Diocesan Council
A body of elected clergy and lay representatives, Diocesan Council oversees and shapes diocesan program between meetings of Diocesan Convention. Diocesan Council usually meets at the Cathedral Center at 4pm on the second Thursday on each month. Following is a listing of representatives including those elected by Diocesan Convention, and those elected by each of the diocese’s 10 geographic deaneries.
Chair
The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor
Bishop Suffragan
The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce
Secretary of Convention
Canon Steve Nishibayashi
Treasurer of the Diocese
Canon Andy Tomat
President, Diocesan ECW
Christine Budzowski
Chancellor of the Diocese
Canon Richard Zevnik
Representative from Program Group on Missions
The Rev. Canon Kelli Grace Kurtz
Representative from the General Convention Deputation
Thomas Diaz
Representatives from Standing Committee
Clergy: The Very Rev. Canon Gary Hall
Lay: Anne Wohlcke
Representatives from Corporation of the Diocese
Clergy: The Rev. Antonio Gallardo
Lay: Ravi Verma
Members Elected by Diocesan Convention
Clergy:
The Rev. Paul Price (2023)
The Rev. Dr. William Wallace (2024)
The Rev. Cecelia Schroeder (2025)
Lay:
Dave Moreno (2023)
Ken Higginbotham (2024)
Richard Henderson (2025)
Bishop’s Staff
Canon to the Ordinary
The Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy
Executive Assistant to Bishops & Canon to the Ordinary
Canon Abigail Urquidi
Chief Financial Officer
The Rev. Susan Stanton
Canon for Common Life
Canon Robert Williams
The Episcopal News
Canon Janet Kawamoto, editor
The Rev. Canon Pat McCaughan, correspondent
Convention Coordinator / Recording Secretary
Samantha Wylie
Members Elected by Deaneries
Deanery 1
Clergy: The Rev. Liz Williams
Lay: Canon Jim Alexander
Deanery 2
Clergy: The Rev. Christopher Montella
Lay: Brendan Krabach
Deanery 3
Clergy: The Very Rev. Canon lan Davies
Lay: Randy Williams
Deanery 4
Clergy: The Rev. James Prendergast
Lay: Mr. Dan Valdez
Deanery 5
Clergy: The Rev. Neil Tadken
Lay: Canon Ann Seitz
Deanery 6
Clergy: The Rev. Jessie Smith
Lay: Dorina Green
Deanery 7
Clergy: The Rev. John Limo
Lay: Nancy Doss
Deanery 8
Clergy: The Rev. Nathan Biornstad
Lay: Marjorie Cooley
Deanery 9
Clergy: The Very Rev. Jeannie Martz
Lay: Mr. Don Harrell
Deanery 10
Clergy: The Rev. Barbara Stewart
Lay: Michael Morris
DIOCESAN COUNCIL ALTERNATES
| Deanery 1
Clergy: The Reverend Lawrence Brown
Trinity Church Fillmore, CA
Lay: Mr. Steve Seebach
| Deanery 2
Clergy: The Reverend Dan Justin
St. Michael’s Church Studio City, CA
Lay: Mr. Brendan Krabach
| Deanery 3
Clergy: The Very Reverend Canon James Newman
St. Bede’s Church
Lay: Canon Annette V. Graw
| Deanery 4
Clergy: The Reverend Michael S. Bell – Good Samaritan Hospital (Pastoral Care Dept.)
Lay: Canon Roy Salmon
| Deanery 5
Clergy: The Reverend Carri Grindon – St. Mark’s Church Altadena, CA
Lay: Mr. Dino Kidde
| Deanery 6
Clergy: The Rev. Keith Yamamoto – St. Mark’s Church Upland, CA
Lay: Ms. Jullie McCurdy
| Deanery 7
Clergy: The Reverend Mary Crist
Lay: Mr. Neil Hartschum
| Deanery 8
Clergy: The Reverend Arthur Toro – Holy Communion Church Gardena, CA
Lay: Ms Shelly Crilly
| Deanery 9
Clergy: The Reverend Kay Sylvester
Lay: Ms Morgan Mullins
| Deanery 10
Clergy: The Reverend Canon Mary Crist