Clergy

Clergy Associates

Staff

Vestry

Mary Robson (2024)

Karel Moseley (2025)

Dan Chamberlin (2025)

Maria Tuttrup (2025)

Don McCall (2023)

Sun Down Hunter (2023)

Joe Sills (2023)

Jacque Avent (2024)

Randy Fritz (2024)

Mary Robson (2024)

Peter Jurisich (Treasurer)

Our Leadership Structure

The Book of Common Prayer says that the “ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.”

Lay People

Those who are baptized are welcomed into God’s family, the church, for the purpose of doing good works using the gifts God has freely given. They are called to “carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.” The baptized are the body of Christ in the world and without them, there is no church.

Bishops

That funny word ‘Episcopal’ comes from the Greek word for bishop. One of our distinctives is that we are a Protestant church that still has bishops. Bishops serve as the chief priest and pastor of a diocese (a group of churches in a geographic area), builds up the church, guards the faith, unity and discipline of the Church and ordains others to continue Christ’s ministry. You can learn more about the bishops in the Diocese of Texas below: 

Priests

Priests are called to provide leadership to local parishes, serve as pastor to the people, administer the sacraments, share with the Bishop in overseeing the Church and speak blessings and pardon in the name of God.

Deacons

Deacons are ordained to serve those in need and organize the people of God to repair the injustices and indignities of our world. Deacons serve at the intersection of the church and the world. In our worship, they assist bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments.

Calvary's Services are Sunday's at 7:30, 9 & 11:15 AM

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The Rev. Matt Stone, Rector

I found The Episcopal Church a place to call home after 15 years in non-denominational churches and a Masters of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. I was drawn to The Episcopal Church because of our ancient worship and the way we embrace questions and welcome all people. 

As the rector, I partner with the congregation and vestry to live into our mission and vision as a downtown church, preside and preach during Sunday morning worship, lead and serve our staff and volunteers, visit parishioners and those in need and serve as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Calvary Episcopal School, where I lead chapel with our students weekly. Before I was called to Calvary in 2019, I served as the Curate at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan, Texas, received my Diploma of Anglican Studies at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin and served as a Chaplain with Honor Hospice in Denver, Colorado. 

Some people ask what they should call me. You can call me Matt or Father Matt, whichever is most meaningful for you. Just don’t call me late for dinner! My most important title is husband to Heather for the last 16 years and father to our young son. We love to travel, spend time with family and friends, enjoy the wonderful foods of Central Texas (tacos, queso and BBQ), keep up with our favorite shows (currently This Is Us, Grey’s Anatomy & Better Call Saul). 

As someone who drifted for a season before I found a place to call home, I hope and pray that God will lead you on the path toward home.




The Rev. Dr. Amy Moehnke, Curate

I’m a lifelong Texan, born and raised in San Antonio, attended Austin College in Sherman, TX, and then moved back to San Antonio where I worked for 10 years in youth and young adult ministry for two churches and the Diocese of West Texas. I’ve called Austin home since 2005 when I moved there to attend the Seminary of the Southwest. I got a Master of Divinity from there in 2008 and then worked for 15 years at St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin doing a variety of program and pastoral ministries. Along the way I also got a Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Seminary because I just love learning! 

I have felt called to ordained ministry since the age of 17 and am thrilled to finally see that dream realized. I am most passionate about helping people read the Bible in life-giving ways and love serving and advocating for the folks whom most of society has rejected or forgotten. 

I’ve been married to Steve Bishop, who teaches Old Testament at the Seminary of the Southwest, since 2013, and have a daughter, Hannah Moehnke, who will be a Senior at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. When I’m not at work I love going to the gym, reading mysteries, and cooking! I’m allergic to gluten and dairy but love pretty much every other kind of food there is! Thai and Mexican are my favorite and I looove good coffee.

The Rev. Ken Kesselus, Rector Emeritus

Baptized at Calvary Church in 1947, I received Christian formation here and was supported by the parish in seminary. My ordination as a deacon at our historic altar was a highlight of my life. After nine years serving a new congregation in Pearland, Texas, and seeing it through to parish standing, I accepted a call as rector of Calvary Church. Odd as it must seem, I had a chance to help revive a nearly failed congregation in my hometown, and succeeded because I had a connection with both the old timers and the few newcomers. After nearly twenty years here, I became Rector of St. Paul, Waco, from which I retired in 2003. My wife Toni and I returned to Bastrop with the gracious approval of the rector Matt Zimmerman. Now I attend 11 a.m. services with Toni and help out when I can. The Rev. Lisa Hines and the 2013 vestry received permission from Bishop Doyle to designate me as “Rector Emeritus.” With joy and appreciation for the honor and love I have for Calvary, I now use this position to accept any invitation from Father Matt to assist him and lead worship in his absence.

Dr. Justin West, Director of Music Ministries

Over my 17 years as a church musician, it has been a privilege to hold a variety of roles (choir director, pianist, organist, music director) across multiple Christian denominations. I have taught, played, and sung in many settings and for many occasions, but from the very beginning, the church has been my most meaningful musical home. In fact, when I started teaching myself piano at age 13, it was because of the generosity of a couple in my church, who learned of my musical interest and gave me a 60-key Yahama keyboard that was until then a permanent feature of their attic. Calvary marks my introduction to The Episcopal Church. As Director of Music Ministries for the parish, I lead the Chancel Choir and Contemporary Ensemble, play for weekly worship services and special events, and coordinate all things music.

Outside of Calvary, I am a music educator, with degrees from the University of North Texas (PhD), Columbia University (MA), and Lamar University (BM). I enjoyed teaching high school choir, AP music theory, and piano in the Houston area before heading to Dallas/Fort Worth for graduate school. Prior to arriving in Austin, I lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I was an assistant professor in the School of Music at LSU. Now I work in UT’s Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music as Assistant Professor in Music and Human Learning.

My wife Malyndi and I are both from Houston, where our family still resides, but we’re thrilled to make our home here in Bastrop.

Jamie McDonald, Lay Ministry Coordinator

I have called Calvary my “home away from home” for over 60 years.  I was born in Bastrop and have attended Calvary from my young years with my parents and brothers to raising my own family here, to the present.  

My childhood years were spent helping the women of Calvary with bake sales, luncheons for the public on Thursdays and big fundraisers and raffles.  When I returned from college and married, I was asked to be Calvary’s Treasurer.  I have also helped with Calvary’s youth group, children’s choir, and taught Sunday school.  For the past 10 years I have been Calvary’s Lay Ministry Coordinator.  

I have always considered Calvary my extended family and love them as much as I do my own family.  Through the years we have shared many ups and downs and together. We are a very strong community of faith in Jesus, and filled with gracious hearts and love.  

Calvary is definitely a “place to call home” with many people to get to know and love and many ministry opportunities. Come and join us as we open our doors and invite more of our Bastrop community into our home.

Sophia Wilcox, Bookkeeper

My name is Sophia Wilcox.  I’m joining the Calvary team as bookkeeper after several years of being self-employed.  In addition to working with you, I also do the books for my husband and two other non-profit organizations.  I actively volunteer within the community with the Food Box program and Tribe Athletics and I enjoy sharing coffee and Jesus with my friends.  I love to travel and be outdoors, I have a natural curiosity of all things new and love to create through the arts.  My two children are alumni of Calvary Episcopal School, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this community once again.

The Rev. Michelle Halsall, Priest Associate

I am a “cradle Episcopalian.” Christened when I was 18 days old, to the great relief of my mother, who, because I was small, felt some urgency to have me fully ensconced in the arms of The Holy Spirit ASAP. 

For the most part the first fifteen years or so of my life revolved around the church. Nevertheless it was during my adolescent years that I began to question and drift away from the church. The beginning of my Adolescence coincided with the beginning of big political and spiritual upheavals all over the world. 

The 1960s were a time of great change. My generation questioned everything, rebelled against most everything and many of us turned away from the church as a prime example of all that was old fashioned and seemingly unyielding in its teachings.

Thus began my years of Spiritual wandering. Eventually, much older and much humbled by the ups and downs of life, I returned to the church. After Ordination I did further studies and after 10 years was awarded a “Diploma of Jungian Analysis and Depth Psychology’.” 

Eventfully my wandering led me to the doors of Calvary.  That was ten years ago.  At Calvary I found a loving and diverse community where worship, prayer and love were both modeled and taught. Calvary is my home and the people of Calvary are my family.

The community at Calvary makes room for people to be where they are and who they are. It is my hope that you too will find such a place, where you too will find the living Love of God to embrace, inspire and guide you.

P.S. Call me Mother Michelle or Michelle, I’ll answer to both.

Beth Jordan, Youth Minister

Through the Youth Ministry position, I’d like to help youth recognize their gifts for ministry, talk through their questions about spirituality, and their desire to make a difference in the world — all while keeping fun at the forefront. 

 

Outside of my role as Youth Minister, I have worked for over 15 years at Seminary of the Southwest in the enrollment department building community and creating fellowship opportunities that foster a sense of belonging. I felt called to apply my skills of connecting people to youth ministry by creating weekly experiences that offer youth a place where they know that their presence and contributions are needed and valued.  I hope to build a place for conversation that is founded on trust and meaningful relationships so teens can become active members of the church community and town. Some may jump in right away and others take their time, but a meaningful youth ministry experience is set up in a way that all are seen and lifted up.

 

My family and I moved to Bastrop three years ago and connected with Calvary – first online, and then in person. It was clear from the beginning that I had found a place to call home. In my spare time, I love to travel and watch cooking competitions. When back in our hometown, I like to support the local businesses and meet the shop employees. It’s still a thrill to walk in and have someone call you by name.