Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Announces Communications Specialist

The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester has named Stephen Richards as the new Communications Specialist. Mr. Richards will oversee all internal and external communications for the Diocese, along with coordinating with the 48 Congregations in the Diocese. He will work out of the main office of the Diocese along-side the rest of the leadership staff.

I am grateful to God for all the grace in this discernment. Please join me in thanking the amazing Search Committee (Kristy Estey, Richard Van Belzen, Gwen Van Laeken, and Nancy Latour) for their diligence in discerning and presenting two excellent final candidates for this position. They received and studied more than 50 applications for this position from around the country. I am also grateful to Rev. Andrew VanBuren for bravely stepping into this transition period by keeping us connected through the Enews during the search process. We are excited about following the Jesus way of justice, peace and reconciliation in this part of the Finger Lakes region in our Diocese. As you know, after decades of decline, our numbers have started to increase recently!  I welcome Steve with great joy, as he comes with significant experience in communications and marketing, as well as a deep sense of call to help us share our stories of transformation and hope. These stories will help us encourage and inspire one another as well as engage those in our region who are looking to change the world for the better one person at a time. Please join me in welcoming Steve and his family to our churches and more.

This is a home coming for Steve, after serving 2 years as the News Director at the CBS television affiliate in the Albany, NY market. Prior to that assignment, Steve spent 27 years at WHEC-TV here in Rochester, NY, serving the last 3 ½ years as News Director.

Steve said, “After 30 years in the television news profession, I was ready for a change. I grew up as an Episcopalian, and I’ve raised my family in the Episcopal Church. I’m thrilled to be able to serve God and the Episcopal Diocese.”