Beloved Palmers,

I am writing to share with you the exciting news that, with the permission of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, I have called the Rev’d Allen M. Junek (pronounced “you-nick”) to become Palmer’s next Associate Rector! His first Sunday at Palmer will be next month on Sunday, August 24. You will, of course, see Allen active in many areas of parish life, but his primary responsibilities will be to oversee and coordinate our pastoral care ministries and to help me with our worship ministries.

A ninth-generation Texan, Allen joins Palmer from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Austin, where he served most recently as Curate. Allen's primary responsibilities at St. Matthew’s included managing communications and overseeing the congregation's ministries to both newcomers and young adults. He is passionate about worship, evangelism, and the intersection of faith and public life.

After studying philosophy and classics at Texas A&M University, Allen went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and a graduate diploma from Bexley Seabury Seminary. While in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Allen discovered the Episcopal Church and joined the staff at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Dallas before relocating to Austin to complete his final year of studies at Seminary of the Southwest. While at Southwest, Allen served as the lay chaplain for the Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas.

When he’s not at church, Allen can likely be found scoping out a new coffee shop, reading a book at the gym, or testing out a new recipe. He and husband, Alex, celebrated their wedding earlier this summer and together they enjoy traveling and taking long walks with their flat-coat retriever, Benji. Together they can't wait to meet other Palmers and explore all that Houston has to offer!

I am grateful to Senior Warden Tom Van Arsdel, Junior Warden John Wallace, Catherine Beebe, and Kelli Soika for helping me to interview all of the candidates for the position of Associate Rector. We look forward to welcoming Allen and Alex on Sunday, August 24, and hope that you will join us then to greet them as well.

Faithfully yours,

The Rev’d Neil Alan Willard, Rector