Disciple: New, Notable and Newsworthy

The Rev. Lindsey Ardrey Named Canon Missioner for Diocesan Restitution and Reparations Ministry

The Rev. Lindsey Ardrey joined the staff as the new canon missioner for diocesan restitution and reparations ministry on May 15.

Ardrey comes to North Carolina by way of New Orleans in the Diocese of Louisiana, where, she says, “the green, purple and gold of Mardi Gras forever painted her heart.” She grew up in Kentucky, but her Carolina roots run deep. Over the last 10 years, Ardrey has led children’s and youth ministries, organized lower and middle school chaplaincy programs, taught in the middle school classroom and co-chaired the Diocese of Louisiana’s Commission on Racial Reconciliation (now named the Commission for Racial Healing). She is also “a writer, a serious seeker of rest, and a human deeply nourished by laughter and silence in equal measure.”

“Lindsey brings to this work a unique combination of deep spirituality and prayer, sensitivity and sensibility about how to engage in conversation about reparations, and a passion for truth-telling and justice,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “We are delighted she has accepted this call and look forward to working with her as we move forward in educating ourselves about our history, asking the tough questions, and meditating on the different, creative and impactful ways God is asking us to respond.”

The position of canon missioner for diocesan restitution and reparations ministry is a new one in the Diocese. Supporting several goals within the diocesan mission strategy priority of Racial Reckoning, Justice and Healing, Ardrey will play a key role in helping the Diocese to acknowledge the destructive legacy of slavery and white supremacy within it, empowering both the clergy and lay members of our congregations to tell their stories, and creating a path to justice, restitution and healing so that we may better embody Christ’s beloved community.

To guide the Diocese on that journey, Ardrey will work closely with the Restitution Committee, diocesan governing bodies, churches across the Diocese and the Rev. Kathy Walker, canon missioner for Black ministries, along with the entire diocesan staff. She will report to Canon Catherine Massey, canon to the bishop.

“I am humbled and energized by the potential transformational power this ministry has in store,” said Ardrey. “I am excited to travel the Diocese meeting people in all its parishes and invite us all into brave (and oftentimes vulnerable) spaces while shining light on the shadowed parts of our hearts and collective history.”

“Lindsey brings an open, calming spirituality, grounded in a theology of healing and wellness, as well as deep knowledge of the subject matter and practical experience to this important role,” said the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “We eagerly look forward to working with her as part of the team focused on implementing our missional priority of Racial Reckoning, Justice and Healing.”

Joy Shillingsburg Named Mission Strategy Coordinator

Joy Shillingsburg has accepted the position of diocesan mission strategy coordinator.

Shillingsburg comes to the position from St. John’s, Wake Forest, where she has served as the director of youth and outreach for more than a decade. Prior to serving at St. John’s, she spent 15 years as a classroom history teacher outside of Philadelphia and in the Wake County Public School System. Her commitment to teaching historical truths and how these truths have the power to liberate and transform our lives and society has been a through line of her work. At St. John’s, Shillingsburg led vibrant intergenerational programs that linked formation rooted in Becoming Beloved Community to vibrant outreach ministries. As an extension of her work as director of youth and outreach, Shillingsburg founded Wake Forest Community Table, a thriving nonprofit that has served more than 25,000 meals over the past three years and connected diverse members of the community to each other through quarterly gatherings that explore the history, laws, personal stories and systems that necessitate the twice-weekly meal distribution.

“Joy brings to this new position deep experience in project management and motivational leadership,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman. “She has a proven ability to connect the Church and the community outside its walls, and we are excited to see the connections she’ll help make possible on our journey to Becoming Beloved Community.”

The position is also a new one in the Diocese. Following the development of the diocesan mission strategy throughout 2021-2022, it was decided that the position would be critical in assisting to bring together the grassroots, congregational and diocesan efforts that will bring the mission strategy’s vision to fruition.

In addition to the diocesan staff, Shillingsburg will collaborate with existing committees related to the mission strategy priorities, including the mission strategy coordinating committee, as well as Diocesan Council, churches across the Diocese and community partners. She will report to the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson.

“Beyond her solid experience and technical strategy management skills, Joy brings an infectious enthusiasm for relational work, collaboration and the missional priorities themselves,” said Brooke-Davidson. “She sees the points of intersection among them and, more importantly, has a gift for bringing out the Gospel best in people to move us toward Jesus’ vision of a loving, and beloved, community. I can hardly wait for everyone to meet her and launch ever more deeply into this work together.”

Shillingsburg begins her tenure on June 21.

The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats Returns as Interim Canon Missioner

The Diocese of North Carolina welcomed back to its staff the Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats, who began her tenure as the interim canon missioner for congregational vitality on March 21.

It is a role familiar to Deats, as she served on the diocesan staff as the canon for east regional ministry from 2016 through 2019. She answers this call as the Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French, the former canon missioner for regional ministry and collaborative innovation, departed the Diocese of North Carolina following her election as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey.

“We are deeply grateful that the Rev. Dr. Deats [has returned] to this role on our staff as interim canon to help continue the important work with our congregations in the east, and to bring her considerable gifts and experience to the team as we begin to implement our mission strategy,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman. “The high level of trust and energy she brings to the partnership with our congregations will help us to strengthen the spirit of collaboration across our diocese.”

Prior to her time on diocesan staff, Deats was a figure already well-known throughout the Diocese. Some knew her through her diocesan offerings in Please Note and the Disciple, while others knew her from her time as associate rector at St. Paul’s, Cary, or from her tenure as interim rector at Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount. Still others were the recipients of the myriad skills and gifts Deats freely shares with others, including those developed during her time as a sign language interpreter, social worker and psychotherapist.

Even after leaving her previous canon role, Deats continued to serve at the diocesan level when she was elected to the Standing Committee at the 204th Annual Convention in 2019 and served as its president in 2022.

Deats is working in a part-time capacity for up to six months as the Diocese continues to undertake a review of its hiring practices, an endeavor already in the planning to ensure and achieve racial equity in those practices before it was formally requested at the 207th Annual Convention. The Diocese is currently at work with consultants with expertise in workplace diversity, equity and inclusion to conduct an audit of diocesan hiring protocols and identify ways in which processes of hiring and election to governing bodies can be improved.

Churchwide Festival: “It’s All About Love”

If you are looking for a truly special getaway this summer, The Episcopal Church invites you to “It’s All About Love,” a churchwide revival in Baltimore, Maryland, July 9-12.

The revival is a festival of “worship, learning, community and action,” featuring “three Jesus Movement festival ‘tents’: Evangelism, Creation Care and Racial Reconciliation. Each tent will offer an evening revival worship service and major plenary speaker, plus dozens of daytime workshops, panels, practice opportunities and other ways to engage. Stick with one tent or explore across the tents, following the themes of worship and liturgy, formation, justice and advocacy, leadership, preaching, stewardship, and youth and children.

“Featured speakers, preachers and artists to include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Julia Ayala Harris, Brian McClaren, the Rev. Mariama White-Hammon, Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, Sarah Augustine, Lilly Lewin, Live Hymnal & Friends, and more.”

Learn more.

- Adapted from information provided by The Episcopal Church

Celebrate Spring with “Wading Deep” from St. Ambrose, Raleigh

“Wading Deep” is a new podcast from St. Ambrose, Raleigh, that explores the environmental injustices that have occurred in the community around the church. Hosted by the Rev. Jemonde Taylor, the podcast represents another phase of St. Ambrose’s engagement with and support for its local community.

Episodes include interviews with neighbors, who shared historical accounts and reminisced about the environmental havoc that impacted their community. Environmental justice and concern for God’s creation, especially as it relates to marginalized, low-wealth and traditional communities of color, is discussed in a context that is not only educational but also spiritual. A history lesson of environmentalism and injustice, the podcast is timely today and for years to come. “Wading Deep” is available on all major podcasting platforms.

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor Receives Sewanee’s 2022 Service Award

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor, rector of St. Ambrose, Raleigh, was awarded the 2022 Service Award by the University of the South School of Theology. The award “recognizes Episcopal clergy or laypersons who have exhibited distinguished service to The Episcopal Church…in particular…[those] who have made a significant difference in transforming unjust structures and promoting peace and reconciliation in their communities, as well as honoring those who have deployed parish resources to sustain and renew the life of the earth.”

Taylor’s work in these areas is well known, including co-founding ONE Wake, a nonprofit comprised of a multitude of faith-based organizations, local associations and other nonprofits that work to find systemic solutions for the benefit of community members. He has also led several environmental initiatives at St. Ambrose, including the Healing Pod, a three-part project that included an ADA-compliant labyrinth, a podcast highlighting the legacy of environmental injustices done to the area of Raleigh in which St. Ambrose is located and their effect on those who live there, and the development of therapeutic gardens to support spiritual and mental health.

Read more about Taylor’s work and the 2022 Service Award here.

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman Named to Constituting Group for Episcopal Church Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice

The 80th General Convention in 2022 passed several resolutions related to the work of the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing, a task force that worked prior to General Convention to focus the Church’s work on acknowledging its racial past and complicity in white supremacy, as well as chart a course for work moving forward.

Among the resolutions was a call to establish an Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice. As described in the working group’s report to General Convention, the coalition is “a voluntary association of Episcopal dioceses, parishes, organizations, and individuals dedicated to the work of becoming the beloved community.”

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, has been named to the newly formed coalition, continuing his work started as the co-convener of the Presiding Officers’ Working Group.

Per the Episcopal Church, “[t]he constituting group—selected by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Ayala Harris and the group’s chair, Ryan Kusumoto—will focus on the organizational, canonical and legal aspects needed to shape the coalition’s work. As one of its first steps, the group intends to hold listening sessions to gain broad input throughout the church.” Learn more about the coalition at bit.ly/TECCoalitionMay2023.

It’s Time to Elect Lay Delegates for 208th Annual Convention

The 208th Annual Convention may still be months away, but there is much to be done before it arrives. For example, it’s time to elect your lay delegates!

At their May and June meetings, vestries are asked to elect their congregation’s lay delegates to Convention. Elected delegates will serve three-year terms, and alternates will serve one-year terms. For more information or answers to questions, please contact Secretary to Convention Chuck Till.