DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE

BISHOP SEARCH

SEARCH FOR THE FIFTEENTH BISHOP OF MARYLAND

 

 
On September 17, 2021, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton informed the diocese of his plan to retire in 2024, and called for the election of a bishop coadjutor to succeed him. The diocese’s Standing Committee is in charge of the election and transition process. This special section of the diocesan website has been created to inform members of the elements of that process, and keep the church informed of progress. This section includes the diocesan profile and application. Also included are the bishop’s letter to the diocese and a letter to the diocese from the Standing Committee. The website section also includes the Standing Committee’s charge to the Search Committee, timeline and more. New subsections will be added as the transition progresses. Simply click on the links below to learn more about what lies in front of us.
 

SLATE OF CANDIDATES

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and the Bishop Search Committee are pleased to present the following slate of candidates for Bishop Coadjutor of Maryland (XV Bishop of Maryland). Please take a look at the candidates video greetings and other materials by clicking on the “Meet our Candidates!” buttons above or below.

  • The Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Canon to the Ordinary for Transition and Church Development, Diocese of Central New York
  • The Rev. Alissa Newton, Canon for Congregational Development and Leadership Formation and Vicar, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Kent, WA, Diocese of Olympia
  • The Rev. Gregg Morris, Rector, St. Andrew’s, Downers Grove, IL, Diocese of Chicago
  • The Rev. J. Randolph Alexander Jr., Rector, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, VA, Diocese of Virginia

Information on the candidates can be found on our Bishop Slate page. Candidates will visit locations around the diocese in the new year for meet and greet sessions that will give clergy and communicants the opportunity to engage directly with them prior to the electing convention. The electing convention will be held on March 25, 2023 at St. John’s, Ellicott City. More information on both the meet and greets and the convention will be available soon. Please visit our Bishop Search page often for updates.

We are grateful for the faithful support of the people of the Diocese of Maryland, the Bishop Search Committee, whose dedication and hard work produced our slate, and to the Transition Committee who will usher us into the next phase of the process. We ask that you refrain from direct engagement with the candidates themselves. Any questions you have for the candidates can be directed to the Transition Committee at transition@episcopalmaryland.org for use at the meet and greets. We ask your continued prayers for our diocese, for our bishops and diocesan staff, for the Transition Committee, and for our candidates.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

An introduction to the work of the Transition Committee and next steps in our Bishop Search process from the the Rev. Dr. Mark Gatza, rector, Emmanuel, Bel Air, and co-chair of the Transition Committee.

TRANSITION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Special thanks to the transition committee, who will oversee the election, consecration and other details associated with taking us through the next steps in the process:

The Rev. Thomas Hudson, St. George’s, Western Maryland; Ms. Kathryn A. Glover, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, Severna Park; The Rev. Victor Hailey, Severn Parish, Anne Arundel; The Very Rev. Rob Boulter, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore; Ms. Sally Goss, St. John’s, Ellicott City; Ms. Denise Simmons Graves, St. James, Lafayette Square, Baltimore; The Rev. Dr. Laura Carpenter, Middleham and St. Peter’s; Ms. Caroline Bomgardner, Diocese of Maryland; The Rev. Vaughn Vigil, Baltimore City Congregations; The Rev. Dan Meck, St. Paul’s School, Baltimore County; Ms. Mary DeKuyper, Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore; Ms. Marsha Jameson, Church of the Holy Trinity; The Rev. Dr. Annette Chappell, Supply Priest; The Rev. Dr. Jason Poling, St. Andrew’s, Pasadena and St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute; Mr. David Mallery, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, Severna Park; Ms. Elizabeth (Izzy) Winn, St. Margaret’s, Annapolis; The Rev. Dr. Brandt Montgomery, St. James School; Ms. Ingrid S. Hastings, Christ Church, Columbia; Ms. LaNae Croxton, St. James, Lafayette Square; Ms. Alma Bell – co-chair, St. David’s, Baltimore; The Rev. Dr. Mark Gatza – co-chair, Emmanuel, Bel Air

We ask that you refrain from direct engagement with the candidates themselves. Any questions you have for the candidates can be directed to the Transition Committee at transition@episcopalmaryland.org for use at the meet and greets.

DIOCESAN PROFILE

Read our Diocesan Profile and learn how to apply. Nominations from clergy and members of the Diocese are warmly welcomed. Nominated candidates will be contacted by the Search Committee and invited to submit an application. Please direct any questions to the Chairs of the Search Committee, the Rev. Randy Callender and Ms. Vicki Willard at bishopsearch@episcopalmaryland.org.


Almighty God, giver of every good gift, look graciously upon your church and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop coadjutor for this diocese, and those who offer themselves as candidates, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Prayer for the Bishop Search

PETITION PROCESS

THE PETITION PROCESS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE XV BISHOP OF MARYLAND

STANDING COMMITTEE RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE PETITION PROCESS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FIFTEENTH BISHOP DIOCESAN 

The following Resolution is based upon and modified from similar resolutions adopted in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, the Diocese of Easton, the Diocese of Western North Carolina, the Diocese of South Dakota, and the Diocese of Newark. 

RESOLVED, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maryland establishes and adopts the following Petition Process for the election of the Bishop Coadjutor in this Diocese:

PURPOSE OF THE PETITION PROCESS 

“Speak, lord, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10. 

The Canons of the Episcopal Church provide for an election process in which laity and clergy join with the Holy Spirit to raise up new episcopal leadership. No one person or group knows whom God will use, the people consenting, to lead this Diocese. Rather, the invitation to leadership is a process of discerning a call.

The principal method for calling candidates for election in this Diocese is the discernment work carried out by the Search Committee. This committee, comprised of a diverse and faithful group of lay persons and clergy, has been appointed to carry out the important task of forming a slate of candidates for election to serve as the Bishop Diocesan Coadjutor.

The Petition Process, by contrast, is intended to address the circumstance when a person called to candidacy has not been vetted in the Search Committee process or was not identified by the Search Committee as one of the final candidates. There could be several reasons why a candidate did not become a discerned or final candidate but, instead, has discerned a call through the Petition Process.

The Petition Process is an opportunity for candidates to be “nominated from the floor,” providing enough time to have each nominee go through personal background checks as required by the Diocese and Episcopal Church. The requirements of this petition process do not allow for the former practice of nomination from the floor during the actual electing convention.

WHO CAN BE NOMINATED BY THE PETITION PROCESS?

All Bishops and Priests in good standing within the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (The Episcopal Church) can be nominated by this Petition Process.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PETITION PROCESS CANDIDATES 

The Standing Committee has developed the forms and established the requirements for the Petition Process in this Diocese. A copy of the Petition Signatory Sheet and Consent to Nomination is linked here.

The slate of candidates identified by the Search Committee for the position of Bishop of the Diocese will be announced by the Standing Committee on the Diocesan website no sooner than December 15, 2022. The Petition Period will commence on December 15, 2022 and remain open for 21 days, closing at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 4, 2023.

Petitions must be supported by eight nominators: four clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Maryland (active clergy or retired clergy serving a parish as interim, priest-in charge, or regular supply) and four lay communicants in good standing in the Diocese of Maryland, for a total of eight required signatures. Nominators must represent at least four different regions within the Diocese. No nominee or nominator may be a member of the Standing Committee, the Search Committee, or the Transition Committee.

In order for a Petition candidate to be accepted by the Standing Committee, the candidate must submit the same information required of candidates discerned through the nominating process and consent to nomination in writing. These materials will be used to supplement background checks and to develop published information for candidates on the ballot. The following must be submitted electronically at the time the Petition is submitted:

  • Cover letter outlining why you believe you are called into discernment
  • Current resume or CV
  • Color Photo
  • Autobiographical statement
  • Current OTM profile
  • Answer to essay questions
  • Candidates who are in recovery should provide a statement affirming a minimum of five years of continuous sobriety and active participation in a program of recovery
  • Petition nomination forms from all eight nominators
  • Consent to Nomination Form

The documents should be submitted electronically with all supplemental materials directly uploaded into the application, which can be reached here.

The forms and requirements must be received electronically by no later than 5:00 pm EST on January 4, 2023. If the documents are not received by the deadline, the nomination will not be considered.

EXPECTATION OF THE PETITION CANDIDATE

Persons nominated by Petition must successfully complete the same background check and psychological evaluation required of Nominating/Search Committee candidates. The names of persons nominated by Petition will remain confidential until the individual’s candidacy is approved by the Standing CommitteePetition candidates will be asked to respond to additional questions that will be published along with the responses to the same questions from the candidates raised up by the Search Committee. Petition candidates will be introduced to the diocese in the same way as the other candidates, using the Diocesan website.  All candidates will participate in the pre-election processes, including the meet and greets arranged by the Transition Committee.

Adopted by the Standing Committee on December 12, 2022.
The Rev. Matthew Hanisian, Vice-President
The Hon. John Henderson, Secretary
Ms. Kari-Ann Lynne, President
Mrs. Kate McAllister
The Rev. Anne Richards
The Rev. Kathy Shaninian
The Rev. Travis Smith
Ms. Vicki Willard

UPDATE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - Nov. 23, 2022

Update from the Bishop Search Committee

November 23, 2022

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

The Bishop Search Committee had a wonderful retreat last weekend with our remaining candidates. After months of Zoom interviews, making reference checks and reading psychological reports, we finally met the candidates in person. Our time of prayer and conversation, formal and informal, provided great insights. The Committee now turns to the final stage in which a proposed slate will be selected. Please keep the Committee and our exceptional candidates in your prayers. Our good work continues.

The Bishop Search Committee

UPDATE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - Nov. 3, 2022

Update from the Bishop Search Committee

November 3, 2022

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

The Bishop Search Committee’s work on your behalf continues. Our members have been calling around the country to finalize reference checks. At the same time, professional background checks along with psychological and physical examinations are being conducted. This month we will be meeting in person with the remaining candidates for a three-day discernment retreat on November 17, 18 and 19. Following the retreat, the Committee will meet in early December to select the slate of candidates who will be presented to the Standing Committee. Please continue to pray for the Bishop Search Committee and for the candidates as we enter this crucial phase.

The Bishop Search Committee

STANDING COMMITTEE CHARGE TO THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE

THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF MARYLAND CHARGE TO THE TRANSITION COMMITTEE
In the Process to call the XV Bishop of Maryland

October 13, 2022

The Diocese of Maryland will elect a diocesan bishop coadjutor who will serve with Bishop Sutton before becoming our chief pastor after Bishop Sutton retires All clergy, voting delegates, members of the Search and Transition Committees, and the Standing Committee are invited to a time of discernment as we collectively seek to hear God’s call and participate in this process.

The election of a Bishop Diocesan is provided for by the Episcopal Church Constitution (Article II) and Canons (III, Title 11,12 and 13).

Charge to the Transition Committee:

You have been called to the holy tasks of accompanying the candidates on the final steps of their journey; and of planning and orchestrating the Ordination, Consecration and Seating of the Bishop Coadjutor of Maryland. We believe each of you brings gifts of administration, compassion, and a love for the unique charm of our Diocese. We pray you will approach this work with a profound sense of prayerful humility, and extend loving pastoral care, hospitality, dignity, and respect to all with whom you engage throughout this process, especially the nominees and their families during this highly stressful time all while seeking the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Commit[1]

  • Commit to attending all meetings and discharging all of your responsibilities faithfully. If you are unable to carry out your responsibilities, you must make this known as soon as possible to the Co-chairpersons of the Transition Committee.
  • Prioritize communications.
    • Routine communications to the Diocese should be handled exclusively by the Co-chairs of the Transition Committee and directed to Carrie Graves in the Diocesan office. No other member of the Transition Committee should engage in communications with the Diocese.
    • Once the process gets going the Transition Committee co-chairs will give regular updates through the Diocesan website, e-newsletter, and Facebook page(s). Working communication will be primarily between the co-chairs of the Nominating and Transition Committees, the Diocesan consultant, and the President of the Standing Committee. It is suggested that the Transition Committee submit a monthly report to the Standing Committee.
    • Work with our diocesan staff communications coordinator, Carrie Graves, to provide other opportunities for every nominee to make her or himself known to the diocese, such as videos or interviews in print or on the website.
    • Work with our diocesan staff communications coordinator to provide educational materials such as bulletin inserts etc. to the Diocese to explain the role of the bishop and the election and consecration process.
  • Maintain complete confidentiality and neutrality now and forever.
    • Each nominee should have any personal information held in strict confidence by the Transition Committee members. 
    • Commit to absolute discretion and silence as to your personal preferences regarding candidates beyond the confidential conversations within the context of the Transition Committee. If a committee member has a concern about a candidate, they must communicate this concern to the entire Transition Committee. This concern will then be shared with Judy Stark, the consultant, who will advise on specific actions. Now and forever, members of the Transition Committee are to refrain from expressing opinions, evaluations, preferences or speculations, or engaging in any discussion, lobbying, or advocacy of any potential candidate or nominee in private or public conversation. Likewise, Transition Committee members may not sign petitions for any candidates not included in the initial slate of nominees, nor may Transition Committee members speak publicly of whom they will vote for. Violation of confidentiality may be grounds for removal from the Transition Committee.
  • Assist and support the Diocesan staff with the transition.
  • Commit to taking into consideration the experience and advice of the consultant engaged by the Standing Committee, Judy Stark, as an asset, resource, and pastoral shepherd in engaging in a healthy, transparent, and inclusive process that acknowledges and adheres to best practices in the Episcopal Church.

If the public health situation warrants not being able to gather in person, the Standing Committee needs to be consulted about hiring an external digital consultant to facilitate the effective use of technology during this unprecedented time.

Accompany

  • Plan for, present, and shepherd the nominees through a series of visits around the Diocese (meet and greets) so that delegates of the Electing Convention and others can meet them, hear them speak, and ask questions of them. The meet and greets are the appropriate way for the nominees to get to know the Diocese and for the Diocese to get to know the nominees.
  • Treat all nominees and their families with pastoral care, hospitality, dignity, and respect throughout the whole process, including pastoral follow-up to those nominees who were not elected and their families.
  • Charge our nominees to refrain from visiting the Diocese to meet with individuals or groups except for meetings with the Search Committee and for the meet and greets, and to refrain from activities that could be interpreted as lobbying or campaigning. We charge the members of our diocese [HJ(1] to refrain from inviting nominees to receptions, forums or other events. We do this in order to maintain neutrality; to minimize politicking and politicizing; to offer equal opportunities for everyone in the Diocese to meet and hear the nominees; and to offer equal hospitality and welcome to each of our candidates.
  • Develop a plan for the meet and greets to happen remotely if warranted by the current public health situation.

 

Facilitate

  • Assist the Convention Planning Committee and the Standing Committee in planning the Electing Convention and development of additional procedural rules, in conformance with canonical requirements and in consultation with the chancellor. Plan the logistic arrangements for the electing convention.
  • Develop a plan in the event the election will need to happen remotely due to public health concerns.
  • Working with the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Sutton, the Bishop Coadjutor-elect, the Standing Committee, the Diocesan staff, the host parish and other appropriate diocesan groups, assist in planning the ordination and consecration of the new bishop coadjutor.
  • Assist and support of the newly elected bishop and family with their respective transitions, which will include relocation, contacts for personal and business needs, connections with needed institutions and other support during the process of relocating to the Diocese.

The Consecration is currently planned for September 16, 2023 at Washington National Cathedral in the District of Columbia.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

UPDATE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - Oct. 10, 2022

Update from the Bishop Search Committee

October 10, 2022

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

The Bishop Search Committee has reached another milestone. Having completed Zoom interviews with the candidates, committee members met recently for a day of prayer, discernment and conversation. The next step will be an in-person, three-day discernment retreat with the remaining candidates. But before that occurs, committee members will be calling each candidate’s references while professional background checks and psychological evaluations are conducted. Please continue to pray for the candidates and for the committee. Our good work continues.

UPDATE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE - Sept. 26, 2022

Update from the Bishop Search Committee

September 26, 2022

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

The Bishop Coadjutor Search Committee’s work has moved into a new and exciting phase. Having received a high number of impressive candidates, committee members are now preparing for Zoom interviews with those candidates who have passed the first screening. Following these interviews, the committee will meet in early October to decide which candidates to invite to our discernment retreat. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated as we continue this holy endeavor.

UPDATE FROM THE STANDING COMMITTEE - Sept. 19, 2022

Message from the Standing Committee on the Bishop Search

September 19, 2022

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

 

The deadline for receiving nominations for our Bishop Coadjutor position ended on Labor Day, September 5, 2022. The Search Committee has received a robust response – the number of applicants is at the high end compared to other dioceses in their election processes. The Standing Committee commends the excellent work of the Search Committee. A slate of candidates will be presented to the Standing Committee for approval in early December.

After that, the Transitions Committee will shepherd and present candidates to the diocese. The Standing Committee is pleased to announce that Ms. Alma Bell and The Rev. Mark Gatza have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the Transition Committee. A charge to the Transition Committee is being finalized. Soon, there will be a call for nominees for this committee.

Remember to visit this page for the latest information. Please keep the Search Committee, the Standing Committee, and our diocese in your prayers.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

THEOLOGICAL STATEMENT FROM THE STANDING COMMITTEE

 Theological Statement from the Standing Committee 

August 26, 2022 

In a broken and divided world, we as a diocese look forward to the election of a deeply spiritual person of grace and steadfastness who will help all of us serve the Gospel with joy and profound hope by strengthening and transforming our lives in Christ in the years ahead, supporting and nurturing our clergy and lay members, faithfully administering the sacraments, and welcoming everyone to God’s table. 

The election of a Bishop Coadjutor, to become the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, is of great significance in the life of our diocese and the Church. The bishop is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings. The bishop is called to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ (Book of Common Prayer, page 517). 

We invite our diocese to listen closely to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the months ahead that we may discern God’s will and vision for our diocese. This is a holy process, and we believe that God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is at work in the committees, structures, and processes that will lead to the election of our bishop coadjutor. 

We pray that the Spirit will give us the grace and wisdom to accomplish the tasks before us. 

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

SEARCH TIMELINE

​Search Process Timeline, Outlined*

  • Diocesan profile posted and application available (August 8, 2022)
  • Completed applications due (September 5, 2022)
  • Application review and interviews (September – November 2022)
  • Discernment retreat for candidates (November 17 – 19, 2022)
  • Final slate presented to Standing Committee (December 2022)
  • Slate announced / petition period (December 2022 – January 2023)
  • Candidate introductions (January – March 2023)
  • Election (March 25, 2023)
  • Consecration (September 16, 2023)

*specific dates will be provided as they are determined

SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Randy Callender, co-chair, was born on January 22, 1983 in the City of Philadelphia to a tight-knit family from the Island of Barbados. He was baptized at The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas and later attended St. George/St. Barnabas Church where he was confirmed and found his true calling to become a priest, in the Episcopal Church. Rev. Callender experienced the wider church beyond his parish, by participating in Diocesan events and was influenced by many organizations, such as the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), where he held multiple leaderships roles within the organization. He received his MDIV from The Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in 2010. On June 5, 2010, Rev. Callender was ordained as a transitional deacon and then on January 22, 2011, he was the first African American male priest to be ordained in the Diocese of Pennsylvania in twenty-five years. He was called to serve as the Rector at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Annapolis, MD on July 1, 2012. He serves as a Deputy for the 80th General Convention, Mentor for the Sutton Scholars Program, Diocese of Maryland’s Reparations Task Force, Diocese of Maryland Reconciliation for Race and continues to work with several committees, churches and organizations to address the racial and political divide in our country as we work towards racial reconciliation.


Victoria Willard (Vicki), co-chair, is a lifelong Episcopalian who spent her childhood in the greater Detroit area. In high school she helped with children’s services on Sundays and was a member of the Junior Altar Guild. She first came to Maryland to attend Goucher College in Towson.

Vicki’s career was in finance and investments, beginning at a small commercial bank. She earned a master’s degree in finance from the University of Baltimore and joined the Maryland Retirement and Pension Agency as a Senior Investment Officer. She retired in 2014 after 30-years of service.

During this period, Vicki renewed her relationship with the Episcopal Church and attended Epiphany Episcopal Church in Odenton, where she first became involved at the Diocesan level. Vicki has served on Diocesan Council as 1st Vice President and was one of the original members of the ad hoc Reparations Committee. She is a long-time member of the Program and Budget Committee and serves on the Diocesan Finance and Investment Committees.

She and her partner are members Trinity Episcopal Church in Elkridge, where they are both active volunteers. Vicki is also an active member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross (SCHC), serving at both the local and national levels.



Jeff Ayres is a long-time Episcopalian who has been active in Diocesan affairs and in his congregation, Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore. ­He is married with three children and four grandchildren. He grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Harvard College in 1974 and George

Washington Law School in 1977, and has been an attorney at Venable LLP for 43 years. In addition to spending time with his family, Jeff’s interests include physical exercise, choral singing, and traveling with his wife Janet.



Margaret Brack
is the Priest-in-Charge at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Parish Church in Hancock, which is located in Western Maryland. Margaret was born in Washington, D.C. and then moved to Minnesota when she was in Jr. High. She first went to college in California and then came to Maryland. This is where she met her husband and had her four children. Margaret was a liturgist and music minister in the Roman Catholic Church working both locally and nationally. She became an Episcopalian in 2009 and received her MDiv. from Nashotah House Seminary in 2017. Margaret is very active in the Diocese as a Co-Lead for GreenGrace, the Diocesan Environmental Committee and a member of the Diocese’s MEPPN-Maryland Episcopal Public Policy Network. Margaret brings her experience in church dynamics and her love of this state to the table as a member of this committee.

 



Nathaniel Gibson was ordained a Deacon on June 13, 2021 and was assigned as the Deacon for The Episcopal Church of St. Michael & All Angels in Baltimore, Maryland. Before becoming a minister in the Episcopal Church, he was the Principal of Milford Mill Academy in the Baltimore County School System from where he retired in 2015. Prior to Milford, he served as a principal in the Anne Arundel County School System, an Assistant Principal in the Baltimore City School System and a Special Education Teacher/Department Chair in the Howard County School System. He proudly served as an Army Officer until his retirement as a Field Grade Officer in 1992.

His Passion is to serve, with a focus on the poor and homeless and LGBTQ communities that are on the doorsteps of St. Michael and All Angels.



Sally Goss has been a parishioner at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City since moving there in 1995.  Sally currently serves as the Secretary of the St. John’s Parish Day School Board and is the chair of the ‘John Rabb Lectures in Contemporary Theology’ committee, which provides engaging lectures to the congregation and to the community at large.  Mrs. Goss participates regularly in worship as a lector and serves on the altar guild. Her work with the Diocese of Maryland includes participating in and coordinating Diocesan-sponsored pilgrimages. Mrs. Goss has served on the vestry and on the Parish Day School Board at St. John’s multiple times. She has served on several search committees for both the congregation and the Day School. Mrs. Goss retired from Howard County Public Schools in 2015, having served as an elementary classroom teacher, a Title One teacher and an elementary Math Resource Coach. She is currently working part-time as an independent Elementary Math Consultant. Mrs. Goss is married to Tom Goss. They have a blended family composed of four adult children and five grandchildren.


Raised in the wilds of suburban Akron, Ohio, Matt Humm, whose first name is Richard, uses his middle name because his father (also Richard), wanted Matt to be his own person. Raised a confessing blue-collar Democrat, Matt came to faith in high school—an introspective result of martial arts training. During undergrad at Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God, Matt began attending St. David’s Episcopal Church. While in college, Matt met his friend and partner Charity, and they’ve really loved being married for 20 years. Charity presently attends seminary at VTS. They have three boys whom they love fiercely: Tristan (who is called Alex), Gareth, and Galahad. They live with a very nice Border Collie, called Finn, in St. Leonard, Maryland. Matt serves as Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Prince Frederick. Matt remains passionate about Martial Arts (particularly Muay Thai), reading, writing and sandwiches.

Ordained 2009, Matt has served three churches, and two dioceses. As a member of Standing Committee in the Diocese of Chicago, he was part of the canonical process of reunification with the former Diocese of Quincy. He is committed to listening, prayerful discernment with others, and staying grounded in difficult times. Matt loves Jesus and the Church very much.



A Baltimore native and lifelong resident of Harlem Park and parishioner of the historic St. James Lafayette Square, Amanda Morell grew up community-minded with a love of the arts. She graduated from the University of Baltimore with a B.S. in Business Administration. Upon finishing her degree, she was selected as one of ten Urban Arts Leadership Program (UALP) Fellows in the class of 2014/2015. After completing the UALP fellowship, Amanda was hired by the Arts Council in Anne Arundel County. While there, she ran three gallery exhibits throughout Anne Arundel County in addition to managing the Arts in Education program. After three years, she felt called to advocacy on the state level. Today, she works for Maryland Citizens for the Arts organizing grassroots coalitions advocating for the appropriation for the Maryland State Arts Council. Amandaplays the flute and enjoys dance and watching movies.

 



Jane O’Leary
grew up in Harford County and attended Church of the Ascension in Scarboro before moving to the Diocese of Connecticut where she was ordained (Vocational) Deacon in 1989 and served in four parishes. She returned to the Diocese of Maryland and served at Church of the Guardian Angel in Baltimore (2003-2020), and as Archdeacon (2017-2020). She presently serves at St. John’s in Havre de Grace. Her commitment to the social Gospel has driven her life as a social worker among poor, disabled and homeless people. She is now retired following a 45+ year career in non-profits, ranging from positions in front-line service to executive leadership and community planning. Jane joins with all Deacons in sending the Church outside its walls to Gospel-based action and voice that reduce suffering and injustice. Jane holds degrees in Psychology, Education and Social Work. She lives in Catonsville with her husband. Their blended family includes six adult children (three his/three hers) and 10 grandchildren.


The Rev. Jessica (Jess) Sexton feels blessed to be a member of the Bishop Search Committee as she has been involved in the Diocese of Maryland for eight years as a parishioner, discerner, clergywoman, and member of the Commission on Ministry. She discerned a call to the priesthood while serving as the youth minister and young adult coordinator at St. Paul’s, Baltimore. Jess+ earned her Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary. In 2016, she was ordained to the priesthood and began her priestly ministry at Church of the Good Shepherd as the Associate Priest for Children, Youth and Families, along with serving as the Day School Chaplain. She discerned a call to serve at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis during their interim period and her ministries there included outreach and adult formation. In the midst of the pandemic, Jess+ accepted a call to serve as the Priest-in-Charge of Trinity Church, Long Green in Northern Baltimore County. She has enjoyed being their priest as they navigate how to be church during the pandemic. Jess+ is passionate about making the communities in which she serves a welcoming and joy-filled place where God’s love is shared.



Joan Shisler
currently serves as the senior warden at Middleham and St. Peter’s Parish in Lusby, Maryland. She has held that position since 2006 and has been involved in almost every aspect of the many ministries MSP supports. Joan lived in Calvert County Maryland since the mid-70’s. She served previously as a teacher in the Calvert County School system. She and her husband Mike have been married for almost 40 years. They got married at Middleham Chapel and we have four grown children, two daughters and two sons. They have one grandchild, born in July 2020. Joan loves puzzles, mysteries, and is an advocate of literacy, encouraging and promoting reading to, at, by, and for all ages, whenever she can. She is excited to be a part of the search for the new bishop and expects it to be a faith-filled and enriching experience.

 


Will Shaw is a cradle Episcopalian who attends the Church of the Holy Comforter in Lutherville, MD. Other than his time away in College, Will has attended Holy Comforter since he was born. His family has been connected to the Diocese of Maryland since they emigrated to the US in the 1920’s and has been at Holy Comforter since the1960’s. At Holy Comforter, Will holds the position of verger being responsible for many of the organization parts of liturgy. Will also is active in the development of creative liturgies at the congregational and diocesan levels. Will further supports Holy Comforter in serving as its registrar and is active in Holy Comforter’s partner relationships with many other organizations. Will participated on the inaugural Blue Horizons program run by our diocese and the Church Building Fund.

Outside of the church, Will works as an academic advisor focusing on special populations at the Community College of Baltimore County and Howard Community College. Over the past several years Will has case managed special cohorts including student athletes, international students, undocumented students, education majors, first generation students, highly developmental students, and honors students. Will attended the University of Chicago receiving degrees in political science and history.



The Rev. M. Dion Thompson serves as Sr. Associate Priest at St. Anne’s Parish in Annapolis. for Pastoral Care. Dion received his M.Div. from the General Theological Seminary in New York City in 2007 and was ordained to the diaconate in June 2007. He was ordained to the priesthood on Jan. 26, 2008, the feast day of Timothy and Titus, companions of St. Paul. Before taking up the priest’s collar, he enjoyed a 20-year career in journalism, working for The Baltimore Sun, The Miami Herald and The Hartford Courant. He started his career in Hartford as a night police reporter. Born in Los Angeles, California, he holds a B.A. in English from California State University, Long Beach, and an M.F.A. in Professional Writing and Publishing from the University of Southern California. His novel, Walk Like A Natural Man, was published in 2003. He and his wife, Jean, also a former journalist, have been blessed with 35 years of marriage and have one son, Tevin. Hobbies include playing guitar, bike riding, losing himself in the Greek New Testament and listening to music, everything from Blind Willie Johnson to Mozart, Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane.


Monique Ellison, chaplain, grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan and the blue collar culture of that part of the world has had a deep influence on her. She was ordained in the Diocese of Michigan by the Right. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, III and has served congregations in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. She has also served as the Associate for Program Development and Evangelism for Listening Hearts Ministries in Baltimore. Her focus at Listening Hearts Ministries was on helping individuals, congregations, and diocesan bodies access spiritual and practical tools to better discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in their ministries. Currently Monique is the priest-in-charge of St. Matthias and Messiah Episcopal Churches, both in Baltimore. These two congregations are discerning how they can bring their resources together in a common mission with those who live and work in the communities around them.


LETTER FROM BISHOP SUTTON

September 17, 2021

Dear People of the Diocese of Maryland,

After a season of prayer, discernment and consultation with my family, trusted friends, and advisors, I write to you to call for the election of a bishop coadjutor to take place in Spring 2023. My intention is to serve with my successor until sometime in 2024 when, God willing, I will resign and retire after 16 wonderful years as your diocesan bishop.

I have notified the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, and the Right Reverend Todd Ousley, who serves in the Presiding Bishop’s Office as the Bishop for Pastoral Development, of my intentions, and they assure us of their love and support of our diocese as we enter this time of transition. I’m also extremely grateful for the advice and consent of the Standing Committee in leading up to this announcement, and in a few days they will be communicating with you about next steps in the transition process.

My decision in making this announcement comes from a happy place in my life both personally and professionally. In both the good times and hard times that come to all of us in church leadership, I’ve been constantly amazed and gratified by the amount of love and support that you, the people of this diocese, have given to your bishop and to each other. I have joyfully and faithfully served with you since 2008, but now it’s time for me to begin the process of stepping aside to allow a fresh generation of leadership to guide us as a diocese into the future.

We’ve accomplished much together, and for the next few years we have much more to do. In living into our vision of being a community of love, we are continuing our mission efforts in congregational vitality, new church starts, Christian formation and racial reconciliation. I’m energized about upcoming efforts to support both the Claggett Center and the Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment program in exciting new ways. In these and in so many other ways, our common mission of encountering Christ everywhere and engaging in God’s ministry of reconciliation in Maryland and beyond continues.

May God bless us, and may the Holy Spirit lead us as we journey together in the years ahead.

Faithfully yours,

The Right Reverend Eugene Taylor Sutton
14th Bishop of the Diocese of Maryland

LETTER FROM THE STANDING COMMITTEE

September 21, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ,

By now you have received or heard about the letter from Bishop Sutton regarding his plans calling for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor. Bishop Sutton will retain episcopal authority until his retirement, expected in 2024, at which time the Bishop Coadjutor will become the 15th Bishop of Maryland. The Diocesan Standing Committee is given the authority to oversee the election of our bishops and to make the final decisions on the slate of candidates to be presented to the Diocese for election.

Among the responsibilities of the Standing Committee of a diocese is serving as a “Council of Advice” to the Bishop. Maryland has been blessed for many years to have Standing Committee members who work well together and with Bishop Sutton, making this a wonderful privilege. He has been a visionary leader, a graceful pastor and a good friend. This strong relationship has resulted in a solid foundation to continue “the good work that has here begun.”

We have been in conversation with Bishop Sutton for some time as his plans to conclude his ministry as the 14th Bishop of Maryland have taken shape. There are many possible ways to bring new episcopal leadership to our diocese, and it is our consensus that the call for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor will provide a smooth transition. We have already begun to meet with Judith Stark, a universally respected and experienced search consultant. As a result, we are well prepared to assume our canonical duties, to assist the members of the Diocese of Maryland as they move through the process of calling a new Bishop. 

The Standing Committee is charged with beginning this process with the creation of a Bishop Search Committee. We are delighted to announce that the Co-Chairs of the Committee will be the Rev. Randy K. Callender, Rector of St. Phillips, Annapolis, and Victoria (Vicki) Willard, parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church, Elkridge, and former first vice president of Diocesan Council.

The Standing Committee is now accepting nominations for the 12 remaining members of the Search Committee, six to come from the clergy order and six from the lay order. We encourage self-nominations and nominations of others. There is a Bishop Search page on the Diocesan website. The nomination form will be found there, as well as the Standing Committee’s Charge to the Search Committee and a list of the skills and experiences that we believe would be most helpful. The deadline for nominations to be received by the Standing Committee is October 13, 2021.

It is important to note that the Standing Committee will look carefully to make sure that the full range of Maryland’s diverse members is represented.

Briefly, the tentative timeline for this process includes the following:

  • Diocesan profile available (late spring/early summer 2022)
  • Bishop Nominations open (early summer 2022)
  • Bishop Nominations close (mid-summer 2022)  
  • Slate announced (early winter 2023) 
  • Meet and greet week (late winter 2023) 
  • Election (early spring 2023)

Please pray for the Standing Committee, the Search Committee, and for our bishops as we begin this journey of discernment around the present and future needs of our Diocese.

Faithfully,

Mary DeKuyper, President
Diana Carroll+
Adrien Dawson+, Vice President
John Henderson
Mark Gatza+, Secretary
Kari-Ann Lynne
David Boyce
Kathy Shahinian+

STANDING COMMITTEE CHARGE TO THE BISHOP SEARCH COMMITTEE

CHARGE TO SEARCH COMMITTEE

In September 2021, Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton announced to the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland his intention to step down as bishop in the spring of 2024, and called for creation of a search committee to identify a slate of candidates to stand for election as Bishop Coadjutor. The Bishop Coadjutor would serve alongside Bishop Sutton for a period to ensure a smooth transition. This document describes the Search Committee, how it will be formed, its responsibilities and suggested timetable.

Description of Committee

The committee will have 14 members, half clergy and half lay. It will have two co-chairs (one clergy and one lay) and 12 members selected by the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee will name the co-chairs, and then invite members of the diocese to nominate the 12 committee members. Persons may also self-nominate. The Standing Committee will determine the final makeup of the Search Committee, and insure it reflects the diversity, needs and interests of the diocese.

The Standing Committee also will appoint a chaplain to support the spiritual needs of the search committee, and a search consultant to help facilitate the work of the committee.  The Standing Committee will develop a financial budget to support the committee’s work.

In all things, the committee is called to remember it is creating holy space for our diocese to discern its identity in Christ and to understand better its hopes and dreams for the future in conversation with the Holy Spirit. Members are charged with the spiritual work of helping those who are drawn to apply to be our bishop explore the gifts and vision he or she might bring to our diocese. And finally, on behalf of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, members are called to discern which applicants you believe God is calling to be our next bishop.

Search Committee Work Product, Responsibilities

  1. The committee will survey the diocese and conduct listening sessions across the diocese to inform committee members of lay and clergy expectations and desires regarding selection of a new bishop.
  2. The Search Committee will develop a profile of the diocese to be shared with potential applicants.
  3. The committee will announce to the Episcopal Church at large that a search has begun for a new bishop of Maryland, and invite candidates to apply for the position.
  4. It will review all applications received, and select candidates to be interviewed.
  5. It will host a discernment retreat for all semifinalist candidates.
  6. The committee will conduct thorough background reviews of all semifinalist candidates. These reviews will include exhaustive conversations about addiction and impairment, including knowledge of whether the candidate is in recovery and proof of 10 years of continuous sobriety and active participation in a recovery program.
  7. The committee will recommend to the Standing Committee no fewer than four and no more than five finalist candidates.
  8. After the Standing Committee has approved candidates to be presented to the diocese, the work of the Search Committee is completed.
  9. The Standing Committee will name a Transition Committee to present the candidates to the diocese, and the diocese to the candidates, in a series of meet-and-greets. Candidates will b e voted on at a convention planned for March 2023.

Responsibilities of Co-Chairs and Members

The co-chairs will lead and oversee the committee’s work, calling meetings, soliciting volunteers for work-product tasks and making task assignments. The co-chairs also will announce the search to the church at large, invite candidates to apply, and be the initial point of contact for all applicants. The co-chairs also will keep applicants informed of their status in the search process.

Once the committee has selected candidates to be interviewed, co-chairs will assign members to conduct the interviews.

Co-chairs will keep the Standing Committee informed about the work and progress of the Search Committee, reporting to the president of the Standing Committee by email or orally before each monthly meeting and more frequently if needed.

Responsibilities of Committee Members

Committee members will make attending committee meetings their highest priority and carry out assigned tasks.  All members must have completed diversity/racism training, and participate in a one-day retreat that will kick off the committee’s work.

While no travel to visit candidates will be required, members should be aware that some weeks may require intensive work, and other weeks only a few hours.

Tentative Timeline

The Standing Committee will name co-chairs by the end of October 2021, and finalize recruitment and selection of other members by the end of 2021. The diocesan-wide survey and listening sessions will take place in early 2022. Development of the diocesan profile will begin following that work, and be published in June 2022 before the church’s General Convention in Baltimore in July.  Candidate applications will be received starting in June 2022, and the application period will close at the end of July 2022.

Interviews will take place over the fall and early winter 2022, with the finalist slate announced in January 2023. Diocesan gatherings, organized by the Transition Committee, will follow to introduce candidates to the diocese and the diocese to candidates. The election convention will meet in March 2023.

The candidate will be elected Bishop Coadjutor and will serve alongside Bishop Sutton for a period to insure a smooth transition. The Bishop Coadjutor will become diocesan bishop when Bishop Sutton steps down in the spring of 2024.

Committee members must adhere to strict confidentiality throughout the nomination process and afterward.

This timeline is intended to be a guide and not a rigid set of deadlines. At all times, the Search Committee should be guided by the Holy Spirit, the voice for God in this process as in all things. A spirit-led choice is to be preferred over a timely mistake.

 

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION CANON

What the Canons of the Church say about Non-discrimination

Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 (Page 99 of the 2018 Canons)

No person shall be denied access to the discernment process or to any process for the employment, licensing, calling, or deployment for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, immigration status, national origin, sex, marital or family status (including pregnancy or child care plans), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided in these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, call, deployment, or election is hereby established.

CONTACT

Ms. Vicki Willard
The Rev. Randy Callender
Bishop Search Committee Co-Chairs
bishopsearch@episcopalmaryland.org

 

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