Bishop's Visitation at Trinity Episcopal Church in Albany

On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Trinity Episcopal Church in Albany, Texas, welcomed the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas, for his annual episcopal visitation.

During the worship service, Bishop Mayer received Jerusha Lang Cholka into The Episcopal Church, marking a meaningful milestone in her journey of faith and in the life of the congregation.

The visitation was also an occasion to celebrate faithful ministry and express gratitude for those who have served the Church. The congregation honored the Rev. Dr. Doug Thomas for his five years of dedicated service as Trinity’s vicar, from 2021 to 2026.

In a special expression of appreciation for Bishop Mayer’s ministry as he approaches his scheduled retirement in 2027, the congregation presented him with a travel-sized 1892 Book of Common Prayer and 1889 Hymnal set. The historic books recalled the early missionary bishops who traveled throughout Northwest Texas in the late nineteenth century, often carrying the essentials of their ministry in saddlebags as they served scattered communities across the region.

The thoughtful gift connected the diocese’s rich history with its continuing ministry, honoring both the legacy of those who came before and Bishop Mayer’s years of faithful episcopal leadership.

We give thanks for the people of Trinity Episcopal Church, for the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Doug Thomas, and for Bishop Mayer’s continued service to the Diocese of Northwest Texas. May God continue to bless this congregation as it grows in faith, fellowship, and service.