On February 10 and 11, the Standing Committee held its first meeting since Diocesan Convention.  On Thursday, in addition to regular business, new members were introduced to the major issues facing the Standing Committee and the Diocese in 2005.  On Friday, the Standing Committee and Bishop Romero met in retreat to build community, to pray for one another and for the diocese, and to thoughtfully consider the tasks which lie ahead.
 
During these two days the Standing Committee and Bishop discussed the following major issues:  how to work together as a team, and how to promote teamwork throughout all diocesan systems; how to communicate clearly with each other and with the diocese; how to deal pastorally with crisis situations; how to define and revise diocesan structures; how to review the current system for funding diocesan mission and ministry; how to develop and support cross-cultural ministries; how to involve all members of the diocese in planning for the future through the work of the Conference Planning Team; and how to support the various ministers of the diocese, including the ongoing work of the Commission on Ministry and the Instituto at Guadalupe, supporting and encouraging the ministries of the laity, and enhancing pastoral ministries to clergy.

Introducing you to the new Standing Committee:

Mr. Joseph Chouinard
Joe Chouinard is a member of St. James, Paso Robles, where he has served as Senior Warden and in a number of other roles.  He is a civil engineer and president of a consulting engineering firm in Paso Robles. Joe is married to Denise Chouinard, who was elected Secretary of the Diocese at Convention.  In the past Joe served as a Deanery delegate to DIEM (Department of Intercultural Evangelism and Mission).  He was appointed by the Standing Committee in September 2004 to serve as the Standing Committee liaison to DIEM.  At Convention Joe was elected to a four-year term on the Standing Committee, and is continuing to serve as the Liaison to DIEM.  Contact him at (805) 239-2361 or winealot@tcsn.net

The Rev. Chrisopher Creed
Chris Creed has been Rector of St. Francis, San Jose since 2000.  He previously served as a priest in the Diocese of California, and worked as an attorney and a banker before ordination.  Chris is married to Barbara Creed, who is a Trustee of the Church Pension Fund.  Chris loves to eat, and makes sure that Standing Committee lunches are up to par.  Chris is now beginning his third year on the Standing Committee and in 2005 will be Vice President.  He is also the Standing Committee Liaison to the Diocesan Corporation (serving as Corporation President), and is Convener of the Committee on Constitution and Canons.  Contact him at (408) 292-7090 or FrCreed@aol.com.

Ms. Meryl Dun
Meryl Dun is a member of All Saints, Carmel, where she is Clerk of the Vestry and is active in all aspects of parish life.  She is the widow of the Rev. Angus Dun, Jr., Rector Emeritus of All Saints, and has three grown children and five grandchildren, ages 2 to 13.  She is looking forward to working together to help the diocese grow in love and hope for its future.  Meryl will serve as the Standing Committee Liaison to Diocesan Council.  Contact her at (831) 624-5869 or meryldun@aol.com.

The Rev. Harriet Linville
Harriet Linville is Rector of St. Peter’s, Morro Bay, and formerly served as a priest in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon.  She is now in her second year of her second term on the Standing Committee.  Harriet is married to Warren Linville, and has two adult children and one step-daughter.  She loves to ride her beautiful black Tennessee walking horse, Dolly.  Harriet will be serving as the Standing Committee Liaison to the Finance Committee.  Contact her at 772-2368 or hlinville@charter.net.

The Rev. Donna Ross
Donna Ross has just retired from nine years as Rector of St. Paul’s, Cambria, but will continue to serve in the diocese. She was a priest in the Dioceses of Ohio and Southern Ohio before returning home to California in 1995.  She is married to Rob Ross, who is also semi-retired - from teaching at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  After she completes her term as president of the Standing Committee, she looks forward to travel with her husband, seeing her three children and five grandchildren (all in Ohio), and having time to read, write and enjoy the outdoors.  Donna will continue to serve as the Standing Committee Liaison for communications.  Contact her at (805) 235-5117 or donnaross@charter.net. 

The Rev. Linda Taylor
Linda Taylor is Rector of St. Mark’s, Santa Clara. A native of Texas, Linda was a nurse (R.N.) before her ordination.  She loves gardening, yoga, and playing the harmonica.  This is her first year on the Standing Committee, and she is very excited about the work ahead.  In addition to serving as the Standing Committee’s Secretary is 2005, she is a Liaison to the Commission on Ministry (COM), and will also work with Bishop Romero in his ministry to clergy.  Contact her at (408) 296-8383 or canonlinda@st-marks.org or lindastay@aol.com. 

Ms, Graciela Velazquez
Graciela Velazquez is a member of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in San Jose, where she serves as the Parish Administrator.  In the past she has served on Diocesan Council, the Commission on Ministry, and the Joint Process Committee.  She is a volunteer for San Jose High School, serving on the School Site Council and working in its sports programs, especially football.  She also volunteers with Saint Andrew’s Clinic in Nogales.  Graciela will serve as a Standing Committee Liaison to the Commission on Ministry.  Contact her at (408) 926-7253 or chellabulldog99@yahoo.com.

Ms Ann Wright
Ann Wright is a member of St. Andrew’s, Saratoga and is now beginning her second year of her second term on the Standing Committee.  She is married to Max Wright, Deacon at St. Andrew’s, and they have three children and eight grand-children.  Ann and Max love to cook, and their guests love to sit at their table.  To prepare for a smooth transition in the Ecclesiastical Authority, Ann is now serving as co-president, and looks forward to serving as President of the Standing Committee on April 1.  She will continue to serve as the Standing Committee’s Liaison to the Conference Planning Team (CPT).  Contact her at (408) 370-9851 or standingcom@edecr.org.