Layperson: Mr. David Wirick
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Hollidaysburg

I have been an active member of the Episcopal Church since 1996. Prior to that I was a lay preacher then an ordained deacon and elder in the United Methodist Church (Western PA Annual Conference) from 1974 to 1990. I hold a M.Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary (1978) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Eastern Baptist Seminary (now Palmer Seminary, 1989).  I was previously married and am the father of 2 children. I utilized my D.Min. to focus on clinical counseling work for several years with New Day, Inc. I am a professed member of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans since 1990.  In 1990 I began the process of becoming honest about my sexual orientation and found TEC to provide the safe place to learn and rethink my theology. The congregation of Holy Trinity Church welcomed me. They loved my first husband when he came into my life and supported us as Ric succumbed to AIDS related issues and went on to his eternal rest in 1997. I served on the Board of Christian Outdoor Education and the Board of Managers of Olmsted Manor retreat center in the Western PA Conference. I was a case manager and HIV Prevention educator across central PA with the AIDS Intervention Project in Altoona from 1995 to 2000, then with Pyramid Healthcare of PA as a Drug and Alcohol Rehab counselor and clinical supervisor before retiring in 2016.

I have been engaged in a variety of capacities to preach the gospel, encouraging God’s children at HTC and St Luke’s. My unique background and training would provide both knowledge and wisdom to address the sorts of issues that come before the Standing Committee. I am excited for the future of the denomination. As the diocese moves toward reunification with the Diocese of Bethlehem there is a new potential for new ministries across the board as congregations recognize their role in spreading the news of God’s love.

Layperson: Ms. Tracey L. Knerr
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Shippensburg, PA
Meeting our neighbors where they are with love and compassion.  It is with this focus that I aspire to approach all my work and interactions at church as well as in my community. I believe that it is important to live a life that models what I hope to see in the world.  This is how I approached my job as a school district administrator and now as a retired educator and full-time caregiver, I work to do the same.  As an educator, I learned to use questions to discover the perspective and beliefs of students, parents, peers and other constituents so that I could tailor a conversation to move them forward in their understanding.  I have experience writing curriculum, supervising others who were writing curriculum, providing professional development on the local, state and national stage.  I co-write a program to help parents help their children at home.  All these skills and experiences, I will bring to the diocese of Central Pennsylvania.  As a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Shippensburg, I serve on the Vestry, schedule the worship leaders for our services each week and serve on one of our community meals teams.  I am currently working in collaboration with Grace Place and Communities Cares shelter to offer The Think Tank.  This is the introduction to the parish:  Grace Place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in collaboration with Community CARES Family Shelter and Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition (SCRC) launched its latest ministry on Tuesday and is excited to introduce The Think Tank.  The Think Tank will offer a calm, interactive, educational space where all family members can choose to engage in any of a variety of thinking activities that might include completing homework assignments, playing thinking games, solving puzzles, finding solutions to problems, looking  for patterns, creating art in any form, and  making progress toward goals and learning goals. Adults will hone chosen skills to support their children through the educational process.  Prior to moving back to Shippensburg in 2021, I served two Vestry terms at the flagship parish in the Diocese of New Jersey.  I was also a member of the finance committee, chair of the personnel committee, planned giving committee and the stewardship committee.  All these experiences and lessons learned I will bring to the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.