Our Staff
The Right Reverend Michael Milliken-Assisting Bishop
The Right Reverend Michael P. Milliken was consecrated as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas on February 19, 2011, following his election in August of 2010. The Bishop was consecrated by The Most Reverend Kathrine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church at the time; The Right Reverend Dean Wolfe, Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas; and The Right Reverend Vernon Strickland, Third Bishop of the Diocese of Western Kansas.
Michael P. Milliken was born March 13, 1947, in Lexington, Kentucky. Bishop Milliken originally dreamed of becoming a physician, but the Holy Spirit had other ideas and led him into the ordained ministry.
Bishop Milliken served as both Bishop of this diocese and Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Hutchinson for three years. Bishop Milliken is the first Bishop to take on a dual role in 150 years. The experiment of a dual role Bishop was a success, and this model has now been shared with other small diocese. On December 31st, 2014, Bishop Milliken stepped down from his position as Rector in order to commit himself full time to the future of the diocese. His vision for the Diocese of Western Kansas is to empower the laity to go out into their communities and minister in the name of Jesus Christ so that all may find hope and abundant life.
On November 30, 2018, Bishop Milliken retired (resigned) as the Sixth Bishop. Bishop Milliken continues to serve in the Diocese as an assisting Bishop.
The Reverend Canon Jerry Jones - Canon to the Ordinary
Canon Jones was a senior in high school he realized he wanted to be a priest in the church. From college, Canon Jones went off to seminary. He graduated from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill. May 1965. Ordination to the Deaconate on June 6, 1965, and Priesthood on December 7, 1965.
His first call was to his home parish, All Saints, Omaha, Neb. He served as curate under the direction and mentorship of his rector of many years. After 3 years, Canon Jones' bishop decided that he needed a “mission experience”. He was sent 375 miles west to the sandhills of Nebraska. He served 3 small mission churches (Gordon, Rushville, and Merriman) and returned to Omaha as vicar of a newly formed mission congregation. Next, he served as Rector of St. Matthew’s, Newton, Kansas. After 3 years there he was asked to be associate rector at St. Stephen’s, Wichita. Canon Jones' next call was as senior curate at All Saints, Fort Worth, TX. (It was there that he crashed and burned). Divorce; and a dark period in his life. He moved back to Omaha and by the compassionate direction of the Bishop of Nebraska, was assigned a mission congregation, Trinity Church, Crete, Ne. That was followed by Vicar of St. Elizabeth, Holdrege and St. Paul’s, Arapaho. Off to Casper, Wy. as rector of St. Stephen’s and Christ Church, Glenrock, Wy.
It was in the Diocese of Wyoming that Canon Jones met Vernon Strickland, who later became the Bishop of Western Kansas. He phoned him in 1996 and it was a call to St. Michael’s, Hays (St. Elizabeth, Russell, and St. Andrew’s, rural Hays. After 7 years as rector, Canon Jones retired in 2002 at age 62. Canon Jones was made a Canon of the Cathedral and served as supply priest to several mission congregations (St. John’s – Great Bend, Holy Apostles – Ellsworth, Epiphany – Concordia, St. Anne’s – McPherson, St. Paul’s – Goodland, Trinity Church – Norton). In 2006 Bishop Adams appointed him as Provost at Christ Cathedral during their search process for the next dean. Six months later Canon Jones was elected as Dean and again 2010. Canon Jones continues to serve as priest-in-charge at Trinity Church, Norton together with Fr. Dennis Gilhousen a couple times per month. He married his wife, Susan in 1990. She has been a continuing loving support for 29 years. Canon Jones has two grown children, daughter Sarah and two grandchildren, Adam and Meghan of Colorado Springs, Co. and a son Mark of Ft. Worth, Texas.
Bishop Cowell appointed Canon Jones as Canon to the Ordinary after his consecration in December of 2018. Canon Jones has also served in The Diocese of Western Kansas on The Commission on Ministry, The Search Committee, The Standing Committee, and Diocesan Council.
Canon Jones says, " I have served in 5 dioceses, under 15 bishops, and 24 congregations; and still going strong (well not quite as strong!) At age 80, if given the chance – I would do it all over again. I have been truly blessed by loving and forgiving people throughout my life"