“The Ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.”
Book of Common Prayer, p. 855
September 2013
The Commission on Ministry of the Baptized (COMB) offers this manual as a
resource to develop, enhance, and support ministry in the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
When most people, including those in the Church, hear the word “ministry,” they think
of the work done by clergy; but all Christians are called to serve in Christ’s name.
Recognizing that all who are baptized are called to be ministers of the Gospel, one of
Bishop Vono’s first actions as Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande was to change the
name of the diocesan “Commission on Ministry” to the “Commission on Ministry of the
Baptized.”
The COMB has spent the past three years learning to live into its new name and
to take on a more comprehensive role in the education and formation of those preparing
for ordination as Priests and Vocational Deacons. We also have begun to honor our
canonical mandate [Title III.2.2 and III.4 of the Constitution & Canons of The Episcopal Church] to
enhance the ministry of laity in our diocese.
At times it seems like we have taken only “baby” steps, especially when we see
how much remains to be done to assist lay persons in identifying and strengthening
their ministries. At other times, when we review the checklists published for the first
time in this directory, we feel as if we have made huge strides. The materials contained
in this volume are far from complete. Periodically, we will be updating them and adding
to them. We ask that someone in each congregation look for these occasional updates
on the diocesan website and replace or add, as needed, to the current documents.
Thanks go to all who have been a part of this process of starting to grow into our
canonical mandate. Special thanks go to the Rev. Deacon Beth Noland who urged the
Commission to adhere to the Canons long before this manual was ever envisioned; to
the Rev. Richard Valantasis who guided our early efforts to reform and reconfigure the
Commission; to Dr. Grace La Torra who has led our initiatives in lay ministry, even after
her term on the COMB expired; and to the Rev. Deacon Patricia Soukup who has
assumed the mantle of training Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors. Those
who served on the COMB from 2011-2013 – volunteers all – also are to be commended
for helping put the policies, procedures, and processes contained in this directory in
place.
The Jerusalem cross, depicted on the cover of this directory, has been said to
represent the four orders of ministry of the Church – lay persons, bishops, priests, and
deacons – with the large cross in the center representing Christ Jesus. May it be a
reminder that we all are ministers of Christ.
Commission on Ministry of the Baptized
Membership Roster
+ The Rev. Dr. Lin Lilley, Chair**
+ The Hon. A. Joseph Alarid, Vice-Chair**
+ 2016 Dr. Cynthia Lose* The Rev. Dr. Lin Lilley**
+ 2015 The Rev. Brian Taylor* The Hon. A. Joseph Alarid**
+ 2014 Mrs. Rickie Sherrill* The Rev. Rod Hurst**
+ 2013 The Rev. Canon Carole McGowan* Dr. Charmazel Dudt**
+ Liaison from Standing Committee: Ms. Christine Johnson (2013)*
+ Psychological Advisor: Mr. Bob G. Stice**
+ Recent Seminarian: The Rev. Deacon Anne Turrie (2013)**
+ Vocational Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Jan Bales (2013)**
Canon Theologian: The Rev. Canon Douglas Travis
Canon to the Ordinary: The Rev. Canon Kathleene McNellis/The Rev. Canon Daniel
Gutierrez
* Elected by Convocation
** Appointed by Bishop
+ Voting Members
Bishop’s Appointments in effect after Convention 2013:
+ Recent Seminarian: The Rev. Suzanne Brockmeier (2014)
+ Vocational Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Laurie Benavides (2014)
+ 2017 Dr. Charmazel Dudt (re-appointed after serving one year to fill a vacancy)