2021 REGIONAL ELECTION AND NOMINATION RESULTS

Clerical Nominee: The Rev. Meredith Heffner, St. James’, Potomac

Meredith has served as rector of St. James’, Potomac, since 2017. She participated in the diocesan strategic planning process, focused primarily on the creation of the School for Christian Faith and Leadership. Meredith also serves as a mentor for those discerning ordination in the diocese. She has served as a field education supervisor and colloquy mentor through Virginia Seminary, is a member of the Board of the Episcopal Corporation of Widows and Children in Maryland, as well as a member of The Gathering of Leaders. Meredith’s passions include visioning, preaching and teaching. She is especially enthusiastic about the way we share God’s love from generation to generation.

Lay Nominee: None

Clerical Nominee: None

 Lay Nominee: Jewell Little, Grace Church, Silver Spring

I have been a member of Grace Church, Silver Spring, MD for over 25 years. During that time I have served on the vestry, served as a LEM, a Daughter of the King, a volunteer in Grace Church’s thrift shop, The Pennyworth Shop, and as President of the shop’s Board for 3 years. I also served on the altar guild and as a visiting Eucharistic Minister. I am now serving on the Transition Committee for our new rector. In the community, I have served as facilitator for Multi-Cultural Dialogues on race and religion held in Montgomery County Maryland and as facilitator for book discussions on racial understanding. I am a lawyer and have worked in the area of Civil Rights for over 15 years and now as a mediator for conflict resolution..

Clerical Nominee: The Rev. Canon John T.W. Harmon, Trinity, DC

John Harmon is the Rector and Pastor of Trinity Church, DC. He is currently a member of the Standing Committee and served previously on the Commission on Ministry. He is a co-founder of the Episcopal Service Corps. He served as Provincial and Diocesan Chaplain of the Order of Daughters of the King and was a Deputy and Alternate to General Convention. He is a clergy coach and mentor. He believes that every gathering of the people of God is an opportunity to witness the presence of God among us.

Lay Nominee: Anton Vanterpool, St. Alban’s

Blessed to serve on Standing Committee for four years. Appointed Secretary in 2020. Worshipping at St Alban’s over 20 years, serving in choir and church school teacher. Continued in both ministries in person and virtual during COVID-19. Diocesan delegate, 2011-2013, diocese volunteer since 2011. Helping people improve their Communications and Leadership skills over 30 years in Toastmasters International. Military veteran who served in choir, organ search committee, church school, rector search committee and vestry as part of six Episcopal parishes. Ecumenical service as online lay reader and greeter for the Kingstowne Communion, a new Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA. Continue to bring critical listening and evaluation skills to the issues our bishop faces.

Clergy Nominee: The Rev. The Rev. Marilyn Jenkins, St. George’s, DC

Marilyn has served as Priest-in-Charge at St. George’s, DC, since March 2020. During her brief tenure, she led her congregation through a parish-wide discernment regarding their call and mission. She also led the parish’s participation in the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Congregational Leadership Initiative (CLI). This year-long involvement resulted in the creation and development of an extensive oral history project partially funded by the DC Humanities Council. Additionally, Marilyn participated on the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee and in a University of Notre Dame three-year study on Flourishing in Ministry. Her current service includes membership on the Berkeley Divinity School Leadership Board and her passions include leadership, visioning, and mentoring seminarians.

 Lay Nominee: Laurel Pyke Malson, St. Paul’s, K Street

Laurel Pyke Malson is a member of St. Pauls-K St, and a partner at Crowell & Moring LLP. Over the past 30 years or more at St. Paul’s, she has served as Senior and Junior Warden, member of several Rector search committees, the Grate Patrol, and Chorister Parent committees. She also has served several terms on the PECF Board, and currently serves on the Board’s Continuing Committee for Student Safety.

Clerical Nominee: None

Lay Nominee: None

Clerical Nominee: None

Lay Nominee: None

Clerical Nominee: The Rev. Christian Lehrer, St. Paul’s, Baden

My name is Christian Lehrer and I ask to represent you on the Standing Committee. I serve as part-time rector of St. Paul’s Parish in Baden, Md and St. Mary’s Chapel in Aquasco, Md. For over 35 years I have served the Episcopal Church as a layperson, a deacon and now as a priest. I am so deeply grateful for the warm welcome and opportunity to work in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. I was not allowed to even apply for a job, near my family, in my hometown of Albany, NY because I am Gay. Thank you for your kind consideration. Christian.

Lay Nominee: Sewell Truitte, St. Paul’s, Piney

I have served my parish in many different ways. I have served on Vestry 3 different times in the areas of Worship, Stewardship & Finance and Youth. I have served as Junior Warden for 1 year and Senior Warden for 4 years. I have served on the Finance, Stewardship, Who We Are, Labor Day Fundraiser, Window Restoration, Publicity, Rector Advisory and Endowment committees. Have served many years as a LEM, Eucharistic Visitor and Acolyte. I am co-leading our next Sacred Ground Group this fall.

Lay Representative (Elected): Dr. Adebayo (Bayo) Laniyonu, Christ Church, Rockville

Adebayo (Bayo) was born into the Anglican communion in Nigeria. He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Episcopal Church, Glasgow, Scotland. Bayo worships at Christ Episcopal Church, Rockville where he serves in the vestry since 2017 as a member, junior warden and chair of the property committee. He retired recently from the US Food & Drug Administration and now works for a private pharmaceutical company as a Senior Vice President. He is married with children and resides in Derwood. MD.

Clerical Representative: The Rev. Anne Derse, St. John’s, Norwood Parish

The Rev. Anne Elizabeth Derse, serves as Deacon and Minister for Community Engagement at St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Chevy Chase, MD, where she has worked since 2014. At St. John’s she advances engagement with the community, the government and non-profits, connecting the church to the world and supporting ministry and advocacy on social justice issues. These include racial equity, food insecurity, gun violence prevention, support for immigrants, refugees and asilees, interfaith relations, alleviating homelessness and promoting peace in the Holy Land.

There were no open positions for Diocesan Council from the North DC region this year.

Clerical Representative (Elected): The Rev. Richard Wall, St. Paul’s, K Street

I have enjoyed serving on Council, and doing what I can to support the Bishop and staff in implementing our Diocesan plan and supporting our parishes. For the past couple of years I’ve also been part of the Council planning team, checking-in between meetings. Outside of Council I serve at St Paul’s K St, and as one of Central DC’s Regional Deans.

Lay Representative (Elected): Emma Tucker, Christ Church, Washington

A Michigan native, Emma moved to DC in 2008 to serve in the Episcopal Service Corps, and currently works for a nonprofit membership association. She has since found her church home at Christ Church Washington Parish, where she has served on the vestry, cooked for the annual church dinners, played guitar at various services, and engaged with many other parts of the church community. Emma has also served as camp counselor/director in the Diocese of Western Michigan for 15 years. She was first called to serve on the Diocesan council in 2019, and welcomes the opportunity to serve another term if elected.

Clerical Representative (Elected): The Rev. Timothy Johnson, St. Andrew’s, College Park

I am currently serving as the Rector of St. Andrew’s Church in College Park, Maryland. I have served a fully three-year term on Council as an appointee of the Bishop, and I am currently completing the remaining one-year term of a colleague who stepped down from Council. I am enjoy serving in this capacity and to take part in the leadership of the diocese. It would be my honor to serve again.

Lay Representative: Eric Delk, Ascension & St. George’s (Resurrection Parish)

A former Baptist, Eric V. Delk began attending of Church of the Ascension in 2009. After joining the choir and getting interested in becoming an Episcopalian, he was confirmed in The Episcopal Church by the Diocese of Washington in 2011. Eric has served on Vestry three times, including one year as Warden. As Ascension and its neighbor, St. George’s, were in the process of yoking and merging, Eric and fellow lay leaders went to the Diocesan Council to present their petition to merge the two parishes into what is now Resurrection Parish. Eric is a representative with Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many (WARM), an advocacy group for persons who are homeless in St. Mary’s County and Southern Maryland. He is active in missions within Ascension and St. George’s, Resurrection Parish.