We are committed Christians worshiping in the Episcopal tradition and working in more than 100 faith communities throughout western, central & southern Maryland. We are a community of love, encountering Christ and engaging the world.
The politically motivated darkness perpetrated on our country on the Feast of the Epiphany, no less, must never be confused with anything to do with the ministry and commission of Jesus Christ to all the baptized.
Emotions remain high, and the potential for more unrest, polarization and violence has sadly come true today in our nation’s Capital. And it is heart-wrenching. A woman has died and other lives have been threatened. We must pray for our nation and all its people. Pray for our congressional leaders, pray for the safety of our law enforcement personnel, pray for the protesters.
Several months into the pandemic, we began to realize that, like during Holy Week and Easter, we wouldn't be able to meet in our churches for Christmas. Yet our congregations stepped up and kept the creative energy flowing, despite the fatigue brought on by such a challenging year. We are a community of love. We worshipped together and made offerings of what we had to give.
The Rev. Canon M. Joanna White Canon for Pastoral Services
Joanna White serves as the chaplain for clergy, diocesan staff and their families. Joanna graduated from Yale Divinity School and was ordained by the Diocese of New York. Prior to that she studied nursing at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware and obtained a degree in criminal justice while practicing psychiatric nursing. Joanna holds additional master’s degrees in Community Health from Long Island University and Spirituality and Pastoral Care from Loyola University. She has served as rector of three parishes and done combined parish ministry and chaplaincy work, as well as work in recovery services. Joanna lives in Annapolis and has three children and four granddaughters. She has 2 grand-dogs and one ungrateful grand-cat who request to be added to the family listing.
Chaplains serve individuals in unique situations where they are coping with the challenges and opportunities of that environment. It is the task of the Chaplain to help them deepen their spirituality by understanding where God is in their life and hopefully, to discover meaning in the situation as presented. The clergy, staff and lay leaders of the diocese strive to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in a world where there are increasing changes in the traditional church and fewer resources. When a representative of the diocese is there to address the range of personal stressors in the areas of illness, family conflict, finances or the inevitable changes brought about by the reasons stated above, the dedicated clergy, staff and lay leaders feel that their efforts are recognized. As with any large caring family, a crisis seems less daunting when you know you are not alone.
As a chaplain, Joanna seeks to help individuals to find deeper meaning in both the joyful and challenging aspects of their lives. While that sometimes requires extensive work one to one or with families, there are even more instances where a cup of coffee, a willing presence and a shared laugh are needed. Joanna looks forward to creating a program around caring for the caretakers and opening avenues of communication among clergy and staff to share experiences and resources.
Sally has been the Facilities Coordinator since September 2014. She has a B.S. in Accounting from Virginia Tech and began her career in banking operations and then transitioned to full-time mom. She ventured back into the working world and is happy to be seated at the front desk of our diocesan and cathedral offices. She and her husband have three children and love spending time with them. Sally is an active member of St. Mark’s, Highland where she enjoys volunteering with the youth group and other ministries. She loves to exercise, travel, cook and cheer on the Ravens, Orioles, Clemson Tigers, Maryland Terps, Virginia Tech Hokies and the PGA tour.
As Facilities Coordinator, Sally is your point of contact for reserving space in any of the conference rooms or large gathering spaces at the Diocesan Center and Cathedral of the Incarnation. She is stationed at the reception desk in the front lobby and greets visitors with her welcoming smile as they enter our building. She answers all incoming calls to the Diocesan and Cathedral staff. She is happy to assist with any inquiries and forward your call to to the appropriate staff member.
Mr. Adam Barner Associate for Training and Benefits
Before coming to work at the Diocese in 2011, Adam was a parish administrator for several years. He has a degree in religious studies and philosophy, and lives in Baltimore.
Adam works with CPG and Medical Trust benefits administration, coordinates workshops, and assists the Canon for Mission with Sutton Scholars. He also processes background checks and coordinates convention exhibits.
Kate Riley has been actively engaged in the Diocese of Maryland since the age of thirteen. She became the Missioner for Youth in 2015. Her Bachelors in Science is from Frostburg State University. Where she graduated in 2012 and followed with a Certification in Family Ministries from FORMA in 2014. A former Episcopal Service Corps – Maryland member, 2013-2014, where she lived for a year in intentional community and worked as an intern and then full time assistant to Canon Rev Wes Wubbenhorst. She currently lives in Baltimore City, but returns to Western Maryland as often as possible.
The Diocesan Youth Missioner serves the youth of the diocese through youth leadership, programs, events, retreats, pilgrimages, and wider Church events. They are responsible for youth community engagement across the diocese, as well as, being a resource for parishes in the areas of curriculum, safety, communication, and general cool stuff. You wish you had a job this fun!
The Rev. Canon Christine McCloud Canon for Mission
The Rev. Chris McCloud has been the canon for mission for the Diocese of Maryland since October 2018 when she joined the diocesan staff. Chris came to Maryland from the Diocese of Newark where she was the Archdeacon for Administration and Formation; Co-Chair of Namaste Anti-Racism committee; and a member of the Standing Committee. Chris also co-chaired the Anti-Bullying Task Force from 2011-2013; was a member of the Mission Strategy Committee, and chaired the Reparations Task Force from 2005-2008. Chris is also the founder and Executive Director of Turning Point Community Services, Inc., a non-profit agency that provided emergency housing and supportive services to homeless woman and their children.
The canon for mission’s responsibilities include serving as liaison for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; the Anti-Racism Training committee; Public Policy Group; Greengrace (formerly MEEP); and is the Chief Program Officer for Sutton Scholars, a high school enrichment program for Baltimore City youth.
The Rev. Charles Cloughen, Jr. Planned Giving Consultant
Charles became Director of Planned Giving, Stewardship and Development in 2009, and served in that position to 2016. He then served as Planned giving Officer 2017-2018. He now serves part-time as Planned Giving Consultant. He helped create the Diocese of Maryland’s All Saints Legacy Society and has served in parishes as rector, associate, and interim, in the Dioceses of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Texas and Maryland for 39 years. He is the author of One Minute Stewardship: Creative Ways to Talk about Money in Church, Church Publishing, 2018
Charles preaches throughout the diocese on planning for the end of life. His sermon title is Don’t Leave a Mess. He is available to come to your congregation, to help you develop a parish planned giving program and a legacy society.
Ms. Kathy Grayson Director of Development (part-time)
Kathy Grayson, Director of Development, joined the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in 2016 as major gifts officer. Since then she has led or assisted in the success of outreach ministries through her knowledge of fundraising and networking. Prior to this, Kathy had more than 15 years’ experience at The Lyric Opera and the Baltimore Opera Company as well as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In her role as development director, Kathy leads the Bishop’s Annual Ministries Appeal, will help raise over $300,000 for the 2020 Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program, and oversees the Planned Giving Task Force with the Rev. Charles Cloughen, Planned Giving Officer.
Kathy lives in Timonium and is married to the Rev. Tim Grayson, rector of the Church of the Messiah, Baltimore. She has two adult children and one curly-headed grandson.