AED Board - 2020 Election
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Deacon Candidate #5
Janet Sueiro Rodman
Diocese: East Carolina (in N. Carolina) Present Employment: Teacher – English Second Language (K-12) Current Ministries: Archdeacon for the Diocese of East Carolina; Hispanic Ministry. Current Church Assignment: I am currently non-parochial. Previous Positions: Deacon-in-Charge: St. Peter’s Hispanic Congregation, Wash., NC, 2009-2017; Deacon-in-Charge: San Mateo Hispanic Congregation, Belhaven, NC 2003-2008; Responsible for weekly worship, sermons, Christian Ed., programs. Education: Completed Deacon School in May 2002; Ordained in June 2003. Masters of Education in Reading – East Carolina University, Greenville, NC – 1982; Bachelor of Music Ed. – Heidelberg Univ., Tiffin, Ohio - 1977. Prior Board Experience: Human Relations Council – City of Wash., NC – 2018-2020; Episcopal Farmworker Ministry Bd. – 2017-2019; Founding Member – Episcopal Hispanic Ministry – 1999-2006; Zion Shelter & Soup Kitchen, Wash., NC – 1989-1992. Skill sets: Through my experiences and time spent working for and with several non-profit agencies, I have developed skills in advocacy and community organizing. I am particularly experienced in working on behalf of Hispanic migrant communities and Hispanic congregations. Question #1
How do you envision contributing to the AED Board? What are your special talents and gifts? I believe one of my gifts is my ability to build relationships and make connections between individuals and organizations for the purpose of achieving common goals. My experiences as a parish life coordinator, co-director of a non-profit, and currently as a teacher and Deacon, have taught me that collaboration is key to the success of any organization. These experiences have also helped me develop excellent communication skills and a positive leadership style. Coming from the Diocese of East Carolina (in North Carolina), I would bring the unique perspective of the rural Southern churches and the Deacons who serve them. Additionally, I have served two Spanish language congregations for a total of 14 years and understand the challenges of 1st generation Latino immigrant families. Question #2 What is your vision for the future of the Association for Episcopal Deacons? I believe the AED Board functions very well, particularly in the way it communicates news and events, and provides inspirational and educational opportunities for Deacons, as well as to those interested in the Diaconate. However, I can envision two areas where change and development would benefit the AED. First, I would like to see a Board and other leadership roles within the AED representing a wider variety of the regions of the U.S. that are not currently represented, particularly from the Southern states (with the exception of the Diocese of Atlanta, which currently has two AED Board members). Deacons from this region of the U.S. would offer a unique perspective and understanding of the issues faced by Southern rural churches, particularly the issues of racism and immigration. Secondly, I envision working collaboratively with the Board and other organizations to provide culturally appropriate resources in Spanish for our Latino brothers and sisters who are discerning the path to the Diaconate. While the Latino population is a rapidly growing demographic within the ECUSA, it is under-represented by bi-lingual/bi-cultural Deacons. I believe the AED has the resources and talent among its membership to create and/or adapt what is needed in order to support this particular population. My experience as Deacon-in-Charge for two Spanish language congregations would be beneficial to this effort. |