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.
Fran Avera: Minister of Music
Fran Avera has been Minister of Music at Covenant since October, 1969. 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 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.
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 two daughters. Their son is off at college.
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 two daughters. Their son is off at college.
Patrick Parker: Organist
Patrick has degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (B. Music), the Cleveland Institute of Music (M. Music In Organ Performance), and most recently, the University of Houston (D of Mus. Arts). He has an Artist Diploma at Southern Methodist University. From 2014 to 2017 Patrick was the founding Artistic Director of Houston Baroque, which performed over twenty concerts throughout Houston. He was recognized in The Diapason's Class of 2017 "Twenty under Thirty" as "one of the young artists setting the pace for the next generation of organists in North America."
Patrick has degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (B. Music), the Cleveland Institute of Music (M. Music In Organ Performance), and most recently, the University of Houston (D of Mus. Arts). He has an Artist Diploma at Southern Methodist University. From 2014 to 2017 Patrick was the founding Artistic Director of Houston Baroque, which performed over twenty concerts throughout Houston. He was recognized in The Diapason's Class of 2017 "Twenty under Thirty" as "one of the young artists setting the pace for the next generation of organists in North America."
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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. |
