New ECREJ board members, from Top (l to r): The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Tom Little. Middle: Alan Murray, Bishop Phoebe Roaf, Canon Mariann Scott. Bottom: Bishop Allen K. Shin, The Rev. Bryan Vélez-Garcia.

New board members and officers have been elected to the board of the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice for 2026.

The Coalition is comprised of Episcopalians, parishes, dioceses and organizations from all nine provinces. Its constituency is dedicated to eliminating racism and white supremacy, and to creating Beloved Community across the Church.

The Coalition’s board reflects that commitment. More than 70 percent of board members are people of color, as required by the organization’s by-laws. Additionally, they represent geographic diversity, hailing from all of the provinces.

“We were pleased to receive many nominations for the Steering Group from across the Episcopal Church and ecumenically. Our new members are a diverse group, with skill sets, experiences and perspectives that will enrich and strengthen the Coalition, and advance our mission,” remarked Board Chair The Rev. Canon John Kitagawa.

Elected to a two-year term were: Alan Murray, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Milwaukie, Oregon, Province VIII; Canon Mariann Scott, the Director of Community Relations & Canon for the Circle at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana, Province V; and The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of New York, Province II.

The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission in Boston and Thomas Little, General Counsel of the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation in Shelburne, Vermont, both in Province I, were re-elected to two-year terms.

The Rev. Bryan Velez-Garcia, Vicar/Vicario of  San José & Cristo Rey Episcopal Churches in Arlington & Springfield, VA Latino Missions, Province III, was re-appointed to a two-year term by the President of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala-Harris.

The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf, Bishop of West Tennessee, Province IV, was appointed to a two-year term by Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe.

Officers re-elected for a one-year term in 2026 include Chair – The Rev. Canon John Kitagawa; Vice Chair 1 – Bishop Ian Douglas and Treasurer – Diane Pollard. Elected for two-year terms were Vice Chair 2 – Bishop Allen Shin and Secretary – The Rev. Canon Meg Wagner. To see the complete list of board members and read their biographies, visit https://episcopalcoalition.org/about

The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice is a voluntary association of Episcopal dioceses, parishes, organizations and individuals dedicated to the work of becoming the beloved community. The Coalition welcomes participation from all groups and individuals at every level of the church who faithfully engage in the work of truth-telling, reckoning and healing for racial equity, justice and the dismantling of white supremacy.

The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice was founded through passage of a Resolution Extending and Furthering the Beloved Community at the 2022 General Convention. It is charged with facilitating, coordinating, encouraging, supporting and networking efforts for racial justice and equity, and the dismantling of white supremacy. It became a non-profit organization separate from The Episcopal Church in May 2024.

For more information or to join the Coalition, visit www.episcopalcoalition.org.

The window theme is based on the Morning Prayer canticle, A Song of Creation, and beautifully depicts the Holy Trinity as the source of and receiving the praises of all creation. According to the Willet window designer, Mark Bleakley: “Beginning with the Angels and Powers of the Lord suggested by Seraphim and Cherubim, every part of Creation takes its place in worship—Sun and Moon, Stars of Heaven, Winds of God, Winter and Summer, Ice and Snow, Nights and Days, Mountains and Hills, green things upon the Earth, Springs, Seas, Floods, all that moves in the Waters, Fowls, Beasts and Cattle.” In the bottom center lancet of the window, there is a depiction of the Church building celebrating its centennial.

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.

Nina Soto, Cuban missionary and first episcopal woman to graduate from the Episcopal Seminary in Cuba.

Nina Soto, a Cuban missionary who spent decades spreading the Gospel in Latin America and beyond, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, surrounded by love. She was born in Morón, in the Province of Camagüey, Cuba, the sixth of nine children of Ulpiano Ulloa and Carolina Companioni.

From an early age, Nina distinguished herself as an excellent student with a deep love of learning. Books were her lifelong companions and shaped the thoughtful, reflective spirit that defined her life. She studied philosophy at the University of Havana and later earned a master’s degree in Christian Education from the Episcopal Seminary of Matanzas, where she made history as the first Episcopal woman to graduate from the seminary. Following her graduation, she served as Director of Christian Education for the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba in Havana, beginning a life devoted to faith, education, and service.

In January 1956, Nina met the love of her life at a student retreat in Manicaragua. Onell Soto was preparing to represent Cuba at a world meeting of Christian students in Germany. When they met, he told her he hoped to see her again upon his return so he could show her photographs from his journey. That simple invitation marked the beginning of a love story that would span fifty-five years of marriage and a life lived across five countries: Cuba, the United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Venezuela.

Nina and Onell married on July 4, 1960, at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Morón, Cuba. They honeymooned in the colonial city of Trinidad while quietly making the difficult decision to leave their beloved Cuba, holding on to the hope that one day they might return.

They departed Cuba in late 1960 and began a life shaped by faith and church service. In 1965, the family moved to Quito, Ecuador, where Onell served as vicar of the Episcopal Church of San Nicolás. Nina supported the Spanish-speaking congregation and helped organize the city’s ecumenical movement. In mid-1971, the family relocated to El Salvador when Onell was appointed Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Church’s Ninth Province. Nina continued her ministry alongside him, working on ecumenical publications.

In December 1977, Nina and Onell moved to Montclair, New Jersey, following his appointment as Officer of Information and Education for the World Mission Unit of the Episcopal Church. There, they raised their four children. During these years, Nina’s leadership and faith extended far beyond her home. In 1985, she represented the Episcopal Church at the Third United Nations World Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya. She served for many years on the National Committee of the United Thank Offering, as a board trustee of the Episcopal Seminary in Puerto Rico, and for more than a decade as editor of Día a Día, the Spanish-language edition of Forward Movement Day by Day, offering daily devotions to Spanish-speaking Episcopalians.

In 1987, Nina and Onell moved to Venezuela after he was elected Bishop of the Anglican Church of Venezuela. They lived there until 1995, serving with devotion and humility. Onell later served as assistant bishop in the Episcopal dioceses of Atlanta and Alabama. In 2002, as they transitioned into retirement, he was appointed Interim Director of Communications for the Anglican Communion, leading them to spend several months living at St. Andrew’s House in London.

Nina and Onell eventually retired to Miami, Florida, where they lived together until Onell’s death in 2015, and where Nina remained until her own passing. They celebrated fifty-five years of marriage surrounded by their children and six grandchildren.

Above all, Nina was a devoted and loving mother, a lifelong partner to her husband, and a woman of quiet strength and compassion. She deeply loved Cuba and carried it in her heart always. She found joy in coloring mandalas, tending flowers, traveling, and surrounding herself with beauty. She had a true gift for gardening, a compassionate spirit, and a quiet elegance that drew admiration from all who knew her. Her faith was lived daily through action and kindness.

Nina Rosa Ulloa Soto leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and faith. She is survived by her daughter Ana María Soto and granddaughter Susana Cárdenas-Soto; her daughter Lidia Soto-Harmon and son-in-law Robert Harmon, and grandchildren Tomás Harmon (husband Brandon Rogers) and Nina María Harmon (fiancé Emory Nolte); her son Onell Robert Soto and daughter-in-law Robin Soto; and her daughter Elena Soto-Chapa and son-in-law Jimmy Chapa, and grandchildren Cristina Elena, Alicia Mía, and Lucero. She is also survived by two sisters, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family who loved her deeply.

May she rest in peace.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Nina Soto will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 464 NE 16th Street, Miami, Florida 33132.

The service will be livestreamed at:
https://youtu.be/HOVX4adphHI

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hispanic Ministry of the Diocese of Southwest Florida.

Water into Wine explores the intersection of faith, wine and music, with a good helping of modern cultural references. The first episode — “The Spirituality of Wine and God’s Transforming Grace” — was released on Dec. 23. The second episode — “Is He Listening? What to Know About Prayer and God’s Silence” — will be released Jan. 6. The podcast is designed to resonate with both longtime churchgoers and those new to the Christian faith. Episodes will be released every two weeks.

Each episode features relaxed, insightful conversations with Father Charleston Wilson, rector of Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Florida. Wilson is an Episcopal priest, husband, father of two, certified sommelier, Motown devotee and Anglophile. He is joined in the episodes by Grier Ferguson, Redeemer communications director and podcast producer.

Prior to entering the priesthood, Wilson co-owned a fine dining concept, managed human resources for a restaurant chain, and consulted internationally in the wine industry. Water into Wine draws on this experience by featuring a wine tasting that ties into the topic being discussed in each episode.

“Through the podcast, I’m sharing my passion for God, Jesus, wine, and music,” Wilson said. “We want to help people experience God’s compassion and grace — hopefully in a life-changing way.”

Water into Wine is available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

For more information, visit RedeemerSarasota.org/Podcast.

ABOUT CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

Church of the Redeemer is a growing parish of more than 3,000 members in the heart of downtown Sarasota. The parish is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Redeemer is known for its focus on worship, preaching, music, community outreach and families. Redeemer’s roots in Sarasota trace back to the 1880s. The campus at 222 S. Palm Ave. occupies an entire city block and hosts about 600 services each year as well as concerts, guest speakers and community service projects. To learn more, visit RedeemerSarasota.org.

For each pilgrim who walks with Insider’s Camino, a donation of USD 200 is made to the Anglican Pilgrims Centre in Santiago, which offers hospitality, prayer, and pastoral care to pilgrims and visitors and serves as an ecumenical Anglican presence in Spain.

Reflecting on his church’s recent experience walking the Portuguese Way, the Rev. Jason Terhune of St George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville, said Insider’s Camino helped participants move “from being ‘participants’ on the Camino to experiencing the Camino in deeply moving ways as pilgrims.”

Insider’s Camino has also partnered with Christ Church Greenwich; the Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota; St Paul’s, Mount Lebanon; and All Saints’, Winter Park, Florida. The organization will be attending the Episcopal Parish Network conference this March 2026 in Charlotte, NC. For more information, click here.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Hannah Matis.

The School of Theology is pleased to announce that Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Hannah Matis has been elected president of the Anglican Theological Review (ATR). Matis succeeds Dean of the School of Theology the Very Rev. Dr. James F. Turrell, who served two terms as ATR president and shaped the trajectory and future of the journal. Dr. Matis brings to the presidency a deep scholarly background and substantial experience in academic leadership.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Matis into this leadership role,” said Director of Operations Christopher R. Smith. “Her scholarly insight, administrative skill, and deep commitment to theological education make her exceptionally well-suited to guide the ATR into its next chapter.”

Matis has taught widely across the field of church history, including the history of spirituality, Anglicanism, the Episcopal Church, and the experience of women in Christianity. Her most recent book, The History of Women in Christianity to 1600 (Wiley-Blackwell, 2022), reflects years of teaching and was designed as a resource for both seminarians and lay readers. Her research focuses on early medieval biblical interpretation and the church in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. Dr. Matis is a graduate of the Medieval Institute at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Durham (UK).

“As many of you know, I am honored to be following on from the two terms of my predecessor, Dean of the School of Theology James Turrell, and building on the strong connection he established between the ATR and the School of Theology at Sewanee,” said Matis.

“As the newly appointed president of the Anglican Theological Review, Inc., I want to express a deep sense of gratitude and respect for the extraordinary leadership of our outgoing president, the Very Rev. James F. Turrell,” Matis remarked.

During his two terms as president, Turrell played a pivotal role in advancing the mission and long-term viability of ATR. In 2019, he led efforts to secure a new institutional home for the journal at the School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee—a strategic move that strengthened administrative support and positioned ATR for continued growth. His leadership was also central to establishing a successful publishing partnership with SAGE Publications, Ltd., a collaboration that has expanded the journal’s reach and visibility.

Turrell’s steady and wise stewardship guided the ATR through a period of financial challenge. His advocacy, foresight, and commitment to strategic planning ensured the journal’s fiscal stability and paved the way for a capital campaign that will support ATR for generations to come.

Beyond these organizational achievements, Turrell remained steadfast in upholding the intellectual rigor and scholarly excellence that define the Anglican Theological Review. His dedication to thoughtful theological discourse has preserved ATR’s vital place within the Anglican Communion and the wider academic community.

“On behalf of the board, the editorial team, and all those who have benefited from the journal’s work, I extend our deepest gratitude to Jim for his invaluable contributions. His leadership will remain an enduring part of the ATR’s prominent history,” Matis said.

When asked about the future Matis shared, “2026 looks to be an exciting year for the journal, and you will hear more from us in the coming months about developments here. For now, I recommend to you the current fall 2025 issue of ATR, and the wonderful work of its editors and contributors.”

“As a medieval historian, I am particularly moved by our opening essay from a professional hero of mine, the great Caroline Walker Bynum, in her essay with the ATR engaging the work of Julian of Norwich and Annie Dillard. There is no better time of year to consider the themes of “Embodiment and Sacrament in Christian Thought.”

Learn more about the Anglican Theological Review here.

Why This Matters—and Who Should Attend

In 2024, Province V received a generous grant from the United Thank Offering that made possible the launch of the EGC initiative. With that funding, EGC aims to equip participants with the tools, language, and confidence to welcome gender-diverse individuals into their communities—doing so in ways that avoid placing emotional or psychological burden on those persons, and that foster dignity, respect, and belonging.

The EGC Toolkit training is intended for everyone—laypeople, clergy, church leaders, and parishioners who want to grow in their capacity for radical hospitality and inclusive ministry.

“We believe that our common life is enriched when we make space for the full diversity of God’s beloved community,” said the Rev. Heather Barta, Coordinator of Province V. “This training is for all who long for deeper understanding and genuine connection—for congregations, for leaders, and for every follower of Christ.”

“All are welcome,” Barta added, “who strive for deeper understanding and connection—with the hope that together, we can create communities that reflect the love and inclusivity God calls us to.”

How to Participate

To register or learn more about the EGC  Toolkit training—including schedule, content, and registration details—visit the Province V website at: https://www.provincev.org/egc.html

Registration is open to all.

About Province V
Province V is a network of 11 dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the Midwest. Each diocese contributes an apportionment to the Province, supporting ministries and creating valuable networking opportunities that connect congregations, leaders, and resources across the region.

In Province V, we “tell it in the light” (Matthew 10:27–31), celebrating God’s promise of renewal within the Episcopal Church in the Midwest. To fulfill this vision, we:
• Connect people to people and people to resources.
• Support each other in a variety of ministries, resourcing from within and without.
• Collaborate across multiple dioceses to build capacity for demonstrable impact.

The Indigenous Theological Circle is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. This initiative is designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future. The grant to Bexley Seabury Seminary is one of 45 that was approved in this competitive round of funding to support theological schools as they lead large-scale collaborations with other seminaries, colleges and universities, and other church-related organizations.

Of the $10 million, $5 million will support the launch of an Indigenous Theological Circle, while the remaining $5 million is contingent upon Bexley Seabury, through the ITC, raising matching funds for two endowed professorships. One endowed professor in Indigenous Theological Studies will be shared between NAIITS and the ITC, and a second endowed professor in Indigenous Congregational Studies will serve Bexley Seabury and the ITC.

“For many years, Bexley Seabury has been committed to making theological education accessible, contextual, and responsive to the diverse communities we serve. Now, through the Indigenous Theological Circle, we are committing ourselves to a long-term, Indigenous-led, relational approach to theological education,” said The Rev. Dr. Mark Lee, President-elect of Bexley Seabury Seminary. “This grant from Lilly Endowment allows us to walk alongside Indigenous leaders and communities, not just with courses and degrees, but with networks of support, shared resources, and a sustainable endowment that will serve generations to come.”

Key initiatives of the Indigenous Theological Circle will include:

• To provide sponsorship and support for master’s and doctoral students and faculty across theological institutions committed to Indigenous scholarship and ministries.
• An annual gathering offering continuing education, workshops, and practical resourcing for ministers and lay-leaders serving Indigenous congregations.
• Contextualized curriculum and resource development for Bexley Seabury and collaborating mainline denominational institutions in the United States.

“The relationships we have been developing with Indigenous communities and leaders, including our partnership with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Indigenous Ministries, have been incredibly meaningful,” said Dr. Julie Lytle, Director of Distributive and Lifelong Learning Initiatives, “and they have reinforced for us this truth: that formation is most transformative when it meets people where they are and honors the wisdom already present in their communities. I am profoundly hopeful about what this collaboration will make possible through centering Indigenous values, stories, and ways of knowing and being.”

“The Indigenous Theological Circle is about gathering people around the fire—sharing stories, wisdom, and responsibility for the flourishing of Indigenous congregations,” said Dr. T. Christopher Hoklotubbe, NAIITS Director of Graduate Studies. “By weaving together the gifts of NAIITS, Bexley Seabury, and our ecumenical partners, we are creating new pathways for Indigenous leaders to integrate their faith, culture, and call to ministry.”

Lilly Endowment launched the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative in 2021. Since then, it has provided grants totaling more than $700 million to support 163 theological schools in efforts to strengthen their own educational and financial capacities and to assist 61 schools in developing large-scale collaborative endeavors.

About Bexley Seabury Seminary
Bexley Seabury Seminary is the “Seminary Beyond Walls,” a multi-order seminary serving bishops, priests, deacons, and lay leaders across the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican and ecumenical community. Through distributed, contextual theological education grounded in the rich Anglican spiritual and intellectual tradition, Bexley Seabury equips Christian leaders to serve God’s people in diverse contexts throughout North America and beyond. With offices based in Chicago, Illinois, and accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools, Bexley Seabury serves a nationwide community of students, faculty, and staff.

www.bexleyseabury.edu

About NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community
NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community is the first Indigenous designed, developed, delivered, and governed theological institute accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. NAIITS offers trauma-responsive, asset-based Indigenous theological education at the master’s and doctoral levels, serving students from across Canada and the United States.

www.naiits.com

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United State and around the globe traditions in the United States and across the globe.

This Changes Everything, the late Rev. Dr. Edward Dufresne’s moving and brave chronicle of his journey with cancer is available for holiday gift-giving on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. This journal of daily thoughts and reflections accompanied by full color photographs provides readers with inspiring messages and insights into finding hope and joy even in life’s most challenging times.

This Changes Everything is a testament to Dufresne’s faith, candor and courage which sustained him throughout many challenges and setbacks. Published in keeping with his final wishes, he hoped sharing his journey might help others navigate through the layers and complications of serious illness and the challenges life brings, while providing a path to finding faith, hope and joy in order to live our best lives.

About the author: A Lutheran pastor for over 40 years, Edward Dufresne received his M. Div. And S.T.M. degrees from Yale Divinity School, where he studied with Henri Nouwen and wrote Partnership: Marriage and the Committed Life (Paulist Press, 1975), which received a National Religious Book Award. Ordained in 1975 by the Lutheran Church, he taught at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and served many parishes both as a Lutheran pastor and as a licensed Episcopal priest. He specialized in consulting with congregations in crisis and conflict.