Dioceses of Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania Conclude Joint Convention, Look Ahead to Ministry as The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna
On October 17 and 18, 2025, the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania came together for a joint Annual Convention at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Over 350 lay and clergy members of both dioceses worshipped together, learned about diocesan ministries and reunification, and voted on pertinent business items which will enable the two dioceses to become one on January 1, 2026.
The weekend began with evening prayer, offered by Susan Keller of Grace, Honesdale, and Sarah Reid of Trinity, Williamsport.
Canon Micalagh Moritz, Canon for Children Youth & Families in DioCPA, began her presentation with a video featuring youth throughout both dioceses sharing their hopes and dreams for reunification. She then hosted a panel of Youth and Young Adults that proved especially moving, as participants shared what had brought them to or kept them in the Episcopal Church, and what they wanted to see the Church do moving into the future.
Canon Sandy Millien, Canon for Racial Reconciliation and Community Engagement in DioBeth, who served as emcee for the weekend, then invited several ministry leaders up to the stage to present the work of their various ministries. These included the Legal Process Working Group, Mission Granting Working Group, Campus Ministry, Beloved Community Commission, and Social Justice Ministries Working Group.
The highlight of the ministry presentations came as Ms. Drew Dorgan and Ms. Jonna-Li Catrini, Co-Chairs of the Brand and Shield Working Group, presented a video explaining how the group had conceived and designed the new logo and shield for the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna. The video ended with a reveal of the logo and shield to great applause and excitement. Conventioneers received tote bags embroidered with the new logo containing a calendar, ministry brochures, stickers, and more.
Though the on-stage ministry presentations were limited to seven, right outside the convention hall, 29 additional ministries hosted tables highlighting their work in a Ministry Fair. These tables offered literature, colorful displays, gifts, snacks and fellowship. They included:
- Advocacy and Congregational Engagement
- Anglican Episcopal Student Association (Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem)
- Bangor Episcopal Church, Churchtown
- Better Buy Thrift Shop (Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem)
- Brookland Retreat Center
- Community of Francis and Clare
- Comunidades Latinas (Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem)
- Cypress House Bakery (St. Luke’s, Scranton)
- Diocesan Migration Ministry Resources
- Children, Youth, and Families
- Safe Church, Safe Communities
- Education for Ministry
- English Language Learners (Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem)
- Episcopal Church Women
- Episcopal Relief and Development
- Evangelism Committee
- Grace Place (St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg)
- Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence (St. John’s, Lancaster)
- Indigenous Justice
- LGBTQ+ Social Justice Ministries Group
- New Hope
- Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg)
- Union of Black Episcopalians
- The Order of the Daughters of the King
- The Stevenson School for Ministry
- Trinity Manor (Trinity Pro-Cathedral, Williamsport)
- West Branch Apiary (Trinity, Williamsport; Trinity, Jersey Shore; Church of the Good Shepherd, Upper Fairfield)
- With One Voice: Faith Leaders United to End Gun Violence
Canon Steve Baker, Canon for Mission Resources and Chief Operating Officer in DioBeth, presented the Treasurer’s Report for the Diocese of Bethlehem, followed by Canon Chad Linder, Canon of Finance and Operations for DioCPA, offering the same for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Both reports reflected strong financials, healthy returns on investments, and sturdy reserves.
The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan, Bishop of DioCPA, and the Rt. Rev. Kevin Nichols, Bishop of DioBeth, concluded the business portion of the night with their joint bishops’ address. This year, the address took the form of a casual back-and-forth in which the bishops asked each other candid questions about what they have learned during this years-long process of reunification about their dioceses, themselves, and their relationship with God. The bishops then shared the new organizations chart for The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna, explaining how each of them would work within their gifts and skill set. Bishop Scanlan, as Bishop Diocesan of the new diocese, will focus on pastoral care, working with canons on parish transition, parish conflict, and parish programming. Bishop Nichols, as Assistant Bishop, will focus on the business administration side of things, overseeing finance, buildings and grounds, communications, and the Stevenson School for Ministry.
The evening concluded with a sung service of Compline at St. Luke’s, Scranton. The Rev. Dr. Tyler Parry, Rector of St. Luke’s, presided.
Saturday’s business meeting was once again surrounded in prayer, as members of convention began the day with the Liturgy of the Word presided over by the Rev. Anjel Scarborough. The Rev. Dale Grandfield, Church of the Mediator, Allentown, provided piano accompaniment.
Bishop Nichols and Bishop Scanlan each called their respective diocesan conventions to order, with Canon Melinda Artman of DioBeth and Ms. Nichol Free of DioCPA reporting the number of delegates present and declaring a quorum to do business. Bishop Scanlan explained how each diocese would separately offer, present, second, discuss, and vote on joint resolutions, with separate microphones set up on the floor for DioBeth and DioCPA. Canon Millien then explained how digital voting would take place on personal devices and set up three “test votes” to walk participants through the digital voting process.
Due to the unique nature of this joint convention, members passed a Special Rules of Order, presented by Chancellors Michael Miller and Wiley Parker, to guide their time together.
Members of convention voted on several essential resolutions. First among them was the resolution to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger. This legal document outlines exactly how our two dioceses will merge to become the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna. This was approved by the convention, and will now be submitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for approval.
Next was the Resolution to Adopt the Constitution, Canons, and Transitional Canons for The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna. The Transitional Canons went into effect immediately and will guide the dioceses of Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania in the transition to the Diocese of the Susquehanna, remaining in effect until the 2026 diocesan convention. The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna are the governing documents which will guide our diocese for years to come. Four pre-filed amendments were proposed and brought before the convention for discussion and vote:
- The Rev. Rebecca Myers, St. Paul’s, Harrisburg, offered an amendment to the Constitution to add a preamble. She explained the proposed preamble as a way to ground our Constitution in our baptismal covenant and provide a biblical touchstone. The amendment passed.
- The Rev. Deacon Jane Miron, St. Thomas, Lancaster, offered an amendment to Title I, Canon 3.1, adding an Archdeacon for Deacons to serve as ex officio members with voice and vote on the Commission on Ministry. The amendment passed.
- The Rev. Angel Scarborough, All Saints, Hershey, proposed an amendment to Title II, Canon 4.1 concerning the parish annual meeting, striking the requirement that annual meetings be held by January 31, allowing parishes to determine their own timelines. The amendment passed.
- Mr. John Feather, St. Luke’s, Lebanon, proposed an amendment to Title IV, Canon 2.2, amending the requirement for changing, deleting, or adding Canons at convention from a two-thirds vote to a majority vote. The amendment passed.
With all four amendments approved, the convention voted to approve the Transitional Canons, Constitution, and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna.
The 2026 Budget for The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna was presented by Canon Steve Baker and voted upon next. This was previously approved by councils in both the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Bethlehem and was adopted by convention.
Each diocese adopted its own Clergy Compensation Schedule, to affect those churches currently in their dioceses for 2026. The 2026 Clergy Compensation Schedule for the legacy Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Church Employee Compensation Resolution for the legacy Diocese of Bethlehem were both passed by members of convention from their respective dioceses. Starting in 2027, there will be one Clergy Compensation Schedule for The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna, which will be adopted at our 2026 convention.
Bishop Nichols presided over the election of the Bishop Diocesan of The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna. He nominated Bishop Scanlan and she was unanimously elected by the convention. Bishop Scanlan then appointed Bishop Nichols as Assistant Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna.
St. John’s, Westfield, has decided to close at the end of 2025, and in accordance with the diocesan Constitution and Canons, convention must vote to approve this action. This request was granted by members of convention.
Keeping our faith at the forefront, members of convention once again turned to worship. Before breaking for lunch and fellowship, the Rev. Deacon Wilson Colón, Nativity Cathedral, Bethlehem, proclaimed the Gospel and the Rev. Jen Adams preached. Rev. Adams has been serving as consultant to our reunification process, having recently gone through a similar process when the Dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan reunified into the Diocese of the Great Lakes in 2024.
This year, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Bethlehem each elected three clergy and three laypeople to serve on Diocesan Council. The six elected clergy and lay leaders from each legacy diocese will create the full membership of the Diocese of the Susquehanna’s Diocesan Council.
The Diocese of Bethlehem elected:
Clergy:
- The Rev. Michele Causton
- The Rev. Michelle Moyer, Retired
- The Rev. Bryce Wandrey, Christ Church, Reading
Lay:
- Mr. Steve Doster, St. Luke’s, Lebanon
- Ms. Joan Duckloe, Christ Church, Stroudsburg
- Mr. Wayne Evans, St. James & St. George, Jermyn
The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania elected:
Clergy:
- The Rev. Martha Ambrose, St. John’s, Marietta
- The Rev. Jeff Packard, St. Andrew’s, State College
- The Rev. Ryan Tobin, St. Paul’s, Wellsboro
Lay:
- Cn. Anthony Alexander, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg
- Ms. Elaine Austin, St. Thomas, Lancaster
- Ms. Tracey L. Knerr, St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg
Similarly, four clergy and four laypeople were elected from each legacy diocese to serve as Deputies and Alternates to the 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church. The Diocese of Bethlehem elected:
Clergy Deputies:
- The Rev. Canon Melinda M. Artman, Church of the Redeemer, Sayre
- The Rev. Maryann Philbrook Sturges, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Clergy Alternates:
- The Rev. Michelle Moyer, Retired
- The Rev. Timothy Alleman, St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre
Lay Deputies:
- Ms. Cynthia Nortey, Christ Church, Stroudsburg
- Mr. Nolman Bonilla, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Lay Alternates:
- Mr. Michael A. Grady, Grace, Kingston
- Mr. John E. Feather, Jr., St. Luke’s, Lebanon
The Diocese of Central Pennsylvania elected:
Clergy Deputies:
- The Rev. Jennifer Mattson, St. Thomas, Lancaster
- The Rev. Canon Veronica Chappell, Canon to the Ordinary, Northern Region
Clergy Alternates:
- The Rev. Anjel Scarborough, All Saints, Hershey
- The Rev. Martha Harris, St. Paul’s, Columbia / St. Luke’s, Lancaster
Lay Deputies:
- Mary Powell, Esq., St. Paul’s, Harrisburg
- Ms. Kathryn “Cricket” Tate, St. Andrew’s, York
Lay Alternates:
- Mr. David Wirick, Holy Trinity, Hollidaysburg
- Cn. Anthony Alexander, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg
No elections were held for the Standing Committee or Disciplinary Board at this convention, as membership will remain as-is during 2026.
Four additional resolutions, first passed by the 81st General Convention in Louisville in 2024, were brought before members of convention to be affirmed at the diocesan level. They were:
Resolution to Amend Constitution Article X With Clarifying Amendments
Resolution to Increase by One the Possible Number of Bishops Suffragans in a Diocese
Resolution to Amend Constitution Article VIII Regarding Clergy in Local Ecumenical Partnerships
Resolution to Revise Marriage Rites for Inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer
With all resolutions settled, the bishops nominated diocesan officers to serve as canonical officers of convention until the next Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna. Bishop Nichols nominated the Rev. Deacon Jim Jenkins to serve as Treasurer and Bishop Scanlan nominated Ms. Elizabeth (Libby) House to serve as Secretary. These nominees were approved by a voice vote of “ayes” from the convention.
Bishop Scanlan then appointed Michael Miller, Esq. as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna; and Chancellor Miller appointed Wiley Parker, Esq. as Vice Chancellor.
Special thanks was given to Paula Lapinski, Missioner for Finance & Administration in DioBeth, who planned and coordinated the logistics for this year’s Joint Annual Convention.
With these nominations, appointments, and thanks completed, the official business of the convention adjourned. Convention concluded with Holy Communion, Bishop Scanlan presiding and the Choral Scholars of Episcopal at Penn State accompanying.
On reflection afterwards, Bishop Scanlan noted the joyful tone of the two days saying, “Our reunification is exciting and I can feel the Spirit moving among us, empowering us for ministry in God’s name. We are moving ‘from strength to strength’ with the formation of The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna!”
“We began this work nearly three years ago,” Bishop Nichols added. “The efforts of countless folk from across both dioceses have brought us to this extraordinary moment. I so look forward to what God has in store for the Diocese of the Susquehanna.”
On January 1, 2026, the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania will join together to become the Diocese of the Susquehanna. The first Annual Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of the Susquehanna will take place October 16-17, 2026, at a location to be determined.