DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE
OUR GOVERNANCE
CONSTITUTION & CANONS
Learn more about our diocese’s organization and administration, as well as its governing rules (i.e., canons) by reading our Diocesan Constitution and Canons. The Canons of the General Convention are reviewed and revised during that triennial meeting.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL
The Diocesan Council is a representative governing body that serves as an oversight governing body between conventions. The Diocesan Council meets regularly to ensure the diocese runs efficiently and effectively by:
- Ensuring sound fiscal management and practices
- Supporting and reviewing diocesan ministries
- Other duties as requested by the bishop or the Diocesan Convention
DIOCESAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
- Bishop Eugene Taylor Sutton, Diocesan & President of Council
- Pam Beam Baltimore North (2025) St. Francis, Timonium
- Pamela Blyth Southern Maryland (2024) St. James’, Lothian
- Ben Brown Convention (2024) St. Stephen’s, Severn Parish
- Charlie Day Anne Arundel (2024) St. Anne’s, Annapolis
- Nathan Erdman+ Convention (2023) St. Martin’s-in-the-Field
- Karen Fletcher Convention (2024) St. James’, Baltimore
- Lynn Getty Western Maryland (2025) Emmanuel, Cumberland
- Sally Goss Convention (2025) St. John’s, Ellicott City
- Jennifer Grimelli+ Patapsco Valley (20250 St. Andrew’s, Glenwood, St. Pauls, Poplar Springs
- Jacque Gutman Convention (2023) Messiah & St. Matthias, Baltimore
- Nancy Murphy Convention (2025) St. Mark’s, Highland
- Christopher Pyles+ Baltimore South (2024) Grace & St. Peter’s, Baltimore
- Amy Slaughter Myers+ Convention (2025) St. Francis, Timonium
- Kathleen Smith-Jones+ Frederick (2025) Grace, Brunswick
- Russell Wright Convention 1st VP (2023) Redeemer, Baltimore
- Todd Young+ Convention (2024) St. John’s, Hagerstown
- Joe Zollickoffer+ Harford County (2024) Holy Trinity, Churchville
- Vacant Lay Washington County (2025)
Ex-Officio Members: Coadjutor/Assisting/Suffragan Bishop, Canons to the Ordinary, Chief Financial Officer, Chancellor, Treasurer, Secretary of Council, Chair of Council Planning.
Diocesan Budget, Congregational Allocations and Audited Financial Statement
STANDING COMMITTEE
The Standing Committee is the body of lay and clergy members of the Diocese elected by the annual Diocesan Convention and authorized by the Canons of the Episcopal Church as the Bishop’s Council of Advice. If there is no Diocesan or Suffragan or Coadjutor Bishop canonically authorized to act, the Standing Committee becomes the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese for all purposes declared by General Convention.
In addition to this, the Canons of the Diocese of Maryland provide that the Standing Committee advises the Bishop or gives consent in matters of the disposition of property, ecclesiastical discipline, the election and consecration of Bishops, and in matters involving candidates for ordained ministry. The election of members and the terms and conditions of their office are defined by these Canons.
STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- Ms. Kari-Ann Lynne (2023), President
St. James’, Monkton - The Rev. Kathy Shahinian (2023),
St. Anne’s, Annapolis - The Rev. Randy K. Callender (2024)
St. Philip’s, Annapolis - The Hon. John Henderson (2024), Secretary
Old St. Paul’s, Baltimore - Mr. Stuart O. Simms (2025)
St. James’, Baltimore - The Rev. Travis Smith (2025), Vice President
Grace, Elkridge - Ms. Victoria (Vicki) Willard (2026)
Trinity, Elkridge - The Rev. Anne Marie Richards (2026)
Emmanuel, Baltimore
To contact the Standing Committee, please email:
standingcommittee@episcopalmaryland.org
mutual ministry review
The Standing Committee reported the results of the Mutual Ministry Review conducted beginning in late 2015.
A Mutual Ministry Review is intended to be an honest look at what is working well together while considering ways of improving in areas that are less effective. As such, the review looks at church leadership as a system. It’s an intentional time of reflection and discernment.
The review started with a listening phase, in which lay and clergy leaders in the Diocese of Maryland were surveyed about a number of ministry and organizational areas. The survey results identified places of celebration and challenges in ministry.
The next phase was a time of in depth conversation among the Standing Committee and the Bishops about what the Diocese has said and then mutually discerning how to respond. The Standing Committee is now pleased to report what they have heard and learned and to continue with those conversations.