On March 11-13, 2023 the Association for Episcopal Deacons (AED), The Episcopal Churchwide organization for deacons and the diaconate, met in person for the first time since 2020.

Convened by their President Deacon Tracie Middleton during the challenging years of the pandemic, the Board of the Association commissioned newly elected officers and board members:

Deacon Carole Maddux, President, Diocese of Atlanta; Deacon Kristi Neal, Vice President, Diocese of Western North Carolina; Deacon Ruth Elder, Secretary, Diocese of Maryland; Terri Hoffman, Assistant Secretary, Diocese of Oregon; Deacon Tracie Middleton, Past President; Frank Alton, Diocese of Los Angeles; Rev. Brendan Barnicle, Diocese of Oregon; Rev. Leann Culbreath, Diocese of Georgia; Deacon Jan Grinnell, Diocese of Rhode Island; Phyllis Jones, Diocese of New Jersey; Deacon  Denise LaVetty, Diocese of New York; Deacon Jon Owens, Diocese of California; Deacon Juan Sandoval, Diocese of Atlanta; Deacon Geof Smith, Diocese of New Hampshire; Deacon Sue von Rautenkranz, Diocese of Washington. Deacon Carter Hawley serves as the Association’s Executive Director.

In addition, the Association’s board defined three goals to guide their work for the next two years:

1. Promote the critical need for the diaconate in The Episcopal Church to fulfill the mandate of Jesus to love one another as I have loved you.
2. Develop clear and comprehensive structures to implement the mission of AED, including its role as a major resource portal for all aspects of diaconal work.
3. Increase AED membership to 60% of ordained deacons.

“On behalf of the Board of the Association for Episcopal Deacons, I am grateful for this outstanding and committed group of church leaders to further the important work of deacons and the diaconate in The Episcopal Church. We are entering an exciting time, and I look forward to the exciting things we will accomplish together,” said President Deacon Carole Maddux.