Our Church Leaders/Staff
Reverend Laura Mayo: Sr. Minister
Laura is the Senior Minister of Covenant Church. She is a graduate of Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee and Wake Forest University Divinity School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She completed a year-long CPE chaplaincy program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Laura also studied at Regent's Park College of Oxford University.
Laura is active in Houston interfaith work including membership in American’s United for the Separation of Church and State clergy advisory group, The Coalition for Mutual Respect (of the Anti Defamation League), The Faith Leaders Coalition, and Interfaith Ministries’ Multi-Faith Council. She is a clergy surrogate for Memorial Herman Hospital. Laura has been part of many panel discussions including a panel hosted by The University of Houston Law School about what the Bible says about LGBTQ+ relationships, a panel hosted by Project Lifeline concerning the treatment of people at our borders, and panels hosted by The Alley Theatre, The Foundation for Contemporary Theology, Lifeline Chaplaincy, and PFLAG. Laura is regularly published in the Belief section of the Houston Chronicle, and has been interviewed several times on Houston Public Media’s "Houston Matters” radio show. You can find those articles and interviews on our Press page.
Laura and her partner, Nicholas Stepp, have two sons, Owen & Grayson, who bring them such joy. Laura, Nick, Owen, and Grayson enjoy sailing, camping, projects, and cooking together.
Laura is the Senior Minister of Covenant Church. She is a graduate of Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee and Wake Forest University Divinity School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She completed a year-long CPE chaplaincy program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Laura also studied at Regent's Park College of Oxford University.
Laura is active in Houston interfaith work including membership in American’s United for the Separation of Church and State clergy advisory group, The Coalition for Mutual Respect (of the Anti Defamation League), The Faith Leaders Coalition, and Interfaith Ministries’ Multi-Faith Council. She is a clergy surrogate for Memorial Herman Hospital. Laura has been part of many panel discussions including a panel hosted by The University of Houston Law School about what the Bible says about LGBTQ+ relationships, a panel hosted by Project Lifeline concerning the treatment of people at our borders, and panels hosted by The Alley Theatre, The Foundation for Contemporary Theology, Lifeline Chaplaincy, and PFLAG. Laura is regularly published in the Belief section of the Houston Chronicle, and has been interviewed several times on Houston Public Media’s "Houston Matters” radio show. You can find those articles and interviews on our Press page.
Laura and her partner, Nicholas Stepp, have two sons, Owen & Grayson, who bring them such joy. Laura, Nick, Owen, and Grayson enjoy sailing, camping, projects, and cooking together.
Jodi Bash: Director of Children & Youth/Communications
Jodi has been the Director of Children and Youth since 2013 and the Communications Director since 2016. Jodi received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in English and History and has an M.B.A. from Rice University. She spent 15 years in corporate marketing honing her communication, organization, and event planning skills. Jodi and her husband Matt Bennett are members of Covenant and attend with their youngest daughter. Their son and older daughter are off pursuing dreams.
Jodi has been the Director of Children and Youth since 2013 and the Communications Director since 2016. Jodi received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in English and History and has an M.B.A. from Rice University. She spent 15 years in corporate marketing honing her communication, organization, and event planning skills. Jodi and her husband Matt Bennett are members of Covenant and attend with their youngest daughter. Their son and older daughter are off pursuing dreams.
Patrick Parker: Organist
Patrick Parker has served in various leadership capacities as an internationally successful concert organist and church musician. He was Founder and Executive Director of Houston Baroque, held Director of Music positions in the Episcopal Church, performed concerts throughout the United States and Europe, recorded six commercial albums, lived in Germany with residencies in France and Norway, and earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Houston with a postdoctoral fellowship at Southern Methodist University.
Through a series of life events, a natural coaching ability surfaced and a career transition ensued which included a Master of Social Work degree and roles in non-profit agencies while developing an executive coaching practice.
As an executive coach, Patrick Parker teaches the concepts of inner leadership with the premise that once people do the inner work on themselves, unimaginable new external possibilities arise. He has used this model of coaching with executives and their teams in wide-ranging fields and published an article in The American Organist. Trained by the Center for Executive Coaching, Patrick is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.
Patrick still serves as organist on the 1982 Hook and Hastings Organ at Covenant Church in Houston, and he regularly presents keynotes and leads workshops and retreats that combines elements of music and coaching concepts to create powerful experiential learning.
Originally from North Carolina, Patrick grew up in "Small Town USA" and learned his first lessons in leadership and work in his family's forty-year business. He resides in Houston, Texas with his partner and their dog Ollie. Patrick can be reached at www.patrickaaronparker.com.
Patrick Parker has served in various leadership capacities as an internationally successful concert organist and church musician. He was Founder and Executive Director of Houston Baroque, held Director of Music positions in the Episcopal Church, performed concerts throughout the United States and Europe, recorded six commercial albums, lived in Germany with residencies in France and Norway, and earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of Houston with a postdoctoral fellowship at Southern Methodist University.
Through a series of life events, a natural coaching ability surfaced and a career transition ensued which included a Master of Social Work degree and roles in non-profit agencies while developing an executive coaching practice.
As an executive coach, Patrick Parker teaches the concepts of inner leadership with the premise that once people do the inner work on themselves, unimaginable new external possibilities arise. He has used this model of coaching with executives and their teams in wide-ranging fields and published an article in The American Organist. Trained by the Center for Executive Coaching, Patrick is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation.
Patrick still serves as organist on the 1982 Hook and Hastings Organ at Covenant Church in Houston, and he regularly presents keynotes and leads workshops and retreats that combines elements of music and coaching concepts to create powerful experiential learning.
Originally from North Carolina, Patrick grew up in "Small Town USA" and learned his first lessons in leadership and work in his family's forty-year business. He resides in Houston, Texas with his partner and their dog Ollie. Patrick can be reached at www.patrickaaronparker.com.
David Lee: Interim Director of Music
David began as Interim Minister of Music in July 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education (Choral) from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Since 1990, David has served Catholic, Presbyterian, and United Methodist congregations. He has been active in handbell music since 1993, directing multiple youth and adult ensembles, and starting and directing two children's handbell ensembles. Currently he is the Music Director of the Bayou City Bells of Houston. He is a voice teacher, and has been director of several musicals by children, youth, and multi generational casts from 6 years old to 90+. David is sole proprietor of a private bakery business. He and his partner, Shannon, began coming to Covenant in 2011, both singing with the Covenant Singers.
David began as Interim Minister of Music in July 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education (Choral) from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Since 1990, David has served Catholic, Presbyterian, and United Methodist congregations. He has been active in handbell music since 1993, directing multiple youth and adult ensembles, and starting and directing two children's handbell ensembles. Currently he is the Music Director of the Bayou City Bells of Houston. He is a voice teacher, and has been director of several musicals by children, youth, and multi generational casts from 6 years old to 90+. David is sole proprietor of a private bakery business. He and his partner, Shannon, began coming to Covenant in 2011, both singing with the Covenant Singers.
Fran Avera: Minister of Music, Emerita
Fran Avera has been Minister of Music at Covenant since October, 1969. She retired in May of 2019. She is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey (now affiliated with Rider University), with the degrees, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music. She was ordained to the ministry by Covenant in November, 1980.
Before coming to Covenant, Fran served as Minister of Music at University Baptist Church in Austin for 10 years. She has been active as a singer, primarily in recitals and oratorio. She is a voice teacher and served as choral director and voice teacher at St. Agnes Academy in Houston (Dominican Sisters) from 1967- 1997.
Fran Avera has been Minister of Music at Covenant since October, 1969. She retired in May of 2019. She is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey (now affiliated with Rider University), with the degrees, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music. She was ordained to the ministry by Covenant in November, 1980.
Before coming to Covenant, Fran served as Minister of Music at University Baptist Church in Austin for 10 years. She has been active as a singer, primarily in recitals and oratorio. She is a voice teacher and served as choral director and voice teacher at St. Agnes Academy in Houston (Dominican Sisters) from 1967- 1997.
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Roles and Responsibilities of the Diaconate
Covenant’s By-Laws describe Deacons as spiritual leaders of the church. Deacons facilitate the gathering of the congregation in small groups to discuss community issues, theological concerns, and spiritual matters. They minister to the ministers. They assist at communion and baptism and organize church-wide fellowship opportunities. They are involved in welcoming visitors, convene the Inquirer’s class and help facilitate the youth Mentor program. They are available to members of the congregation in times of celebration and concern. While deacons are not specifically charged with administrative affairs, one deacon serves on the Church Council and another chairs the nominating committee (which staffs church committees). Other deacons participate on the Stewardship and Outreach committees. |
Roles and Responsibilities of Church Council
The essential function of Council is to be a steward of the congregation’s assets beginning with the staff, and including its finances, buildings and property. It is the body through which the congregation conducts its business. Council also provides a forum for communication among staff, committees, and members of the congregation, and recommends church actions. By fulfilling its functions in a faithful and timely way, Council works to undergird the mission and well-being of the congregation. |
