Welcome!
Welcome to the 135th Episcopal Church in Colorado Annual Convention: our opportunity to gather to accomplish the canonically required work of the church as well as find inspiration in our journey with God and each other. We will gather and pray together as we face our current realities and lean into our shared future in leading our diocese.
What Does It Take to Make Church?
Our lives and our communities have been transformed over the past two years. We have lost much and necessarily let go of much we held dear, individually and collectively. We have also discovered new ways to nurture and sustain ourselves and each other in creative new ways. Now we are asking the important questions in new ways: What are we called to? How do we connect? How do we tether ourselves to God and tether our hearts to each other?
Saturday, October 8 (Online)
Our pre-convention schedule began on Saturday, October 8 with a budget hearing online and workshops offerings. Similar to our last virtual convention, workshops were open to all across the diocese who wished to attend. View pre-convention videos of budget hearing and workshops.
October 13-15, 2022 (In-Person, Pueblo Convention Center)
On Thursday evening, October 13 an Opening Worship time is planned to kick off our time together in Pueblo. The activities and business of Convention for registered delegates will begin on Friday morning, October 14 and will conclude by the mid-afternoon on Saturday, October 15. The Pueblo Convention Center is located at 320 Central Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003.
Visiting Pueblo, October 13-15
Convention Resources and Materials
Our Speaker
At this year’s Diocesan Convention, the Rev. Canon Natalie Hall will share about Mary Mags, the church community that she joined in planting five years ago in Pittsburgh, the established parish she currently leads, and the surprising ways these communities have discovered that have led to church growth – growth that you can engage in your own faith community. Canon Natalie will not describe a new method or process or program or 5-easy-ways-to-grow, or a magic trick. Instead, she will offer real examples that connect Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Jesus Movement and the Way of Love with your own faith life and the faith you practice together with those in your church, the Body of Christ.
Canon Natalie has a gift and passion for evangelism, building faith into the common structures of daily life and communicating the good news of God’s promises in contexts outside the liturgical assembly or parish hall. She seeks to equip communities for cross+generational faith practices in church, at home, and beyond, welcoming both those familiar and unfamiliar with church into a unifying vision of faith practices, commitment, and empowering diverse gifts to strengthen the community of faith.
Canon Natalie was ordained Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) in September 2009 after earning dual Masters in Systematic Theology and Divinity from Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN). She served as a vicar at Christ Lutheran Church (Valparaiso, IN) and has since served two congregations in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA.
She serves as Canon for Evangelism and Faith Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, and her commitment to ecumenical witness runs deep. Baptized as an infant in the Lutheran tradition, her formative childhood years were spent just outside of Frankfurt, Germany where she was introduced to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer when she and her family joined a parish under the jurisdiction of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (TEC). She was warmly welcomed, invited to serve in church leadership for the first time, catechized, and received her first Eucharist.
Canon Natalie’s commitment to Episcopal-Lutheran dialogue goes the extra mile, having promised a lifetime of mutual reformation with her husband, Daniel a bi-vocational priest of the Diocese and practicing general surgeon. They have three daughters, Grace, Maryam, and Evangeline.
Diocesan Institutions, Commissions, and Committees provide reports of their ministries and activities over the past year. Remember these ministries and groups in your prayers during the days of Convention and throughout the year ahead.
Anglican Studies
Colorado Episcopal Foundation
Colorado Episcopal Service Corps
Commission On Ministry
St. Benedict Health & Healing Ministry
Standing Committee Report to Convention 2021
32nd Ave. Jubilee Center
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution of The Episcopal Church: Please watch video below
Good morning. The Canons of The Episcopal Church require that any proposed amendment to The Church’s Constitution be reported to the annual convention of every diocese. The resolutions which proposed the changes will then return to the next General Convention where they must pass a second vote in the same language, so this reporting of their first vote gives The Church a chance to review before the change is enshrined in the Constitution.
From the 80th General Convention this past summer we have three resolutions representing proposed changes to the Constitution. The 81st General Convention will vote again on these three when it convenes, God willing, in the summer of 2024.
Here are the three resolutions:
A031 Amend the Constitution and Canons Relating to Mergers of Dioceses
Resolved, That the 80th General Convention amend Article V, Section 4 of the Constitution to read as follows:
Art.V
Sec. 4. Whenever a new Diocese is formed and erected out of an existing Diocese or out of two or more existing Dioceses or parts of them, the formation process of the newly formed Diocese, including the adoption of its Constitution and Canons, shall be as set forth in the Canons.
And be it further
Resolved, That Canon I.10 be amended to read as follows and voted on at the 81st General Convention:
Can.I.10
Sec. 1. Whenever a new Diocese is proposed to be formed within the limits of any Diocese, or by the junction of two or more Dioceses, or parts of two or more Dioceses, the Ecclesiastical Authorities and the Standing Committees of the Dioceses involved in the proposed new diocese shall submit for approval to the Conventions of each Diocese involved a joint agreement of union setting forth their agreements, including the manner of determining the Bishop Diocesan and other Bishops (if any), the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the new Diocese, and such other matters as may be necessary or proper. Upon approval by the Conventions of each of the involved Dioceses, the joint agreement of union shall be submitted for ratification by the General Convention no less than ninety days prior to the first legislative day of the next meeting of the General Convention.
Sec. 2. Promptly after ratification by the General Convention, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the new Diocese, as set forth in the joint agreement of union, shall call the first Convention of the new Diocese, for the purpose of enabling it to organize, and shall fix the time and place of holding the same, such place being within the territorial limits of the new Diocese.
Sec. 3. Whenever one Diocese is about to be divided into two Dioceses, the Convention of such Diocese shall declare which portion or portions thereof are to be in the new Diocese, and shall make the same known to the General Convention before the ratification of such division.
Sec. 4. Whenever a new Diocese shall have organized in first Convention in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Canons in such case made and provided, and in the manner prescribed in the previous Sections of this Canon, and shall have chosen a name and acceded to the Constitution of the General Convention in accordance with Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution, and shall have laid before the Executive Council certified copies of the Constitution adopted at its first Convention, and the proceedings preparatory to the formation of the proposed new Diocese, such new Diocese shall thereupon be admitted into union with the General Convention.
Sec. 5. In the event of the erection of an Area Mission into a Diocese of this Church, as provided in Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution, the Convocation of the Area Mission shall be entitled to elect Deputies to the succeeding General Convention, and also to elect a Bishop. The jurisdiction previously assigned to the Bishop in the Area Mission shall be terminated upon the admission of the new Diocese.
Sec. 6. When a Diocese and one or more other Dioceses that were formed either by division therefrom or by erection into a Diocese or a Missionary Diocese formed by division therefrom, shall desire to be reunited into one Diocese, the proposed reunion must be initiated by the approval of the Conventions of the involved Dioceses of a joint agreement of union setting forth their agreements, including the manner of determining the Bishop Diocesan and other Bishops (if any), provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the new Diocese, and such other matters as may be necessary or proper. If the agreement of the Dioceses is made and the consents of their Conventions are given more than three months before the next meeting of the General Convention, the fact of the agreement and consents shall be certified by the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Secretary of the Convention of each involved Diocese to all the Bishops of the Church having jurisdiction and to the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses; and when the consents of a majority of such Bishops and of a majority of the Standing Committees to the proposed reunion shall have been received, the facts shall be similarly certified to the Secretary of the House of Deputies of the General Convention, and thereupon the reunion shall be considered complete. But if the agreement is made and the consents given within three months of the next meeting of the General Convention, the facts shall be certified instead to the Secretary of the House of Deputies, who shall lay them before the two Houses; and the reunion shall be deemed to be complete when it shall have been approved by a majority vote in the House of Bishops, and in the House of Deputies.
Sec. 7. When the union of two or more Dioceses or portions of Dioceses or the reunion of the two or more Dioceses shall have been completed, the facts shall be certified to the Presiding Bishop and to the Secretary of the House of Deputies. Thereupon the Presiding Bishop shall notify the Secretary of the House of Bishops of any alteration in the status or style of the Bishop or Bishops concerned, and the Secretary of the House of Deputies shall strike the name of any Diocese that will cease to exist or is being renamed from the roll of Dioceses in union with the General Convention and, if appropriate, amend the name of the newly united Diocese on the roll of Dioceses in union with the General Convention.
A059 Amend Article X of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church (First Reading)
Resolved, That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church repeal Article X in its entirety and replace it with the following:
Sec. 1. The Book of Common Prayer is understood to be those liturgical forms and other texts authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and the Canons of this Church.
The Book of Common Prayer in this Church is intended to be communal and devotional prayer enriched by our church’s cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts. The Book of Common Prayer shall contain both public worship and private devotion.
The Book of Common Prayer, as now established or hereafter amended by the General Convention, shall be in use in all the Dioceses of this Church.
Sec. 2. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless the General Convention approve the same on first reading in one regular meeting of the General Convention and, by resolve so directing, be sent by the Secretary of the General Convention to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese, to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting, and be adopted on second reading without alteration by the General Convention at its next succeeding regular meeting by a majority of all Bishops, excluding retired Bishops not present, of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by an affirmative vote by orders in the House of Deputies in accordance with Art. I, Sec. 5 of this Constitution, except that concurrence in the affirmative by the orders shall require the affirmative vote in each order by a majority of the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies.
Sec. 3. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless it has previously been authorized for Trial Use in accordance with this Article and the Canons of this Church.
Sec. 4. The General Convention may at any one meeting, by a majority of the whole number of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies of all the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies, voting by orders as previously set forth in this Article:
a. Amend the Table of Lessons and all Tables and Rubrics relating to the Psalms.
b. Authorize for Trial Use such alterations or additions in whole or in part to the established Book of Common Prayer as may be proposed in accord with the Canons of this Church and duly undertaken by and implemented according to the directives of the General Convention.
c. Authorize for use throughout this Church, as provided by Canon, alternative and additional liturgies to supplement those provided in the Book of Common Prayer.
Sec. 5. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as restricting the authority of the Bishops of this Church to take such order as may be permitted by the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer or by the Canons of the General Convention for the use of special forms of worship.
And be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention direct the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop to appoint a working group of nine members to include the Custodian of The Book of Common Prayer, some members of Committee 12 of the 80th General Convention, some members of a Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and others as needed to review the Canons relevant to the implementation of this Article and propose revisions to the 81st General Convention. An initial framework is provided as a starting point for this work; and be it further
Resolved, That an allocation of $30,000 be made to support the work of the working group.
A157 Amend Article I Sec. 7
Resolved, That Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 7. The General Convention shall hold its regular meeting not less than once in each three years, at a time and place determined in accordance with the Canons. In the event of a change of circumstances indicating the necessity or advisability of changing the date of such regular meeting of The General Convention beyond three years, said meeting may be rescheduled as provided by Canon. Special Meetings may be held as provided for by Canon.
2022 Bishop’s Cross Award to Mr. Guy Arnold
Chair of the Trusts and Endowments Committee
Guy Arnold has been the Chair of the Trusts and Endowments Committee since 2010. It’s likely you have not heard his name, have ever met him or even seen him. His work has been behind the scenes for over 12 years for The Episcopal Church in Colorado. Guy is a quiet, humble man whose calm demeanor and financial savvy has been and continues to be a beacon for this Committee. Many years ago during Annual Diocesan Convention in Grand Junction, he walked around the convention hall with a sign that said, “FREE MONEY!” That’s the work of the Trusts and Endowments Committee. There are many stories we can share about Guy’s work and ministry, but there is one in particular that shows his knowledge and depth of commitment. One year there was an Oakes Home Trust request for $90,000. Guy offered to speak to the medical entity with the person’s permission. Guy’s conversation got the bill down to less than $5000 and the Oakes Trust covered that cost. Each year Guy asks if someone else would like to take over as Chair of this Committee. We are so glad to award this Bishop’s Cross to Guy Arnold and for you to become aware of this ministry. Congratulations to Guy!
2022 Bishop’s Cross Award to Mrs. Kay Ward
Diocesan Archivist
General Convention Deputies
Clergy Transitions
We welcome these clergy who are new to the Episcopal Church in Colorado this year:
The Rev. Jim Atkins, Transitional Deacon at St. Mark’s, Durango
The Rev. Kendall Batten-Kalantzis, License to Officiate, St. Andrew’s, Denver
The Rev. Roger Bower, Rector of St. Gregory’s Littleton
Roger is returning to the Episcopal Church in Colorado after spending the last 12 years serving in northwest Indiana. He will begin ministry at St. Gregory’s, Littleton in early October. Roger was received to serve as a priest in the Episcopal Church in January 2000. He has enthusiastically ministered to church communities in New York, California, Colorado, and Indiana.
Roger and his wife Barbara are originally from Texas and have two adult children, Kathryn and Christopher. They love to hike, explore, read, and spend time with their family. They’re looking forward to returning to Colorado and being part of the St. Gregory’s community while serving the Episcopal Church in Colorado.
The Rev. Mark Chambers, Rector of St. John’s, Ouray
Mark comes to the Episcopal Church in Colorado from Texas where he was born and raised.
He is a veteran that served as a Navy Corpsman. After his military service he went into information technology for over twenty years before pursuing ordination.
He has a Master in Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2016, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2017.
Mark and his wife Ella have been married for 31 years and they have two adult children; Calvin lives and works in Baytown TX and Emily lives in Denton TX and is working on her Master’s Degree.”
The Rev. Chris DeVore, Transitional Deacon at St. Raphael, Colorado Springs
St. Raphael Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs is pleased to announce the Rev. Chris DeVore has been called to serve as their Transitional Deacon. His first Sunday with St. Raphael’s was Sunday, September 4th.
Chris comes to Colorado from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas where he was ordained as a transitional Deacon in June. Following his ordination to the priesthood after the first of the year, he will continue as a bi-vocational priest with St. Raphael’s while continuing his full-time vocation with Young Life, a non-denominational outreach to junior high and high school students. Chris has been married to his wife, Robyn, for 25 years. They have two children, Jake (21), Halle (15), a daughter in love, Nikol (21) and a precious newborn granddaughter, Coralline. Chris and his family are excited to be in Colorado Springs and to begin their ministry with the wonderful people at St. Raphael.
The Rev. Julia Domenick, Associate Rector at St. John’s, Boulder
Julia is joining the Episcopal Church in Colorado, most recently from Alexandria, Virginia, after graduating with her Master’s of Divinity degree in May 2022 from Virginia Theological Seminary. A “cradle Episcopalian” from Charleston, South Carolina, Julia has been active in the work of the Episcopal Church in social justice and evangelism ministries as well as provincial and national youth ministry. Julia has spent nearly twenty years as an emergency registered nurse working a portion of her career as a travel nurse serving in hospitals around the United States experiencing nursing shortages. Julia has been active in Washington, DC, working as a chaplain to the protesters and the unhomed in the area and has been serving in tent communities around DC, providing connection, relationships, hot food, supplies, and prayer. Julia has served as the seminarian and then deacon at St. John’s Georgetown in Washington, DC, for the last two years. In June, Julia will be ordained to the priesthood in her diocesan home: the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Julia began at St. John’s in late June.
The Rev. Melissa Roberts George, Rector of Ascension, Salida and Little Shepherd in the Hills, Crestone
The Rev. Melissa served as a chaplain in hospice, hospital, assisted living, and behavioral health settings before transitioning into parish ministry.
A graduate of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, the Rev. Melissa loves to learn about God by listening to and serving others. She is an avid hiker, contemplative, and fan of most everything English. She embraces the Benedictine motto “work and pray” to seek balance in self-care and ministry, and she loves pondering the glory of God in nature.
She and her husband, Mark, hail from Parsons, a small town in southeast Kansas. Mark grew up visiting Colorado on vacation and encouraged her to discern with the diocese. Tabby cat Tiberius and Pembroke Welsh corgi Roxy complete their family.
The Rev. Vicki Hesse and the Rev. Leah McCullough, Vicar and Co-Director and the Rev. Leah McCullough, Co-Director of Cathedral Ridge
The Bishop and Board of Cathedral Ridge is delighted to announce the Rev. Vicki Hesse as Vicar and Co-Director and the Rev. Leah McCullough as Co-Director of Cathedral Ridge.
The call as Vicar and Co-Director combines the Rev. Vicki Hesse’s passions for learning and formation, and for the beauty of creation. These are places where Vicki finds that God in Jesus is made very real. Previously, Vicki led formation programs for the Diocese of Michigan and served in parish ministry in MI and AZ, after earning a certificate in Anglican Studies at VTS in Alexandria and MDiv at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Blending her first career in business and project management with her gifts in pastoral care and counseling, Vicki envisions Cathedral Ridge as a place set apart for healing and wholeness amid a spiritual community. Vicki enjoy getting outdoors with Leah – running, hiking, skiing – and praying, playing scrabble, and walking Boogies, the cat, on her leash.
Accepting this call to serve at Cathedral Ridge brings the Rev. Leah McCullough back to Colorado where she first worked as a wilderness guide, then completed her MDiv and worked on staff at The Iliff School of Theology in the early 2000’s. In the intervening years, Leah, a United Church of Christ (UCC) clergyperson, served as a college Chaplain and ecumenical campus minister, and as a pastor in local congregations in OR, NC, AZ, and MI. Additionally, she has served on camp staffs, was a high school teacher and coach, and most recently has been farming, operating her own urban farm, and working for food sovereignty in the city of Detroit. In all these various settings, Leah sees herself as a teacher – and mutual learner – journeying interdependently with others toward collective transformation and flourishing. Celebrating the good gifts of God’s creation, Leah thrives being outdoors, with Vicki, hiking, biking, skiing, and growing food.
The Rev. Steve Karcher, Rector of Ascension, Pueblo
His journey to the priesthood began with Catholic High School seminary. Knowing that the celibate Catholic priesthood was not his vocation, his priestly journey was stymied until God introduced him to Dana, his wife and a cradle Episcopalian!
While raising two daughters with Dana and being very active in community and church life in Bakersfield, California, God pulled Steve away from a perfectly good career as an attorney. With great perseverance, he earned his M.Div. and Diploma in Anglican Studies and was ordained a Deacon. Meanwhile, Dana’s career called them to Nebraska, where he was ordained a priest. There, he was eventually appointed priest-in-charge in a beautiful, historic church. Later, he was appointed Rector in a larger family-sized parish in Central Texas. For the Rev. Steve, everyone matters! No matter how small or large the task, community service, offered in love, is the essence of the Church’s mission.
The Rev. Austin Leininger, Rector of Christ the King, Arvada
Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Austin Leininger who has been called as the Rector of Christ the King, Arvada. The Rev. Dr. Austin Leininger, whose preferred manner of address is simply Austin (“that’s what God calls me, and that’s good enough for me”), will arrive in the diocese of Colorado on June 27 as rector of Christ the King, Arvada. Austin has been a priest in the Episcopal Church for sixteen years and earned a Ph.D. in Ethics and Social Theory from the Graduate Theological Union in 2015. In addition to parish ministry, Austin teaches (Iliff School of Theology at the University of Denver and CDSP in Berkeley, CA), writes, and is an advocate for neurodiversity and the LGBTQIA+ community.
At the diocesan level, Austin is most excited to get to know the amazing clergy of our diocese, to get to hear their stories, and to become a part of the collaborative work of our diocesan ministry. The Leininger Northrop family consists of Austin and Jane, their children, Marie (15), Anthony (13), and Luke (12); Sandy (Jane’s mom), three dogs (Keeko, Ludo, and Batman), three cats (Scuba Steve, Mr. Z, and Tofu), and a Gecko named Falkor.
They moved from Fort Collins to Santa Cruz, CA five years ago and all are delighted to be coming back home to Colorado after their time away. Austin’s hobbies include hiking, volleyball, biking, camping, playing video games, watching movies, cooking, singing and playing guitar, traveling, spending time with friends (though in unfamiliar ways over the past couple years), and even enjoying a good bottle of wine or scotch. And although being parents to three children takes up much of the rest of their time, Jane and Austin still seek time every week to enjoy the amazing beauty of the natural world.
The Rev. Jeffrey Krantz, License to Officiate, St. Luke’s, Fort Collins
The Rev. William Laucher, License to Officiate, All Saints, Loveland
The Rev. Kristina Lewis, Deacon at Grace and St. Stephen’s, Colorado Springs
Kris Lewis was ordained to vocational diaconate June 4, 2022 and serves at Grace St Stephens in Colorado Springs since July 1, 2022. Prior to ordination, Kris was a member of Christ’s Church in Castle Rock for 21 years. Kris is the executive director/CEO of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity which serves El Paso County since June 2014, and has been with Habitat for 14+ years. Her nonprofit experience spans 40+ years. Kris enjoys her diaconal ministry serving the marginalized through lifting up low -income families to the opportunities sustainable and affordable housing can provide to multiple generations.
The Rev. Dr. Marc Smith, License to Officiate, St. John’s, Boulder
The Reverend Marc D. Smith, Ph.D. is priest-in-residence at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boulder. Following a 35-year career in health care academic and executive leadership, he was ordained priest in 2011, served two parishes in St. Louis, Missouri and was the bishop’s deputy for violence prevention in the Diocese of Missouri. He lives in Longmont with his wife Debbie, an elder law and disability attorney.
We celebrate these clergy who have accepted new calls in the Episcopal Church in Colorado this year:
The Rev. Canon Lucy Amerman, Interim Canon for Mission & Administration for the Office of the Bishop
The Reverend Canon Lucy S. L. Amerman retired in 2016, and moved to Colorado, after serving as Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. In her role with the Diocese, Lucy used her prior experience as lawyer, corporate officer, risk management professional and priest, to support the Bishop and the leadership of the Diocese. She served as Chief of Staff, and oversaw all human resources, employee benefits and employment policy related issues. She was responsible for pastoral care of clergy and represented the Bishop in the church community in a variety of roles, including Sunday visits to churches around Philadelphia. In Colorado, Lucy has served for several months as interim Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Church in Colorado, with many of the same responsibilities she had in that role in Pennsylvania, and we are excited to welcome her back to that same role in the Office of the Bishop.
The Rev. Sasha Bilow, Curate at St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder
Sasha grew up in Syracuse, New York and studied Spanish and French at the University of Rochester. She worked as a language and elementary school teacher in France and in New York City before moving to Colorado. After instructing skiing for a year in Breckenridge, she taught Spanish at a K-12 school in Vail, Colorado for eight years. Sasha is in her final semester at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. She currently serves as a seminarian intern at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Manor, Texas and is thrilled to join St. Mary Magdalene, Boulder. Sasha’s particular areas of interest are Latino/Hispanic theology, discernment, and experiential and outdoor education. Sasha met her fiancé Josh in Austin and they will marry this summer at Cathedral Ridge. Sasha enjoys hiking, camping, and mountain biking with Josh and they are excited to be moving to Colorado.
The Rev. Douglas Bleyle, Rector of St. Barnabas, Cortez
The Rev. Linda Brown, Deacon, and Jesse Brown, Interim Executive Co-Director at Cathedral Ridge
Congratulations to the Rev. Linda Brown, Deacon, and Jesse Brown, who have been called to serve as Interim Executive Co-Directors at Cathedral Ridge, Woodland Park.
The Rev. Linda Brown has served as a deacon in the Episcopal Church in Colorado for 10 years, first at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Broomfield and then at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Denver. Her ministries have focused on engaging parishioners with addressing the needs of their communities including homelessness, food insecurity, domestic violence, and systemic racism. Her academic training and experience is in the biological sciences, arising from a deep love of nature since she was a youth. Over the past several years Deacon Linda has served as program director/chaplain for science camps held at Cathedral Ridge. She and her husband, Jesse, live in Arvada and are both Benedictine Oblates. They enjoy hiking in the mountains and have a love for spiritual pilgrimages.
Jesse Brown is a retired CPA with 30 years of experience in public accounting. He has worked with many small businesses and not-for-profit entities in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado during his accounting career. This finance background has also led to being treasurer and other leadership roles in various small not-for-profit organizations. His spiritual journey has led him to the ministry of Spiritual Direction and with his wife, Linda, becoming Benedictine Oblates of Benet Hill Monastery. He has a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors. Linda and Jesse enjoy hiking in the beautiful Colorado mountains and share a love for spiritual pilgrimages.
The Rev. Hentzi Elek, Vicar of St. Georg, Leadville
Congratulations to the Rev. Hentzi Elek who has been called as the Vicar of St. George, Leadville. Hentzi and St. George begin their ministry together on September 11th.
Hentzi Elek and Sara Barton, his wife of 32 years, are the proud parents of 28-year-old son Lucas, and Sophia, a 25-year-old daughter, and Rosie the Goldendoodle. Hentzi has been an ordained Episcopal priest for 27 years, serving primarily as Rector in the Philadelphia suburbs. Prior to the Priesthood, Hentzi worked in: refugee camps in Sudan and Thailand, and as a teacher in New Jersey and Bogota, Colombia. One year ago, Sara and Hentzi relocated from Philadelphia to Sara’s childhood home in Denver to care for her aging Father. For the past year Hentzi has served as a Home Hospital Chaplain, and he is delighted to be the new part time Vicar at St. George, Leadville. Hentzi loves cheeseburgers, mountains, walking, books and tv, and most of all long conversations with old and new friends. Hentzi seeks a tennis/squash partner. Hentzi is excited to join the Diocese of Colorado.
The Rev. Janice Head, Assisting Rector of St. Matthew’s, Grand Junction
The Rev. Steve Hood, Rector of St. Matthew’s, Grand Junction
The Reverend Steve Hood has been called as rector of St. Matthew’s, Grand Junction. Since his ordination in 2001, he has served churches in Oklahoma, Alabama, and Louisiana. Steve and his wife Tracy have a blended family with four teenagers — Thomas, Tyler, Rivers, and Claire. He’s a graduate of The School of Theology at the University of the South. Steve’s diocesan and community interests have included camping programming for youth and adults, clergy and lay theological education and formation, Scouting, public education advocacy, and community mental health initiatives. Steve is excited to serve as rector of St. Matthew’s where he has joined an outstanding staff and a faithful community of disciples serving the Grand Valley. Steve embraces the call of the people of St. Matthew’s in a season of both growth and renewal, deep faith, and reaching out to God’s people—to those in need and those who need God.
The Rev. Amy Newell-Large, Curate for Parish Life at St. John’s Cathedral, Denver
Amy is a mountain west native. She grew up in eastern Washington, attended Gonzaga University and moved to Boulder earning an M.A. in Religious Studies at Naropa University. For the past decade Amy worked in craft beer, most recently as Hospitality Manager at Avery Brewing. Hospitality and inter-religious dialogue are essential to Amy’s life and faith. She has a contemplative spirituality, and is a mindfulness instructor. Amy’s passion for radical welcome emerged from her lifelong Episcopal faith where she learned to cultivate deep knowing of our belovedness with God and living Christ’s mission of love and baptismal imagination. Saint Mary Magdalene Boulder supported her call to the priesthood, and she attended seminary at Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She and her husband Cody are thrilled to return to CO. They enjoy rafting, cooking, and hiking with their greyhound.
The Rev. Amy Underhill Lythgoe, Rector of St. Luke’s, Denver
Mother Amy comes to us from St. Joseph Episcopal Church in Lakewood, Colorado, where has been serving as the Interim Rector for the past year. Prior to her time with St. Joe’s, she served at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Boulder, first as a transitional Deacon and seminary intern and then as their Associate Priest for Family Ministry. She has also served as Middle School Chaplain at St. Elizabeth K-8 Episcopal School in Denver, the Youth Minister at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Boulder, and as a contract chaplain at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. She is the current President of the Standing Committee for the Episcopal Church in Colorado, an elected Clergy Representative to the Front Range Executive Committee, and the former Front Range Interim Missioner (June-December 2020). Prior to being called to ordained ministry, Mother Amy worked in healthcare education and non-profit development. She received her Master of Divinity with Distinction from The Iliff School of Theology, and holds certificates in Anglican Studies, Pastoral Theology and Care, and Interim Ministry. She had had first day at the end of August and her first Sunday was September 4.
The Rev. Nancy Malloy, Interim Vicar of Intercession, Thornton
Nancy was born and raised in Chicago, IL. After having two boys and later going through a divorce, she entered Seminary at Northwestern University. After graduation, she worked as a Director of Religious Education for eight years and was later ordained in 2001. Nancy served the Episcopal Church in Colorado through 3 bishops and several congregations and attempted retirement in 2020, but is serving as Interim Vicar at Intercession currently. Regarding her new call, she says, “With God’s grace and the willingness of all the people who worship here, we will serve God faithfully.” She is always seeking to serve Jesus, and God’s Church in the Episcopal Way. She is grateful to know God’s love and to know so many amazing colleagues and friends.
The Rev. Shelley Ryan, Priest-in-Charge, St. Laurence, Conifer
Congratulations to the Rev. Shelley Ryan who has been called as the Priest-in-Charge of St. Laurence, Conifer. Shelley begins her ministry at St. Laurence this week.
The Rev. Shelley Ryan is the daughter of an Episcopal priest and a native Floridian. A graduate of The University of Central Florida, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2000, and a Master of Social Work degree in 2006. After graduation, Shelley worked as a Clinical Social Worker for Jewish Family Services of Winter Park, Florida.
In 2011, Shelley pursued her call to the priesthood and attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Oviedo, Florida. She completed her Anglican studies at The University of the South’s School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 2015. She was ordained to the Diaconate in May 2015 and ordained to the Priesthood in December of 2015. She has served as Associate Rector for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage, Kentucky, and Rector of St. Martin in the Fields in Aurora, Colorado. Most recently Shelley has been working as a hospital chaplain for UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital.
Shelley and her husband Joe have been married for 31 years and they have two adult sons, both living in the Denver area. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and gardening. She is also passionate about her volunteer work with prison ministry and Longhopes Donkey Shelter.
The Rev. Kim Seidman, Rector of St. Timothy’s, Centennial
A graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory and Virginia Theological Seminary, she has served Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia; Holy Comforter in Broomfield; and is currently the Vicar and Executive Director at Cathedral Ridge, our camp and retreat center in Woodland Park. A passionate convert to the Episcopal Church as a young adult, she enjoys participating in the larger body and gamely says yes to various commissions and committees from time to time. Kim co-parents a son, Ravi, who is in elementary school. When they’re not building with Legos or reading Calvin & Hobbes, she enjoys hiking and practicing guitar. Kim is excited to join the St. Tim’s community and share in their faithful discipleship and service. She began her ministry at St. Timothy’s, Centennial, on May 1.
The Rev. Margaret Peel-Shakespeare, Priest-in-Charge for St. John Chrysostom, Golden
The Vestry of St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church is delighted to announce the Rev. Margaret Peel-Shakespeare is called to serve as their Priest-in-Charge. Rev. Margaret’s first Sunday with St. John Chyrsostom was August 28.
The Rev. Margaret Peel-Shakespeare is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained a priest in 2013. Rev. Margaret earned a Bachelor’s in English from Sewanee, The University of the South and a Master’s in Education, with a focus on Nonprofit Leadership, from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She is also a spiritual director trained in the Ignatian Tradition having completed her training at Holy Trinity, Georgetown in Washington, DC. Rev. Margaret most recently served as Interim Rector of Christ the King in Arvada, Colorado. Her husband, Lyndon Shakespeare, is also a priest who serves in the Diocese.
The Rev. Felicia SmithGraybeal, Rector, St. Paul’s, Fort Collins
The Rev. Karen Smith, License to Officiate, St. Matthew’s, Parker
The Rev. Katherine (Kit) Snyder, Deacon
The Rev. William (Bill) Stanton, Rector of St. Alban’s, Windsor
The Rev. Robin Tems, Deacon
We give thanks for those who were ordained as priests and deacons this year.
Newly Ordained to the Priesthood
The Rev. Sasha Bilow and The Rev. Amy Newell-Large
Newly Ordained to the Transitional Diaconate
The Rev. Robin Tems
Newly Ordained to the Vocational Diaconate
The Rev. Katharine (Kit) Snyder and The Rev. Kristina Lewis
Candidate to the Priesthood
The Rev. Deacon Robin Tems
Postulants to the Priesthood
Amanda Barker, Cate Colburn-Smith, Durango Jenkins, Mike Kornelsen, Charles Martin, Rob Rose, Christina Rutland and Anthony Suggs
Postulant to the Diaconate
Jamie Galbasini
We pray for these clergy who have faithfully served the Episcopal Church in Colorado and have retired this year:
The Rev. Jan Dewlen
The Rev. Theodore Howard
The Rev. Mike McManus
The Rev. Cope Mitchell
The Rev. Michael Richardson
The Rev. Susan Springer
The Rev. Tim Thadden
The Rev. Catherine Tran
The Rev. Steve Wilson
In Memoriam
Introductions and Acknowledgements
Prayer for Convention
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the Episcopal Church in Colorado for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.