“Governance in The Episcopal Church is all about collegiality, collaboration, and community discernment. You offer a precious gift to God by putting your name forward to serve on these deliberative bodies and put your experience, insights, and creativity to work for the benefit of our whole diocesan family.” –Bishop John Harvey Taylor
Offices open for nomination and slate of nominees for election at Diocesan Convention 2024
CANTERBURY IRVINE (1 clergy or 1 lay for a one-year term)
CANTERBURY USC (1 clergy or 1 lay for a one-year term)
CANTERBURY WESTWOOD (1 clergy or 1 lay for a one-year term)
COMMISION ON MINISTRY, CLERGY (1 clergy for a three-year term)
The Commission on Ministry is required by The Episcopal Church Canons. The Commission advises and assists the Bishop in the implementation of Title III; in the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons; and in the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness. The Commission meets on four weekends a year and on other days as may be required.
Jamie Barnett
Vicar, Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park
COMMISION ON MINISTRY, LAY (1 lay for a three-year term)
The Commission on Ministry is required by The Episcopal Church Canons. The Commission advises and assists the Bishop in the implementation of Title III; in the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons; and in the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness. The Commission meets on four weekends a year and on other days as may be required.
CORPORATION OF THE DIOCESE, CLERGY (1 clergy for a three-year term)
The Corporation of the Diocese oversees a variety of matters pertaining to finances, audits, insurance, taxes, legal documents, purchase and sale of properties, renovations, bequests, etc. The Corporation meets from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month on Zoom or at St. Paul’s Commons.
Michael Corrigan
Pastoral Associate, Trinity, Santa Barbara
Bio: Priest-in-Charge at St. Margaret Episcopal Church, Staatsburg NY 2022-2024; Pastoral Associate at Trinity Episcopal Church 2016-2022 (resume in 2025); Director of Corporation of the Diocese 2018-present
Statement: My focus has been the restoration of financial stability, transparency, budgets that make sense and support for innovative new ministries that reach those who may not know about the Episcopal Church. If re-elected this will continue to be my focus.
Patrick Crerar
Rector, St. Clement's by-the-Sea, San Clemente
Bio: Rector of St. Clement’s since 2012; previous member of Diocesan Council; clergy serving Latino communities.
Statement: I feel called to offer myself in service to the diocese in this capacity and at this time. Having presented proposals to the Corporation of the Diocese in the past, I believe that I have both gifts to contribute and much to learn from my colleagues. I hold a degree in finance, and have experience in business management.
Jeffrey Thornberg
Rector, Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel
Bio: Rector of Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel since 2019. Together we have grown COS Mandarin and English speaking congregations, transparently stabilized finances, lifted up LGBTQ+ and voices of color; several time DDY mentor; consulted for vestries
Statement: I am deeply invested in the health and future of this diocese. Given my education and experience in organizational leadership, congregational development, and parish ministry, I feel called to serve alongside my colleagues in this very important work at this very important time for the future of our diocese, its ministries and congregations.
CORPORATION OF THE DIOCESE, LAY (2 lay for a three-year term)
The Corporation of the Diocese oversees a variety of matters pertaining to finances, audits, insurance, taxes, legal documents, purchase and sale of properties, renovations, bequests, etc. The Corporation meets from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month on Zoom or at St. Paul’s Commons.
Sharon Ellis
Member, St. Paul's, Tustin
Bio: I am a member in good standing at St. Paul’s. I’ve served as a member of the Corporation of the Diocese.
Statement: Finding ways to serve after retiring is important to me. I served as the CEO of a faith based housing nonprofit for 17 years and saw the significance of both faith and faith in action. Serving on COTD has strengthened my belief that partnerships grow our capacity to serve our community with positive and visible, long lasting results.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL, CLERGY (1 clergy for a one-year term; 1 clergy for a three-year term)
Diocesan Council is a body of elected lay and clergy representatives from each Deanery and at-large who serve between meetings of Diocesan Convention to oversee the programs of the Diocese. The Council meets the second Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Zoom or at St. Paul’s Commons.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL, LAY (1 lay for a two-year term; 1 lay for a three-year term)
Diocesan Council is a body of elected lay and clergy representatives from each Deanery and at-large who serve between meetings of Diocesan Convention to oversee the programs of the Diocese. The Council meets the second Thursday of the month from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Zoom or at St. Paul’s Commons.
Angela Miller
Member, St. Paul's, Tustin
Bio: Altar Guild and Choir member since mid-1980’s; Altar Guild Directress (past and present); Vestry (past and present); Capital Campaign Committee; Stewardship and Finance Committees; Alternate and Delegate to Diocesan Convention; alternate lay representative to Diocesan Council for Deanery 9.
Statement: It would be an honor to continue serving on Diocesan Council. I have already attended several meetings this year as an alternate lay representative. I appreciate the work being done by the Diocese and would like to be a part of it. I believe that both the Diocese and St. Paul’s Tustin would benefit from my service.
DIOCESAN INVESTMENT TRUST (1 lay or 1 clergy for a four-year term)
This group oversees the administration of the Diocesan Investment Trust. The Trustees’ objective is to achieve reasonable income while seeking to preserve capital. The meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 11:00 a.m. (February, May, September, and December.)
Ryan Harlow-Nakano
Member, St. Paul's, Tustin
Bio: Ryan (he/him/his) is a Global Banking Sales Director with HSBC, providing specialized Payments & Treasury consulting services. Ryan attends St. Paul’s where he currently serves as Treasurer & Finance Committee Lead. He also serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Equality California Institute (EQCA), the largest statewide LGBT+ Civil Rights organization in the US. He resides in San Juan Capistrano with husband Jeffrey, a longtime Emergency Physician in the community and their Senior rescue dogs.
Statement: I am deeply grateful to the Diocese of Los Angeles for the trust you placed in me by electing me to serve on the DIT for the past 3 years. It has been my honor to contribute to the stewardship of our shared resources! As I seek an additional 3-year term, I respectfully ask for your continued confidence in my ability to serve. Together, I believe we can further strengthen the financial foundation that supports the vital ministries of our diocese.
HILLSIDES (1 lay or 1 clergy for a three-year term)
Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to healing children and young adults, strengthening families, and transforming communities through quality comprehensive services and advocacy. We envision a world in which children and young adults, families, and communities are able to heal, grow, and thrive. Our values are quality care, respect, integrity, transparency, compassion, collaboration, and innovation.
HOLY FAMILY SERVICES (1 lay or 1 clergy for a three-year term)
SECRETARY OF CONVENTION (1 lay or 1 clergy for a one-year term)
Steve Nishibayashi
Secretary of Convention; member, St. Mary's, Los Angeles
STANDING COMMITTEE, CLERGY (1 clergy for a four-year term)
The Standing Committee acts as the Ecclesiastical Authority when the Bishop is absent or incapacitated. The Committee provides advice and consent to the Bishop on property issues, presentment issues for clergy, recommendations from the Corporation, and other legal aspects of the Diocese. The Standing Committee has jurisdiction over and oversight of issues involving property of the Diocese. This includes all parish property, which is held in trust for the Diocese and The Episcopal Church. The Standing Committee participates in the consents to the elections of and consecrations of Diocesan and Bishops Suffragan for other Dioceses. The Standing Committee, acting on the recommendation of the Diocese’s Commission on Ministry, votes to approve or disapprove the admission of persons in the process to ordination.
William Knutson
Priest-in-Charge, St. Andrew's, Ojai
Mary Tororeiy
Rector, St. Paul's, Barstow
STANDING COMMITTEE, LAY (1 lay for a four-year term)
The Standing Committee acts as the Ecclesiastical Authority when the Bishop is absent or incapacitated. The Committee provides advice and consent to the Bishop on property issues, presentment issues for clergy, recommendations from the Corporation, and other legal aspects of the Diocese. The Standing Committee has jurisdiction over and oversight of issues involving property of the Diocese. This includes all parish property, which is held in trust for the Diocese and The Episcopal Church. The Standing Committee participates in the consents to the elections of and consecrations of Diocesan and Bishops Suffragan for other Dioceses. The Standing Committee, acting on the recommendation of the Diocese’s Commission on Ministry, votes to approve or disapprove the admission of persons in the process to ordination.
Jim White
Member, All Saints, Pasadena
Bio: Vestry (4 terms); Commission on Ministry (25 years), Co-Chair; General Convention: Deputy or First Alternate 2003 – 2022; Episcopal Communities & Services Board of Directors (2017 – 2024).
Statement: I can offer leadership on the Standing Committee as I am very well acquainted with both the diocese and the wider Episcopal Church, having served attented General Convention as a Deputy or first Alternate 7 times. I was a member of the Commission on Ministry for 25 years, serving as Chair or Co-Chair for 22. Part of my work as co-chair of the COM was traveling to congregations throughout the diocese to offer help for Congregational Discernment Committees to get started with their work. Over the years I visited more than 40 congregations. It is a gift to worship and become acquainted in a brief way with the broad range of people who make up our incredibly diverse Diocese. At General Convention in 2015 I served on the Legislative Committee on Governance and Structure, which began the work of streamlining the structure of the governing bodies of the church. In 2018 I continued that work on the Legislative Committee on Diocesan and Congregational Vitality. I have since retired from these duties as I felt it’s time to pass the baton to younger folks to take their seat in the councils of the church, however I feel I can offer this valuable experience and leadership to the Standing Committee.
Janet Wylie
Member, St. Andrew's, Fullerton
Bio: Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Paul, lifelong Episcopalian, former Executive Assistant to Bishop Borsch and Bishop Bruno, former Standing Committee member, former Secretary of Convention, former Diocesan Program Coordinator. Retired since 2017.