Leadership

Meet the deans of our convocations, clergy leaders who support and connect congregations within their regions. They work closely with the Bishop to strengthen our shared ministry and foster collaboration across the diocese.

Genesee River Convocation

Dean: The Very Rev. Elizabeth Brooks Harden

Trinity, Greece
Epiphany, Gates
St. George’s, Hilton
Ascension, Rochester
St. Luke’s and St. Simon Cyrene, Rochester
South Wedge Mission
Christ Church, Rochester
St. Peter’s, Henrietta
St. John’s, Honeoye Falls
Grace, Scottsville
St. Andrew’s, Caledonia
Zion, Avon
St. Michael’s, Geneseo
St. Luke’s, Brockport
Chapel at the Episcopal Church Home, Rochester

Trinity, Greece
Epiphany, Gates
St. George’s, Hilton
Ascension, Rochester
St. Luke’s and St. Simon Cyrene, Rochester
South Wedge Mission
Christ Church, Rochester
St. Peter’s, Henrietta
St. John’s, Honeoye Falls
Grace, Scottsville
St. Andrew’s, Caledonia
Zion, Avon
St. Michael’s, Geneseo
St. Luke’s, Brockport
Chapel at the Episcopal Church Home, Rochester

South Convocation

Dean: The Very Rev. Troy Preston

St. Mark’s, Penn Yan
St. Luke’s, Branchport
St. James, Hammondsport
St. James, Watkins Glen
St. John’s, Catharine
St. Thomas, Bath
Good Shepherd, Savona
Christ Church, Corning
Redeemer, Addison
St. Peter’s, Dansville
Christ Church, Hornell
St. Paul’s, Angelica
St. John’s, Wellsville
Christ Church, Cuba
Garrett Chapel, Penn Yan

St. Mark’s, Penn Yan
St. Luke’s, Branchport
St. James, Hammondsport
St. James, Watkins Glen
St. John’s, Catharine
St. Thomas, Bath
Good Shepherd, Savona
Christ Church, Corning
Redeemer, Addison
St. Peter’s, Dansville
Christ Church, Hornell
St. Paul’s, Angelica
St. John’s, Wellsville
Christ Church, Cuba
Garrett Chapel, Penn Yan

East Convocation

Dean: The Very Rev. Leslie Burkardt

St. Mark’s and St. John’s, Rochester
St. Paul’s, Rochester
St. Thomas, Rochester
Christ Church, Pittsford
Incarnation, Penfield
St. Luke’s, Fairport
Good Shepherd, Webster
Zion, Palmyra
St. Mark’s, Newark
St. John’s, Sodus
St. John’s, Clifton Springs
St. John’s, Canandaigua
St. Peter’s, Geneva
Trinity Place, Geneva
Grace, Lyons (RMM)
St. Andrew’s on the Lake, Webster
Episcopal Church, Sodus Point
Chapel at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva

St. Mark’s and St. John’s, Rochester
St. Paul’s, Rochester
St. Thomas, Rochester
Christ Church, Pittsford
Incarnation, Penfield
St. Luke’s, Fairport
Good Shepherd, Webster
Zion, Palmyra
St. Mark’s, Newark
St. John’s, Sodus
St. John’s, Clifton Springs
St. John’s, Canandaigua
St. Peter’s, Geneva
Trinity Place, Geneva
Grace, Lyons (RMM)
St. Andrew’s on the Lake, Webster
Episcopal Church, Sodus Point
Chapel at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva

Episcopal Senior Life Communities

Chaplain: The Rev. Hillary Streever

Ashley Woods
Beatrice Place
Brentland Woods
Center for Rehabilitation
Ellen’s Place
Episcopal Church Home
Pinehurst
River Edge Manor
Rockwood Center
Seabury Woods Assisted Living
Seabury Woods Patio Homes
Upper South Street
Valley Manor

Ashley Woods
Beatrice Place
Brentland Woods
Center for Rehabilitation
Ellen’s Place
Episcopal Church Home
Pinehurst
River Edge Manor
Rockwood Center
Seabury Woods Assisted Living
Seabury Woods Patio Homes
Upper South Street
Valley Manor

Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement

Chaplain: The Rev. Nita C. Johnson Byrd

Dean for Interreligious and Ecumenical Relations

Dean: The Rev. Dr. Denise Yarbrough

Dean for Diocesan Deacons

Dean: The Rev. Patti Blaine

Chaplain to the Retired

Chaplain: The Rev. Michael Hartney

Standing Committee

The Standing Committee has several functions. It acts as the Bishop’s Council of Advice (Article VII.2); approves actions that encumber real property/equipment of the church; approves indebtedness for current expenses in excess of 20% of the previous year’s receipts for current expenses; approves requests to elect bishops; approves the election of bishops; and, approves candidates for Holy Orders. It is composed of four lay and four clerical members, has a (4) year term that begins and ends at the annual convention. The Standing Committee serves as the Ecclesiastical Authority in the absence of a bishop.

Standing Committee Questions? Email standing.committee@episcopaldioceseofrochester.org.

Name	Role	Details	Term
The Rev. Elizabeth Harden		Elected	2024 - 2028
Richard Little		Elected	2024 - 2028
Elizabeth Salamone		Elected	2022 - 2026
Roxanne Gaylord		Elected	2023 - 2027
The Rev. Columba Salamony	President	Elected	2023 - 2027
The Rev. Kevin Gore		Elected	2025 - 2029
The Rev. Keisha Stokes		Elected	2025 - 2026
Stacy Taylor		Elected	2025 - 2029

Trustees

The Trustees hold the powers and duties granted to them by Section 5 of the Religious Corporations Law of the State of New York and are responsible for the prudent management of assets of the Diocese. Lay and clergy members comprise this body.

Trustees Questions? Email will@episcopaldrochester.org.

Name	Role	Details	Term
Richard J. (Rick) Harrison		Elected	2024 - 2027
The Rev. Julie Cicora		Elected	2024 - 2027
Halle Stevens		Elected	2024 - 2027
James Garner		Elected	2025 - 2028
Susan Brown	Treasurer	Ex-Officio	2026 - 2030
Leslie Kernan	Chair	Elected	2025 - 2028
Stanley Jones		Elected	2025 - 2028
Julie Forney		Elected	2023 - 2026
Charles Zettek, Jr.		Elected	2023 - 2026
Bliss Owen		Elected	2023 - 2026

Diocesan Council

Diocesan Council serves as the executive body of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester between annual Diocesan Conventions and acts in accordance with the directives of the Diocesan Convention. Diocesan Council performs the work of the Diocese committed to it by Convention; assists the Bishop with new work between Conventions; formulates the annual budget as directed by Convention; establishes apportionment; organizes departments and determines their scope; and requests reports/statements from parishes and missions as needed. It is composed of elected clergy and lay members from the Diocese’s districts, as well as at-large members who represent the entire Diocese. Council has three subcommittees – Congregational Development Partnerships Committee (CDPC), Mission Partnerships Committee (MPC), and the Budget Committee (Budget). Diocesan Council Questions? Email steve@episcopalrochester.org.

Name	Role	Details	Term
OPEN		Genesee River Convocation	2024 - 2026
Mary White		South Convocation	2024 - 2026
Patricia Campbell		South Convocation	2024 - 2026
The Rev. Shanna Hawks		South Convocation	2024 - 2026
The Rev. Georgia Carney		Genesee River Convocation	2024 - 2026
The Rev. Jim Trimble		Genesee River Convocation	2024 - 2026
The Rev. Craig Hacker		South Convocation	2024 - 2026
The Rev. Gretchen Ratterree		East Convocation	2024 - 2026
Steve Richards		Ex-Officio	-
The Rev. Gregory Kremer	Secretary		-
Susan Brown	Treasurer	Ex-Officio	2026 - 2030
Bliss Owen	Assistant Treasurer	Ex-Officio	-
Sherry Gibbon		East Convocation	2025 - 2027
Margy Ashley		East Convocation	2025 - 2027
Kae Alabastro-Bouchard		Genesee River Convocation	2025 - 2027
The Rev. Andrea Stridiron		East Convocation	2025 - 2027

Commission on Ministry

The Commission on Ministry (COM) advises and assists the Bishop in determining present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons in the Diocese; in recruiting and selecting persons for Holy Orders; and in guiding and examining Postulants, Candidates, and Deacons in training for priesthood. The COM provides financial assistance for the continuing education of clergy and lay professionals. The COM also assists parishes in discerning appropriate candidates for Holy Orders.

Commission on Ministry Questions? Email com@episcopaldioceseofrochester.org.

Name	Role	Details	Term
The Very Rev. Michael Laver		Elected	2024 - 2027
Carolyn Mok		Elected	2024 - 2027
Kathy Stokes		Elected	2023 - 2026
Nicholas Abdallah		Elected	2025 - 2028
Mary Ann Chiella		Elected	2025 - 2028
Cathy Neally Hubbard		Elected	2025 - 2028
The Rev. Roch Whitman		Elected	2025 - 2028
The Rev. Kenneth Pepin	Chair	Elected	2025 - 2028
The Rev. Rich Towers		Elected	2025 - 2028