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 Minutes:

Standing Committee Members:

Darren Armstrong, President
Darren Armstrong, President
High Plains Region Lay Representative, 2nd term ending October 2026
The Rev. Wren Blessing
The Rev. Wren Blessing
Southwest Region Clergy Representative, 1st term ending October 2026
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, term ending October 2027
The Rev. Matthew Frey
The Rev. Matthew Frey
Northwest Region Clergy Representative, fulfilling term ending October 2026
The Rev. Melissa Roberts George
The Rev. Melissa Roberts George
Sangre de Cristo Region Clergy Representative, fulfilling term ending October 2025
Chip Page
Chip Page
Southwest Region Lay Representative, fulfilling term ending October 2024
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
Nancy Jones, Treasurer
Nancy Jones, Treasurer
1st term ending October 2025
Mr. Lawrence R. Hitt, II
Mr. Lawrence R. Hitt, IIChancellor
The Rev. Amy Underhill Lythgoe, Chaplain
The Rev. Amy Underhill Lythgoe, Chaplain

Staff Support

Scott Asper
Colorado Episcopal Foundation

Pam Greenfield
Controller