Diocesan Council
The Diocesan Council is made up of six lay persons elected at-large for staggered terms of three years and one lay and one clergy representative elected by each of the Convocations. The bishop also appoints three members of the Diocesan Council subject to ratification by the elected members. The bishop serves as chair of the Diocesan Council and appoints a vice chair to serve in his or her absence.
The Diocesan Council does the work of the Diocesan Convention when Convention is not in session, including:
- development of the program budget
- oversight of the programs and offices funded by the budget
- oversight and interpretation of diocesan policies
- members of this committee also serve as members of COEDMO, the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
The complete duties and responsibilities of Diocesan Council are contained in The Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Missouri. The main section is Canon III.6, with other shorter references throughout.
Diocesan Council Members
- Angela Breeher - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Carondelet/St. Louis (2024)
- The Rev. Nancy Emmel Gun - St. John's Episcopal Church, Tower Grove/St. Louis (2024)
- The Rev. Josh Huber - Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia (2024)
- Liz Yount - St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Ladue (2024)
- Ann Binggeli - Calvary Episcopal Church, Columbia (2025)
- Larry Cornelius - St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville (2025)
- The Rev. Amy Fallon - Trinity Episcopal Church, Kirksville (2025)
- Dr. Robert Lowe - Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau (2025)
- The Rev. Michael Nchimbi - Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles (2025)
- Michael Reiser - Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis (2025)
- Sheila Thiele - Christ Episcopal Church, Cape Girardeau (2025)
- Joyce LaFontaine - Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Louis (2026)
- Ezra Smith - The Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton (2026)
Ex-officio members:
- Andrew Bleyer - Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
Vice-Chancellor - Hal Burroughs - St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Ladue
Chancellor - Al Ludwig - Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
Vice-Chancellor and Treasurer
Offices of the Bishop:
- The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson - Bishop / Council Chair
- The Rev. Canon Doris Westfall - Bishop's Canon to the Ordinary
- Canon Desiree Brattin - Bishop's Canon for Finance and Administration
Diocesan Council Standing Teams Roster
Stewardship [Grants, Budget & Finance]
- Convener – Sondra Kekec
- The Rev. Nancy Emmel Gunn
- The Rev. Josh Huber
- The Rev. Dn. Harry Leip
- Liz Maiocco
- Michael Reiser
- Liz Yount
The Stewardship Team invites communities of faith throughout the Diocese of Missouri to see Christian Stewardship as joyful giving back to God in gratefulness for all that God has given to us. The primary responsibility of this team is the financial care of the resources of the Diocesan Council and the communities of faith within the Diocese. This team will serve, along with the Diocesan Treasurer, to
- Develop and present the annual Operating Budget of the Diocese.
- Facilitate the development of audit policies for the parishes and missions of the Diocese along with the formation of an audit team to work with parishes and missions in fulfilling the requirements of Diocesan Canon IV.8 that states in part, “the accounts of the Treasurer, Wardens, Trustees and custodian of Funds of every Parish and Mission shall be audited annually.”
- Coordinate and oversee the granting processes for the Church Assistance Endowment Fund and the New Ventures in Community Ministry Fund. This will include recommending granting policies and guidelines, reviewing grant submissions, presenting recommended grants to Diocesan Council for approval, and following up on post grant requirements and reporting.
Vital Communities
- Convener – Angela Breeher
- Ann Binggeli
- The Rev. Amy Fallon
- Robert Lowe
- The Rev. Michael Nchimbi
- Kerry Quinlisk
This team of Diocesan Council encourages communities of faith within the Diocese of Missouri to thrive. Vital communities will seek to develop new or strengthen existing programs that equip communities to explore and understand the rapidly changing contexts in which they minister, gain clarity about their own values and missions, and to adapt their ministries to their changing contexts. This team will work with the Canon for Evangelism and Discipleship Development to:
- Provide resources and opportunities for learning around the characteristics of vital communities:
- inviting and inspiring worship; engaging in mission and outreach; gifted, equipped and inspired lay leadership; effective, equipped and inspired clergy leadership; small groups and strong formation programs for all ages. - Develop the mission and ministry priorities that will guide our common life.
- Develop a narrative budget based on the Stewardship Budget to be presented annually to all institutions of the Diocese of Missouri at the Diocesan Convention.
Property & Facilities
- Convener – Annette Webb
- Larry Cornelius
- Bill Haggerty
- Justin Martin
- Cheryl Nield
- Sheila Thiele
This team of Diocesan Council is primarily responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and good repair of the properties owned by the Diocese of Missouri along with audit of communities of faith within the Diocese. This team will work with the Canon to the Ordinary and Archivist to:
- Provide resources to communities of faith towards the development and completion of an annual audit of all facilities and properties of the Diocese of Missouri.
- Provide regular reports to Diocesan Council on changes or updates on properties within the Diocese.
- Facilitate property and facilities audits of every community of faith every five years.
- Work in conjunction with the Stewardship Team on grant and loan requests for brick and mortar requests.
- Evaluate the current Diocesan property needs of the Diocese while planning for future development.