Ordained and Licensed Lay Ministry

“Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” –Frederick Buechner

We are all called to ministry by virtue of our Baptism. God gives each of us gifts, as well as a community of believers to help us discern them. These gifts often take time to unfold as we develop and hone the skills needed to use them well. They may not always bring happiness, which is fleeting, but when we use them fully, God’s gifts bring joy deep within our soul because we know that we are living into what God calls us to be and do. When we apply our gifts to “the world’s greatest need,” as Dr. Buechner says, we are living into our vocation.

The Commission on Ministry (COM) is an important part of the community of discernment. It is established by Title III of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, which addresses the ministry of all baptized persons. It requires that each diocese create a Commission on Ministry consisting of priests, deacons, and lay persons to provide advice and assistance to the Bishop in:

• The implementation of Title III of the Canons.
• The determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons.
• The design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefore. (Title III, Section 2).

In The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna, the Bishop Diocesan serves, by virtue of her office, as Commission President. The Archdeacon for Deacons also serves by virtue of her office. Six lay persons and six clergy members round out the roster, serving in staggered 3-year terms.

The Commission on Ministry meets monthly. The Co-Chairs of the Commission meet with Bishop Scanlan on a regular basis to plan agendas and schedule interviews with people in discernment. Members of the Commission serve as Companions in Discernment for nominees, postulants, and candidates as they make their way through the ordination process.

For specific questions, applications, and forms regarding the Ordination and Lay Licensing, contact Nichol Free, Executive Assistant to the Bishop Diocesan & Administrative Support.

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan
Bishop Diocesan, President

The Rev. Timothy Alleman
Co-Chair
St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes Barre

Dr. Mary Beth Williams
Co-Chair
St. John’s, Lancaster

The Rev. Lou Divis
Christ Church, Susquehanna & St. Mark’s, New Milford

Laura Drum
Cathedral of the Nativity, Bethlehem

The Rev. Barbara Hutchinson
St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg

The Rev. Amanda Knouse
St. John’s, Lancaster

Ross Mangina
Trinity, Bethlehem

Andrea McQueen
Christ Church, Stroudsburg

The Ven. Jane Miron
Archdeacon for Deacons, St. Thomas, Lancaster

Christyan Seay
St. Paul’s, Harrisburg

The Very Rev. Jon Stratton
Cathedral of the Nativity, Bethlehem

Dr. Judith Wubah
St. James, Lancaster