The Diocesan Commission on Ministry is charged by the national and diocesan canons to “advise and assist the Bishop in the implementation of the national and diocesan ministry canons.” It consists of “not less than fifteen members, including Priests, Deacons, and at least six lay persons. It shall seek to represent the diversity of the Diocese in terms of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities and age” (Canons 20.1.1 and 20.2.1 of the Diocese of Pennsylvania).
“The Commission shall advise and assist the Bishop: (a) In the implementation of Title III [“Ministry”] of these Canons; (b) In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons; (c) In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor” (Canon III.2.2 of Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church).
The Commission on Ministry performs its essential work on behalf of the Diocese and the larger Church with prayer, diligence, good spirit, mutual affection and respect, and essential humor. COM members are indeed as diverse as our diocese—in race, gender, liturgical style, economic status, geography, age, politics, and theological conviction. We trust this diversity models for the congregations and clergy of the diocese the diversity of nominees we hope will seek ordination.
Members of the COM are prepared to talk with congregations about the ministry of all the baptized as well the specifics of the ordination process. The process contains many essential steps, each of which, we pray, allows generous room for the work of the Holy Spirit. Please call or write The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph at Church House for details (abenoitjoseph@diopa.org or 215-627-6434, ext.102).
The members of the COM are honored to serve the Diocese and the Church in the holy, moving, and sometimes painful work of helping devout people discern God’s call. There is deep satisfaction and joy in seeing the Holy Spirit move in the lives of those called by God to ordained ministry in the church, and our faith in God and love for our Church are renewed by our work.
As of January 2018, these are the members of the Commission on Ministry:
| Class of 2018 | ||
| Ms. Barbara Dundon (2013) 6030 Bridget Street Philadelphia, PA 19144 |
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill | H: 215.438.8460 Email: Dundon.barbara@gmail.com |
| Class of 2019 | ||
| The Rev. Dennis Coleman (2014) 121 Church Street Phoenixville, PA 19460 |
St. Peter’s Church, Phoenixville | O: 610.933.2195 Email: dennisecoleman@gmail.com |
| The Rev. Karen Kaminskas (2014) Church of the Holy Trinity, West Chester 212 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 |
Holy Trinity, West Chester | C: 610.350.8831 Email: Karenkaminskas726@gmail.com |
| Ms. Marilyn MacGregor (2014) 1032 Federal Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
St. Peter’s Church, Philadelphia | C: 215.390.1700 Email: marilynmacgregor@gmail.com |
| The Rev. Erika Takacs (2015) St. Mark’s Church, Philadelphia 1625 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
St. Marks Church, Philadelphia | O: 215.735.1416 Email: etakacs@saintmarksphiladelphia.org. |
| Class of 2020 | ||
| Mr. Todd Brown (2016) 281 Anderson Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 |
Christ Church, Philadelphia | Email: tbrown721@yahoo.com |
| The Rev. Dr. Flora Keshgegian | Email:keshgegian@alumni.upenn.edu | |
| Ms. Anita Friday (2016) 2063 White Horse Road Berwyn, PA 19312 |
St. David’s, Radnor | Email: ayfriday@gmail.com |
| Class of 2021 | ||
| Ms. Eugenie Dieck (2016) 903 Hagy’s Mill Road Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 |
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill | Email: dieckeugenie@gmail.com |
| Dr. Darryl Ford (2016) 3830 The Oak Road Philadelphia, PA 19129 |
St. George St. Barnabas, Philadelphia |
Email: dford@penncharter.com |
| Class of 2022 | ||
|
The Rev. Jeff Moretzsohn |
Good Samaritan, Paoli | Email:jeff@good-samaritan.org |
|
The Rev. Mary McCullough |
Trinity, Ambler | Email:mary@trinityambler.com |
| BISHOP OVERSEEING THE ORDINATION PROCESS – PRIESTHOOD | ||
| The Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania 3717 Chestnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
Diocese of Pennsylvania Bishop |
O: 215.627.6434 Email: dgutierrez@diopa.org |
| STANDING COMMITTEE’S SUBCOMMITTEE on ORDINATIONS | ||
| Mr. George Vosburgh | Email:georgevosburgh@gmail.com | |
| The Rev. Hillary Raining (2013) St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne 226 Righters Mill Road Gladwyne, PA 19035 |
St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne | O: 610.688.7947 x 216 Email: hillaryraining@saintchristophers.org |
| DIOCESAN STAFF | ||
| The Rev. Canon Arlette Benoit Joseph Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania 3717 Chestnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
Diocese of Pennsylvania Canon for Transition Ministry |
O: 215.621.8302 Email: abenoitjoseph@diopa.org |
| Marcia White Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania 3717 Chestnut Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19104 |
Diocese of Pennsylvania Assistant Transition Ministry |
O: 215.621.8306 Email: marciaw@diopa.org |