St. Paul’s Staff

Rev. Hayden P. Paul, Rector Email

After growing up in the piney woods of East Texas, Hayden Paul, an Episcopal priest and strategic thinker, embarked on his professional career with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration in 2011. His early career was marked by impactful roles in the Texas Legislature and as Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations at the Research Valley Partnership in Bryan/College Station, Texas. His expertise in legislative and economic development prepared him for subsequent achievements in private lobbying and real estate, where he focused on regional growth initiatives and sustainability.

Amid his growing career, a divine revelation led Hayden to a profound spiritual awakening amid a global pandemic. It was here that Hayden’s journey took a quick and decisive turn towards ordained ministry, driven by a fresh calling to restore and reconcile people to Christ. Finding the Episcopal Church in the aftermath of the Obergefell vs. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015, he credits much of the completion of his “deconstruction” of fundamentalism to the people who poured into him as a new Episcopalian.

Hayden graduated with a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in May 2024 and is a member of the prestigious 2024 cohort of the Trinity Wall Street Leadership Fellows. His academic pursuits are deeply influenced by the intersections of theology and systems theory, with which he hopes to enact meaningful change within the Church. His master’s thesis entitled “Abundantly Necessary: Exploring Appreciative Inquiry and its Theological Insights into

Change and Adaptation in the Church” sought to provide a way in approaching a secular change management model to help the Church not only survive, but abundantly thrive. Hayden is also passionately committed to reconciliation, and he aims to restore hope and foster inclusive connections, particularly with marginalized communities and those feeling estranged by the church.

Julia Peoples, Family Formation Coordinator Email

Julia is thrilled to be re-joining the staff of St. Paul’s! Julia served our church as Family Formation Coordinator from 2013-2022. After taking some time off to care for her family, she is returning to share her passion for the Gospel message with the children and youth of our church. Julia graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport (Bachelor of Music, 2000) and the University of the South, Sewanee School of Theology (Master of Arts in Theology and Ethics, 2004). In addition to her work with the children of St. Paul’s, Julia is the head choir director at Cinco Ranch Junior High School in Katy. She loves teaching children and is joined at St. Paul’s by her husband Mike, and daughters Layla (16), Stevie (11), and Cecelia (7). In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, playing piano, and running in road races in Houston and San Antonio.

Jennifer Kuhn, Parish Administrator Email

Jennifer joined St. Paul’s in October 2015. She is very excited to leave the legal and construction worlds behind and join the Lord’s House as the Parish Administrator for St. Paul’s. When not at church, she enjoys cooking, creating, and going on adventures with her husband, Casey, and their two daughters, Kennedy and Riley.

Brittany Taylor, Music Director

Brittany M. Taylor serves as the Music Director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She is a proud graduate of Texas Southern University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, and the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received her Master of Music. Brittany has been a scholarship singer at St. Paul’s since September 2020 and is thrilled to step into her new role as Music Director. She hopes to share her gifts and inspire others through music, allowing her passion for worship and love of Christ to shine through every note. Outside of church, Brittany loves to create and rearrange music. She also sings with Voices of Houston.

Lucian Zidaru, Organist

Lucian Zidaru is an Associate Professor of Music – piano at Texas Southern University where he teaches piano, music history, and accompanies students in recitals and vocal performances. In Houston, he performed at Texas Southern University, Rice University, University of Houston, Hobby Center, Houston NPR Public Media News studio, and in many other venues. He regularly performs with Houston Ebony Opera Guild. Born in Bucharest – Romania, Lucian Zidaru began his musical studies at Dinu Lipatti School of Music in Bucharest. He earned a BA in Piano Performance and Chamber Music. Zidaru also holds degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University (MM – Piano Performance) and Louisiana State University (DMA – Piano Performance and Music Theory). Prior to coming to the United States, Lucien performed widely with many important orchestras and chamber music groups. He also worked with the Romanian Public Radio.

Jaime and Carmen Baltazar, Facilities Maintenance Team

Jaime and Carmen Baltazar have 3 grown children and all live in the Katy area. Jaime works during the day at St. Batholomew Catholic Church and the family attends there as well. Jaime loves football and Carmen loves to cook and both love to travel.

St. Paul’s Vestry

Senior Warden

John Johnston

Junior Warden

Daren Belunek

Treasurer

Amy Hall

Clerk

Joyce Davis

Vestry

John Beck (term ends 2026)
John Johnston (term extended to 2026)
Kris Larsen (term ends 2026)
Lisa Sivils (term ends 2026)
Joyce Davis (term ends 2027)
Bruce McKee (term ends 2027)
Daren Belunek (term ends 2028)
Mary Brimer (term ends 2028)
Ted Howden (term ends 2028)

Bios

John Johnston, Senior Warden

John and his wife Ann live in Rosenberg. They have five children and twelve grandchildren. Born in Chicago, John has also lived and worked in New England and in New Mexico. He and Ann have been in Texas for almost 15 years. He has been a member of St. Paul’s since 2021. In previous ministry service, he has served as vestry member, stewardship committee member, visiting Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Chalice Bearer, usher, greeter, and in other capacities. He is also a member of Kairos Interdenominational Prison Ministry for which he trained and led volunteers through the first post-COVID Kairos 4-day weekend for prisoners inside the Richmond Jester III Unit. He currently serves at St Paul’s as Vestry Senior Warden. He also serves as usher, lector, Gathering Place volunteer as well as in other capacities. John looks forward to continuing to serve St. Paul’s with joyful enthusiasm for doing and encouraging Christ’s work within and beyond our church community.

Daren Belunek, Junior Warden

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I was baptized, my wife and I were confirmed, and my son was baptized at All Saints Church in the Houston Heights. We moved to Katy in 2004 and raised our son and two daughters. Since 2007, I have worked for Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. on their fire safety systems and protocols. I currently serve and have previously served in various officer roles for local volunteer organizations. I first attended St. Paul’s in 2023 and was received in 2025. I greatly enjoy the quiet of our eight o’clock service, the song of our ten-thirty service, the comfort of the Daily Office, the depths of the Psalms, and the other opportunities for fellowship in our community. The Vestry serves an important role at St. Paul’s and I am happy to make myself available to serve.

Joyce Davis, Clerk

I am a retired teacher having taught at Katy High School for 26 years after moving back to Texas from Pennsylvania in 1976. After retiring I worked part time in KISD mentoring second year teachers and doing inservice for teachers. I have been a member of St. Paul’s since 1976. This will be my 4th time on the vestry. I have served in various roles in the church over the years including lector, Eucharistic minister, vestry clerk and senior warden. Presently I am serving as a co-chair for the Outreach Commission. I go to the Beacon and help cook for The Gathering Place. Over the years I have helped wherever I am needed. I was born in Bigfoot, Texas and was raised in Texas. I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church at St. Thomas in College Station in 1965. Before being confirmed I was a member of The Community church, a non denominational church. I am a 1968 graduate of Texas A&M University. Both of my children were confirmed and married at St. Paul’s. I have one living daughter Diane, two son in laws, and 3 wonderful grandchildren.

Amy Hall, Treasurer

John Beck

I was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA then moved to Tulsa, OK for K-12th grade. I then returned to Wilkes-Barre and graduated from Wilkes University. Met my lovely wife Cathy and we were married in 1983. I’ve been a CPA for 35 years, and have “part-time retired”. We have lived in the Houston area for 20 years. I have been an active Episcopalian for the past 37 years and we found St. Paul’s in 2018. I filled in on the Vestry for Jane Woodward when she moved and am honored to stay for a full term.

Mary Brimer

I was born in a small town (800 people) in Kansas where I lived until graduating from high school. I became a registered nurse and worked for 49 years until retiring in 2018. I am divorced and the mother of two daughters. I love reading all kinds of books and learning new things. I grew up in the Congregational church in my hometown where I was a Sunday school teacher and active in the youth group. My spiritual journey was like many people – during my young adult years I went to church sporadically and questioned my beliefs. When my oldest daughter was young, I became a member of the Episcopal church – I loved the combination of the traditional liturgy and the fellowship of the church members. After I attended a Cursillo I made a true commitment to following Jesus. Since then, I have tried to be active in my church and in knowing Jesus on a personal level. I have served the church in many ways in my past including acolyting, reading, serving at the altar, prayer teams and vestry. At St. Paul’s I currently participate in altar guild, Daughters of the King, The Gathering Place and the Search Committee. I have served on the vestry in the past at St. Paul’s and been a delegate to council. I look forward to seeing our church grow and serve our Lord through our work and ministries.

Ted Howden

Ted Howden is a lifelong Episcopalian and has been a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church since 2014. He and his wife, Patti, have been active participants in parish life and are deeply committed to the mission and future of the church. Ted and Patti have two children: their daughter, Emily, who is currently attending law school, and their son, Teddy, who is a senior in high school. Teddy has served the parish as an acolyte and has also assisted with running the video for Sunday services. Ted has previously served on the Vestry at St. Paul’s and has also served on a diocesan committee. Following the departure of Father Chris, Ted served on the parish search committee. Most recently, he was asked to assume the remainder of a Vestry member’s term when that individual was unable to complete it. In this time of transition within the church, Ted has been encouraged to continue serving and has agreed to stand for election for another term on the Vestry. Ted brings a steady commitment to faithful leadership, thoughtful stewardship, and collaboration, and looks forward to continuing to serve the parish community.

Kris Larsen

Kris grew up in Texas and is married to Sharla who attends the LDS church. They have three children. He works as a Sales Tax Consultant and was baptized into The Episcopal Church in 2023. Kris attends the 8:00 a.m. service and teaches adult education classes between services. He is grateful for the many people who have shaped his faith journey.

Bruce McKee

Born in Austin, TX and resident of the Houston area since 1962. Confirmed at St. Martin’s in Houston in 1973, and members of St. Paul’s in Katy since 1986. Tammy and I were married in 1980, and have two grown children, and four teen-aged grandchildren. I spent my career in finance and commercial credit management, and retired in 2017 as credit manager for a chemical plant in Pearland, returning three times for contract assignments since then. I was long active in NACM (Nat’l Assoc. of Credit Management), served on the Board of Directors at NACM Gulf States, and twice chaired the NACM Nat’l Chemical Industry Credit Group. I am honored to serve a third term on the Vestry, where I last served 2013-2016, during which I was also honored to serve as Sr. Warden in 2016. I look forward to contributing to the vision and mission of St. Paul’s, with our fellow Vestry members, endeavoring to broaden and strengthen our community here in the Katy area.

Lisa Sivils

I was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan. As a child, I attended Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. I met my husband, Kevin, at a small Christian college in southern Illinois, Greenville College. We will be married for 42 years by the end of July. We have three children and eight grandchildren. I have attended the Episcopal Church for 18 years. Kevin attended as a child and was the one that suggested we should try it. I am also a Daughter of the King. I have always enjoyed serving my church and will continue to do so.