Office of the Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Bishop, ext 223
Consecrated 12th Bishop of Rhode Island on February 17, 1996, Bishop Wolf is a native of West Chester, PA. Prior to her election she was Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in the Diocese of Kentucky, being the first woman Dean of a Cathedral. She serves on several national committees and is the Liturgist for the House of Bishops. She is an associate of the Society of St. Margaret, a Companion of the Oratory of the Good Shepherd, an ecumenical oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery in Elmira, NY, and has visited and worked with the Taizé Community in France. She is the author of several published anthems and articles, and creates whimsical figures that are made out of wood.
Mr. Tylan Creason, Assistant to the Bishop and Bishop's Chaplain, ext 223
Ty assists Bishop Wolf in the office and coordinates and serves liturgically at visitations and Diocesan liturgies. He also coordinates the Taizé ministry of the Diocese, leading the Cathedral Taizé service and the pilgrimage for young adults. He is active at ECC. He trained as a contemplative monk with the order of Julian of Norwich for two years remaining affiliated with the order as an Oblate. Ty did his undergraduate work in sociology, with graduate studies in business administration, counseling and theology. He has worked in the mental health field as a clinician and clinical manager.
The Rt. Rev. David Joslin, Assisting Bishop, ext 226
Bishop Joslin served as Rector of Christ Church, Westerly from 1974 to 1986. He and his wife chose to move back to Rhode Island when he retired. Before retirement he served parishes in New Jersy, Delaware and Minnesota. He was Bishop of Central New York and then served in a special assignment as Assisting Bishop of New Jersy.
The Rev. Robert Vanderau, Canon to the Ordinary ext. 224
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Bob graduated from Ohio State University and served as an Air Force officer before entering Virginia Theological Seminary. After ordination, he served in churches in Rockville, Maryland and Jacksonville, Florida before becoming Precentor of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando for twelve years. In 1994, he became Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Cranston, and served in that position until coming to Diocesan House.
The Rev. Richard Bardusch, Canon for Congregational Development & Mission ext. 242
A native of Virginia an priested in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, Canon Bardusch came to Rhode Island from the Diocese of Newark where he was Diocesan Director of Youth Ministries. Currently, a Doctor of Ministry Candidate for Drew University, he is completing work on his thesis in Congregational Development. He serves as Rector of the Church of the Messiah in Providence and as Canon for Congregational Development and Mission for the Diocese.
Ms. Betsy Fornal, Deployment Officer ext. 225
As Deployment Officer, Betsy facilitates the diocesan calling process, bringing new clergy leaders to congregations and assists diocesan clergy in their discernment of new ministry situations. She has been a search and congregational development consultant for the Diocese for fifteen years. Betsy is a member of St. Luke's in East Greenwich.
Resource Center
Ms. Mary Ann Kolakowski, Acting Director ext. 247
Mary Ann serves parishes and persons within the diocese by coordinating resource materials, trainings in life long Christian Education and Formation. Prior to beginning her work in the Resource Center, she has worked in the education and social service fields. She has taught professionally in schools and programs for pre-school to high school and to adult persons throughout RI. She completed her undergraduate work in History and Secondary Education and her graduate work in Religious Studies at Providence College. She has may years of experience as a Christian educator and lay leader in Roman Catholic and Episcopal parishes in RI. Mary Ann is a representative to the Province I Education Network and is a member of Trinity Church in North Scituate, RI.
Administration
Ms. Debbie Smith, Administrative Assistant for Diocesan Affairs ext. 240
Debbie is a resident of North Providence, is married and has one son. She serves as Secretary to Diocesan Council, maintains the Eucharistic Visitor and Minister Licenses, Non-Parochial Clergy Reports and the Website. She is the Registrar for Diocesan Convention and Convocation and is the coordinator for the Annual Directory as well. Debbie is also the downstairs receptionist. A graduate of Bryant (College) University, she has an Associate Degree in Secretarial Sciences.
Ms. Gloria Williams, ext. 221
Gloria is a Rhode Island native and it is her voice that you hear on the other end of the phone, greeting Diocesan callers or greeting visitors to Diocesan House. She occupies the 2nd floor Reception area. Gloria maintains the Diocesan Master Database as well as the RISEN and Taize databases. In addition to processing Parochial and Parish reports, she maintains the meeting calendars for the office and web and schedules the use of Diocesan meeting rooms. She handles both incoming and outgoing mail, the communication system, office equipment and is general office support staff.
Finance
Mr. Ron Turnbull, Comptroller ext. 231
Ron is a Rhode Island native and has been working for 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.
Ms. Joan DeCelles, Assistant Treasurer ext. 229
A native of Rhode Island, Joan has been working in the Finance Office since 1981. She serves on the Commission on Supplemental Benefits and the Medical Task Force Committee. 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 an MBA degree.
Ms. Regina Barattini, Finance Assistant ext. 227
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.
Episcopal Charities
Ms. Peggy Amatore, Director-Episcopal Charities ext. 234
Peggy is a Rhode Island native and 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 all volunteers, parish chairs, compaign volunteers and Board members.
Mr. Jack StJean, Administrative Assistant -Episcopal Charities ext. 233
Jack hails from Woonsocket, RI and is the father of four children. He comes to Episcopal Charities fom a Federal emergency medical team, founded in 1990 during Desert Shield and Desert Storm and serves as its Executive Officer. He has recentlu been appointed the Program Co-odinator for the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps. Jack has a strong background in personnel management, recruiting, sales and enjoys working with volunteers.
Communications
Ms. Jessica Gates, Communications Associate
Jessica joined the staff as part-time Communications Associate in March, 2006. She works closely with The Rev. Scott Gunn on communication projects, creating and distributing the eRISEN newsletter, writing, editing, photography and reasearching online discussion forums for RISEN. Jessica is a freelance travel and events writer with a background in not-for-profit and advertising both online and print and a business development and advertising executive previously working for Fortune 500 companies. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest and recently adopted Rhode Island as her new home. Her husband, Alan, is the Assistant to the Rector at St. Paul's in North Kingstown.