The Rev. Tim Grayson
Canon for Spiritual Formation
Bishops Sutton and Ihloff hereby designate Tuesday, June 6 to be Seersucker Day in the Diocese of Maryland. All are invited – even encouraged! – to wear the appropriate attire of seersucker in their churches, offices and all other venues requiring clothing. Photos showing evidence of compliance to this pastoral directive are expected and can be sent to communications@episcopalmaryland.org.
Margaret began work with the Diocesan Offices in December 2021. They and their family have lived in Maryland since 2006 while Margaret worked managing university apartment housing for Frostburg State and then University of Maryland, Baltimore through Capstone On-Campus Management. Margaret has been active in the Episcopal Church since 2006 teaching Sunday School, running the food pantry, as Senior Warden, and generally helping out where it was needed. Margaret and their wife, Kathleen, have twin sons – Martin and Jonathan who will be graduating High School in 2022. Their chaotic house is made even more so by two rambunctious cats – Pepper and Franklin. Margaret manages the various properties that are under the direction of the diocesan offices and will assist all diocesan parishes with being better stewards of their property – whether that be maintenance planning, site visitations/inspections, and creating a vendor information sharing database as a resource.
Andromeda Daley joined our diocesan staff in 2021. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from Le Moyne College and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Management: Accounting from Cazenovia College. She moved to Maryland from New York in 2020 and resides in Baltimore with her fiancé Nathaniel and cat Trixie.
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.
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.
The Rev. Christine (Chris) L. McCloud has been the canon for mission for the Diocese of Maryland since October 2018 when she joined the diocesan staff. The canon for mission's responsibilities include serving as liaison for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; the Reparations Task Force; the Maryland Public Policy Group; GreenGrace (Environmental Justice Ministry); Reading Camps; serves as the chief program officer for the Sutton Scholars High School Enrichment Program for Baltimore City youth; and oversees the anti-racism, anti-bias, domestic violence and safeguarding workshops and trainings as well as working with various congregational outreach and racial reconciliation ministries throughout our diocese.
Prior to her call to the Diocese of Maryland, she was the founder and executive director of Turning Point Community Services in Irvington, NJ, an agency that provides emergency housing and supportive services to homeless women and children. Chris spent nearly thirty years working in the not-for-profit sector in the development of special needs housing and job training programs for formally incarcerated individuals. Coming from the Diocese of Newark, Chris was the Archdeacon for Administration and Formation, deacon-in-charge of Church of the Holy Innocents in W. Orange, NJ and a spiritual advisor for the Diocese of NY Episcopal Cursillo program. She is also a veteran of the USAF where she was a Law Enforcement Specialist. Chris was honored as the Tactical Air Command's Law Enforcement Specialist, 1st Term Airman of the Year in 1984.
Ordained as a vocational deacon in 2006 by the Right Rev. Jack Croneberger in the Diocese of Newark, and after an extensive period of deep discernment and questioning, Chris was ordained to the priesthood by the Right Rev. Eugene Sutton in June 2021 in the Diocese of Maryland.
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.
Kendall is from Baltimore and is a recent graduate of Morgan State University with a BS in accounting. He has worked at Comcast and served in the Maryland Army National Guard. His interests are volunteering, tutoring/mentoring students, and playing golf.
Sam Marlow joined the Diocese of Maryland as a staff accountant in 2009, officially becoming a senior staff accountant in 2019. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Towson University. He lives in Baltimore City with his wife and granddaughter.
Jason Kamrath became chief financial officer for the Diocese in Maryland in May, 2019. He has Master of Business Administration and Master of Accounting and Financial Management degrees and most recently worked in the Controller’s Office of The Johns Hopkins Health System for twelve years. He also serves as the organist and was past treasurer for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Essex. He lives in Baltimore, MD with his husband Brett, dog Gidget, and cats Callie, Bunny, Marley, and Lucy.
The chief financial officer is responsible for leading the business office team, preparing internal and external financial statements, and providing various means of support to our parish treasurers. He also advises various committees and boards charged with managing the budget process, diocese-owned properties and missions, the diocesan investment portfolio, and the Bishop Claggett Center.
Mary Klein has been the Archivist for the Diocese of Maryland since 2002. Her background is in history and archives work, having earned both her B.A and M.A. from Salisbury University, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Formerly employed as archivist for the Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture at Salisbury University, adjunct professor of history at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, education and exhibits coordinator for the La Crosse County Historical Society, and a member of the School Education staff at the Maryland Historical Society she has been active in Episcopal Church matters on the local, diocesan and national levels. She lives in Baltimore, is a member of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, has three daughters and seven adorable, bright grandchildren.
The Archivist manages and curates the collection that is the Archives of the Diocese of Maryland, which includes maintaining the current material, as well as processing new material. The Archivist also provides professional assistance to researchers – prioritizing requests from the Diocesan staff – whether by mail, phone or email.
Jess Pandolfino has been the database administrator for the Diocese of Maryland since 2014. She joined the communications team in 2016. She earned her B.A. from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. A former Episcopal Service Corps - Maryland member, 2013-2014, where she lived for a year in intentional community and worked at St. Mary’s Community Center in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. She currently resides in Baltimore City.
The database administrator manages and organizes all data pertaining to churches, clergy, lay leaders, and diocesan staff. The administrator coordinates event details for clergy conference, diocesan convention, and other diocesan related events. The communications team member manages traffic flow on all digital and print communications.
Carrie was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. She moved to Baltimore in 2018, answering a call to the Diocese of Maryland, bringing her family with her. Before coming to Maryland she served as the Canon for Communications in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and was a professional bookseller, bookstore owner and Episcopal bookseller. She also managed a psychotherapy, coaching and spiritual direction practice. In addition to all things communications and technology, Carrie is a passionate about spiritual formation, especially dream work and the Education for Ministry program. She is an EfM graduate and former mentor, as well as a certified (from the Haden Institute in NC) dream work leader. She loves being involved in racial reconciliation and justice, as well as ecumenical and interfaith, work in the Church.
Carrie is a member of the communications team along with Jason Hoffman, Jess Pandolfino and Mary Klein. Contact her for questions regarding media and public relations, strategic communications at the diocesan or parish level, crisis communications, communications consultations and continuing education. Send her stories about your ministries and let her know what good things are happening in your congregation, community or region. In addition, serves on the Diocesan Reparations Committee.
Ruth Elder served as the Archdeacon for Formation for the Diocese of Maryland since February 2018 until becoming Archdeacon in 2020. She earned her Masters of Church Ministry from the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary's Seminary and she works full-time as the Acting Executive Officer at Social Security Administration.
The Reverend Canon Mary Sulerud was named Canon to the Ordinary in August, 2022.
In her 30 years of ordained ministry she has been an interim rector in four congregations in Maryland and Virginia and the interim director of the worship department of the Washington National Cathedral twice. She has served as an associate rector at St Stephen’s in Richmond, VA, the rector of Ascension, Silver Spring and assistant rector at Grace, Alexandria. She was the canon for Stewardship and then Canon for Transitions and Ordinations in the Diocese of Washington. She served two terms on the General Board of Examining Chaplains.
Mary received her BS degree from St. Cloud State University and her M.Div, from Virginia Theological Seminary. She has served as a consultant in stewardship, congregational vitality and search transition processes in dioceses throughout the mid-Atlantic. She also teaches and consults in areas that range from faith formation for children and adults and reconciliation of congregational conflict.
Before serving in the Diocese of Maryland, Stuart had 15 years of HR experience in church settings, building on his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Ordained in 1989, Stuart has lived in 15 cities and loves living in Baltimore, where he shares a home with husband, Melvin, and Standard Poodle, Ella.
In his transitions role, Stuart helps congregations find interim rectors, assists congregations through the discernment process, advertises clergy vacancies, and manages the supply list. He also oversees the compensation and benefits programs of the diocese, and assists with personnel policy questions.
Evangeline Wayne, Eve, a former high school history teacher and Fulbright Scholarship recipient, is originally from Liberia (West Africa), arriving in the United States in 1993, due to a destructive civil war that engulfed the country. She is a lifelong Episcopalian and the proud mother of four “woke” young adults (three guys and a girl). Her passion is researching family history, particularly tracing ancestors who were slaves on a Georgian plantation in the 1800s, unable to return to Africa as her great, great grandfather did, due to a philanthropist. She currently resides in Baltimore City.
Eve is the executive secretary to the canon to the ordinary and staff administrator of the Commission on Ministry. “Eve” as she prefers to be known, started at the diocese in July 2018 as executive secretary to the Assistant Bishop Chilton Knudsen, before her retirement, and now provides administrative support to the canon to the ordinary, Commission on Ministry as well as the Continuing Education Grants Committee. She is responsible for Canon Slater’s calendar and serves alongside Caroline Bomgardner. She handles remarriage licenses, lay licenses, confirmation certificates, visitations and seminarian/postulant financial support. Eve also works closely with the archdeacons regarding the Deacon Formation/Deacon Programs and is the custodian of all paperwork related to priesthood and diaconate discernment, including trainings and other confidential data. She is also the resident notary public.
Caroline Bomgardner has been the executive secretary to Bishop Sutton since 2011. She gained valuable Episcopal Church knowledge as a parish administrator at the Church of the Messiah, Baltimore and the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore. Caroline has had many career changes due to moving countries with Patrick, her husband of 30 years (England to the USA, to Italy, to England, and back to the USA). Caroline was a civil servant working for the British Government with a range of positions: administrative; analytical; information technology; teaching fire, health and safety management. She has also worked as a teachers’ aid, a pre-school teacher, for a national bank, a health benefits center, and a car leasing insurance company. Caroline and Patrick have two adult daughters and an entertaining bish-poo dog called Tululubelle. Inspired by attending the presidential inauguration of 2011, Caroline became an American citizen in 2012.
Caroline manages the bishop’s calendar and communications. She can also be contacted with questions related to visitations, confirmations/receptions, clergy licenses, canonical residency, clergy child scholarships, and the standing committee.
Following nine years as rector of Church of the Good Shepherd in Baltimore, Scott began serving on the bishops’ staff in July of 2010. Canon Slater’s first career was as a landscape architect, following graduation from the University of Florida in 1981. He is a 1992 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, where he received a Masters in Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Christian Education, and he additionally holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He grew up in Florida and is married with two adult sons. He is an avid walker, gardener, and loves to complete any form of puzzle.
Scott serves as executive assistant to the bishop, as chief of staff, visits congregations on Sundays on behalf of the bishop, manages diocesan convention and clergy conference, and helps with congregational conflict mediation and resolution.
Who We Are
We are dedicated to serving the youth, congregations, and clergy of the Diocese by:
You’re invited to join us as we celebrate the gifts, energy, love, and presence of the youth in our diocese. Discover and find more information about our programs, events, missions, Camp Claggett and more at the Diocese of Maryland Youth! website.
A glimpse of youth ministry fun to gladden the hearts of those attending our diocesan convention in 2019
Who We Are
Since 2011 the Diocese of Maryland’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been instrumental in providing opportunities for thoughtful engagement of the often difficult topic of race. Opportunities include workshops, guest speakers, and special programs. To date, over five hundred people in the diocese have completed the Episcopal Church’s approved methodology Seeing the Face of God in Each Antiracism Workshop. Participants have been enlightened and then inspired to proactively work toward eliminating the sin of racism. The current climate in our country is sensitive to racial injustice and therefore it is important for followers of Jesus to be informed and equipped to make a difference. A subgroup of this commission recently completed a twelve part thematic based curriculum that ties persons in the Bible to African Americans. In May a forum featuring Bishop Sutton and Lt. Colonel Melvin Russel - “Building Bridges – Connecting Police, Church and Community” was held in Baltimore. Your contribution will assure the continuation and expansion of opportunities for us to do what we can in our generation to bring about racial justice.
Bishop Sutton Speaks at the Hasselbach Slave Graveyard on the grounds of the Claggett Center
Who We Are
The Sutton Scholars® High School Enrichment Program helps youth in Baltimore become confident, competent individuals by teaching essential soft and other life skills necessary to develop socially and emotionally, and to achieve academic, workplace, and personal success.To meet these needs in the community, Sutton Scholars is a year round program that provides five weeks of curriculum on the campus of Mercy High School, teaching time management skills; workplace etiquette; healthy interpersonal communications and conflict resolution strategies; relational, emotional, nutritional and physical health; financial skills; and other selected life skills to the students. Sutton Scholars also compensates our youth for their community service, incorporated into the program, allowing those who need to work to support their family’s income, to participate. Instruction occurs on campus at Mercy High School except for one week, which Scholars spend visiting the Claggett Center, the Diocese of Maryland’s camp and conference center in Frederick County.
Who We Are
“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave, who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.” – The Navy Hymn
About 90% of what we own and use daily is brought to the U.S on a vessel. Since Baltimore’s founding, seafarers hailing from all over the world have risked the perils of the sea to transport the goods that enrich our lives. Since 1993, our Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center has been there to welcome them, to offer a safe haven from the dangers they face daily and provide place of respite and Christian hospitality.
Whether a crew member needs a prayerful presence or just a friendly visit, BISC chaplains and volunteers provide it. Under the direction of The Rev. Mary Davisson, our volunteers cover 14 terminals 70 hours a week, logging over 70,000 miles a year transporting workers and seafarers to and fro in BISC’s vans. These dedicated lay and ordained ministers:
Life at sea is an isolating and harrowing experience: seafarers put their lives on the line, leaving seafarers cut off from their families, confined on ships and unable to leave even after landing in foreign ports. The isolation and sacrifice these sailors endure to ferry needed goods across the world is unimaginable without experiencing it firsthand. If we are to follow God’s call to compassion and love for our neighbors, then BISC is on the frontline of tending to those often overlooked by other institutions. Together, we are forging ahead to shine God’s love and light on the lonely and lost. For more information about this ministry, visit their website at: www.baltseafarers.org
Seafarers from the Pan Spirit, docked right next to us at Steinweg in Locust Point, congregated at our Center prior to heading out for a shopping trip. Volunteer Art Guyton (plaid shirt, badges) welcomed them and provided transportation.
Who We Are
The mission of Reading Camp Maryland is to promote personal and academic growth and success for struggling, at-risk students and to encourage them to become strong readers, engaged students, and responsible members of their communities. Reading Camp works with children entering grades 3-5 to review and improve reading skills, build self-confidence, grow a love of reading and learning, and stem the effects of “summer reading loss.”
During their week at camp, campers receive tutoring each morning focusing on phonics, sight words, decoding/encoding, strategies, comprehension, writing, and pleasure reading using games and other non-traditional activities. In the afternoon campers enjoy traditional camp activities such as swimming, crafts, and field trips. They also enjoy breakfast, lunch, and two snacks daily. All fees are paid through donations and grants. There is no fee to attend Reading Camp.
Joan H. Kelly Memorial Reading Camp in Harford County
Who We Are
Quienes somos/ Who We Are Somos una experiencia de vida, una comunidad llena de talentos y dones. Pero más que eso llenos de la Gracia de Dios, donde su amor brota por nuestros poros y su Espíritu fluye por nuestras venas. Que creemos? Nosotros creemos que tu fe puede crecer aquí, que tu esperanza será tu guía y que encontraras a Jesucristo a través de nuestra convivencia y culto. Cuál es nuestra Meta? Buscar la voluntad de Dios para todos(as) y hacerla una realidad en la parte de su creación en que nos ha permitido vivir. Te estamos esperando, ven y atrévete a transformar tu vida y por ende la de tu familia. Ven y únete a nosotros! We are a living presence, a community full of talents and gifts. But more than that, we are filled with the grace of God as his love comes through our pores and his Spirit flows through our veins. What do we believe? We believe that your faith can grow here, that your hope will be your guide and you will find Jesus Christ through our presence and worship. What is our goal? To seek God’s will for all and make it a reality in the part of his creation where he has allowed us to live. We are waiting; come and dare to transform your life and therefore that of your family. Come and join us!
Canon for Latino Ministry, the Rev. Margarita Santana, welcomes all to Iglesia Episcopal de la Resurrección en Baltimore
Who We Are
The Episcopal Refugee and Immigrant Center Alliance (ERICA) welcomes those fleeing injustice, poverty and persecution in other countries. With volunteers and community partners, ERICA helps refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable immigrants in Greater Baltimore rebuild their lives through one-on-one problem solving, emergency assistance, and educational workshops.
Who We Are
A ministry of the Diocese of Maryland, Episcopal Service Corps-Maryland (ESCMD) is an affiliate of the Episcopal Service Corps, a nationwide network of young adult volunteer-year programs. Intentional community living, working for social justice, serving the vulnerable and reflecting on the experiences are the pillars of our program. Now in Year 5, ESC-MD boasts 5 young adult Gileads (ages 22-26) who come from all faiths and places and live in community at St. Michael House in Baltimore, while learning more about themselves and their call to serve God. Current worksite partners: Baltimore Orchard Project, Central Maryland Ecumenical Council (environmental initiatives), Great Kids Farm, and Project PLASE. Alumni are in graduate studies at seminary, law, social work and teaching, they are working in churches as staff and as community organizers, they are staffing small non-profits addressing issues of housing, poverty, neglect and abuse, they teach in Indonesia, Russia and the USA, and they are still searching. Some are preparing for ordination; all will serve the Church in new and various ways. We provide a small stipend, all housing costs, a shared food allowance, transportation stipend, theological reflection time and support. Interns provide heart, energy and a willingness to engage in the adventure. While our worksite partners provide a portion of our budget, their part will never cover all expenses. Both the income and prayers of those participating in the Annual Ministries Apeal help us more fully realize this mission and ministry.
ESC Alumni invite young people from all over the United States to experience the joys of living in service, prayer and intentional community
Who We Are
The Claggett Center is the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland’s retreat, camp and conference center. Claggett offers space for a wide variety of diocesan events, including vestry and ministry retreats, programs for musicians, women, men and youth, and flagship events such as the Chapman Dialogues and Clergy Conference. From hosted groups to original programming, Claggett serves as a place of common ground for the diocese. The 266-acre property sits on a scenic bluff overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain and the Monocacy River Valley, creating a serene and beautiful backdrop perfect for learning, growth, and spirit-filled renewal. Claggett Center features 3,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space and a variety of comfortable sleeping rooms to accommodate various kinds of groups.
Features of the Claggett Center include:
Snapshots from high school camp week at Claggett in 2018
Who We Are
“So, Jesus. . .” That’s what Leon used to say to bring our attention back whenever we got off on a tangent during Bible study at UMBC. And it sums up what campus ministry does. We get to point to Jesus in a world of distraction on our college campuses. We are the church on campuses around the diocese as we make common spaces on campuses into holy ground as we gather around home-cooked meals together to share our joy, our pain and our struggles. We teach each other how to love more like Jesus, offering a joyful welcome to those who are not welcome elsewhere. We discuss the stories of Jesus in Scripture and talk about the needs of the world amidst atheists, agnostics, Christians of all sorts- anyone who walks in the door. And we engage the questions and doubts of those who want to follow Jesus, but don’t always know how. We invite students to serve with us, such as at the monthly Community Table at Towson. Students cook and share a meal with those in need of food simply because this is a Jesus thing. And we invite students on Spring Break trips to delve deeper into issues of racism, poverty, and immigration while discussing our unique call as followers of Jesus to care for human need.
Youth missioner Kate Riley hanging out with former @episcoposse youth at the Towson University Campus Ministry!
Who We Are
Quote: “Church Historical Records are the voice of God speaking through the ages to the listening present.” – Convention Report by the Committee on the State of the Church, 1872
The Archives is governed by a Diocesan Canon mandating us to “preserve publications, documents, correspondence and other items relating to the history of the diocese’s mission and ministry.” As the official repository of diocesan records and keeper of thousands of historical documents, the F. Garner Ranney Archives keeps and tells the story of our faith by preserving our heritage, shining light on the past so that our present and future pursuits may be illuminated.
High school students, Ph.D. candidates, local historians, hobbyists, and others make use of our large holdings for research and assistance on topics ranging from:
An excerpt from F. Garner Ranney's book
Our Archives are some of the best in The Episcopal Church, thanks to the tireless work of Dr. Garner Ranney, the Archivist from 1960 until his death in 2001. Dr. Ranney organized, processed and catalogued thousands of papers, books, pamphlets, and manuscripts. The legacy he left is priceless, but the Archives is never a finished work: we are constantly receiving new additions, organizing, cataloguing, making room for and making available the ever-growing body of information.
The unique place in the Church held by the Diocese of Maryland and its many parishes calls us to be good stewards of our long and complex historical contributions. Our history is an anchor, tethering us to our traditions and experiences. Knowing our history means knowing how God used us in the past, which guides us as we forge ahead on God’s path towards the future. And if the past glories, errors, shining moments and embarrassing legacies are not known, the future of God’s people in the Diocese of Maryland may be more fraught with thorns than it needs to be. Our History should set us on a path towards truth and adventure. To learn more about the F. Garner Ranney Archives, check out some of the stories from our archivist on marylandepiscopalian.org. To help us preserve your diocesan history and heritage, give now to the Bishop’s Annual Ministries Appeal!
The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton is Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, elected in 2008. Previously he served as Canon Pastor of the Washington National Cathedral and Director of its Cathedral Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage.
Bishop Sutton is a frequent leader of retreats and conferences on spirituality, nonviolence, the environment and reconciliation. He co-founded Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington (COMW), an ecumenical network of individuals and faith communities committed to the daily practice of Centering Prayer. In addition to publishing several articles on prayer, spirituality and justice, he’s a contributor to the books, The Diversity of Centering Prayer, and Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence.
Bishop Sutton has written about and been recognized as a thought leader on the issues of racial reconciliation and reparations, testifying on Capitol Hill with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, actor Danny Glover, economist Julianne Malveaux and others for Congressional Bill HR40 that calls for the establishment of a national bipartisan commission to study and make recommendations for addressing reparations as a restitution for the over 350 years of slavery and racial discrimination of African Americans. He has since lectured and spoken for the benefits that reparations can bring for American society before NPR, Fox News, the Chautauqua Institution and other public forums.
He has served on the boards of the Institute for Sustainable Communities, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, the Maryland Green Jobs Initiative, and Bishops United Against Gun Violence. He was named by the Center for American Progress in 2014 as one of “14 faith leaders to watch”.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Bishop Sutton graduated from Hope College (Holland, MI), attended Western Theological Seminary earning his Master of Divinity, and completed Anglican studies at the University of the South, School of Theology (Sewanee, TN). He has served as a pastor of the Covenant Community Church in inner city Muskegon Heights, Michigan, and did graduate studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. A former professor of homiletics and liturgics at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey and at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN, Bishop Sutton has also served as Chaplain of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey; adjunct professor of preaching at the General Theological Seminary (New York City); vicar of St. Michael’s Church in (Trenton, NJ); priest-in-charge of St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s parishes (Washington, DC); and associate rector for mission and spirituality at St. Columba’s Church (Washington, DC).
Bishop Sutton is married to Sonya Subbayya Sutton, an internationally-recognized pianist, organist and choral director. They have four adult children and stepchildren.