Clergy
The Reverend William Fowler, Interim Rector
Bill Fowler grew up on a ranch in the Hill Country, and graduated from college and law school at the University of Texas at Austin. For almost 20 years, Bill worked in public service and private practice of law in Washington, DC, and New York City, before returning home to Texas to enter the process of ordination. He is a graduate of the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Bill served as Rector of St. Thomas, College Station, from 2005-2009. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ike, Bill was dispatched to serve as Interim Rector of Trinity, Galveston, where he served until his assignment at Holy Spirit. Bill also serves the Diocese of Texas in a number of roles, including as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bishop Quin Foundation, and Chair of the Committee for Dispatch of Business at Diocesan Council. He has also served as Presiding Judge of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court, and now serves as a member of the Diocesan Disciplinary Board.
Bill is married to Deborah Fitzgerald Fowler, an attorney who is Legal Director for a non-profit organization founded by major Texas law firms to pursue issues of social justice.
The Reverend Robert Henson, Assisting Clergy
The Reverend Ben Shawhan, Clergy Emeritus
Staff
Mr. Stephen J. Morris, Director of Music Ministries and Worship Publications Editor
Stephen Morris has enjoyed an extraordinarily wide-ranging career as a professional musician, having worked as a soloist, accompanist, conductor, composer, church musician and educator. He holds degrees in music education and piano and organ performance from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and a Master’s Degree with distinction from Baylor University in Waco. He has done additional graduate work in sacred music, organ, and choral conducting at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and at the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. For nearly twelve years, Mr. Morris has been the Organist-Choirmaster and Director of Music Ministries at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Houston, where he is in his 43rd year as a professional church musician.
Mrs. Juli Browning, Director of Contemporary Worship
Juli Browning is a cradle Episcopalian who grew up singing in church and school choirs. She was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and spent her childhood moving from place to place. After graduating high school in London, England, Juli continued her education at Emerson College in Boston and the University of New Orleans where she studied Theater and Communications. She spent many years working at Television Stations in New Orleans and Houston. Juli has been a Contemporary Worship Leader since 1993. She is a singer, plays guitar, and dabbles in song writing. She also teaches guitar lessons. Juli is married to Gary Browning and together they have four wonderful children.
Mrs. KariAnn Lessner, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries
KariAnn Lessner grew up in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. As the daughter of a Methodist minister, she spent much of her childhood in church. She pursued a degree in Christian Education with concentrations in art and music at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, where she met and married Ron. KariAnn's career in the Diocese of Texas began in 1996 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dickinson, Texas. Since then, she has overseen ministries for children, youth, and families at both the parish and diocesan levels. In 1999, she became the Youth Director at St. John's Episcopal Church in La Porte, Texas. KariAnn’s diocesan leadership includes two years on the Board of the Center for Youth Ministries, three years as the Lay Director of Y.E.S. (Youth Encounter Spirit), as well as directing five diocesan youth Missionpalooza trips and several summer camp sessions at Camp Allen. She also serves as a trainer and master trainer for the Safeguarding God’s Children program. KariAnn became Director of Children's & Family Ministries at Holy Spirit in 2005 and lives with Ron and their two daughters, Keatyn and Karysn, in League City, Texas. She is quite aware that she has the very best job on the face of the earth. In her spare time, she loves to read and work on “crafty” projects at home with her two girls. Her favorite book is Anne of Green Gables and though she has a severe bird phobia, she collects pink flamingos. KariAnn is delighted to be working with children and families at Holy Spirit and using her gifts to build up the Body of Christ.
Mr. Gardner Headrick, Parish Administrator
Gardner is a native Houstonian and grew up in Memorial Bend next door to the old rectory, just west of the church, and attended preschool and kindergarten here at Holy Spirit. Gardner’s prior work experience includes over twenty years in retail operations and facilities management with various retailers including Joske’s of Texas and May Company. Gardner came to Holy Spirit as Parish Administrator in January of 2006 and loves being back in his old neighborhood and helping to support the clergy, other staff members, and parishioners in their various ministries.
Ms. Leona Baker, Director of Business Operations
Leona Baker has worked for Holy Spirit Episcopal Church since 1989 when she began as a part-time Financial Secretary. There have been many changes since then and it has always been her privilege to serve the members of Holy Spirit during these years. Over the years, she has been an usher, does Ladies Night Out programs, is a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and attends a Home Group.
Leona was born and raised in South Dakota and comes from a large and wonderful family. While in South Dakota she attended Nettleton College and then worked for John Morrell & Co. until her marriage in 1970 at which time she moved to Chicago. She lived in various places until 1985 when she moved to Houston. Leona has two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law, and six even more wonderful grandchildren.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, craft projects, knitting and being with family and friends.
Mrs. Helen Ramey, Administrative Assistant and Parish Publications Editor
Helen Ramey, a native of Shreveport, La, has served as Holy Spirit’s parish secretary since 2006. She also serves as a lay reader, chalice bearer, and participates in the prayer shawl ministry. Helen attended Stephen F. Austin and then South Dakota State University, where she majored in horticulture. She and her husband Mark are blessed with three wonderful grown children, two amazing daughters in law, and two perfect little grandsons.
Before coming to Houston in 2003 Helen worked first as parish secretary at the Catholic Campus Parish at S.D.S.U., and then later at Sylvan Abbey United Methodist Church in Clearwater, Florida.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, needlework, cooking, thinking about exercising and spending time with her family.
Ms. Sarah Taylor, Youth & Young Adult Missioner
Sarah Taylor, a native Houstonian, has served as Youth and Young Adult Missioner since August 2009. She attended Rice University where she received her B.A. in Hispanic Studies and English Literature in 2008. While at Rice she studied abroad in Nicaragua, participated in an Episcopal internship (SIP) in rural Florida working with migrant farmworkers, and interned with Houston Interfaith Worker Justice. Following graduation she volunteered for a year in New York City with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, providing legal services to the Hispanic community. She misses singing in her college a cappella group, the Rice Philharmonics, but fills up her free time with various combinations of yoga, running, cycling, and swimming.
