Transitions Committee (from left): the Rev. Canon Dr. George Okusi, the Rev. Greg Larkin, Sheira Smith, Kathy Eisel, Louis Quezon.
The Standing Committee has named a six-member Transitions Committee to assist with the process of electing, consecrating, and welcoming the diocese’s eighth bishop diocesan, who will be elected by Diocesan Convention during its annual meeting Nov. 7-8.
The members are:
Kathy Eisel, St. Luke’s, Monrovia
The Rev. Canon Gregory Larkin, St. Paul’s, Ventura
The Rev. Canon Dr. George Okusi, St. John the Divine, Costa Mesa
Louis Quezon, St. Mark’s, Glendale
Sheira Smith, Christ the Good Shepherd, Los Angeles
Marco White, St. Barnabas, Eagle Rock
Smith and Larkin are the co-chairs.
Marco White, who attended the organizational meeting via Zoom.
The members bring a variety of skills and experience “that dovetail perfectly with our needs — it’s truly a Holy Spirit thing,” the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, president of the Standing Committee, said at an organizational meeting May 3.
“We have people with digital communications expertise, experience in organizing the meet-and-greets, rich knowledge of the diocese, banking and financial skills, and a deep desire to learn more and to be of service to the diocese. We couldn’t have picked a better team,” said Cress, who is rector of St. James’ in the City, Los Angeles.
The Transitions Committee’s first task will be to select the locations for the meet-and-greet gatherings the week of Oct. 20. These gatherings around the diocese will enable members to meet the nominees, ask questions, and get an “up close and personal” look at the group, one of whom will be the diocese’s next bishop.
The committee will also assist with the election Nov. 7-8, help to onboard the new bishop and family, and plan the consecration weekend in July 2026. The consecration liturgy is scheduled for July 11, 2026, at a location yet to be determined.
Two members of the Transitions Committee — Larkin and Eisel — also serve on the Search Committee. “It was a deliberate choice to include some people from Search,” Cress said. “They will already know the nominees, they can be a bridge between the two committees, and can ease the transition from one phase of the process to the next.”
The retreat was led by the Search Committee’s consultant, Judy Stark, who explained the search process so far, outlined what happens during the meet-and-greets, offered ideas and anecdotes from other electing dioceses, and shared information about activities during the consecration weekend.
“I also invited the group to tell us about a spiritual hero — a person who has shaped their faith and helped them see Jesus,” Stark said. “They told wonderful stories about those mentors — grandparents, clergy, famous faith leaders, family friends — who guided them along the way and helped them hear God’s call, whether as lay or clergy. There’s strong faith at work here.”
Meanwhile, the Search Committee continues to put the finishing touches on the profile, which is expected to be released in early June.