81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church’s General Convention is held every three years to consider the legislative business of the church. General Convention is the bicameral governing body of the church, comprised of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from the 109 dioceses and three regional areas of the church, at more than 800 members. Between conventions, the General Convention continues to work through its committees and commissions. The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church carries out the programs and policies adopted by General Convention.
The 81st General Convention will take place June 23 - 28, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Check the 81st General Convention link below for new information as it becomes available.
Meet The Deputies
The Very Rev. Shay Craig
Dean Craig was ordained in the Diocese of Chicago and served on the Bishop's staff there before moving to Kansas in 2018. Mother Shay is a past faculty member of Project Resource, a ministry of the College for Bishops, she is a certified Transitional Minister, an interpreter of Church Assessment Tool through Holy Cow Consulting, has been trained in Fierce Conversations, Living Compass and the College for Congregational Development. She is Chair of the Standing Committee and lead fundraiser for the Diocese of Western Kansas. She has served as Curate at the Cathedral, Priest-in-Charge of a church rejuvenation in Hays, Kansas and now serves as the 19th Dean of Christ Cathedral in Salina. Mother Shay was just recently elected to The Executive Council of Province VII for a 6 year term. Mother Shay is serving for the second time as a delegate to General Convention.
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The Reverend Canon Cameron Randle
Canon Randle serves as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Western Kansas and as Vicar of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Garden City. He is Vice-President of the diocesan Executive Council and sits on the Bishop’s Strategic Advisory Committee, in addition to his work with churches in transition and as a clergy mentor to those in discernment for calls to ordained ministry. He serves on the Public Safety Advisory Board (Police & Fire) for the City of Garden City and is a member of the annual Tumbleweed Festival’s music committee. He is the founding host of Holy Spirits, a monthly gathering of the spiritually inclined, held at Hidden Trails Brewery. Prior to returning to his home state of Kansas in 2023, Canon Randle spent 2 years of parish ministry in Hollywood, CA and 12 years in coastal Virginia, where he was president of the Standing Committee for the Diocese of Southern Virginia and was elected as a Deputy to the 79th General Convention in Austin, TX.
The Reverend Deacon Todd Ray
Deacon Ray a fairly new Episcopalian. He is started attending Grace Church in Hutchinson around February 2018 at the invitation of a dear friend. He immediately knew he was home! Liturgy was something new, but he fell in love with it. Deacon Todd served on Grace’s vestry for a three-year term. When Fr Ted mentioned something about deacons, another dear friend looked at Todd and said he would make a good one. After 2 years of BKSM (mostly over zoom due to C-19), he was ordained Juneteenth 2021, and was thrilled to have his immediate family there. Thanks to live stream, his family in Indiana got to watch. It was an amazing time! Deacon Todd has been leading Sunday evening Compline since March 2020. He is a member of the Diocesan Council. He is “looking forward to his first General Convention.” Deacon Todd is a retired history teacher and IB coordinator from Hutchinson High School and is currently employed with Elliott Mortuary.
Mrs. Toni Cottrell
Toni Cottrell is the Diocese of Western Kansas’ Administrator. This will be her first time attending General Convention. Toni is a member of Grace Church in Hutchinson, where she is a member of the Streaming team, Vestry, Garden Team and the Worship team. In the Diocese she is involved with the Diocesan Council, Strategic planning and Endowment Committees. Toni is married to Larry, with a blended family of 5 kids,10 grandkids and one great grandson with another on the way.
Mrs. Jennifer Higgins
Jennifer Higgins has been a member of Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Western Kansas since moving to Salina as a young child. She was confirmed, married, and her daughter, London, was baptized at the Cathedral. She has been active throughout her church life, helping with vacation Bible school, singing in the choir, being an acolyte, chalice bearer, reader, and usher. She also has served a couple of terms on vestry and has been the Junior Warden. She has been a delegate to Diocesan Convention for several years now and currently serves on the Standing Committee.
Mrs. Susie Ray
Susie Ray is “proud” to be a delegate to the House of Deputies. Susie Ray is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson, KS, where she loves to sing in the choir. She was elected to be on our vestry, plus she is a member of Altar Guild. In addition, she is a lay member on the Bishop Kemper School of Ministry Board. In her professional life, she was a speech pathologist for 31 years before retiring to provide daycare for grandchildren. Susie’s husband, Todd, is a Deacon at Grace. They have three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Ms. Harvetta Von Fange
Harvetta Von Fange is a member at Christ Cathedral in Salina. Harvetta has served on the Cathedral Vestry, is an active member in Episcopal Church Women, a member of the choir, a lector and intercessor and has also been a delegate to the Diocesan Convention. Harvetta served as a deputy to General Convention in 2018. At the 2024 Convention, Harvetta will serve on the Credentials Committee at General Convention.