Our Church Leaders/Staff
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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 Americans 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 two sons, Owen & Grayson enjoy walking, sailing, camping, projects, and playing games together. |
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Trena’ Jamison: Director of Children & Youth
Trena' Jamison is the Director of Children and Youth at Covenant Church. She graduated from Wiley College in Marshall, TX, and received her master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University. She has spent the last ten years in education, from being a preschool teacher to a special education teacher. She enjoys volunteering in the community, doing arts & crafts, and watching movies during her free time. |
David Lee: Director of Music
David began as Interim Minister of Music in July 2019. In August of 2021 our congregation voted to make him our permanent Director of Music. 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. 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. In August of 2021 our congregation voted to make him our permanent Director of Music. 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. 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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Brian Buck: Facilities Coordinator
Brian is primarily an artist but has worked as a facilities administrator on various capacities for Glen Echo Park, Dance Forum, Dance Exchange, Met Dance, and The Rothko Chapel and others. He has an AA in English(CCBC), BA in Modern dance(UMD), and an MFA in New Media Art and Performance(LIU). He is also the adjunct Technical Director for the Theatre and Dance programs at University of St. Thomas where he coordinates students in the preparation of upcoming stage productions. He also independently designs stages for a wide variety of Dance concerts. He has worked with Donna Uchizono, Lori Yuill, Jen Stone, Daniel Burkholder, Beth Burkhardt, Jane Franklin, Therèse Keagan, Jhon Stronks and many others. He is BOMI certified Sytems Maintenance Technician/Administrator and is currently working towards his facilities management certification through BOMI. Brian enjoys spending time with his family, wife and two kids, hiking, camping, canoeing and otherwise outdoors. |
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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. To contact our Church Council send an email to: [email protected]. |
