“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
Click here for more information about the election of the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
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.
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, 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.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL, CLERGY (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 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 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.)
Stephen Bedikian
Member, St. James in-the-City, Los Angeles
Bio: I have served on the Vestry and currently serve on the Investment Committee at St. James. Currently I volunteer every Friday afternoon to operate our soup kitchen program.
Statement: I believe my church St. James and the Diocese serve an important mission both for their members and the broader community in Los Angeles. It’s important that the investment trust enjoys strong and consistent performance to provide the financial resources necessary to continue the good work of the 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.
HFS, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE (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
Member, St. Mary's (Mariposa), Los Angeles; Secretary of Convention
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.
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.
Artur Grigorian
Member, St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood
Bio: Experienced accounting and finance professional with over a decade serving nonprofits and businesses. Treasurer and Vestry member at St. Thomas, Hollywood; currently serving on the Board of the Corporation of the Diocese.
Statement: I seek to continue my work in fiscal responsibility and parish support on the Standing Committee, offering continuity and insight as we prepare for new episcopal leadership and build a strong future for our Diocese.
DEPUTY TO GENERAL CONVENTION, LAY (4 lay)
The 82nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be in Phoenix, AZ in the summer of 2027.
Nominees who are not elected to serve as deputies are automatically nominated to serve as alternates to General Convention.
Andrew Tomat
Member, St. Barnabas, Eagle Rock
Bio: Corporate finance executive. Retiring volunteer Treasurer of the Diocese & Diocesan Investment Trustee. Previous service as senior warden, treasurer, and vestry member.
Statement: I was elected as an alternate and deputy at the last 2 General Conventions. Since we send more than $800,000 annually to The Episcopal Church, I was glad to offer my financial experience to provide input to our deputation and ask questions of our national leaders on budgetary issues that affect us here in LA. I would be honored to do so again.
DEPUTY TO GENERAL CONVENTION, CLERGY (4 clergy)
The 82nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be in Phoenix, AZ in the summer of 2027.
Nominees who are not elected to serve as deputies are automatically nominated to serve as alternates to General Convention.
Fennie Hsin-Fen Chang
Vicar, St. Thomas, Hacienda Heights
Bio: Vicar at St. Thomas’ Church, Hacienda Hts.; Convener of Chinese Ministry Advisory Committee; Member of New Community; Member of Bishop’s Parochial Council; Former Episcopal Chaplain at UC-Irvine; Clergy Deputy to the 80th and 81st General Conventions.
Statement: This is my third time to run for clergy deputy to the General Convention. I firmly believe that God’s love embraces all peoples. It is such a belief that has encouraged me to serve multicultural ministries for years and to seek opportunities to bring my voice as a female priest of color into a greater community of the Episcopal churches.
George Okusi
Rector, St. John's, Costa Mesa
Bio: Ordained in 1990 in Kenya. Assisting Priest at St. Athanasios, Vicar /Rector/ Headmaster of St. Timothy’s in Compton, Chaplain at UCLA, Vicar of St. Thomas of Canterbury LB, Rector St. John the Divine CM. Member of PGGP, COM, DC, BPG, Interfaith etc.
Statement: As a new member of the Episcopal Church, I want to learn of how things are done at the National Church. Bring my experience of listening, cooperation, teamwork, commitment, participation, dedication, resilience and new life to the team. I will maintain a healthy, transparent, and inclusive process. Provide the assistance that may be expected of me.
Dominique Piper
Deacon, Blessed Sacrament, Placentia
Bio: Parish Deacon, UBE H. Belfield Hannibal member, Society of Catholic Priests (SCP) member, Diocesan Commission on Liturgy and Music, Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (National), GC81 Alternate Clergy Deputy, GC81 Clergy Deputy #4.
Statement: Greetings, my name is The Rev. Deacon Dominique Piper. I’m running to be a clergy deputy of GC82. I had the honor of being elected as an alternate clergy deputy for GC81 and ultimately served as clergy deputy #4. As a Deacon and millennial I can add perspectives that some may skim over, as my vow is to bring the world’s needs to the church.