Please welcome our Guest Rev. Debra Vela, Deacon and her message “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” The Gospel Reading is Mark 7:24-37.

BIO: The Rev. Debra Vela, Deacon, The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and Executive Director, Children’s Food Ministry.

Spouse for 44 years, Ismael Vela, Three children:  Sarah Vela, Sam Vela and Mariel Vela Gutierrez. Three grandchildren:  Graciela, Lucas and Christianna Rodriguez.

I serve as Deacon at Christ Church, The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. I made my profession into The Third Order of St. Francis on October 4, 2023 and am a Franciscan Sister.

Serving as Deacon and Executive Director of Children’s Food Ministry, I and my husband, Ismael, serve food to families in North and East Texas.  In Africa, we serve daily meals to two schools in Kenya, and with Bishop Lupaa, the Diocese of Tanzania.  In Kenya, we also have a purified bottling water project “RioVela” and will be opening a kindergarten school “Deacon Debra Vela Christian Academy.”

A branch of Children’s Food Ministry and very close to my heart is “Mangos y Mozart.”  Begun in 2018, Mangos y Mozart is a music, art, and dance program.  Our students attend classes in Christ Church Rectory and Emmanuel Anglican, Garland.  I am Administrator and Teacher and we now have 60 students in music, art, ballet and tap.  Our students play, sing and dance monthly at Christ Church Dallas and give recitals for The Tyler Street Tower and Garland Senior Center.

Hobbies:  Piano, Cello, Gardening, Sewing and Crafting (most fun with family and our ministry’s kids!)