The Right Reverend W. Nicholas Knisely
Bishop of Rhode Island (as of November 17th)
Bishop Knisely 401-274-4500 ext. 223
Bishop Knisely was elected to be the 13th Bishop of Rhode Island in June of 2012, and was ordained Bishop on November 17th, 2012.
The Bishop was born and raised in Pennsylvania and met his wife Karen while they were both students at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. Later, as a graduate student at the University of Delaware, Nicholas decided to leave behind his studies of Physics and Astronomy and was sent to Yale/Berkeley Divinity School to study for the priesthood. He was ordained to the diaconate in Delaware in 1991 and to the priesthood in 1992.
Nicholas previously served as a priest in Delaware, Western and Eastern Pennsylvania, and as Dean of the Cathedral in Phoenix Arizona. He has been active in a number of ministries with particular focus in the areas of homelessness, communications, college and youth, finance, and ecumenical relations. He taught Physics and Astronomy for nearly seven years at Lehigh University while he was serving in Bethlehem PA. He was the first chair of the General Convention Standing Commission on Communications and Technology and was part of the Moravian-Episcopal Dialog that drew up the full communion agreement between the two denominations.
Karen and Nicholas Knisely have been married for 30 years and have a teenage daughter named Kenney.
The Rev. Linda L. Grenz
Canon to the Ordinary
email Linda 401-274-4500 ext 232
The Rev. Linda L. Grenz grew up on a farm in South Dakota, and came East to Cambridge, MA where she attended Harvard Divinity School (MTS in Old Testament) and the Episcopal Divinity School (MDiv in Liturgics). She was ordained to the diaconate in 1976 and to the priesthood in 1977 as one of the first 100 women priests in the Episcopal Church. She has served parishes in the dioceses of Delaware, Newark, and Washington. She also has served at the headquarters of the Episcopal Church in the Overseas Development Office and the Office for Adult Education, Lay Ministry and Leadership Development.
Linda founded and led LeaderResources, a publishing and consulting organization that distributed education and congregational development programs such as the Journey to Adulthood youth ministry program. She is completing a DMin in Leadership in the Post Modern Church at Drew School of Theology (NJ) with a project on helping congregations re-imagine church using Theory U and traditional spiritual practices.
Linda has been married to Del Glover for 20 years. Del has two sons. Christopher and Jonathan. Del is a retired DuPont executive who served in the chief operating officer role at Trinity Church (Wall Street, NYC) and the Riverside Church (NYC), and as the Associate Dean at The General Seminary (NYC).
Ms. Liz Crawley
Executive Assistant to Bishop Knisely
email Liz 401-274-4500 x223
Liz started with the Diocese in 2007 as Bishop Wolf's Executive assistant, and served as Parish Administrator of St. John's in Barrington, from July 1994 to 2007. Liz now is the assistant to Bishop Knisely and supports him by keeping his calendar (a very busy one), maintaining parish and clergy files, event planning, serving as a point of contact for the Office of the Bishop, and a myriad of other duties. She lives in Wickford, has one son Adam who lives in Berkeley, CA, and one daughter Bethany who lives in North Kingstown. Liz was President and founding member of Beyond Our Walls, an interfaith non-profit organization formed to do deeds of outreach in the local community and beyond. She is also a board member of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Rhode Island. In her spare time she likes to read, garden, take a daily walk and spend time with close friends. Click here for Liz' staff duties
Betsy Fornal
Canon for Congregations and Clergy
email Betsy 401-274-4500 x225
Betsy has been working for the Diocese in some capacity since 1991, as Deployment Officer, Consultant and now Canon for Congregations and Clergy. Her job is to assist the Bishop in matters dealing with congregations and clergy. In the clergy arena, this includes managing transitions in congregations, recruiting and deploying clergy, working with clergy on vocational issues, supporting interim clergy and consultants, and managing our interface with other dioceses. For congregations, this includes congregational development, strategic planning, and mergers. She and her husband Pete have four children and two grandchildren. They also have one cat, Rookie, who came to them as a free agent and is now managing their team. Click here for Betsy's staff duties
Ruth Meteer
Communications Director
email Ruth 401-274-4500 x226
Ruth has worked in nonprofit marketing & communications for more than a decade, and came on staff with the Diocese in 2008. As Communications Director, a large part of Ruth’s responsibilities are the artistic and editorial work of RISEN Magazine, for which she has won many awards including the “Award of Excellence” for the best Episcopal Magazine or Periodical from the National Episcopal Communicator’s Conference. Ruth also has oversight of the Diocesan web & social media presence, E-RISEN events newsletter, advertising, and public relations. She spends significant time assisting Diocesan programs and departments with their communications needs, and serves as a consultant to our 50+ parishes. When not at work Ruth enjoys singing, writing poems, and popping up at open markets with her roaming vintage clothing shop, Gypsy. Click here for Ruth's staff duties
Ron Turnbull
Comptroller
email Ron 401-274-4500 x231
Ron is a Rhode Island native and has been with the Diocese since 1968. He serves on Diocesan Council, Commission on Finance, Commission on Investments and The Episcopal Housing Foundation of RI Board of Directors. Ron maintains the financial records of the Diocese and Episcopal Charities with emphasis on DIT investments, apportionment and budgets. He is often called upon for "corporate history" from parishes and staff because of his longevity at the Diocese. Click here for Ron's staff duties
Joan DeCelles
Assistant Treasurer
email Joan 401-274-4500 x229
A native of Rhode Island, Joan has been working in the Finance Office since 1981. She serves on the Commission on Supplemental Benefits. She is responsible for Diocese and Charities accounting, lay and clergy payroll and benefits. She also oversees the Finance Assistant. Joan graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and from Providence College with a MBA degree. February, 2007 she added an addition to her family. She now has a cute Portuguese Water Dog named Brandy. Click here for Joan's staff duties
Regina Barattini
Finance Assistant
email Regina 401-274-4500 x227
Regina came to the Diocese at the end of the Summer of 2001. She is responsible for Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable. She has lived in Rhode Island all her life, is married and has two children. Regina enjoys music and reading. Click here for Regina's staff duties
Bob Batchelor
Treasurer
email Bob 401-274-4500 x246
Bob is the elected Treasurer of the Diocese. He has been re-elected to this position for a number of years by the annual convention. As chief financial officer, he is responsible for the overall finances of the diocese in conjunction with the finance office under the very capable leadership of Ron Turnbull. Bob serves on the Commission on Finance, the Executive Committee of Council, Diocesan Council, Budget Committee, resource to Episcopal Charities and numerous ad hoc committees of the Diocese. He is also responsible to assure the annual audit of the Diocese. Bob interacts with parishes in advising them on financial concerns. Bob can be found at the Diocesan offices on a fairly regular basis. Bob and his wife Ruth reside in East Greenwich where they attend St. Luke's Church. They are blessed with three children and eight grandchildren.
The Rev. Meaghan Kelly
Director of ECC
401-285-1219
email Meaghan
www.eccri.org www.strangersbutonce.wordpress.com
Meaghan was ordained to the priesthood in January of 2008 and was sponsored for ordination by Grace Church in Providence, RI. After attending Virginia Theological Seminary she served as the Associate Rector of Emmanuel Church in Southern Pines, North Carolina. She is thrilled to be back in her home state now serving as the director of the Episcopal Conference Center (ECC). Meaghan grew up at ECC as a camper and counselor, and she met her husband Jonathan Brower there. She feels passionately about youth ministry and the transformation that occurs for people while living and serving in Christian community. She loves to dance and sing and play board games - which she gets to do both at home
and at work - which makes her one very lucky priest!
The Rev. Jose F. Roberts
Hispanic Ministries
email Jose 401-440-6046
Rev. Roberts is from The Dominican Republic. He was ordained a priest August 15, 1982. He married Dolores Roberts on February 20, 1983, and has three children, Carolina Elizabeth, Robert Isaac, and Jose F. He has been the Hispanic Missioner of this Diocese since January 2004, and is responsible for the Hispanic Ministry development. He also works as the Priest in charge of Saint George's Church in Central Falls.
The Rev. Mercedes Julian
Hispanic Missioner
email Mercedes 401-461-5811
Peggy Amatore
Director - Episcopal Charities
email Peggy 401-274-4500 x234
Peggy is a Rhode Island native and lives with her husband in Matunuck. She began her work with Episcopal Charities in 1981. The purpose of Episcopal Charities is to raise and distribute funds to diocesan and community social service agencies serving those in need throughout Rhode Island in accordance with the Episcopal Charities Mission Statement. She coordinates and is responsible for all phases of the Episcopal Charities Annual Campaign, grant review and grant distribution process. Peggy recruits, trains and works closely with volunteers, parish chairs, campaign volunteers and Board members. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Rhode Island Chapter (AFP-RI) - an international networking organization. Peggy is also a member of the Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island (GCRI), in association with the Rhode Island Foundation - a group of many funders throughout the state.
Chris Decelles
Click here for Chris' staff duties
Tony Lonardo
Click here for Tony's Staff duties