MICHELLE HERON

Member Since: 2011

Education: Juris Doctorate

Occupation: Attorney

Work and Leadership Experience:

Hargrave Family Law (Dallas) | December 2022 - Present | Senior Attorney

CitySquare L.A.W. Center (Dallas) | December 2015 - November 2022 | Assistant Director of L.A.W. Center

Office of the Attorney General (Dallas) | July 2012 - May 2015 | Assistant Attorney General
Practicing Attorney for Other Firms ( Dallas) | June 1994 - July 2012

 

Prior Vestry Experience: Attended Report Out for ADS Board over 5 years.

Prior Convention Delegate Experience: NA

 

Leadership and participation in Parish Ministries & Activities:  ADS Board Member/President, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Trunk or Treat organizer, Rector Search Committee, Discernment Committee, Godly Play Committee, Stewardship Committee, Youth Group parent

 

Community Activities & Organizations (not for profit or civic): Attorney/Assistant Director CitySquare LAW Center – 10 years

; Assistant Attorney General – 3 years; Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program; Dallas College District Paralegal Advisory Committee

 

What drew you to consider Vestry leadership at this time? I want to contribute in a different manner than I have in the past.

In addition to your professional expertise, what unique gifts, talents, and experience would you bring to the Vestry? I grew up in a very large, devout Irish Catholic family.  As a result, I do not believe the value of teaching children about Jesus and providing them with a moral compass to guide their lives can be understated.  

What do you hope for Ascension over the next 3-5 years? Continued growth

If selected for this role, what activities, ministries, or areas of parish life would you like to be involved in? Children’s Christian Formation/Sunday School teacher

How has Ascension continued to form and inspire your faith? In my line of work, I often see people at their worst.  Watching how this congregation cares for each other and the community helps keep my faith in humanity.

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ANNE BURGDORF- MOISUK​

 

Name: Anne Burgdorf-Moisuk

Member Since: 2021

Education: Lots… BS in animal science, DVM, and years of post-graduate training.

Occupation: Veterinarian at the Dallas Zoo

Work and Leadership Experience: I have worked in veterinary medicine, primarily at universities and zoos, for 15+ years. During that time, I have trained students and post-graduates. I have also led my departments for 7+ years. In my current role, I manage a staff of over 25 people and a nearly four million dollars budget annually. 

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Prior Vestry Experience: None

Prior Convention Delegate Experience: None

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Leadership and participation in Parish Ministries & Activities: I have sung in church choirs since high school and have been a member of the Ascension choir since it resumed post-pandemic.  When available, I volunteer with the food pantry.

 

Community Activities & Organizations (not for profit or civic): I participate in conservation activities for the Dallas Zoo. I also volunteer regularly at the schools my children attend and help to spearhead used uniform sales through the PTA of one of the schools.
 

What drew you to consider Vestry leadership at this time? I was asked. Ascension is our church home. It is where we teach our children about our faith and show God’s light in the world. A vibrant church community doesn’t happen without the time and talents of its members. I want to find other ways to give back to the community that has given so much to our family.

In addition to your professional expertise, what unique gifts, talents, and experience would you bring to the Vestry? I bring my dedication to Ascension’s continued success, and my perspective as a parent raising young children in the church.

What do you hope for Ascension over the next 3-5 years? I hope Ascension continues to grow with additional families finding the nurturing home we have found. I hope that Ascension stays financially strong to continue or expand the community outreach programs we support.

If selected for this role, what activities, ministries, or areas of parish life would you like to be involved in? I would be happy to help wherever the needs of the church lie. I would love to support the day school, our outreach activities, youth ministries, and our music programs.

How has Ascension continued to form and inspire your faith? Ascension epitomizes my belief that God is love. All are welcome, and it is our duty to care for God’s creation and creatures.

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BOB IDEN

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Member Since: First attended 1982 - 1985 (our daughters were the first baptisms in the new chapel; Catherine and I were also confirmed at Ascension after being baptized at St. Barnabas Catholic and Park Cities Baptist, respectively); returned in 2023 to Present day 

(*Note: I was a member at Christ Episcopal in Tyler from 1985 to 1995, St. Barnabas Episcopal in Fredericksburg from 1995 to 1997, and St. James Episcopal from 1997 to 2023; when we realized that Episcopal Church of the Ascension was our TRUE home church, we returned in 2023 where we plan to remain until we reach our ascension dates)  

 

Education:

1970 graduate of Lake Highlands High School; Associate of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Kilgore College, 1972; Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education, University of North Texas, 1976; Masters of Education, Educational Administration, 1981; Doctorate of Education, Educational Administration, Texas A&M Commerce, 1994

 

Occupation:   Retired Educator as of 2023   

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Work and Leadership Experience:  Middle school teacher & coach; high school teacher & coach; middle school principal; high school principal; K-12 assistant superintendent; K-12 superintendent; college admission advisor; real estate agent; sales representative (high school scholastic products - caps & gowns, class rings, diplomas, letter jackets, etc.)

Worked in four school systems (Richardson, Winona, Fredericksburg, Bishop Lynch), for Ebby Halliday Realtors, and for Balfour Corp.

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Prior Vestry Experience: I served on the Episcopal Church of the Ascension from 1983 to 1985 

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Prior Convention Delegate Experience: Delegate Ascension

 

Leadership and participation in Parish Ministries & Activities:  Usher team member, reader, and sometimes LEM; Sand Branch Water ministry volunteer; Grounds maintenance volunteer; Men’s Group Ministry 

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Community Activities & Organizations (not for profit or civic): Lake Highlands High School Educational Foundation Board Member; LHHS Alumni Association Board Member

 

What drew you to consider Vestry leadership at this time?  The kind, loving, wonderful spirit that permeates all areas of our church and the desire to help perpetuate a positive future for our church - it’s our church home, and we have a duty to ensure its prosperity for posterity!

 

In addition to your professional expertise, what unique gifts, talents, and experience would you bring to the Vestry? 

Despite my advanced age, I am energetic and enthusiastic, and I certainly know and appreciate the value of hard work. I sincerely wish I had some unique gifts and talents to bring to the Vestry. Still, I think that my experience and contacts in the Lake Highlands community are how I could best serve the interests of the Ascension Vestry and our parish.

 

What do you hope for Ascension over the next 3-5 years? Continue our church’s stellar community outreach and grow the size of our congregation.

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KATHLEEN RYLANDER

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Member Since: I have been attending Ascension since 2013. I had some problems transferring papers. So, I am not sure when the transfer of my papers was finalized. 

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Education: I attended Richardson High School and graduated in 1982. I completed my education and licensing for cosmetology in 1983. I attended Richland College for one year. 

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Occupation: Cosmetologist 

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Work and Leadership Experience: I have been a cosmetologist in Dallas for 42 years. 

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Prior Vestry Experience: I have no prior vestry experience. 

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Prior Convention Delegate Experience: I have no prior delegate experience. 

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Leadership and participation in Parish Ministries & Activities: I am an usher, I teach Sunday formation for grades 3, 4 and 5, and I am co-chair for our hospitality committee. 

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Community Activities & Organizations (not for profit or civic): I am not currently involved in community activities. 

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What drew you to consider Vestry leadership at this time? I was asked to consider serving on the vestry. 

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In addition to your professional expertise, what unique gifts, talents, and experience would you bring to the Vestry? I care deeply about our church members and our church facility. I work hard. I am reliable. I am fun. 

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What do you hope for Ascension over the next 3-5 years? I pray that relationships are cultivated to be meaningful and real. I pray these relationships extend into the world and attract new members. 

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If selected for this role, what activities, ministries, or areas of parish life would you like to be involved in? I enjoy the hospitality committee, teaching formation, and helping usher. 

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How has Ascension continued to form and inspire your faith? The relationships | have made at Ascension are true. The support and love I have received have been my treasure. I can only attempt to support and love others here at Ascension.​​​​​​​​​​​​