2023 Diocesan Convention

The 2023 Diocesan Conventions of the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania were held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie on October 20 and 21.

2023 CONVENTION JOURNAL

Download the 2023 Journal of the Joint Conventions

Budgets

Resolutions

Nominations

Nominations for Western New York

Nominees in all uncontested elections were elected on a voice vote. In contested elections:

  • Edward Hill and Karen Gengo were elected to three-year terms and R. Lynette Copeland was elected to a two-year term on the Diocesan Council.

Nominations for Northwestern Pennsylvania

Nominees in all uncontested elections were elected on a voice vote. In contested elections:

  • The Rev. Stacey Fussell was elected to a four-year term on the Standing Committee.
  • The Rev. Mary Norton was elected as the first alternate clergy deputy, the Rev. Patrica Lavery was elected the second alternate clergy deputy, and the Rev. Matthew Scott was elected the third alternate clergy deputy.
  • Sara Nesbitt was elected the first alternate lay deputy and Laura Rutland was elected the second alternate lay deputy.

Bishop’s Nominations and Appointments

Western New York

The following people were appointed by the bishop to positions in Western New York:

Dispatch of Business: Rose Sconiers, Howard Gondree

Resolutions Committee: Nick Evancho (chair), Patrick Bradley, Josephine Cross, Michael Hadaway

 Regional Deans: Randi Hicks Rowe (Northern Region), Cathy Dempesy-Sims (Genesee), Luke Fodor (Cattaragus/Chautauqua), Ann Tillman (Southern Erie), Michael Hadaway (Central Erie),  Robert Harvey (Eastern Erie)

 Constitution and Canons: Eric Boron (Term ending 2026) and Thomas Mitchell (Term ending 2026)

Northwestern Pennsylvania

The bishop’s nominations in Northwestern Pennsylvania were approved on a voice vote:

Secretary: Adam Trambley

Treasurer: Robert Armstrong

Chancellor: James Steadman

Credentials: Martha Ishman, Gretchen Tome

Dispatch: Sean Rowe, James Steadman, Adam Trambley, Matthew Scott, Anne Bardol 

Nominations: Standing Committee (less the terms with one year remaining)

 Judges of Elections: James Ivell, Amy Ivell, Richard Reib

Resolutions: Adam Trambley, Matthew Scott, James Steadman, John Downey, Anne Bardol

The following people were appointed by the bishop to positions in Northwestern Pennsylvania:

Historiographer: Bob Guerrein

Ecumenical Officer: John Downey

Regional Deans: Mary Norton (NW), Adam Trambley (SW), Bill Ellis (SE),  Stacey Fussell (NE)

Joint Appointments

Joint Board of Examining Chaplains: Stacey Fussell, Diana Leiker, Carol Carlson, Luke Fodor, Matthew Scott, Randi Hicks Rowe

Joint Commission on Ministry:  Beth Boron, Karen Gough, Michael Hadaway, William McLean (chair), Kaycee Reib, Cathy Smith, Gail Winslow, Tim Kroh, Patricia Lavery

Joint Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination: Matthew Lincoln (chair), Rose Sconiers, Susan Woods, Kim Rossi, Helen Harper, Diana Leiker, Leann McConchie, Ann Tillman, Thomas Tripp, Michelle Cray, Shawn Clerkin, Denise Merriweather, Hal Payne, Christian Eshelman, Lillian Davis-Wilson, Marc Gutierrez, Deanna Scharf, Joseph Croskey, Matthew Scott, Stacey Fussell, Lisa Layman, Mark Elliston, Sara Nesbitt, Tracy Schliep, and John Ranney

Convention Speakers

  • Two inspiring Episcopal Church leaders, the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining and the Rev. Ramelle McCall, visited the partnership convention to give short reflections, called Theo Talks, on the convention theme of Philippians 4:4-9. Convention participants had the opportunity to join in table group discussion after each presentation. Learn more.
  • Bishop Ian Douglas and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, lead evaluators for the evaluation of the partnership between the dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, attended the convention to present the proposed evaluation format and gather feedback. Learn more.

Pre-Convention Meetings

Pre-convention meetings were held on Zoom on October 4 and 5. Watch a recording on YouTube.