At diocesan convention, the following people were elected to leadership positions:
Standing Committee
Clergy
The Rev. Canon Katherine Harrigan, Rector: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Harrisburg
The Rev. Eric Hillegas, Rector: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, York
Laypersons
Mr. Anthony Alexander, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg
Ms. Drew Dorgan, St. John’s Lancaster (second term)
Council of Trustees
Clergy
The Rev. Amanda Knouse, Rector: St. John’s, Lancaster
Laypersons
Dr. Christina Ford, St. Andrew’s, State College
Mr. Richard Koch, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg
Disciplinary Board
Clergy
The Rev. Richard C. Bauer, Rector: St. Edward’s, Lancaster
Laypersons
Mr. Robert Sims, Hope Church, Mount Hope
Mr. James Tutak, St. Paul’s, Wellsboro
2020 Annual Diocesan Convention Leadership Committee Nominees
All first-term except as noted and all Nominees listed in alphabetical order.
Standing Committee
Elect 2 Clergypersons & 2 Laypersons – Can run 2 successive terms of 3 years each.
Clergy
The Rev. Canon Katherine Harrigan
Rector: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Harrisburg
I bring the gifts of creativity, experience, and, I hope, growing out of those, wisdom. I have served in numerous capacities in the Diocese and the wider church, each time gaining an understanding of the way the church works and also a vision of the church’s potential. I strongly believe in the power of positive change and have the flexibility and imagination to encourage growth and to live into new wine and new wineskins, while being faithful to the deep and loving foundations of our faith.
The Rev. Eric Hillegas
Rector: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, York
I have enthusiastically engaged the ministry of parish revitalization and community outreach for the past ten years. I am deeply familiar with opportunities and challenges that accompany parishes as they seek to balance budgets, maintain property, and respond creatively to God’s call in Christ. I bring an abiding passion for the Church and its mission in every generation to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
Laypersons
Mr. Anthony Alexander, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, Harrisburg (second term)
Twenty-one months as Coordinator of utility program, the primary responsibility to assist low-income persons with a budget plan for UGI and United Water bills. Twenty months as Program Director for programs for co-occurring individuals. Twenty-eight years as Lead Pastor of United Methodist congregations. Thirteen years as counselor to persons with family, mental health, drug and alcohol issues. Proven speaker, public relations, communication, and interpersonal skills. Served as a Trustee to Messiah College, 2002-2007. Former Adjunct Professor; Messiah College. Former Adjunct Professor Lancaster Theological Seminary.
Ms. Drew Dorgan, St. John’s Lancaster (second term)
It is my hope that my experience in marketing communications and software development will contribute new ideas for “doing church.” My ability to listen to various viewpoints and put them together is a strength that I enjoy using, especially as we work to develop leadership that will meet the needs of Diocese now and in the future. The last few years of serving on the Standing Committee gave me the chance to learn so much more about our different churches. The pandemic opened the opportunity for me to visit many of their services virtually. These experiences help me to see how our diversity and commonality are enriching our faith lives.
Ms. Laura Gottfried-Letsche, St. Luke’s, Altoona
A good working knowledge of policies and procedures, and how they relate to parishes in our diocese. Demonstrated participation and leadership in evangelism and outreach, especially as they pertain to issues of poverty and hunger in our communities. A willingness to learn and share ways to fulfill God’s mission in our diocese.
Council of Trustees
Elect 1 Clergyperson and 2 Laypersons
Clergy
The Rev. Amanda Knouse
Rector: St. John’s, Lancaster
I passionately believe in the work of the Church and feel drawn to participate in and minister with those in the diocese. I have had the privilege of working in two other dioceses. I have deep roots here in Central PA. I think creatively, collaborate with others, and have a deep love for the people of this Church. I am energetic and excited to see how the Holy Spirit invites us into the next season of our life and work together.
Laypersons
Dr. Christina Ford, St. Andrew’s, State College
I have served as a leader in Christian formation for both youth and adults in four dioceses across the country and currently serve on the vestry and finance committee at St. Andrew’s in State College. As a mental health counselor and spiritual director, I have cultivated the ability to listen deeply, facilitate interpersonal communication, and promote collaborative problem-solving. I have a doctorate in Developmental Psychology with a minor in Quantitative Analysis and am skilled at collecting, analyzing and interpreting data. I would like to use these spiritual, interpersonal and technical skills to serve and learn more about the Diocese.
Mr. Richard Koch, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Harrisburg
Since 2005, I have been a member of both St. Andrew’s in the Valley and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. I was both a member of Vestry and the Junior Warden. I led a public improvements drive that featured the installation of a columbarium. At St. Stephen’s, I co-chaired a capital campaign that raised nearly $1 million for a variety of improvements on the campus. For six years (2011-2017), I was a member of Vestry and Senior Warden for the last three years. I am currently on the Board of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. There I serve on the Finance Committee and Governance Committee and serve as co-chair of the Nominating Committee.
My special skills have been fundraising, organization, governance, and public outreach. Much of this is an extension of my professional career where I was a community planner working with communities in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States to improve their communities. I have a thorough knowledge of Central PA working in many of the communities in our diocese where there are Episcopal parishes.
I have a BA in History from Elizabethtown College and a Masters of Regional Planning from Penn State University. I am retired.
Disciplinary Board
Elect 1 Clergyperson & 2 Laypersons
Clergy
The Rev. Richard C. Bauer
Rector: St. Edward’s, Lancaster
Prior to being called by St. Edward’s, I served as the Associate Rector at St. James in Lancaster where I worked hard to lift up ministries that promote the dignity of all people. Though coming to you from the Diocese of Southeast Florida, I have fully embraced a new context and developed strong relationships with clergywomen and men in our convocation and diocese.
I will soon finish course work for a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Duke Divinity School; and hold a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Florida International University, and a B.S. in Legal Studies from Nova Southeastern University.
I am an accomplished musician (vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist). I have self-recorded and produced 9 full-length CDs, and am the proud father of two little boys: named Ricky and Christian.
The Rev. Peter Gdula, Deacon
St. James, Bedford
I don’t believe anything has changed since my application of 2017. My relationship with adult leaders during my time with BSA (14 years), parents, and other coaches while coaching Track and Field (5 years) and 20 years of service in the US Air Force helped me learn a balanced approach to understanding conflict. I learned how important knowing the rules and regulations are, while at the same time understanding the importance of what motivates people to perform their jobs. Being able to relate to individual circumstances helped me resolve tense situations when I was responsible for another person’s actions.
Laypersons
Mr. Robert Sims, Hope Church, Mount Hope
The gifts and skills I bring to the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and this ministry include:
I have served on the disciplinary board before. I have been Parish Administrator and currently Verger at Hope Church. I have been an active member of the Rim churches and currently a member of the ALERT Group.
Mr. James Tutak, St. Paul’s, Wellsboro
I would like to serve on the diocesan level. I hold a B.A. (Rutgers, ’72), and a J.D. (Seton Hall, ’78). I was admitted to the bars of New Jersey and the Supreme Court of the United States. I practiced for 35 years as an associate and then partner in a small firm for 15 years and then as a solo practitioner in general practice, retiring in 2013.
I was counsel to the Hudson County Government Ethics Committee and provided pro bono services to indigents. I was also a volunteer mediator for the New Jersey Superior Court, Hudson County.
2020 Nominations Timeline
March-May 2020
Call for Nominees. The nomination period opens. Recruiting takes place.
1 June 2020
Nomination Deadline. Deadline extended to June 17, 2020.
17 June 2020
Resolution Deadline and extension for the deadline of individual Nominations expires.
17 July 2020
Deadline for additional nominations from parishes submitted with 10 supporting signatures.
17 August 2020
Nominating Committee announces full Slate of Nominations including biographies, photos, and written consent.
To download the nomination form, click here. For questions regarding Nominations, contact Amy Swiernik, or Alexis Guszick.
