Standing Committee Nominees

The Standing Committee serves as the Bishop’s Council of Advice, and in the absence of the Bishop, is empowered to assume ecclesiastical authority within the diocese should there be no Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan. All petitions to sell or encumber property must be approved by the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee may, from time to time, exercise a role in disciplinary proceedings related to ordained persons under the provisions of Title IV of the national Canons. The Standing Committee consents to the ordination of deacons and priests in the diocese and also consents to the election of bishops in the several dioceses of The Episcopal Church. Whenever the election of a Bishop is required in this diocese, the Standing Committee establishes the process for the nomination and election of such Bishop. There are 4 clerical and 4 lay members of the Standing Committee. Meetings are held on the third Monday morning of each month except during July and August.

Elect one lay and one clergy (4-yr terms)

Lay
	Stephen Gracey (St. Luke’s, Cleveland) My leadership as a member of the Standing Committee would be informed by four spheres of experience. First, I have broad business experience, both public and private, and both for-profit and not-for-profit. Second, I have served as a Lay Deputy to General Convention (2006, 2009, and 2012). Third, I was a member of the diocesan staff (2000-2006) as communications, information, and technology officer. Finally, I have served in many leadership roles in the Episcopal West Side Shared Ministry. I wish to serve you as a member of Standing Committee because the future of the Diocese requires a holistic, community vision. The decisions we make—for the management of our resources, the nourishment of all vocations, and the boldness to grow—will be critical for our long-term strength. God has given me a creative, strategic mind and a deep commitment to growth, which I offer you for our future.

	Elizabeth Moosbrugger (St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights) I have been an active member of St. Paul’s Cleveland Heights for 15 years. I served on the vestry for six years, including 4 years as Clerk. In 2006-7, I co-chaired the parish strategic planning committee. My current service positions include Vice President of the Altar Guild, and member of the Diocesan Nominating Committee. I recently coordinated “Rebuild Our Church in Haiti” for the diocese. I am a Conference Administrator for CREDO and have worked in sales, human resources, and life coaching. I have keen organizational gifts, with a capacity to envision fruitful structuring of both events and institutional bodies. I am a careful counselor to those in authority, conveying my own views and those of others in the organization with clarity and loyalty, even when I may disagree with the decisions or direction of others. I am absolutely committed to the Episcopal Church, and would like to bring my gifts to the Standing Committee

Clergy
	The Rev. Allan E. Belton (St. Mark’s, Wadsworth) I have served in the Diocese of Ohio in a variety of ways including a term on the Standing Committee and the honor of serving as its president. I have served congregations of varying sizes as long-term supply, Interim Rector, Interim Consultant, Associate Rector, and at present I am serving as the rector of St. Mark’s, Wadsworth. In addition, for ten years I was the psychological examiner of candidates who were in the ordination process. It is a background that I feel enables me to have something worthwhile to offer the Bishop’s council of advice, and I would hope to have the privilege of serving once again.

	The Rev. Vanessa Clark (St. James, Painesville) In eleven years of church work, as a Parish Administrator then in ordained ministry, I have learned it is essential to balance financial and administrative competency with gospel-guided discernment. My background in professional stage management, magazine publishing and a CFO’s office sharpened my skills in conducting the business of institutions. My theological training allows me to make decisions with a long-term, spiritual vision. What the Church does is important; the manner in which we accomplish it is a witness. I desire to serve on the Standing Committee in the earthly business of our community to offer my gifts in aiding our Bishop to conduct that business efficiently with faithful discernment of Christ’s call.

	The Rev. Margaret D'Anieri (St. Paul's, Norwalk) I have been active in our Diocese for over 20 years as a lay person, seminarian, and priest of the Diocese for the last nine years. I am a part-time rector with a heart for small parishes, a perspective that I can add to the Committee. The responsibilities of the Standing Committee include a role in the ordination process, one which I am very familiar with as a previous member of the Commission on Ministry, and as a field education site for a seminarian for two years. I also have a knowledge and understanding of property issues from my time as a Trustee of the Diocese and my involvement in the closing of two parishes. I currently serve as Dean of the North Central Mission Area, which gives me a perspective beyond that of the parish I serve as rector. Running for this position was suggested by a colleague. I know that often the Holy Spirit speaks to me via such conversations with others, and so I offer my candidacy in response to that possibiity. I enjoy learning, and so look forward to expanding my knowledge of the wider church and our own Diocese. In these times in which our culture and church are changing faster than we can often comprehend, I hope to engage in conversations that will lead us into a future we cannot fully define. I love the Episcopal Church (even though it's occasionally crazy-making) and would be honored to serve in this capacity.

195th Convention Downloads

Standing Committee Nominees

Lay

Clergy