Elected Officials

What are these elected roles?

  • A Standing Committee in the Episcopal Church is a body of elected clergy and lay leaders who serve as a council of advice to the bishop and carry out specific canonical responsibilities. These include giving consent to episcopal elections in other dioceses, approving candidates for ordination, and sometimes serving as the ecclesiastical authority in the absence of a bishop. Elected by diocesan convention, the Standing Committee plays a vital role in upholding the canons and spiritual integrity of the diocese, offering both governance and discernment in key matters of church life.

  • A Mission Council in the Episcopal Church typically serves as the governing body of a diocese between annual conventions, particularly in missionary dioceses or dioceses with a more collaborative leadership structure. It includes clergy and lay representatives from across the diocese and works alongside the bishop to make decisions about diocesan mission strategy, budget, and policy. The Mission Council ensures continuity and accountability, helping to shape and support the vision and ministries of the diocese throughout the year. Its work reflects a commitment to shared leadership, faithful stewardship, and responsive governance.

  • A Title IV Disciplinary Board is a required body in every Episcopal diocese responsible for overseeing matters related to clergy discipline, as outlined in Title IV of the Canons of The Episcopal Church. The board consists of both clergy and lay members who are elected by the diocesan convention. When concerns are raised about a clergy member's behavior or conduct—especially involving violations of ordination vows, abuse of power, or misconduct—the Disciplinary Board helps ensure that the process is handled fairly, pastorally, and in accordance with church law. This board does not exist to punish, but to seek truth, promote accountability, and offer paths toward healing and reconciliation when possible.

  • The Diocesan Treasurer is an elected or appointed officer responsible for overseeing the financial health and stewardship of the diocese. This includes managing budgets, monitoring income and expenditures, ensuring proper accounting practices, and providing regular financial reports to diocesan leadership bodies such as the Mission Council or Standing Committee. The Treasurer often works closely with finance staff and committees to support transparency, sustainability, and mission-driven use of resources. As a fiduciary leader, the Diocesan Treasurer helps ensure that all financial matters are handled with integrity and in alignment with the diocese’s values and goals.

  • A Provincial Synod is the governing body of one of the nine provinces within The Episcopal Church, each made up of several dioceses grouped geographically. The synod meets regularly and includes bishops, clergy, and lay deputies from each diocese in the province. Its role is to coordinate mission and ministry across dioceses, provide regional support and collaboration, and elect provincial representatives to the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church and other churchwide bodies. While it does not have authority over individual dioceses, the Provincial Synod serves as a vital link between local and national church structures, encouraging shared leadership and common purpose across the wider church.

  • The Trustees of Funds & Endowments are stewards appointed or elected to manage and oversee the investment and responsible use of diocesan financial assets, including endowments, trusts, and other long-term funds. Their primary role is to ensure these assets are preserved and grown in accordance with fiduciary best practices and the mission of the Church. Working closely with financial professionals and diocesan leadership, the Trustees make investment decisions, approve fund distributions, and provide transparent reporting. Their careful oversight helps support the long-term sustainability of ministries, grants, and initiatives across the diocese, ensuring that today’s resources continue to bless future generations.

  • In the Episcopal Church, certain leadership appointments made by the bishop—such as canons, chancellors, or members of key diocesan bodies—often require ratification by another governing entity, such as the Standing Committee or Diocesan Convention. This process ensures accountability and shared governance in keeping with Episcopal polity. While the bishop has the authority to nominate individuals for roles that support the mission and administration of the diocese, ratification in annual convention, provides an added layer of discernment and confirmation, reinforcing the collaborative nature of Episcopal leadership.

Standing Committee:

Standing Committee: Clergy
1-4 Year Terms

The Rev. Brit Frazier

The Rev. Julia Hendrix

The Rev. Pedro Lara

The Rev. Canon Ezgi Saribay-Perkins

Standing Committee: Lay
1-4 Year Term

Anne Burris

Carla Corbin

Dr. John Johnson

Martina Mims

Mission Council:

Northwoods Region:

Debra Lorenze (Lay)
3 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Phil Morgan (Clergy)
3 Year Term, by Lot

Driftless Region:

Kathleen Kelm (Lay)
1 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Kathleen Charles (Clergy)
1 Year Term, by Lot

Lakeshore Region:

Peter Larson (Lay)
3 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh (Clergy)
3 Year Term, by Lot

Eastern Ridges Region:

Chris Eggert-Rosenthal (Lay)
1 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Christopher Wilkerson (Clergy)
1 Year Term, by Lot

Kettle Moraine Region:

Ralph Topinka (Lay)
2 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. TJ Humphrey (Clergy)
2 Year Term, by Lot

At Large:

Tim Donahue (Lay)
1 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Nancy Hodge (Deacon)
2 Year Term, by Lot

The Rev. Seth Raymond (Priest)
3 Year Term, by Lot

Title IV Disciplinary Board:

Lay:

Martina Mims
3 Year Term

Carla Corbin
2 Year Term

John Washbush
1 Year Term

Clergy:

The Rev. Lynn Zobel
3 Year Term

The Rev. Seth Dietrich
2 Year Term

The Rev. Peter Irvine
The Rev. Julia Hendrix
1 Year Term

Diocesean Treasuerer:

D’Arcy Becker
1 Year Term

Provincial Synod:

Lay:

Marline Udovich
2 Year Term

John Washburn
2 Year Term

Clergy:

The Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh
2 Year Term

Trustees of Funds & Endowments:

Roger Mukasa
3 Year Term

The Rev. Canon Ezgi Saribay-Perkins
3 Year Term

Bishop Appointments:

Unanimously confirmed during 177th (2024) Annual Convention.

Secretary to Convention

The Rev. Jerry Molitor