Rev. J. Merrill Wade, Rector
The Rev. Merrill Wade, was born in Tampa, Florida. He graduated from the University of Texas with a major in International Business. He did post-graduate work in Petroleum Land Management. In 1986 Merrill attended General Theological Seminary and received his Master of Divinity in 1989. In 1990 he was ordained a priest.
Prior to coming to St. Matthew’s, Merrill’s ministry was in the Diocese of Mississippi, having been the assistant priest at Holy Trinity, Vicksburg and Vicar of St. Patrick’s, Long Beach. In 1997 he became rector of St. Paul's in Meridian. In July of 2002 Merrill came back to Texas when he became rector at St. Matthew’s. We are blessed to have Merrill, his wife Crystal and his two children, Patrick and Caroline.
Merrill's interests include Longhorn sports, good rock music, reading and commitment to good health. He has recently completed a sabbatical and is continuing to enjoy the blessings of that time in the first half of 2011. He serves on the Board of St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and along with his duties as the rector of the church, he is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School.
Rev. Susan J. Barnes, Senior Associate Rector
Our Senior Associate Rector, The Rev. Susan J. Barnes, received her Masters of Divinity degree from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, in May of 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood in June 2002. As her first parish assignment, she came to St. Matthew's as a deacon in June 2001. A native of Houston and a cradle Episcopalian, she had a prior career as a curator and administrator in art museums in Houston, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, and Dallas. Susan holds degrees in the history of art from Rice (B.A.) and New York University (M.A., Ph.D.). Her last museum job, with the Menil Collection, brought her back to Houston, where she was active at Christ Church Cathedral in the founding of Brigid's Place, an outreach ministry for people, particularly women, who have left organized religion yet are hungry for spiritual growth. She also served on the board of New Hope Housing, an organization that provides high-quality, affordable housing for people living on low-incomes. It was there that she received her call to ordained ministry.Susan is single and her favorite pastimes include reading, single-shell sculling, wheel-thrown ceramics, and travel with family and friends.
She is interested in spiritual formation, healing, and holiness. Among other pastoral concerns, she is particularly committed to helping people discern God's will for their lives. In addition to preaching, teaching, women's and pastoral ministry at St, Matthew's she works with many aspects of Outreach, and facilitates courses in The Art of Engaging Holy Scripture.
Susan has served on the boards of El Buen Samaritano and St. James Day School. For the Diocese of Texas she was on the Commission on Ministry, the Examining Chaplains, the Executive Board, and the World Mission Board, which she chaired. Currently she serves on the board of the Seminary of the Southwest.
Rev. Christine Faulstich, Curate
Christine is the curate at St. Matthew’s, focusing on work with youth, young adults, and families. She attended Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 19th at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston. Christine grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Before coming to seminary, she attended Rice University where she majored in Economics. At Rice, Christine was active in Canterbury (the Episcopal campus ministry) and the Vocare community. In addition, Christine served in the House of Deputies Secretariat at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2009. Christine is single and enjoys reading, rugby, and reality television.