The 28 members of the Diocesan Council are charged with conducting the work of the diocesan Annual Convention throughout the year. The convention meets annually. Council undertakes the business of the diocese. Members of the Council include members of the clergy and laypersons elected by the Annual Convention along with additional members appointed by the bishop, the Deans, and the President of the Standing Committee. Diocesan Council meets monthly alternating between online meetings and meetings at various churches throughout West Missouri.
Council Officers
President of the Standing Committee
Council Members
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, Belton (Central Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2023. 3rd two-year term.
Involvement on a Church Level
- Vestry Warden (Present)
- Licensed Lay Preacher (Present)
- In charge of maintaining church web site and monthly newsletter, (Present)
- Previously Convention Delegate
Involvement on a Deanery Council/Diocesan Level
- Diocesan Council Member (Present)
Involvement on a Provincial/General Church Level
- None
Additional Comments
“I was received into the Episcopal church 30 years ago and have been almost constantly involved at the church and diocesan levels since then. In addition to being a Licensed Lay Preacher I have also completed EFM (Education for Ministry). I’m a retired property-casualty actuary so I bring quantitative as well as spiritual thinking to the table. The previous 2+ years I’ve served on Diocesan Council have been interesting and fulfilling and I hope to serve again during this time of transition to a new Bishop.”
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City (Northwest-Metro Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 2nd two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
- Senior Warden at St. Augustine’s
- Past President and Church Periodical Club at St. Augustine’s
- Member of Altar Guild
- Episcopal Church Women
- Eucharistic Minister and Visitor
- Hospitality Committee
- Chair of Outreach Project (Necessity Project)
Involvement at Deanery and Diocesan Levels
- Currently a member of the Diocesan Council
- Currently chair of the Diversity and Reconciliation Commission
- A member of the Peace and Justice Committee
- Member of the Standing Committee and Vice-chair: 2016 – 2020
- President of the Standing Committee: 2020 – 2022
- Delegate and Alternates to the Diocesan Convention
- Secretary of The Diocese of West Missouri Episcopal Church Women
- Member and Treasurer of the Diocese of West Missouri Union of Black Episcopalians
- Co-Chair of the Transition Committee for the Election of our Ninth Bishop of Diocese of West Missouri
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- Member of the Anit-Racism Committee of Province VII
- Past President of the Province VII Episcopal Church Women: 2005 – 2008
- Alternate Deputy to General Convention: Minneapolis, Minesota
- Triennial delegate: 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2024
- Chosen as Women of The Year at the 2012 Triennial
Additional Comments
I feel that Racial and Cultural Differences are seen as Assets. A level of welcoming and acceptance is what we should be aiming for in all of our parishes. This means a concerted effort at eradicating the social sin of any racial bias and truly accepting diverse peoples in our congregations.
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2023. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
- Vestry Member (2014 – 2018)
- Lay Reader (2018 – Present)
- Choir (Present)
Involvement at a Deanery Council/Diocesan Level
- Diocesan Youth Council (Late 80’s – Early 90’s)
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- None
Additional Comments
“I have lived in this diocese since 1978. I went through the first Happening in the diocese. I attended Cliff Springs as a camper in high school. In the lat 80’s I was a camp counselor and a camp director. I have not been active on a diocesan level since. I look forward to getting to know people around the diocese again.”
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2023. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
- Youth Leadership Team Volunteer (Aug. 2022 – Present)
- Youth Sunday School Teacher (Jan. 2023 – Present)
- Episcopal Campus Ministry (Sept. 2017 – Apr. 2021)
Involvement at a Deanery Council/Diocesan Level
- Southern Deanery Youth Delegate (2016)
- Youth Ministry Commission (2015 – 2017)
- Diocesan Youth Program Intern (Summer of 2018)
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- None
Additional Comments
“The Diocese of West Missouri continues to do important work to share God‘s love and cultivate rich fellowship with our neighbors. I’ve admired the communities, ministries, and people involved in this impactful work since growing up in the diocesan youth program. I would like to add my voice and be a part of the Diocesan Council for the future of our church.”
Re-appointed to Diocesan Council in 2023.
Church of the Redeemer, Kansas City (Northwest-Metro Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
I am a lifelong Episcopalian. My service to the church began at age 8 as an acolyte and lector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Brownwood, TX. As a young adult, I became a Licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister. and Sunday School Teacher serving both St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Waco, TX and St. Paul’s on the Plains Episcopal Church in Lubbock, TX. I served on the Vestry at St. Paul’s and was an active member of the Altar Guild until 2012.
After a move to Kansas City, I became a member of Church of the Redeemer in 2013. Since that time I have continued my service as a Lay Eucharist Minister and Lector. I also helped create and lead the Family Life Center ministry alongside Rev. Elisabeth Sinclair from 2016-2020. I serve with a team of Redeemerites at the South Platte County Emergency Assistance Center food pantry (multi-denominational) on a monthly basis and have been nominated to serve on the SPEAC board in 2025.
I became a member of the Redeemer staff in 2014 leading the Sunday School ministry for almost 10 years. In 2018 I also became a member of the administrative team taking the role of Finance Administrator. I was nominated Treasurer in 2022 and continue to serve in both roles at Redeemer. Under the leadership of Fr. Isaac Petty, I helped introduce the first Narrative Budget to the Redeemer community in 2023, highlighting our desire to allocate resources to align with our mission and ministry goals.
Involvement at Deanery and Diocesan Levels
I have served as a delegate to Diocesan convention and as a representative of the NW Metro Deanery for Church of the Redeemer in 2023 and 2024.
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- I have not served at the Provincial/General Church level.
Additional Comments
Church service has been at the cornerstone of my life since I slipped on an acolyte robe for the first time. That service has evolved over the years to include almost every aspect of lay ministry and several administrative roles within the church. My hope is to bring this experience to the Diocesan Council as we work to grow, evolve and expand the Mission and Ministries of the Diocese of West Missouri.
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City (Northwest-Metro Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2023. 3rd two-year term.
Involvement on a Church Level
- Dean Search Committee (2018 – 2019)
- Live Streaming Designer and Runner (2020 – Present)
- Youth Formation Teacher (Present)
- Website Manager (Present)
Involvement on a Deanery Council/Diocesan Level
- Diocesan Council (2019 – Present)
- Northwest-Metro Deanery, Vice-Chair
- Diocesan Convention Delegate (2016 – Present)
Involvement on a Provincial/General Church Level
- None
Additional Comments
“It has been a privilege to serve on our Diocesan Council and it would be an honor to be allowed to serve an additional term.”
Trinity Episcopal Church, Lebanon (Southern Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 3rd two-year term. General Convention Deputy to GC81. Elected in 2022.
Involvement at a Church Level
As a clergy daughter, Amanda grew up being steeped in Anglican tradition, worship, and ministry; being in church are some of her earliest and fondest memories.
At Trinity, Lebanon:
- Bishop’s Warden: January 2009 – January 2014
- Bishop’s Committee Member: January 2007 – January 2009, January 2022 – present
- Altar Guild: August 2006 – present
- Eucharistic Minister: January 2013 – present
- Lector: August 2006 – present
At Trinity, Kirksville:
- Peer Minister for Campus Ministry: January 2004 – December 2005
- Bishop’s Committee Clerk: January 2004 – December 2005
- Lector: August 2003 – December 2005
- Choir Member: August 2003 – December 2005
Involvement at Deanery and Diocesan Levels
- Convention and Deanery Delegate: 2010 – present
- Youth Ministry Commission Member: August 2011 – present
- Diocesan Council Member: 2014 – 2018, 2020 – 2024
- Vice-dean of the Southern Deanery Council
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- Attended General Convention with WEMO Youth: 2012 and 2015.
- General Convention Deputy: 2018, 2022, and 2024
- Chair of General Convention Deputation: 2024
Additional Comments
In secular life, Amanda is a high school social studies teacher. She has held numerous leadership roles at school including Professional Development Committee building chair, PLC facilitator, PBIS Committee secretary, new teacher mentor, curriculum writer, and local NEA co-president. Amanda enjoys traveling to experience and learn more from the world.
Priest-in-Charge, Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage (Southern Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2023. 2nd two-year term.
Involvement on a Church Level
- Youth Pastor, Redeemer of Kansas City (2011 -2013)
- Associate Rector, Grace Episcopal Church of Carthage (2019 – Feb. 2023)
- Rector, Grace Episcopal Church of Carthage (Feb. 2023 – Present)
Involvement on a Deanery Council/Diocesan Level
- Diocesan Council Member (Nov. 2020 – Present)
- Finance Committee (Jan. 2019 – Present)
- Executive Committee (Dec. 2022 – Present)
- Commission on Ministry (Jan. 2023 – Present)
- Youth Comission Chair (Nov. 2020 – Present)
- Courtesy Resolution Chair (Jan. 2022 – Present)
- Maryville Committee (Nov. 2022 – Present)
- Order of Naucratius Secretary (July 2023 – Present)
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- Alternate to General Convention for 2024.
Additional Comments
None
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City (Northwest-Metro Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
- Communicant at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 2019 – 2023
- Children’s Coordinator at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral from 2021- Spring of 2023
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion researcher for the Cathedral, 2022 – Spring of 2023
- Associate Rector and Chaplin of St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School Summer of 2023- Present Day
Involvement at Deanery and/or Diocesan Levels
- Peace and Justice Committee, 2022- September of 2023
- Be S.M.A.R.T Presenter, Present Day
- Formation Committee, 2022 – Present Day
- Access For all God’s Children, 2022 – Winter of 2023
- Member of the UBE, February 2022 – Present Day
Additional Comments
Over the past year, I have been honored to support and lead several committees and Ministries at St. Paul’s Church and Day School and for the diocese. These ministries include the Chapel Leadership Team for St. Paul’s School, the Pastoral Care Network, The Finance Committee, the diocesan Spiritual Formation Committee with particular oversight of the Godly Play Lending Library, and Children and Youth Ministries at St. Paul’s church. My experience has allowed me to work with diverse groups of people to collaboratively cast a vision and execute the business entrusted to them. I desire to bring this posture of curiosity and constructive conversation to the Diocesan Council as it welcomes the ninth bishop of The Diocese of West Missouri.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City (Northwest-Metro Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
- Vicar, Church of the Good Shepherd, Springfield, 2002-2005
- Associate rector, St. Andrew’s Kansas City, 2005-2011
- Priest-in-Charge, St. Andrew’s, Kansas City, 2011-2012
- Rector, St. Andrew’s, Kansas City, 2012-present
Involvement at Deanery and Diocesan Levels
- West Missouri Spirit Editorial Board, 2003-2012
- Diocesan Liturgy and Spirituality Committee 2003-2007
- Standing Committee, 2004-2007 (president 2006-2007)
- Diocesan Council, 2006-2007
- Diocesan Communications Committee, 2006-2009
- Dean of the Metro Deanery and member of Episcopal Ministry Support Team, 2013-2014
- Presenter at Summer Church Summit, 2017
- Presenter at Bishop’s Day, 2018
- Standing Committee, 2017-2023 (president 2022-2023)
- Diocesan Council, 2023
- Bishop Search Committee, 2023-2024
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
- Member and participant, Episcopal Parish Network, 2013-present
- Member of diocesan delegation to TEC’s Project Resource, 2017
- Workshop leader in Columbus, OH (Diocese of Southern Ohio), 2018
- General Convention deputy, 2022
Additional Comments
Author of “Beating the Boundaries: The Church God is Calling Us to Be,” Morehouse, 2016.
Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage (Southern Deanery)
Elected to Diocesan Council in 2024. 1st two-year term.
Involvement at a Church Level
I have been a member of Grace for most of my life. I have been on the Vestry twice, serving as the Clerk both times. I am an acolyte mentor, a Sacristan, a Sunday School teacher, assist with the AV program, and serve as a delegate for the Diocesan Convention. I also oversee the Grace Church Youth Pilgrimage Program.
Involvement at Deanery and Diocesan Levels
I serve on the Diocesan Convention Planning Committee (two years), and served over the summer as the Assistant Secretary of the Diocese and the secretary for the Bishop Search Committee. Prior to 2016, I was also actively involved with the Diocesan Youth Program for many years.
Involvement at a Provincial/General Church Level
I have not been fortunate enough to be involved at the provincial/general church level.
Additional Comments
It would be an honor to serve as a member of Diocesan Council.
