Lay

Lonny Gatlin (St. Luke’s, Cleveland)
As Christians, we have the rare privilege of helping Jesus fulfill His mission. My early Christian experiences were in the Baptist tradition, but after witnessing the compassion St. Luke’s, Cleveland displays for, “the least of these”, I answered the call and became a communicant of the Episcopal Church. Currently, I head our Front Door Ministry which promotes a hospitable environment for everyone who comes, serve as Worship Leader and Eucharistic Minister, and serve on our vestry as senior warden. At the Diocesan level, I am serving my second year as chair of the Cuyahoga Mission Area Council, and member of Episcopal Community Services. Serving as Provisional General Convention Deputy would allow me to gain a national perspective of our Church and hopefully insight into how we might work together at all levels to help build God’s Kingdom.

Ernie Petrey (St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights)
In today’s world, The Episcopal Church is at the epicenter of potential tsunami like change. This change, however, can only be propagated with the support of an empowering structure that has the organizational, relational, and financial systems that are attuned to the mission. I would use my expertise to assist in achieving this mission.

My activities in the Anglican Church overseas for a number for years and being elected/appointed to positions of responsibility in Parish, Diocesan, ECUSA and Episcopal national Organizations have provided me with a level of understanding of the complex interrelationships and tensions that require dexterity of management in order to fulfill the mission.

My experiences as founder and CEO of several successful companies and not for profit organizations from startup to multimillion dollar enterprises, have required me to understand and to implement evolving organizational structures, procedures, and processes as the character of the enterprise has changed over time to allow the organization to maximize revenues, deploy assets to achieve maximum return, and to enable the employees to reach their maximum potential contribution to the organization.

Greg Stark (Harcourt, Gambier)
Student, Kenyon College '13
In addition to lay, liturgical ministry, I’ve served on the vestry of Harcourt Parish for the past two years, and I was a delegate to Diocesan Convention last fall 2010. In February, I was a member of the Episcopal Young Adult Delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. This summer, I worked at Camp Mitchell (Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas) as a counselor, working not only with children, but also spending two weeks working with adults with mental and physical handicaps. These experiences have given me an awareness of the importance of mission and community, especially as they relate to young adult and campus ministry. I hope to bring these and other experiences to our conversations about the future of this Church.

Clergy

The Rev. Allan E. Belton (St. Mark’s, Wadsworth)
In 2006, having initially been elected as Provisional Deputy to General Convention, circumstances made it possible for me to serve as a Deputy. It was an incredible opportunity to be a part of that deliberative body, to gain valuable experience in its work, and to come away with even greater respect for the inclusiveness offered in the Episcopal Church. In addition to this office, I have served the diocese in a variety of ways during my 45 years as a priest. As a Provisional Deputy I would be prepared to undertake the role of Deputy if circumstances once again dictated that.

The Rev. Gregory P. Sammons (St. Michael’s in the Hills, Toledo)
Thirty-five years of ordained ministry in a variety of parish settings, 18 in the Diocese of Ohio; Dean, West Mission Area; Diocesan Council Representative; Anglican Partnerships Committee; Campus Ministry Board; organized and co-led youth domestic and overseas mission trips; collaborative ministries both Episcopal and ecumenical; steady leadership through times of stress and change in the church’s life; provisional delegate to Anaheim General Convention in 2009; I bring a commitment to the wisdom, wealth and welcome of the Anglican/Episcopal spiritual legacy and a determination that it be made more widely known in the 21^st century.

The 2012 General Convention faces crucial decisions of finances and mission which will shape the Episcopal Church’s ability to witness and serve in the 21^st century. These include the fate of our Church in the inner city and in rural America; our ability to minister confidently with diminished resources; our continuing journey toward full inclusion for all God’s people; and our re-commitment to the resources of Scripture, prayer and Sacrament as the chart and compass for our mission. I would like to lend my voice to this conversation. If needed, I am ready to stand in for one of our delegates in the event they are unable to serve.

The Rev. Helen Svoboda-Barber (Harcourt Parish, Gambier)
I have been to several General Conventions including serving as Deputy and Provisional Deputy as well as being a visitor and volunteer. I spent six years on the Council of Advice for the President of the House of Deputies and have a good working knowledge of General Convention processes. I believe in the value of General Convention and that the work we do there is guided and influenced by the Holy Spirit. As a deputy or provisional deputy, I carefully read legislation and listen to different viewpoints about the resolutions and then spend time in prayer before I either speak on the floor or vote.

I understand my ordination vows to include taking part in the councils of the church in this way. I am energized by the intensity of our General Convention and have a heart for this legislative work. Having served as a Deputy in the past, I have the ability to quickly get up to speed if called on to sit on the floor of convention.

The Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilbert (Christ Church, Oberlin)
In 2011 I celebrated 50 years as a baptized Christian and 25 years as a priest. It has been a privilege to have lived and moved and had my being during that time right here in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. I grew up at St. Andrew’s Elyria, attended Harcourt Parish in Gambier while a student at Kenyon College. I have served three parishes in the diocese (St. Michael-in-the-Hills, Toledo; Grace Church, Ravenna, Christ Church, Oberlin). I have served two terms on Diocesan Council, one term on the Standing Committee. I have worked with church organizations such as the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and Integrity, and have contributed significant work in the areas of diocesan history, spiritual formation and diocesan program and budget.

This is an exciting yet challenging time in the life of the Episcopal Church USA and in the Anglican Communion. I have a deep appreciation, respect and affection for those with whom I’ve journeyed and shared ministry. I have attended every General Convention as a visitor since 1988 and was glad to serve as a deputy to the 2009 Convention because I believe in the way our church works together. I have a good working knowledge of our church canons, constitution and structures. If called upon to serve as provisional deputy to the 2012 General convention I would be honored to do so.