Sally Johnson, chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies, has announced she will run for Vice President of the House of Deputies should a clergy person be elected president.
Johnson recently announced that she will retire as vice president for risk management and education with the Church Pension Group. You can read her announcement by clicking Read More. We hope other candidates will send us their announcements.
An excerpt:
I have been encouraged to seek the Vice President’s office and believe that I am being called not because I have the answers to the question of how we should change, but because I understand how the Episcopal Church is currently put together; what the rules are; and how decisions are made. I understand how to make change work, how to take a vision and making it a functioning reality. I have a proven track record of assisting people in making organizational and structural change in the Church. From my work in helping the Church strengthen its misconduct, Title IV, and background screening protocols, I know what it feels like and what it takes to challenge the church’s usual way of doing business. I know, too, the good that can come from persevering in campaigns to change an entrenched culture.
I’m announcing today that I’ve decided to stand for election as Vice President of the House of Deputies if Gay Jennings or another (as yet unannounced) member of the clergy is elected as President.
I have been encouraged to seek the Vice President’s office and believe that I am being called not because I have the answers to the question of how we should change, but because I understand how the Episcopal Church is currently put together; what the rules are; and how decisions are made. I understand how to make change work, how to take a vision and making it a functioning reality. I have a proven track record of assisting people in making organizational and structural change in the Church. From my work in helping the Church strengthen its misconduct, Title IV, and background screening protocols, I know what it feels like and what it takes to challenge the church’s usual way of doing business. I know, too, the good that can come from persevering in campaigns to change an entrenched culture.
During my 15 years with the Church Pension Group I’ve been privileged to be in charge of developing Safeguarding God’s Children on child sexual abuse and Safeguarding God’s People on sexual exploitation and sexual harassment. I’ve traveled to most dioceses, trained over 500 people in safe church programs, trained and worked with Chancellors, Canons to the Ordinary, diocesan staff, other church leaders and seminarians in misconduct prevention and response, ecclesiastical discipline under Title IV, and Church polity, governance and Canons.
Perhaps most importantly as we seek to work together to change our Church, I have trained and/or worked with nearly all of the bishops as a regular presenter at the College for Bishops and at House of Bishops meetings and as an advisor on misconduct, discipline and Canons. I have good working relationships with many bishops across the geographic and political spectrum, and as Vice President, I would be eager to continue collegial work with them for the benefit of the entire Church.
I have served the Church throughout my adult life. I am a seven-time Deputy and serve as Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies. I have been chair and vice-chair of the Canons Committee and served on the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons. I have been Chancellor of the Diocese of Minnesota, vice president of Episcopal Community Services and chaired a university chaplain search committee and parish stewardship and property committees. I’ve also served on vestry and been a delegate to diocesan conventions and provincial synods.
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Kay Kramer, my partner of 32 years. Between now and July 11, when the election for Vice President takes place, I ask for your prayers for us and for the Church we love.