Meet Our Church Staff & Leadership

It is not ourselves that we proclaim, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus's sake.

​Alex Lenzo, Rector

Father Alex was born in Austin, TX, but grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, meaning he says "y'all" but also knows how to answer "Red or Green?" (Christmas, of course--could a priest answer any other way?). Being from Las Cruces, he also knows that the outdoor lights that we put out at Christmas are called luminarias (not farolitos). He is blessed with an amazing wife, Becca, and 4 fun and crazy children. He loves being a husband, dad, and priest. For books, right now Mary Oliver's poetry, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, anything by C.S. Lewis, and Francis Chan are all speaking to his heart.

Regina Hurley, Assoc. Priest
​for Elder Care

​​Born and raised a Roman Catholic in New Jersey, Mother Regina moved to New Mexico at age 45 with her husband, Michael. An attorney, she practiced law in N.M. for about 10 years.  Slowly but surely, God continued to nudge her towards serving in ministry; she was received into the Episcopal Church in 2012 and began her journey into the priesthood.  Mo. Regina loves watching for God's miracles in everyday life--in the ordinary stuff of life and in ordinary people is where God shows up! 

Jean Campbell, Assisting Priest and Liturgist in Residence

​Mother Jean retired and moved to Rio Rancho NM from the Mid Hudson Valley in 2015, where she had been rector of Trinity, Fishkill, NY for ten years. She was baptized at St. Clements Episcopal Church  in Buffalo, NY in 1946, and ordained to the priesthood in 1990 at St. Paul’s Chapel in NYC. Her interests are liturgical spirituality, traveling, singing, and reading murder mysteries.

Beverly Simmons,
​Minister of Music

​Beverly was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Maryland until she was 12 and then in Germany and Austria for 6 years. (She is fluent in German).After graduating from the University of Oregon and receiving her Masters in Sacred Music she married her late husband, Jeff, who was an Episcopal priest. They raised their son on Long Island. After her husband’s death she spent 13 years in the Hudson Valley of New York working as a Minister of Music, teaching piano and playing in a Jewish Temple. She moved to Rio Rancho in 2015 where she shares a house with her friend, Mother Jean Campbell. Together they love to travel either in her RV or overseas. She also enjoys cooking and jigsaw puzzles and medieval murder mysteries.

Irene Martinez
Childrens Chapel & ​Nursery

​
Irene Martinez was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has worked in childcare for the past five years and enjoys helping them learn and grow. She will be graduating with her bachelor's in social work in the spring from Eastern New Mexico University. In her free time she enjoys snuggling with her two cats, photographing life's great moments and exploring new recipes with her newlywed husband. 

Collette Watson,
​Bookkeeper

​Collette was born and raised in Albuquerque. She is blessed with 3 wonderful, crazy kids-- 2 teens and 1 pre-teen. Besides working for St. Francis, she also works as a bookkeeper for 3 other churches. She is in the process of earning her associates degree in accounting at CNM, with plans to go on to get a bachelors degree, likely at UNM. When she has free time, she enjoys reading historical novels, writing, gardening, planning in her bujo, or trying to catch-up on a variety of TV shows and movies (currently Outlander.)

Paula Mote,
​Website Editor

​Paula was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, and is a cradle Episcopalian. She has a wonderful husband, Ed, and two awesome children. A graduate of UNM and a lifelong learner of stuff. She has been blessed to put the "stuff" she has learned to work as a former Youth Group Mentor, Standing Committee Member, and Missioner of Camp Stoney and Youth & Young Adults for the Diocese. Some of her favorite things are knitting, RV travel, learning new things, and Valentine's day.

​The Vestry of St. Francis Episcopal Church is the governing board of the Parish, responsible for the spiritual, physical, and financial well being of the Parish. They create and review by-laws, policies, procedures, and major purchases. They have fiduciary and legal responsibility for the Parish. They are responsible to keep the building in good order and to make all payments and obligations of the Parish to the Diocese and The Episcopal Church. 
Visit the Vestry page for more on this leadership body.