Nominees for Diocesan Leadership Positions
Thank you to the individuals who have accepted nomination for diocesan leadership positions. Elections will take place at the 2017 Diocesan Convention.
Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by position and provided biographical statements have been edited to fit the 120-word limit. Photos are used where provided.
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Diocesan Board
The Diocesan Board is the policy-making body of the Diocese and is responsible for articulating and formulating its mission strategy. It has responsibility for all programmatic activities including the preparation, administration, and oversight of the Diocesan Budget. This group also serves as the Board of Trustees for all Diocesan Corporations.
The Diocesan Board has ten members: the Bishop, four elected members, three appointed members, a Standing Committee representative, and the Diocesan Treasurer. Members must be at least 20 years of age and confirmed communicants of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of CNY. The Diocesan Board typically meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the diocesan office.
Convention 2017 will elect:
- One clergyperson for a three-year term.
- One layperson for a three-year term.
The Rev. Dr. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew (Nominee 1 of 1 for Diocesan Board, Clergy)
I am the Rector of Christ Church and have lived and served in Manlius for seven and a half years. I serve as Chair of the Commission on Ministry, am a two time General Convention Deputy, and am co-founder and Chair the Antiracism Team. Locally I serve on the Fayetteville-Manlius Community Outreach Board and the East Area Support Network, created in response to the opioid epidemic. This May I graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership and Community Witness from Emory University. I have been ordained 29 years and previously served in five other dioceses, including experience on Diocesan Council and the Congregational Development Commission.
Ms. Margaret Lee Webber (Nominee 1 of 1 for Diocesan Board, Lay)
I was brought up in a family of Episcopalians, including my Grandfather from Kent, UK. I was baptized/confirmed in Emmanuel Episcopal Church in East Syracuse, NY, serving in the choir. I graduated with a BS in Psychology from St. Lawrence University. While working full time (and through pregnancy), I earned my MBA from Chapman College. I worked for 30 years for Owens-Illinois as an accountant. Since retirement, I have volunteered for Red Cross as blood ambassador and disaster action team-5 disasters. I brought up 3 sons, baptized at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fulton, NY. I still live there. I served as Sunday school teacher, vestry member, secretary, altar guild, and would be honored to serve on the Diocesan Board.
Disciplinary Board
The Disciplinary Board is the body that deals with all matters regarding the ecclesiastical discipline of members of the clergy not being Bishops in the Diocese of Central New York and is governed by the relevant provisions of Title IV of the Canons of the General Convention and detailed in the Diocesan Canon XXVII.
The Board consists of five clergy members–clergy must be canonically and geographically resident in the Diocese and can be either active or retired; and four lay members–lay members must be adult communicants in good standing and geographically resident in the Diocese.
The term for Disciplinary Board members is three years. The Disciplinary Board meets as needed.
Convention 2017 will elect:
- Two clergypersons for a three-year term.
- Two laypersons for a three-year term.
The Rev. Julie Calhoun-Bryant (Nominee 1 of 2 for Disciplinary Board, Clergy)
As an original member of the Disciplinary Board, I am pleased to report that I’ve never been called to duty. That said, if re-elected I remain ready to serve if needed. I have been a priest in this diocese for 28 years and have served parishes in Binghamton, Endicott, Camillus, and Marcellus. For the past eleven years I have been Rector at St. Alban’s, Syracuse. Over the years I have been a part of a variety of mission and ministry in the diocese, including youth ministry, Commission on Ordained Ministry, Episcopal Relief & Development, the Cathedral Chapter, and Music and Liturgy. My husband Brian and I have been married for 31 years and have 23 and 17 year old sons.
The Rev. Kate Lufkin Day (Nominee 2 of 2 for Disciplinary Board, Clergy)
The Rev. Kate Lufkin Day has served in the Diocese of Central New York since 1997. She was raised in Minnesota, and graduated from General Theological Seminary (’89). After 20+ years in parish ministry, she is now Managing Chaplain at Crouse Hospital. Recently, she has served as a non-stipendiary priest associate at Grace Church, Syracuse, and at St. David’s, DeWitt. A former District Dean, Bishop Search Committee member, and member of the Cathedral Chapter, she sees the Disciplinary Board as an opportunity to serve the Diocese in a new, creative way. Kate lives in DeWitt with Bill, of 38 years.
Ms. Penny Dugas (Nominee 1 of 2 for Disciplinary Board, Lay)
My name is Penny Dugas. I am a cradle Episcopalian who currently attends St Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Liverpool. I have served as a vestry member and as a warden. I serve on the Ministry Support Commission for the Diocese. I was asked to serve because of my 20 year work experience with Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield as a contract writer. I have begun the Education for Ministry (EfM) program with the Diocese. I am excited to expand my knowledge by taking this four year class.
Ms. Laurie Sanderson (Nominee 2 of 2 for Disciplinary Board, Lay)
As an active member of St. Paul’s Church in downtown Syracuse. I am married to a Presbyterian pastor, the mother of three wonderful adult children and two grandchildren. An experience as a 17 year old on a mission trip serving in a migrant camp called me to my career as a social worker. I currently am a part time clinical social worker/therapist in a large private practice. I have worked with all ages, especially enjoy children and young mothers, I also have considerable experience with trauma survivors. I have been honored to be a part of a church that makes “Safe Church” a priority. I have served one term and have prayerfully decided to run again.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee consists of eight members: four clergypersons and four laypersons.
Members must be at least 20 years of age and confirmed communicants of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Central New York. The Standing Committee usually meets 5 times a year, typically on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the diocesan office, and one meeting immediately following the Diocesan Convention.
Responsibilities include:
- Review and consent to all transactions involving the sale, mortgage or lease of church-owned real estate.
- Approval of the election of bishops anywhere in The Episcopal Church, which leads to a concern for the structure and distribution of authority in the Church.
- Approval of persons for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood, which leads to a concern for ministry throughout the Church.
- Acting as a council of advice for the Bishop in such matters as she may choose to bring before the Committee; and on matters which the Diocese, through the Standing Committee, wishes to bring before the Bishop.
- Acting as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in the case of prolonged absence, disability, or resignation of the Diocesan Bishop, if there be no other Bishop to whom authority has been temporarily given.
- Acting as the investigative body in the process of ecclesiastical discipline as specified in the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Convention 2017 will elect:
- One clergyperson for a four-year term.
- One layperson for a four-year term.
The Rev. Brooks Cato (Nominee 1 of 2 for Standing Committee, Clergy)
In Hamilton, I have served as Rector of St. Thomas’ since 2016 and convene the Hamilton Village Clergy. In Central New York, I have served on the Ministry Support Subcommittee and two Happening staffs. For The Episcopal Church, I was Deputy to General Convention in 2015 and work with the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations as Chair of the Subcommittee on Boards (collects, vets, and finalizes nominations to General Convention for election to the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, General Board of Examining Chaplains, and General Theological Seminary Board of Trustees). As a priest in Arkansas, I was Finance Chair of a diocesan camp; established interfaith relationships with a Turkish Cultural Center; and co-founded an ecumenical ministry with the homeless population.
The Rev. Gary Cyr (Nominee 2 of 2 for Standing Committee, Clergy)
A recent transplant to New York, I currently serve as Rector of St. James in Clinton. Since my ordination seven years ago, I have earned an advance graduate degree in Liturgical Theology that complements my strong advocacy for the Ministry of the Baptized. Currently, I participate in the Clinton Ministerium and the Utica Interfaith Collation where my passion for ecumenical dialogue and social justice is engaged. With only nine months in the Diocese, having previously served in the Diocese of Maine and the Canadian Diocese of Calgary, I am looking forward to participating in my new home Diocese particularly within the ministry of the Standing Committee to support our Bishop and her vision for the Diocese.
Ms. Beth Hallinan (Nominee 1 of 2 for Standing Committee, Lay)
My name is Beth Hallinan. I am a lifelong parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection (Oswego). I retired as a French teacher and high school administrator. I am completing my first term with the Standing Committee. I am a lector, lay Eucharistic visitor, Eucharistic minister, member of the Administration Team and Stewardship Commission, and have completed multiple terms with the Vestry. I am actively involved with our Blessings in a Backpack program. I participated with the Mission of Miracles. I am a member of the Pulaski Lions Club, board member and secretary with Northern Oswego County Health Services and board member with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County. I am Past President and trustee of Elks Ladies Auxiliary 271, board member with Oswego Teachers Federal Credit Union.
Mr. Russell Ketch (Nominee 2 of 2 for Standing Committee, Lay)
Education: Oklahoma University, USNR Officer Candidate School, Westminster Theological Seminary
Skills: Moving yards; pumping gas; food service; construction labor; writing, editing, magazine production; desktop publishing, graphic design; educational video scripting, photography, narration, distribution; display design and execution; design and production of everything between single sheet brochures and 600-page books; tour directing; database design, training, and teaching; sales manager and executive director of oldest annual art show; seminary radio program consultation; active duty division officer; freelance reporting; plus Sunday school teacher, church newsletters, vestry, choir, worship leader, Eucharistic Minister.
With: Neighbors, United States Navy, Chilton Publications, Christianity Today, Tauck Tours, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, and Emmanuel, Norwich, NY.