DIOCESE OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
MEET THE DEAN
The Rev. Sr. Kathy Lawler serves the Diocese of Northern California as Dean of the School for Ministry. She is a Franciscan, a member of the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. Her initial training in chemistry informs much of her ministerial focus. She is particularly enthusiastic about helping folks find connections between spirituality and science. She also teaches about the congruence between Christian faith and modern science.
MEET THE BISHOP
The Right Reverend Megan M. Traquair was ordained and consecrated the eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California on June 29, 2019 at the Mondavi Center in Davis, CA. Her election took place at a Special Electing Convention on February 9, 2019 at Faith Episcopal Church, Cameron Park, CA.
Bishop Megan is an active follower of Jesus Christ and was raised in Santa Barbara when it was a sleepy town, graduated from Pomona College in Claremont and received her MDiv at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, IL. Ordained in 1992 in the Diocese of Los Angeles she has led congregations in Tucson, towns near South Bend and Indianapolis, and Los Angeles.
When she was Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, she ran all aspects of clergy Transition (deployment). She coached clergy and congregations in conflict resolution and lead strategic planning. She has mentored locally-raised Hispanic clergy and supported the Hispanic Program Group in the diocese. She was a key developer of a non-profit management program for clergy: “Best Skills – Best Churches – What Seminary Didn’t Teach You.” By popular demand it was expanded to include lay leaders and ecumenical leaders.
Serving churches both in rural and urban areas, Megan has an enduring interest in church growth and the active formation of disciples. She values preaching and good liturgy which speaks to the people and strengthens us for engaging with Jesus and serving the world.
Her interests include gardening, genealogy, hiking and history. Her husband Philip is a pediatrician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. They have been partners and best friends as well as parents. They have two children: Hannah who teaches high school in Tucson, and Benjamin, who is an engineer in Colorado.
ABOUT THE DIOCESE
The West Coast Collaborative Episcopal School for Ministry is a new, combined ministry of the Dioceses of El Camino Real, Northern California, and San Diego. We provide innovative lay and diaconal formation based in the curriculum of the Iona Collaborative at the Seminary of the Southwest. Most of the coursework occurs online.
The West Coast Collaborative currently offers two educational tracks— formation for Vocational Deacons, and formation for Lay Preachers. Over time, we will continue to expand program offerings in support of lay and ordained ministries.
We are currently accepting applications for a course opening Spring 2024 (?) to prepare individuals to apply for a Lay Preaching license. We are forming cohorts of students in Spanish and English and seeking adult learners of all ages and educational backgrounds who are actively involved in ministry in their congregations and demonstrate gifts in lay leadership. Participants must be members of a congregation within one of our three partner dioceses.
We are currently building a website with complete details on program offerings, application process, and student profiles. To learn more about the West Coast Collaborative, please contact the dean for your diocese:
Diocese of El Camino Real:
The Rev. Katherine B. Doar | katherine@realepiscopal.org
Diocese of Northern California:
The Rev. Sr. Kathy Lawler, OEF | sfmdean@norcalepiscopal.org
Diocese of San Diego:
The Rt. Rev. Jim Mathes | DeanSfM@edsd.org