Clergy & Staff

Jesus of Nazareth

He is the Christ, the "Anointed One," or the "Messiah." The name "Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew-Aramaic word "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh [the Lord] is salvation." The name "Christ" is actually a title for Jesus. It comes from the Greek word "Christos," meaning "the Anointed One," or "Messiah" in Hebrew. Jesus is the central figure in Christianity. His life, message and ministry are chronicled in the four Gospels of the New Testament. Jesus was a Jewish teacher from Galilee who performed many miracles of healing and deliverance. Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem by order of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, for claiming to be the King of the Jews. He resurrected three days after his death, appeared to his disciples, and then ascended into heaven. His life and death provided the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

The Rev. Hannah E. Atkins Romero

The Rev. Hannah E. Atkins Romero became Trinity's fifteenth rector in September of 2007. To prepare herself as a third generation Episcopal priest, the Reverend Atkins Romero earned a bachelor of arts degree in history at Douglass College, Rutgers University and a masters degree in divinity at the General Theological Seminary in New York in May 1996, with additional studies in theology at Universidad Centroamericana Jose Simeon Canas in El Salvador. The Reverend Atkins Romero previously served as Senior Assistant Rector at St. John's Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C. Before joining St. John's Church, she served as Director of Theological and Christian Education in the Diocese of the Episcopal/Anglican Church of El Salvador, Associate Priest at St. John the Evangelist San Salvador, Priest-in-Charge at Holy Trinity Church Santa Teresa in San Martin, and as Interim Priest-in-Charge at St. Andrew's Church in Amatepec, Soyapango. The Reverend Atkins Romero is married to Elmer Romero and they have four children (and Paco, the dog).

The Rev. Canon Dr. Henry Atkins, Jr.

The Reverend Canon Dr. Henry Atkins, Jr. is a retired priest canonically resident in the Diocese of New Jersey. Canon Atkins is an honorary Canon of the Diocese of Costa Rica, a graduate of Randolph Macon College, The Virginia Theological Seminary and holds a doctorate from The Graduate Theological Foundation in Notre Dame, Indiana. In addition, he has done post graduate work at The Mexican American Cultural Center, Boston College and Oxford University.

Canon Atkins has served parishes in Costa Rica, Virginia, Indianapolis, the Dominican Republic, New Hampshire and Los Angeles. He has also worked on the staff of the Washington Cathedral and served as a member of the staff of the Bishop of Rochester, NY. Canon Atkins has also served as chaplain to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Rutgers University and Dartmouth College. He has served as a member of the faculty at the University of North Carolina, Rutgers University, the General Theological Seminary and El Instituto Pastoral Hispano.

Canon Atkins has also served as a Theologian in Residence at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH and as a Martin Luther King Lecturer at Dartmouth College.

Canon Atkins served for 6 years as the chairperson of the Episcopal Church’s National Commission on Racism and for 8 years as vice-president of the Anglican/Episcopal Theological Education Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2010 Canon Atkins was presented the Hugh White Award for outstanding work in the field of economic justice by the Episcopal Church’s National Commission on Economic Justice. He has published many articles in various journals and books including The Witness Magazine, Sojourners, and The International Review of Mission.

Canon Atkins was a founding member of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. and worked for over 20 years as a facilitator and spiritual advisor for the Order of St. Helena. Canon Atkins also holds a Black Belt in kickboxing in the Kempo-International School of Martial Arts.

The Rev. Luz Cabrera Montes

The Rev. Luz Cabrera Montes started her curacy at Trinity Episcopal Church, July 1st, 2020. Before attending seminary, she was a bilingual education teacher and served as a lay minister and youth director at Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo. Luz has served this diocese and church in other capacities such as a deputy to the General Convention, a member of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution & Canons, and as Youth Ministry Liason for The Episcopal Church Office of Youth Ministries. Luz is married to Thanh Montes, and they will welcome their first child in early 2022.

Ryan Mire

Born and Raised native Houstonian Ryan Mire studied at Texas Christian University before joining the Paper industry for one of Houston's oldest paper companies. He has fifteen years of purchasing and sales experience with a focus on tax-supported business and government contracts. He is a passionate baseball fan and avid fisherman. Ryan is married to his beautiful wife Krystal, they have two nieces and two nephews along with two dogs that are their pride and joy.

Alex Jones

Originally from London, Alex is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the University of Houston’s Moore School of Music where he studies with Prof. Daryl Robinson and holds a Graduate Teaching Fellowship in the Musicology division. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY holding a Masters Degree in Organ Performance & Literature from the studios of Edoardo Bellotti and Nathan Laube. He earned his Bachelors’ Degree in Organ Performance with Honours at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire studying under Henry Fairs & Daniel Moult.

He has previously held organ and choral scholarships in numerous churches and cathedrals around the UK, including the organ scholarship at Manchester Cathedral. He has a wide-ranging experience accompanying and conducting choirs which have previously included visits to perform Choral Evensong at cathedrals around the UK including Coventry, Manchester and Worcester. He relocated to the United States in 2015 and has since gone on to win several prizes in organ performance, including the Second Prize at the 2017 West Chester University International Organ Competition, the Third Prize of the 2018 Royal College of Organists Competition and the First Prize of the 2017 American Theatre Organ Society Competition. He has also been awarded the Robert Carwithen Scholarship for excellence in the field of church music.

He has previously held positions as a Director of Music & Organist at St. Louis Catholic Church in Memphis, TN, First United Methodist Church in Florence, AL and St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown, TN. He maintains an active career as a touring performing artist and has given organ recitals in numerous venues in the US and Europe including the Hauptkirche St. Petri in Hamburg, Germany, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY, Lichfield Cathedral, UK and as a theatre organist in many venues across the US including the Riviera Theatre, Tonowanda, NY, the Tampa Theatre, FL and the John Dickinson Theatre in Wilmington, DE.

Alex also has a keen passion and interest in pipe organ design and consultancy and has worked with numerous organ-building firms. He held an apprenticeship with Mander Organs of London and more recently has served as a third-party consultant for Lincoln College, Oxford.

April Sloan-Hubert

Grew up in a home filled with classical, jazz, blues, R&B and gospel. The youngest of five children, she soon discovered that she had been blessed with her Grandmother's and Mother's gift of song. Her first musical teeth were cut while a member of the family's singing group. Her love of music began to grow even more with her first trip to the Houston Grand Opera. The beautiful lyric, spinto and dramatic soprano voices and gorgeous costumes were heavily embedded in her being. After graduating from Galena Park High School, she matriculated to Texas Southern University further developing her craft. While at TSU, she would become the student of Ruth Stewart and blossomed as a member of the University Opera Workshop and Concert Choir. Both of the aforementioned organizations highly required hours upon hours of study, rehearsals and travel.

After graduating from Texas Southern University, April began her teaching career in HISD and currently in her home district of Galena Park ISD. She later joined the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, main stage artist at the Ensemble Theatre and currently lead vocalist and director of the Trinity Jazz Ensemble. April has toured the United States and Europe sharing her gift of song. April has been blessed to perform with such artist Yolanda Adams, Rev. James Cleveland, Kirk Whalum, Patti Labelle, Kurt Carr, V. Michael McKay, Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin.

April is happiest on stage or in worship singing praises to God. April will tell any and everyone, " I owe all that I am and all that I have to my Mother and Grandmother for raising me in church and instilling in me the love of God and song." SELAH!

Carver Mathis

Houston “Carver” Mathis is a native Houstonian with deep roots in The Episcopal Church. Carver is well versed in the breadth and versatility of Episcopal church liturgy. As a kid, Carver was in church anytime the doors were open. He served as an acolyte, was a member of the choir, and was actively involved in his youth group (Rev. Rich Houser+ was his youth minister! Trinity ties!!).

Carver also holds a deep love for Camp Allen! He was employed there for over seven years and was a camper before that. Carver served as a counselor and was on Senior Staff. This past summer, Carver spent four weeks as an adult volunteer because he loves it so much!

In addition, Carver has a great gift of singing. He currently holds two certificates in music from Manhattan Concert Productions in New York City. As a tenor, Carver has been blessed with invitations to sing twice at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for premiere sacred works and oratorio repertoire. From 2014-2016, Carver was appointed choir director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pearland, TX. There, he worked with a variety of ages and different community groups to further the music ministry.

While Carver is passionate about many things, he truly believes his strong suits are tailored toward making an impact on the next generation...youth! He believes strongly that they are the future of The Episcopal Church and society as a whole! As a community of believers, we must uplift and support them in their daily walk with Christ. Carver’s greatest hope upon his arrival at Trinity is that he would nurture and support our youth, be an encouraging presence in the lives of everyone at Trinity, and work alongside our community in furthering the kingdom of God.

Pelayo Parlade

Born and raised in Spain, Pelayo came to Houston in 1995 as a music student. In 2001 he graduated from the University of Houston Moores School of Music with a B.A. in music theory. In 2005 he graduated from the University of North Texas with a M.M. in Jazz studies.

Pelayo has been an active pianist in the Houston scene since the late 90s, working solo and with a variety of bands and styles, mostly in the Jazz and the Latin scene.

Since 2005 Pelayo has also been working as an accompanist for dance classes. Currently he is on staff in the University of Houston Dance Department and in the Houston Ballet academy.

Marcelo Ortiz

Marcelo Ortiz is from Rochester, New York. He is currently studying for his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at University of Houston.

Mike Owen

Mike Owen has been a staple of the Houston Jazz scene for many years as a multi-instrumentalist specializing in piano, guitar, bass and banjo. He has performed and recorded with many notable musicians in Houston and from around the country such as: Bernadette Peters, Tommy Tune, Wayne Brady, Charlotte Church, Debbie Reynolds, The Houston Symphony, TUTS, Houston Grand Opera ( The Passenger, Othello, Show Boat). Education: Certificate from Berklee. Piano studies at HCC. And private studies with Joe Locascio, Bobby Lyle and Paul English. He is an in demand performer, composer and arranger, his compositions having been placed in Hollywood films and played on Houston radio. He has recorded and produced over 15 recordings.

Ernesto Vega

Clarinetist, saxophonist and composer, Ernesto Vega is a graduate of the Higher Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba. At the age of seventeen, Down Beat Magazine recognized his interpretative style on the clarinet recalling the legendary jazz clarinetist, Artie Shaw. In 2003, Vega won the first prize at the international jazz competition Jojazz in Havana. He performed with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis on their visit to Cuba. Ernesto has collaborated with Cuban legends: Frank Emilio, Chucho Valdés, Bobby Carcasses, Ernan Lopez Nussa, Jorge Reyes, and Changuito among others. Ernesto has been a part of several projects involving Arturo O'Farrill & Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Joe Sample Orchestra, Havana Jazz Collective, Carlos Maza Quintet, Maria Del Mar Bonet, Yuri Buenaventura and Alejandro Vargas Quartet.Ernesto Vegas' first album "Venir al Mundo," won the Cubadisco Award as the Best Jazz Album of 2009. He has performed at numerous international festivals including Jazz in Marciac (France), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Lausanne Jazz Festival, Jazz on the Green (Trinidad and Tobago) and Jazz Plaza Havana, Cuba. Ernesto Vega is considered one of the leading musicians of his generation and one of the finest clarinetist from the Island of Cuba.