The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Easton announces the appointment of a Steering Committee to work with our consultant and facilitator, the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, to plan listening gatherings across the diocese beginning in November. The purpose of these gatherings will be to support reconciliation and healing in the Diocese of Easton. The Steering Committee will report to the Standing Committee.
Rationale: As the diocese began to engage in a process of discernment following Bishop Santosh Marray’s announcement of his intention to resign as our diocesan bishop, it became apparent to the Discernment Committee that they could not effectively engage the diocese in discerning our future while dysfunction, discord, hurt, and grief clearly exist. The Discernment Committee advised the Standing Committee that the need for this kind of specific Listening and Healing work is beyond the scope and abilities of their committee. Therefore, they recommended the Standing Committee engage a consultant from outside the diocese to carry out this work and that the consultant should report to the Standing Committee.
Engaging a consultant: Rebecca Wilson, Chief of Strategy for The Episcopal Church and consultant to the Discernment Committee, provided assistance in engaging the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves to serve as our consultant and facilitator in this important work, with the consultation fees covered by the Presiding Bishop’s Office.
Bishop Gray-Reeves served as the third bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real from 2007 – 2020. She then became the Managing Director of the College for Bishops, where she continues to serve the church today. She also offers consulting services utilizing her knowledge of family systems theory, mediation and conflict resolution skills.
The Steering Committee: The eight (8) members of the Steering Committee were selected from sixteen (16) qualified candidates nominated by the convocation deans and other diocesan leadership. Our goal was to appoint a committee of individuals with good organizational and listening skills, who have an interest in achieving the goals of conflict resolution and healing, and an ability to engage in potentially difficult conversations in a neutral way. One member was chosen from the Standing Committee and one from the Discernment Committee. The remaining six members, three clergy and three lay, were chosen from across the diocese.
The members of the Steering Committee are:
- The Rev. Charlotte Meyer, Standing Committee member, Interim rector, Old Wye;
- Diana M. Kunkel, Discernment Committee co-chair, Emmanuel, Chestertown;
- Chrissy Aull, St. Paul’s, Centreville;
- Eugenie Drayton, Trinity Cathedral, Easton;
- The Rev. Greg Harbaugh, St. Peter’s, Salisbury;
- The Very Rev. Susan Leight, Dean, Middle Convocation, Rector Christ Church, Cambridge;
- James Martinez, Christ Church I.U., Worton;
- The Rev. Deacon Michael Valliant, Christ Church, Easton.
Standing Committee: The Rev. Dr. Darcy Williams, President; Dr. James Cockey, Secretary; Ms. Debra Dragone; Ms. Linda Hurley; the Rev. Charlotte Meyer; the Very Rev. Gregory Powell.