This year marks an event we all knew would arrive one day - a day we could barely fathom - the retirement of our diocesan memory and a cornerstone of the Bishop's staff. The event to which we refer is the retirement of Carolyn Hearn, the Bishop's Executive Secretary of some 37+ years. Carolyn has been with the diocese through the episcopates of four of our beloved Bishops, beginning with the Rt. Rev. Willis Henton in 1979. She has seen the home office move from the former Texas Commerce Bank building to our lovely, historic home on Broadway in Lubbock. She has served with four Canons to the Ordinary, and has witnessed many events in our diocese. Although Carolyn will officially retire as of the end of the year, she will be on terminal leave after the Diocesan Convention. Her replacement will join the staff on October 1st to train with Carolyn before Convention, and will assume many of her duties after Convention.

Carolyn was born in Dallas, TX, to George and Helen Hearn. As the the elder of their two children, Carolyn grew up in Temple, TX, and later moved to Abilene where she graduated from Abilene Cooper High School. Her younger brother, Allen Hearn, resides in the Ft. Worth area with his family. Carolyn has worked in a variety of positions through the years in Houston, and finally in Lubbock. She has spoken fondly of her time in Houston working with engineers at the Space Science Department of Rice University; with engineers at Wilson Industries Marine Systems Division; for Sweetman Industries; and for Dr. Hilde Bruch, professor Emeritus in the Psychiatry Department at Baylor Medical School. Carolyn has two children, Tiffany Hernandez and Trent Ulm. Tiffany resides and works in Lubbock with her husband, Daniel Hernandez, while Trent resides in Fort Worth and works as an architect with Weinman Architects.

In 1979, Carolyn moved to Lubbock with her two children and began her career as the  Bishop's Executive Secretary with the Diocese of Northwest Texas beside the Rt. Rev. Willis Henton, the second Bishop of Northwest Texas. Bishop Henton shepherded the diocese through the transition to the 1979 Prayer Book and the ordination of female clergy, as well as the moving of diocesan offices and the diocesan see city from Amarillo to Lubbock. During his tenure the Rev. Canon Richard Wilson served as Canon to the Ordinary. Bishop Henton served until 1980, when he was called to serve as the first Bishop of Western Louisiana.

Following Bishop Henton, the Rt. Rev. Sam Hulsey was consecrated as the third Bishop of Northwest Texas. It was during his tenure that Carolyn witnessed the move of the diocesan offices to the historic Bacon home, now known as the Bishop Sam B. Hulsey Episcopal Center, located in its current location at 1802 Broadway. The home was dedicated and consecrated in 1982, after extensive renovation, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere as our diocesan "home." She also witnessed the improvements made to the Bishop Quarterman Conference Center, later known as Quarterman Ranch, and the initiation of Hispanic ministry in Odessa. She served on the board of Bishops' Executive Secretaries Together (BEST), and co-chaired four annual BEST conferences. Carolyn worked with Bishop Hulsey for 17 years, a time that forged a strong friendship and mutual admiration. During his episcopate Carolyn also worked with the Rev. Canon William Nix Jr., who served as Canon to the Ordinary, followed by the Rev. Canon David Veal of Lubbock. Many will remember Canon Nix from his service to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lubbock, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Amarillo. Carolyn also worked with Archdeacon Emeritus, Patsy Masterman, who served as the diocesan bookkeeper and the editor of The Adventure, the diocesan newspaper.

The Rt. Rev. Wallis Ohl succeeded Bishop Hulsey in 1997, as the fourth Bishop of Northwest Texas. Carolyn continued her work for the diocese, and witnessed the growth of the vocational diaconate and small community ministry throughout the diocese. Bishop Ohl  nurtured the growth and outreach of lay ministries, with Carolyn at his side. During his episcopate, Carolyn served with the Rev. Canon David Veal, our resident theologian in Northwest Texas, and Edna Chambers, who formally served as the bookkeeper.

Several transitions in staff occurred Bishop Ohl's episcopate. Upon the retirement of Canon Veal in 2002, the Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer joined the staff as Canon to the Ordinary, while Claire Cowden served as the Canon for Ministry Development. Canon Ehmer left our diocese in 2006, to join the CREDO Institute in Memphis, TN, as the Associate Director, and returned to our diocese as Canon to the Ordinary in 2012. Anna Mora joined the staff in the fall 2007, as the Finance Manager, followed by Nancy Igo in January of 2008, who joined the staff as the Transition Minister and Benefits Administrator. Together with Carolyn, Claire, Anna, and Nancy formed a strong staff and lasting friendships.

Bishop Ohl retired in 2008, before which an election was held for the position of fifth Bishop of Northwest Texas. The Rt. Rev. James Scott Mayer was elected by a wide margin in late 2008, and was consecrated in March of 2009. Following his election an agreement was struck between Bishop Mayer and Carolyn in which she agreed to stay on and delay retirement from her position as the Bishop's Executive Secretary until Bishop Mayer had been, as she jokes, "successfully trained," due in large part to her diocesan memory and strong ties. In 2011, Carolyn was recognized by Deacon Todd Baxley, Director of Happy Camp and Promise Camp, for her tireless work to promote and support the two camps, which served children of incarcerated parents, as well as underprivileged children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to enjoy the camp experience.



Indeed, Carolyn has seen many changes in our diocese over the past 37 years, and has forged lifelong friendships with people from our diocese and the wider church. She has played a valuable role in the continued development and growth of our diocese, has worked with four beloved bishops, and numerous staff members throughout the years. Her impact with the Diocese of Northwest Texas is far reaching through her work with commissions, committees, diocesan convention committees, and clergy. Every person entering the Hulsey Episcopal Center is greeted by her warmth and her smile, her gregarious personality, her wonderful sense of style, and her joyous laughter.

So what, pray tell, will Carolyn Hearn do with herself in her retirement after these many years in the public eye? She plans to finally enjoy time with her "boyfriend" of 22 years, Gale Campbell, who farms and lives in Floydada with her dog, Callie, and male cat, Tootsie. She also has plans to continue her hobbies including photography, yoga, gardening, and hopes to enjoy years of travel and retirement fun with Gale.

Carolyn will be honored for her years of service at the conclusion of the business session at the 2015 Diocesan Convention on Friday evening, October 16th. The prayer that best describes our wishes for Carolyn in her retirement is the Birthday Prayer found on page 830 of the Book of Common Prayer:

Watch over your child, O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her wherever she may be. Strengthen her when she stands, comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful, raise her up when she falls; and in her heart may thy peace, which passes understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.