Standing Committee

A standing committee in the Episcopal Church for a diocese is an elected body of clergy and lay persons who are responsible for giving advice and consent in various areas of the diocesan life.

Some of the key functions of a diocesan standing committee include:

  1. Acting as a council of advice to the bishop or the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. In some cases, the standing committee may be called upon to act as the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese in the absence of the bishop.
  2. Giving consent for the ordination of individuals to the priesthood or diaconate. Before an individual can be ordained, they must receive the approval of the standing committee, which reviews their process of discernment and formation.
  3. Providing consent for the election and consecration of bishops. If a diocese wishes to elect a new bishop, they must seek the consent of the standing committees of a majority of the dioceses of the Episcopal Church.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Colorado is composed of clergy and lay representatives from five regions. The Standing Committee also has several ex-officio members, including the Bishop and the treasurer.

Standing Committee Members:

The Rev. Wren Blessing
The Rev. Wren Blessing
Southwest Region Clergy Representative, 1st term ending October 2026
The Rev. Linda Brown
Sangre de Cristo Clergy Representative, Finishing vacated position 2025
Donna Colville
Donna Colville
Front Range Region Lay Representative, 1st term ending October 2025
The Rev. Chris Ditzenberger
The Rev. Chris Ditzenberger
High Plains Region Clergy Representative, 1st term ending October 2027
The Rev. Matthew Frey
The Rev. Matthew Frey
Northwest Region Clergy Representative, 1st term ending October 2027
Chip Page
Chip Page
Southwest Region Lay Representative, 1st term ending October 2027
Karla Randle Schapansky, Secretary
Karla Randle Schapansky, Secretary
Northwest Region Lay Representative, 1st term ending October 2025
The Rev. Bill Stanton, Vice President
The Rev. Bill Stanton, Vice President
Front Range Region Clergy Representative, 1st term ending October 2025
Chuck Theobald
Chuck Theobald
Sangre de Cristo Region Lay Representative, 1st term ending October 2026

Ex-Officio

The Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas
The Rt. Rev. Kym LucasBishop of The Episcopal Church in Colorado
The Rev. Michelle Danson, Chaplain
Nancy Jones, Treasurer
Nancy Jones, Treasurer
1st term ending October 2025
Mr. Lawrence R. Hitt, II
Mr. Lawrence R. Hitt, IIChancellor

Staff Support

Scott Asper
Colorado Episcopal Foundation

Pam Greenfield
Controller