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New Diocesan Staff Configuration

Lisa Senuta and Chad Senuta began service with the diocese in September, which brings to fruition a new configuration of diocesan staff. The Executive Committee of the Council of Trustees worked closely with Bishop Bascom on plans for staffing. Great care was taken to review the responsibilities and the gifts needed for the work; to listen to current staff about their gifts and aspirations; and to consider priorities of Bishop Bascom’s episcopacy and the needs of the diocese in the decade to come.

All staff can be reached at the Diocesan Office, 785-235-9255 or 800-473-3563, unless a different number is listed next to their name below.

The diocesan office is open every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for holidays.

Diocesan Staff Teams

(scroll to the bottom for an alphabetical list of who to contact for specific questions)

Bishop, The Right Reverend Cathleen Chittenden Bascom
Email: cbascom@episcopal-ks.org

Admin Team

Canon to the Ordinary, The Rev. A. Patrick K. Funston
The Rev. Patrick Funston, as canon to the ordinary, is the chief administrative counselor to the bishop, with oversight of all diocesan administrative functions, and with the bishop he shares support for active clergy and for parishes. Patrick is also co-chair of the Justice & Racial Reconciliation Task Force.
Email: apfunston@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile Phone: 785-706-1223 or Diocesan Office

Comptroller, Mr. C. Jay Currie
Jay Currie, comptroller, handles all financial oversight and management of diocesan accounts. He has the lead role in preparing the first draft of the diocesan mission plan (budget). He also manages accounts payable and receivable, investments, health insurance, and payroll.
Email: jcurrie@episcopal-ks.org

Director of Operations, Mrs. Michele Moss
Michele Moss assumes oversight of all diocesan information technology needs, as well as audio-visual equipment and needs, across staff and programs in the three diocesan buildings. She continues her responsibility for major diocesan events, including Diocesan Convention, as well as oversight of all diocesan facilities. Michele also provides administrative support for the Commission on Ministry.
Email: mmoss@episcopal-ks.org

Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Ms. Michael J. Knoll Funston
Michael Funston will become the new executive assistant to the bishop, with responsibility for scheduling, correspondence, travel arrangements and other items affecting the office of the bishop. She also will greet those coming to our offices and will be the first voice most hear when calling. She retains her responsibilities for online Safeguarding training, background checks for volunteers, and serves as the staff liaison for the Children’s Ministry task force.
Email: mfunston@episcopal-ks.org

Greg Bennett continues as our faithful sexton of many years (part-time).

Pastoral and Bethany Place Team

Canon for Spiritual Life and Clergy Care, The Rev. Lisa Senuta
“I believe that our call to nourish the faithful of our parishes and to create beloved community in our towns and neighborhoods will only truly bear fruit when deeply rooted in prayer and worship,” ~Bishop Bascom. The new canon will work to fully utilize the Upton Hall Conference Center in Topeka with opportunities for spiritual retreats for clergy and lay leaders across the diocese. She will also continue and expand the pastoral care of clergy done by the Rev. George Wiley, especially priests and deacons new to their work and retired clergy. While Canon to the Ordinary Patrick Funston, Canon for Congregational Mission Gar Demo, and I are engaged fully with active clergy and parishes in most aspects of congregational and clergy life, this new canon will take special, personal care of our clergy living with medical or family issues.
Email: lsenuta@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile Phone: 913-488-2733

Canon Pastor, The Rev. George Wiley (part-time)
George Wiley continues as canon pastor in a voluntary capacity that fits with his current responsibilities at home, mentoring and assisting the new canon in the area of clergy care.
Email: gwiley@episcopal-ks.org

Diocesan Missioner, The Rev. Jennifer Allen
Jenn Allen continues her responsibility for missional leadership as assigned by the bishop, including the planting of a New Episcopal Community at Bethany House and Garden, a community drawn together through gardening and creation care, neighborhood empowerment, and worship. She also will be deeply involved in the creation of the new Bethany Gardens. Jenn is also involved with Kansas2Kenya and the Care of Creation Task Force.
Email: jallen@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile Phone: 913-620-7773

Deacon Intern for Bethany House & Garden, Deacon Carl Edwards (part-time)
Email: cnedwards@gmail.com

Missioner for Transitions, Mrs. Debbie Kremers (part-time)
Debbie Kremers is the diocese’s part-time missioner for transitions, assisting parishes searching for new clergy leadership.
Email: dkremers@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile Phone: 816-719-0132

Canon for Congregational Mission, The Rev. Gar Demo (part-time)
Gar Demo is the rector of St. Thomas the Apostle in Overland Park and serves the diocese as Canon for Congregational Mission, helping parishes find training and resources to advance their mission.
Email: gdemo@stthomasop.org
Mobile Phone: 913-904-8257

Communications and Youth & Young Adult Team

Director of Young Adult and Communication Ministries, Mr. Chad Senuta
This new position combines communication and young adult ministry responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for The Harvest, the magazine that reaches every household in every parish throughout our diocese, as well as other aspects of written communication. This person also will oversee campus and young adult ministry and will have a special responsibility for the formation of a new community of young adults in urban Wichita, as well as establishment of a new community of young adults at Bethany House and Gardens in Topeka. This position also will include aiding the staff in implementing diocesan goals and plans.
Email: csenuta@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile Phone: 913-620-0007 or Diocesan Office

Youth, Campus & Digital Missioner, The Rev. Karen Schlabach
Karen Schlabach adds oversight of the diocesan website and serving as editor of DioLog, the diocesan e-newsletter, to her position. She also will assume responsibility for the annual diocesan Directory and Journal, and she will take over the diocesan social media accounts. She continues her years of leadership of diocesan ministries with youth and campus students, including Summer Camp, Miqra, and Happening.
Email: kschlabach@episcopal-ks.org
Mobile phone: 913-708-5927 or Diocesan Office

Curate for Campus Ministry, The Rev. Mary Donovan (part-time)
Mary Donovan provides liturgical support for the two Canterbury Houses as well as spiritual direction for the Campus Peer Ministers.
Email: mkp19@hotmail.com
Mobile Phone: 917-880-3844

Youth & Campus Ministry Program Assistants
The program assistants live in residence at the Canterbury Houses, handling all maintenance and care for the property, overseeing the student peer ministers, and supporting diocesan youth and young adult events as needed.

  • Canterbury House at K-State, Ms. Anastasia Cunningham
    mail: internksu@episcopal-ks.org
    Mobile Phone: 920-267-0652
  • Canterbury House of Lawrence, Mr. Will Chaney & Mr. Weston Curnow
    Email: internku@episcopal-ks.org
    Mobile Phone: 205-913-1189 (Will) and 913-827-6247 (Weston)

Who does what:

Accounts payable and receivableJay Currie
Appointment with the bishopMichael Funston
ApportionmentsJay Currie
AuditsJay Currie
Background checks for clergyMichele Moss
Background checks for volunteersMichael Funston
Bethany Place facilitiesMichele Moss
Bethany House and GardenJennifer Allen
Bishop’s scheduleMichael Funston
Campus ministry – new or existingChad Senuta
Campus Ministry parish grantsChad Senuta
Canon to the Ordinary’s scheduleMichele Moss
Canterbury House at K-StateAnastasia Cunningham
Canterbury House of LawrenceWill Chaney & Weston Curnow
Church CanonsPatrick Funston
Clergy GatheringMichael Funston
Clergy transitionsDebbie Kremers
Clergy licensingMichael Funston
Commission on MinistryMichele Moss
Common Trust FundsJay Currie
Contact information changesMichele Moss
Council of TrusteesMichael Funston
Custodial financial accountsJay Currie
Diocesan ConventionMichele Moss
Diocesan websiteKaren Schlabach
DioLog e-newsletterKaren Schlabach
Garden VolunteersJennifer Allen
HappeningKaren Schlabach
The Harvest (diocesan magazine)Chad Senuta
Harvest mailing list updatesMichele Moss
Insurance – health and propertyJay Currie
Kansas2KenyaJennifer Allen
Land Use PlanningJennifer Allen
Lay ministry licensingMichele Moss
Local media relationsChad Senuta
MiqraKaren Schlabach
Ordination processPatrick Funston
Parish endowmentsJay Currie
Parish websitesKaren Schlabach
Parochial reportsJay Currie
Public relationsChad Senuta
Records management and retentionJay Currie
Registrar records (dates of baptisms, confirmations, etc.)Michele Moss
ReimbursementJay Currie
Retired clergyLisa Senuta or George Wiley
Safeguarding online trainingMichael Funston
Safeguarding in-person training and policyKaren Schlabach
Social mediaKaren Schlabach
Spiritual DirectionLisa Senuta
Summer campKaren Schlabach
Supply clergyMichele Moss
TaxesJay Currie
Upton Hall Conference CenterMichele Moss
Youth CommissionKaren Schlabach
Youth events – dioceseKaren Schlabach
Youth programs – parish or dioceseKaren Schlabach

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