Scott-Michael Pomerenk
Why do you feel called to serve the Church as a Deputy to General Convention?
I love the work of preparing for, attending, and reporting back from General Convention. It is a joy to be part of refining our polity, liturgy, and social justice policies, helping shape them for the future—and then telling our fellow Colorado folks what we’ve done and why they should care. Over the four Conventions that I’ve attended I’ve seen the deputies become younger and more diverse in all ways and I have learned so much from people who have different experiences about how to better follow God and be The Church. I feel called to continue to be a part of that listening and shaping of The Episcopal Church.
What life experiences and/or training can you offer as a resource to the Church?
I am a vowed religious; I am a husband and father of three young children; I have a lot of experience with prayer and contemplation. I’ve lived in two very different dioceses and held a variety of governance and committee roles; I’ve been an alternate deputy to four General Conventions and served on an Interim Body. I am trained as an End-of-Life Doula
Describe your ministries, participation and experience in the Episcopal Church.
I am a professed brother in The Brotherhood of St Gregory; I am a lay homilist, an acolyte, and a Eucharistic Visitor. I’m a graduate of EfM. I have chaired or co-chaired various social justice and racial reconciliation committees on diocesan and parish levels, led theological reflections on movies, given talks on religious life, and served as sacristan for my religious community.
What aspects of our corporate life or issues facing the Church today hold particular interest or importance to you?
How we welcome the stranger and minister to the people to whom we have not previously ministered well. The Church has shut a lot of people and groups out, and sometimes we try to welcome those peoples in with one hand while holding on to our old prejudices with the other hand. We have to learn and grow and do better.
How will your participation as part of the deputation enhance the life, mission and ministry of our diocese?
The vowed life is about seeking the Holy while living in normal reality, and I have found much holiness in the reality of General Convention. My perspective as a religious in combination with my perspective as a father of young children is unique in our diocese and in the Church. I’m excited about the possibility of continuing to serve in Colorado’s General Convention Deputation.