A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

St. James’ Church La Grange is excited to announce the visit of the Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas. Bishop Ryan will conduct the solemn annual Maundy Thursday service at the church during Holy Week.

Bishop Ryan received her Master of Divinity at Seminary of the Southwest in 1992, and subsequently served 20 years in parish ministry, including 14 years as rector of Ascension, Dallas. There she learned from brothers and sisters of other cultures how to lead a multi-ethnic community.

Though she has had many shining accomplishments over her career, perhaps the most impressive––at least to this fan of Mexican cuisine––is Bishop Andrew Doyle’s claim that she makes thew best pozole he’s ever had.

Saint James’ has enjoyed a special relationship with the Texas bishops over the years. The first bishop of the Texas Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, consecrated Saint James’ in 1887. He spent three days in La Grange in 1889 mediating a now forgotten rift in the congregation––a controversy that saw 16 members resigning and the beginning of the disaffection with the original rector, Reverend William G.W. Smith. Smith was to leave the church two years later.

In 2006 the Rt. Rev. Dena Harrison became the first woman bishop in the vast Texas Diocese. Reverend Harrison had been Saint James’s rector from 1992 to 1997.

Our records show the Bishop Ryan is one of only 24 Episcopal bishops of a cadre of 124 in the United States. This coming Thursday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. Bishop Ryan will conduct a Easter season service commemorating the Lord’s Supper.

Visitors are warmly welcomed.

For more information, contact the church at (979) 968-3910 or www.stjameslagrange. org.