Vestry & Delegate Nominees

Diana Austin

Who else is in your family?

I am married to Bruce. We have 2 adult children: Our daughter Jennifer and her husband Hal live in Houston. Our son Seth and his wife Lara live here in McKinney. We have 10 grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 23. Our brood includes Aggies, Longhorns, and Bears.

Describe Relevant Life, Education, or Work Experience:

I have a Master's Degree in Education, plus many hours of doctoral level work. I retired after a 48 year career in education that included stints as Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Student Teachers, and just plain old teacher of English at every grade level from 6th through college. This past summer, I completed the 4-year Education for Ministry program offered through University of the South School of Theology.

Length of Membership at St. Andrew's

3-5 years

How long have you been a member of the Episcopal Church?

3-5 years

Describe your involvement at St. Andrew's:

At St. Andrew’s I have served on the flower guild for almost 5 years, and I also prepare a weekly altar arrangement for services at Hidden Springs. I participate in a weekly small group bible study; I have taught VBS; I recently led a study of the Book of Hebrews and am singing in choir. I served on the Parish Committee on Vocations as part of the process for Tim Jenkins to receive Holy Orders. I am also a Lay Reader.

Describe your involvement in the community beyond St. Andrew's:

Having been married to a minister for over 40 years, there is very little that I have not done in previous churches. I led retreats, taught Sunday school and VBS, worked with youth groups, sang in choir, coordinated service projects (blankets for the homeless, clothing drives, etc.), arranged flowers, directed weddings, planned funeral services, did door-to-door evangelism, wrote up publicity, planned socials and churchwide fellowships and built parade floats. However, I did not preach or take up the collections.

In what areas of parish life do you focus your time and energy?

I am committed to regular church attendance, to the flower guild, to my small group, and to the choir. I am a student of the bible. I hope to lead many more in-depth churchwide bible studies, such as the one I recently led on the Book of Hebrews.

What skills would you specifically bring to the Vestry?

I am a good manager and organizer. I have been told that I am a problem solver. I have supervised and evaluated teachers and school employees. I pay a great deal of attention to details--probably too much! (A friend once told me that I "see things that other people don't.") I have a creative streak, and I like to generate ideas and projects. I take responsibility seriously--almost to my own detriment. And, retired teacher that I am, I can design really good assignments to others. Having been heavily involved in ministry as a result of over 45 years of being a pastor's wife at 6 different churches, I have a keen insight to the dynamics of "doing church."

How do you envision contributing to the successful completion and of our upcoming building project and capital campaign?

I served on the planning and decorating committee at our previous church as it was being built which gave me experience and insight for such an undertaking. Further, I hope that my writing skills, creativity, empathy, and sense of humor will be of value in developing cheerful givers.

Outside of the capital campaign and building project, what do you believe the top priorities for St. Andrew's should be in the next three years?

My top priority is the one that every church should have--sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want St. Andrew’s to continue to be a beacon of light, love and life in McKinney, in Texas, and in the world. Doing so would entail making and developing disciples who are growing in knowledge and admonition of the Lord.