Louie Crew Clay, a longtime advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in The Episcopal Church, the founder of Integrity and a former member of the House of Deputies, died on Nov. 27 at age 82 with his husband by his side, according to the Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton, a close friend.Known commonly as Louie Crew, he is remembered across The Episcopal Church as a tireless trailblazer for sexual minorities and outcasts, a prolific author and a devoted husband and friend.  Read more >

[December 2019] The Rev. Canon Johnnie E. Ross has been appointed the Province II clergy representative to serve an unexpired term on the Province II Council of the Episcopal Church.
 
The Rev. Dahn Gandell, Province II president, noted, “The Rev. Canon Johnnie E. Ross possesses the skills, the talents and the spirituality that are needed for this role, and he will be an invaluable member of Council.”
 
Ross is the Dean for Small Church & Pastoral Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and serves as rector for Grace Church in Scottsville and St. Andrew’s in Caledonia. He served in various positions, churches and committees in the Diocese of Rochester and the Diocese of Lexington. He has served as a General Convention deputy and/or alternate five times since 1997.
 
“What a wonderful opportunity to serve the 12 dioceses of this province and the greater Church,” Ross said. “I have long been an admirer of the work of provincial councils and look forward to learning more, serving when and where I can, and experiencing the great diversity of Province II and the greater needs of Episcopal Church. I look forward to serving alongside ‘old’ friends and those friends I have yet to meet. To my clergy colleagues nominated and not chosen, I am sure you have ideas of what you would like to see accomplished on the provincial level. Should you feel comfortable enough to share those thoughts with me, I promise to hold them as sacred gifts and bring them to the table whenever appropriate.”
 
More than one dozen clergy expressed interest in the position. Gandell reviewed the nominees and presented Ross to the Province II Council, which consented to her recommendation.
 
Ross will join the Province II Council immediately. Duties include attending Province II council and Synod meetings, participating in the business of the Province, and offering advice and insight to the Executive Board of Province II.
 
The term expires following the conclusion of Provincial Synod in April 2021.
 
Province II of the Episcopal Church includes 12 dioceses in New Jersey, New York, Europe and the Caribbean.  The Province II dioceses are: Albany, Central New York, Cuba [anticipated effective March 2020], Episcopal Churches in Europe, Haiti, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, Newark, Rochester, Virgin Islands, and Western New York.
 
For more information contact Neva Rae Fox, communications consultant at nevarae@aol.com .