Bishop’s Chair presented to Avery siblings

by Chad Senuta

Bishop Cathleen Bascom presented the Bishop’s Chair to Carson, Josh, and Suzanne Avery at the 163rd Annual Diocesan Convention Banquet in recognition of their service to the Canterbury House ministry at Kansas State University. The siblings are members of Good Shepherd, Wichita and have all been active members of the diocesan youth program and campus ministry at K-State.

Carson is a recent alum, having graduated in May of 2022, who now works as an engineer at Frito-Lay in Topeka. While a student at K-State, he was a resident Peer Minister, living in the house, assisting with weekly programs, and welcoming fellow students. As an alum, he continues to serve Canterbury House as the volunteer Treasurer for the Bishop’s Advisory Committee, which helps oversee the ministry. 

Josh and Suzanne are both residential Peer Ministers currently living at the Canterbury House. As the 2022-2023 academic year began, the Program Assistant position at Canterbury K-State had yet to be filled. Josh and Suzanne agreed to take on some extra responsibilities to coordinate and administer the program until a new Program Assistant is hired. They each receive a monthly stipend for their work. With the support of local clergy, the Bishop’s Advisory Committee, and diocesan staff, they care for the property, coordinate weekly programs, and work with other student peer ministers to administer the program. Josh and Suzanne have also met weekly with the Diocesan Formation Team, consisting of Chad Senuta, Director of Young Adult Ministry, the Rev. Karen Schlabach, Youth, Campus, and Digital Missioner, the Rev. Mary Donovan, Campus Chaplain, and Brady Hornstra, Program Assistant at Canterbury House KU. 

As Bishop Bascom presented the award to the Avery siblings, she noted her deep connection to campus ministry, having lived in the St. Anselm’s Canterbury House herself as a student at KU, then serving as Chaplain at St. Francis Canterbury at K-State, where she would eventually lead a campaign that would raise funds to purchase the Canterbury House at 1823 Laramie. She cited her longstanding commitment to ministry with young adults and how inspired she was to learn of Carson, Josh, and Suzanne’s faithful leadership, making it possible for the Canterbury House ministry to thrive even during a time of transition. The bishop shared that although the award has typically been given to older adults, she felt it was important to recognize the substantial contribution the Averys are making as they share the message of God’s love with young adults at K-State and the surrounding community.