On November 5 and 6, 2021, the 132^nd Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri was held. This was the diocese’s first hybrid (Online and in-person) convention. It also marked the first time a live Spanish interpretation has been provided. Below is a brief summary of the key events.

On Friday, November 5, a Choral Evensong was held in thanksgiving for the ministries of the Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field, Mrs. Donna Field, the Rev. Dr. Steven Rottgers, and Mrs. Mary Rottgers. The service was followed by a reception.

• You can watch a recording of the service here.

On Saturday, November 6, the Convention opened with Holy Eucharist. During the Eucharist, Bishop Field ordained Rita Jo Carson Kendagor to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

• You can watch the ordination and Eucharist here.
• Watch the complete convention in English here.
• Puedes ver la Convención Anual completa en español aquí.

During the business session, the following actions were taken.

Resolutions

Resolution #1 (Election of Bishop Provisional) was adopted. This resolution elected the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce as bishop provisional of West Missouri. Her term will begin on December 1, 2021.

Resolution #2 (Renaming Associate Chancellor to Vice Chancellor) was adopted. This was the first reading of a change to the Canons of The Diocese of West Missouri. This resolution will need to be adopted at next year’s convention on a vote by orders for the change to go into effect.

Resolution #3 (Diocesan Council Membership—Chancellor and Vice Chancellor) was not adopted. This resolution would have given the Associate Chancellor seat and voice at Diocesan Council meetings and allowed the Associate Chancellor to vote if directed by the Chancellor in his or her absence.

• Read all the resolutions here.

Plan for Ministry

The 2022 Plan for Ministry was adopted. The operating income and expenses in the Plan for Ministry is just over $1.98 million. Covenanted portions from congregations represent just over $1.19 million of the operating income.

• See the Plan for Ministry presentation here.
• Read the Plan for Ministry here.

Diocesan Officers

Chancellor — three-year term

• Mr. Mark Galus
  Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City

Associate Chancellor — three-year term

• Mr. David Powell
  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City

Secretary — one-year term

• Mr. Curtis Hamilton
  Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City

Treasurer — one-year term

• Mr. Thomas Kokjer
  St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City

Diocesan Council — elected to two-year terms

• Ms. Regina Berens
  St. Mary Magdalene, Belton
• Mr. Chris Morrison
  Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City
• Ms. Sally Scheid
  Christ Church, Springfield
• Mr. David Scholmer 
  Calvary, Sedalia
• The Rev. Joe Peirjok 
  Grace Church, Carthage
• The Rev. Susan Roberts
  St. Luke’s Health System

The Ecclesiastical Authority also appoints two lay members to the Diocesan Council. These appointments have not yet been made.

• See the Diocesan Council roster here.

Standing Committee — elected to two-year terms

• Ms. Alexandra Connors
  St. Paul’s, Kansas City
• Mr. Eric Rhodes
  St. Anne’s, Lee’s Summit
• The Rev. Ann Meredith Kyle
  Calvary, Sedalia
• The Rev. John Spicer
  St. Andrew’s, Kansas City

• See the Standing Committee roster here.

Board of Examining Chaplains — elected to three-year terms

• Dr. Victor Matthews
  St. John’s, Springfield
• Mr. Channing Horner
  St. Oswald’s, Fairfax
• The Rev. Ron Verhaeghe
  Christ Church, Warrensburg and St. Luke’s Health System

Disciplinary Board — elected to three-year terms

• Mr. Richard Wagstaff
  St. Paul’s, Kansas City
• The Rev. Christy Dorn
  non-parochial

BKSM Board of Directors — elected to two-year terms

• The Rev. Deacon Donna Stanford
  St. Peter & All Saints, Kansas City
• The Rev. Deacon Alysa Carmichael
  St. Peter & All Saints, Kansas City

Commission on Ministry — elected to three-year terms

• Ms. Shirley McCarty
  Trinity, Independence
• Ms. Paula Shepherd
  St. Alban’s, Bolivar
• Mr. Robert Maynard
  St. Peter & All Saints, Kansas City
• ,The Rev. Mark Ohlemeier
  Christ Church, Springfield
• The Very Rev. Jos Tharakan
  St. James, Springfield
• the Ven. Bruce Bower
  St. Andrew’s, Kansas City 

Elected to fill the remaining two years of an unexpired term

• Ms. Ann Rainey
  St Andrew’s, Kansas City

Curtis Hamilton is the Diocesan Secretary and a member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Updates

• 11-12-2021. Chancellor, Mark Galus’ name was incorrected spelled. Corrected, and appologies for the error.