[National Episcopal Historians and Archivists press release] Joe Thoma has been selected to serve as editor of The Historiographer, a quarterly 20-24 page publication of the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA) and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC). Thoma is communications officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and will work with Catherine Kohn in soliciting materials for publication, formatting each issue for printing and overseeing printing and mailing. They currently work with a team to produce publications including The Net (Diocese of Southeast Florida) and The Central Florida Episcopalian. They also manage The Associated Church Press, the trade organization for religious publishers since 1916.

The Historiographer is published to promote the preserving of church records and the writing of parochial and diocesan history. It contains articles and news from the world of Episcopal history and archives, and reaches approximately 1,000 members of both organizations, bishops and diocesan offices across the globe.

“We are students of Episcopal Church history” Thoma shared with the search committee, “and have had our work featured in The Historiographer, and have worked with NEHA’s Margaret Landis on a number of projects.”

Thoma was selected following a national search chaired by NEHA member and former Vice-President Sue Rehkopf of the Dioceses of Missouri. The Search Team received 10 applications, all of whom were experienced and talented. Five were interviewed by phone then narrowed to two finalists. In an email to the NEHA Board, Rehkopf shared that the Search Team felt “that Thoma and team will fit in well with the board and the organization. “It was a difficult choice with several extremely qualified applicants,” commented the Rev. Bindy Snyder, NEHA President, “but we rejoice in having selected Joe Thoma as editor of The Historiographer.”

Founded in 1961, NEHA focuses on practical matters of archivists and historians in the Episcopal Church as a forum for exchanging ideas, giving mutual support, and as an archival and historical network for those who participate in preserving, exploring and sharing the historical dimensions of the Episcopal Church. NEHA encourages every congregation, diocese, and organization in the Episcopal Church to collect, preserve and organize its records and share its history.

Founded in 1910, HSEC is dedicated to preserving and disseminating information about the history of the Episcopal Church with over 500 members who are scholars, writers, teachers, ministers (lay and ordained) and others interested in the objectives of the Historical Society. It publishes the quarterly academic journal Anglican and Episcopal History.