Rev. Kathy Pfister, Associate Rector for Program - About

  Kathy began her ministry at Church of the Good Shepherd in July of 2010 after graduating from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Prior to seminary Kathy served as the Missioner for Young Adult & Youth Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina (2000-2007) and as the director of youth ministry at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans (1994-2000). Born and raised in New Orleans, she traveled east for college and graduated from The American University (1991) in Washington, DC. She and her husband Phil have two children: Charles and Camille. As Priest for Pastoral Care & Small Groups Kathy continues to develop and fine tune the pastoral care services offered at Good Shepherd. Working with the Eucharistic Visitors as well as St. Bridget's Guild and Altar Guild our hope is to attend to our parishioners with care and love. Three small groups for women were formed this fall with great success. Kathy will continue to experiment and develop small group opportunities, including co-ed groups.

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• Rev. Mary Koppel, Priest for Mission - About

  As Priest for Mission, Mary will be responsible for shepherding the “outward-facing” ministries of the parish, including Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Hospitality. She will work closely with Kathy Jolink, in Kathy’s role as Coordinator of Hospitality & Senior Ministry, as well as our Eucharistic Visitors, Tuesday Morning Outreachers, and newcomers to our congregation, among many others. Mary has been a priest for ten years, serving at congregations in the Diocese of Louisiana and Hawaii. During this time, she has been an assistant rector at a suburban parish in Metairie, Louisiana, rector on the island of Kauai, canon at the cathedral in New Orleans, and priest in charge of a Spanish and English speaking congregation in New Orleans. Most recently, Mary served as a chaplain for a local hospice. For Mary, the greatest joy in her ministry is visiting and spending time with people and listening to people’s stories. Everyone has a story to tell, and all of our stories form the larger story of creation. Mary believe that by sharing our own stories we better understand our faith. This love of stories has spilled over in a love of writing! Mary has just finished the first draft of a book for Church Publishing. God (and editor) willing, the book will be released in November. Mary also writes a blog with a friend about faith, humor, God, and church.

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• Rev. Mike Russell, Priest for Formation - About

  The Reverend Michael Russell, 62, comes to Good Shepherd after nearly 13 years as Rector of All Souls’ Episcopal Church in San Diego, California. His experience in formation has developed over the course of his lay and ordained career. Before getting his M.Div. degree Fr. Russell worked at a Camp for inner city children outside of Chicago developing first job experiences for teens and running youth group work camps. He holds a B.A. in religious studies from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from Chicago Theological Seminary and a M.Div. from Seabury Western Theological Seminary. His particular emphasis has been in theology, ethics and political science exploring their respective application in the public square. Fr. Russell is also one of our church’s leading non-academic experts in the work of Richard Hooker, the foundational theologian of Anglicanism. He has been the publisher of affordable editions of Hooker’s works since 1994 and has written a distillation of this magisterial work titled “Hooker’s Blueprint” as a guide to deeper study of this seminal theologian. He has lectured and led clergy conferences on Hooker’s works and their relevance for the church today. In addition, Fr. Russell has been an EFM mentor for 25 years and is a consultant and workshop leader for the Progoff Intensive Journal Process. The latter is a holistic depth psychology set of interconnected journal activities. Fr. Russell has worked with Commissions on Ministry in two Dioceses and was a reader of General Ordination Exams for 12 years. Fr. Russell is married to the Reverend Kathleen Russell who is the Associate Professor for Pastoral Theology at the Seminary of the Southwest. They have two daughters; Olivia who is a banker in Austen and Katie who works for SAIC in Frederick, Maryland. He is an accomplished bread baker, long distance cyclist, gamer and self-described “comfort foods chef.” He cooks monthly for 160 homeless clients at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach, Ca.

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• Rev. Dr. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Assisting Clergy - About

  Cynthia is Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean at the Seminary of the Southwest. A graduate of Williams College, she received her M.Div., Th.M., and Th.D from Harvard. She taught at Harvard and at the College of the Holy Cross. She is the author of Community and Authority: The Rhetoric of Obedience in the Pauline Tradition (1998) and Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of John (2007). She and husband Frank have three children: Rachel, Emily and Henry.

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• Rev. Robert Terhune, Assisting Clergy - About

  Bob served numerous Florida churches before assuming a chaplaincy at Ft. Logan Mental Health Center in Denver and later at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston. He was head of the English department at Houston Community College from 1971 until his retirement in 1994. Bob is a graduate of Yale University and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He is married to Lorna Terhune.

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• Rev. Rob Leacock, Assisting Clergy

Programming & Music

• Jonathan Babcock, Choirmaster About

  Jonathan serves part-time as Choirmaster of the Good Shepherd Choir and Evensong Choir. A respected choral musician, educator, and clinician throughout the US, Jonathan is an assistant professor at Texas State University, where he conducts the University Singers and Men’s Choir and teaches choral conducting, literature, and pedagogy. Prior to coming to Texas State, Jonathan served on the faculty of the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College (City University of New York). A native of Binghamton, New York, he was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music at the Crane School of Music (State University of New York at Potsdam), and Doctor of Musical Arts at the Hartt School (University of Hartford).

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• Eric Mellenbruch, Director of Music About

  Eric has been Organist of Good Shepherd since 2000 and was named Director of Music in 2010 after serving that role in an interim capacity for two years. Before coming to Good Shepherd, he studied graphic design at the University of Houston, earned degrees in church music and organ performance from Baylor University, and served an internship in music and liturgy at the Seminary of the Southwest. Eric is responsible for the musical component of nearly 200 liturgies each year and for a music ministry which involves not only the whole congregation, but also six choirs and their two directors; concerts and their planners and performers; cantors and clerics; and organ, piano, and other instruments. He also produces all printed worship aids. In addition to his work here, he is the typographic designer for the Concordia University Press and currently serves on the steering committee for the regional convention of the American Guild of Organists that will be held in Austin in 2013.

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• Dr. Lynn Brinckmeyer, Director of Children’s Choirs About

  Lynn, known to her choristers as ‘Dr. B’, serves Good Shepherd part-time as the director of the Jubilate Singers, Cantate Choir, and Laudate Ensemble. An internationally known and sought-after conductor, clinician, and curriculum consultant, with extensive experience founding and directing church, school, and community children’s choirs, as well as teaching and mentoring at the university level, she is currently Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Music Education at Texas State University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in choral music education and directs the Texas State Women’s Choir; she is also a co-founder and Artistic Director for the Hill Country Youth Chorus in San Marcos. Before coming to Texas, Lynn earned degrees from Eastern New Mexico University and the University of Kansas, and worked in public schools in New Mexico and in higher education in the Pacific Northwest, and she has served, and been awarded by, professional organizations at state, regional, and national levels, including a term as president of the National Association for Music Education.

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• Kathy Jolink, Coordinator of Hospitality & Senior Ministry - About

  Kathy has been a member of Good Shepherd for 25 years. She has served as Eucharistic Minister, Intercessor, Adult Christian Ed Chair and Sunday school teacher. A UT graduate in Plan II, Kathy has experience as a legal assistant/bookkeeper and served as Financial Administrator at Good Shepherd from 2008-2010 and as the Parish Office Manager from 2010-2012. Currently Kathy serves as Coordinator of Hospitality and Senior Ministries, as well as being the Wedding Administrator here at Good Shepherd. Hospitality encompasses such areas as Newcomers, Sunday Greeters, office volunteers, pastoral concerns, and hospitality at church events. As Wedding Administrator, Kathy oversees the Wedding Guild and helps couples prepare for their wedding at the church.

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• Sallie Wright Milam, Program Coordinator & Dir. of Comm. - About

  Sallie Wright joined The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd staff in March of 2010 and currently works as the liaison between the staff and the parish in all parish communications. Sallie Wright grew up in Greenville, MS and was graduated from The University of the South: Sewanee in May of 2009 with a Bachelor's in Spanish Language & Literature. Sallie Wright is responsible for all social media, print and online communications, coordinates and plans parish-wide events and chances are, if you have a question about any aspect of parish life, she will have the answer or know how to direct you to! Sallie Wright maintains the GS program calendar, coordinates baptisms and altar flowers, and reserves spaces for staff and parishioners as requested.

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• Beth Atherton, Director of Stewardship & Development - About

  Beth joins Good Shepherd having previously served as the Executive Director for Caritas of Austin where she navigated the nonprofit through the challenges Hurricane Katrina and led the force behind Caritas’ earned income project. Beth served as Executive Director of Healthcare Access, Referral and Enrollment with Seton Healthcare Network. She also served as Deputy Director of Development and Community Resources at SafePlace and as Executive Director of the Heritage Society of Austin. Beth served as Chair and remains involved with One Voice Central Texas, a membership organization made up of community-based health and human service organizations representing the needs of clients. Atherton’s other credits include: serving as past president of The Junior League of Austin, a Leadership Austin alumna, and consultant for numerous area nonprofits. In addition, Beth has served in various positions with her church and LesAmis de Hospice Austin, Helping Hand Home for Children and Settlement Home Club. We are thrilled to have Beth Join us here at Good Shepherd.

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• Jolyn Hecht, Coordinator for Children’s Ministries - About

  Jolyn joined the team at Good Shepherd as Coordinator for Children’s Ministries in June 2012. Jolyn attended the University of Missouri for Human Development and Family Studies for both her undergraduate and graduate coursework where her collateral areas of study were families in relation to divorce and remarriage and death and dying. Jolyn was the Family Ministry Coordinator at Christ Church Alexandria in Alexandria, Virginia. In Columbia, Missouri, she worked for Heart of Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) as the Volunteer Coordinator. Most recently, she was a program coordinator for the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf in Albuquerque, NM and is fluent in sign language. Jolyn recently relocated to Austin from Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, Dan, and her 9 month-old daughter, Arabella. As Jolyn and her husband are both graduates of the University of Missouri, they are teaching Arabella to root for Mizzou at an early age. Jolyn loves to meet new people and is passionate about engaging people and families in children’s ministry.

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• Rev. Morgan Caruthers, Associate Pastor for Youth - About

  Morgan joined the team at Good Shepherd as Associate Pastor for Youth in June 2012. Morgan attended undergrad at Covenant Bible College in Alberta, Canada and Baylor University, where she also subsequently earned her Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity. Morgan’s areas of study and research are in community development and congregational social work. Before coming to Good Shepherd, Morgan served as Social Work Pastoral Intern at Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. and Ministry Associate for Lakeshore Baptist Church, Waco, TX. Morgan has also had the pleasure to engage in leadership positions with the youth programs at each of the churches where she has been active. A native Coloradan, Morgan has lived in Texas for the past 13 years. She is the youngest of 7 in a boisterous, wonderful, and ever growing family, and owner of a miniature Shih Tzu named Chloe who believes there is nothing “miniature” about herself. Having spent 7 years at Baylor University, Morgan bleeds green and gold. She also loves dance, finds great peace and joy in a good cup of coffee, and lives for learning another person’s story. Morgan believes whole heartedly the Church is a place for creative change and transformative vision for the world and that youth have a vital role and powerful voice to contribute to that work.

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Administration

• Lisa Andrews Ard, Parish Accountant - About

  Lisa Ard was born and raised in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Retail Merchandising. She is married to Mike, her husband of 22 years, and they have two boys — Austin and Adam. After a short stint as an area sales manager for a department store chain, she returned to work in her family sporting goods business until 2007 when she went to Triumphant Love Lutheran Church as the bookkeeper. She and her family are avid Texas Longhorn fans and enjoy sports of all kinds. Lisa is a cradle Episcopalian and attended preschool at Good Shepherd. She is delighted to be back!

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• Jim Lamm, Parish Administrator - About

  Jim joined Good Shepherd as the parish administrator in January, 2012. He was born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL, and spent fifteen years in St. Paul, MN, before moving to Austin, TX, in 2006. Before coming to Good Shepherd, Jim was the Director of Stewardship & Development for St. Louis Catholic Church and School in Austin. Jim has nineteen years of parish administration experience in large and small churches in Florida and Minnesota. Jim holds a MBA in nonprofit management and is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. He and his wife, Karen, have three girls.

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• Tiffany Stewart, Information Design Manager - About

  Tiffany Stewart joins Good Shepherd as the Information Design Manager. Originally from Jamaica she has moved here most recently from Oxford, MS and is an avid dancer, traveler and culture hound. Before coming to Good Shepherd, Tiffany worked as a Graphic Designer for Blufish Design Studios in Starkville, MS. She has a degree in both Electrical Engineering and Graphic Design and enjoys doing crafty things as well as volunteer work.

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• Jean Johnson, Administrative Assistant to the Rector - About

  Jean joined the Good Shepherd staff in February 2012 and is the Administrative Assistant to the Rev. Morgan Allen. Jean is originally from Independence, Kansas and made her way to Austin with her best friend from childhood in 1978. Jean is married to Rom, and they have two grown children, daughter Laura, who is married to Jose, and son Alex. Jean is a proud Kansas Jayhawk, graduating from KU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She comes to Good Shepherd after planning events for the College of Liberal Arts at UT. Jean enjoys reading by her backyard pond, swimming and scrapbooking.

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• Miguel Figueroa, Facilities Manager - About

  Miguel has worked for the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd since 2005. The majority of his work is upkeep of the facilities, setup/breakdown of events, hobo wrangling, facility staff management, and liaison between vendors and the church. Miguel's experience stems from watching what his dad did wrong and understanding that you do everything the way you would want it done for yourself.

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