Ministers and Leaders

Vicar

The Reverend Allison Liles

The Rev. Allison Sandlin Liles is a wife, mother, peacemaker, and Vicar of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Allison spent the first six years of her ordained ministry working in churches in Diocese of Alabama, then she spent the following six years serving as Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Executive Director. Allison joined the Forward Movement staff in May 2018 as editor of Grow Christians, an online community that helps parents foster faith at home through action and conversation. Allison is married to the Rev. Dr. Eric Liles, mother of two percussion playing children and two rescue dogs.

Associate Vicar

The Rev. Laura Warner Gilmer

The Rev. Laura Warner Gilmer was ordained to the Episcopal Diaconate and Priesthood in the Diocese of Texas after completing the 3-year Iona School for Ministry program. This mother of four (and grandmother of four) works full-time as Parish Administrator in another Episcopal Church in the metroplex. After discovering the “All are Welcome at the Table” tradition of Episcopal worship, Laura was confirmed 28 years ago and participated heavily lay ministry until she could no longer ignore God’s call to ordination. A veteran of Stephen Ministry and independent senior living administration, Laura has a heart for pastoral care and outreach that is fed by the loving work in the world celebrated by St. Stephen’s.

Director of Music

Stan Paschal

Stan Paschal is a Kentucky native, a semi-retired college music teacher, a life-long learner, a lover of all things Humanities related and a seeker of Peace. He strives to infuse choral rehearsal with humor, insight, inspiration, empowerment, and education. Music is a collective journey involving the clergy, choir AND congregation, and within that framework Stan sees his position not only as “leader of the band” but also something of a “tour guide.” He desires facilitating music making that communicates God’s Holy Word and connects people in a worshipful experience. Please join the journey!

Sign Language Interpreter

Gwenn Burud

Gwenn Burud is a Fort Worth native who is proud to say her life came full circle as a product and recent retiree of Fort Worth ISD. She and her husband of over 30 years, Dean, are the proud parents of three sons. 

Prior to becoming a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Gwenn worked as an educational sign language interpreter. Though she spent the lion’s share of her interpreting years in the educational setting, she grew to love the beautiful complexities of religious interpreting. Her time at St. Stephens has been a highlight of both her career and spiritual life.