Dear friends,
I am thrilled to announce that I have invited the Rev. Hope Benko to join our staff as associate rector.
She comes to us from just up the road where she has served as vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services at the Seminary of the Southwest since 2016. In that capacity she led an enrollment management team in identifying, recruiting, and orienting new students; administered financial aid, housing, and work-study programs; and assisted students in post-graduation job placement. At the same time, she has served as the part-time priest for children at St. Michael’s here in Austin. Before this work, she served in schools and parishes, including St. Mark’s Cathedral in Shreveport, LA, where she was the canon for formation.
This extensive experience, along with being a strong preacher, pastor, and liturgist makes her a perfect match for St. David’s. I am excited for Hope to experience the loving, frenetic, welcoming nature of this amazing place.
Mother Benko will begin at St. David’s on Tuesday, March 4. This is Shrove Tuesday, and we are excited to add welcoming Hope and her family, including kids Parker and Grayson, to the joyful chaos of that evening. She will join us in liturgy on Ash Wednesday and at all three services on Sunday, March 9. That Sunday, drop by Sumners Hall during the Formation Hour at 10 a.m. for another opportunity to welcome Mother Benko.
I am deeply grateful for the assistance of Vestry Members John Crow and Peni Ellis in this search process. Their prayerful wisdom has been a godsend.
Peace,
The Rev. Chuck Treadwell
Rector
ABOUT THE REV. HOPE BENKO
Hope joins St. David’s with nearly 20 years of ordained experience, most recently serving as vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Services at Seminary of the Southwest and priest for children at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. At the seminary, she built relationships on behalf of the seminary across the church, administered its financial aid program, and ensured students had the resources they needed to thrive in the classroom. At St. Michael’s she had the great joy of reading the Bible every week with their youngest members.
Hope attended seminary at Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., directly after college. In seminary, she served her field education at Cristo Rey, a diverse Spanish-speaking congregation on Chicago’s northside.
Hope enjoys reading, especially family epics, hiking in Austin’s greenspaces, and shuttling her two teenagers and their friends from activities. She is married to the Rev. Dr. Andrew Benko, associate priest for adult formation at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and dean of formation for the Iona School.
A NOTE FROM THE REV. HOPE BENKO
Even before moving to Austin in 2016 to begin my work at the seminary, I heard of the great work St. David’s was doing in our downtown neighborhood. It is a great privilege to be invited to join you in this work. I am eager to be alongside you in caring for each other and our neighbors, your vibrant worship, and faithful service in the beautiful Historic Church.
I look forward to meeting you all on Shrove Tuesday.
~The Rev. Hope Benko
Read the announcement to the parish.
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