AED Board - 2022 Election
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Priest Candidate
Leeann Culbreath
Diocese: Georgia Present Employment: Supply priest, self-employed activist Current Ministries: Immigration, Creation Care, Prison Abolition Current Church Assignment: Non-parochial Previous Positions: Priest in Charge, St. John & St. Mark’s (Albany, GA) and St. Luke’s (Hawkinsville, GA). Supply priest. Deacon for 7 yrs. Education: Sewanee ACTS program (2018-2020), Diosese of GA Deacons’ School, BA & MA in English Lit Prior Board Experience: Co-chaired immigration non-profit board, 5 years. Local farmers’ board chair, 3 years. Georgia Organics board, 6 years. Skill sets: Community organizing, public policy/advocacy, communications, 25 years working or volunteering for non-profits. Question #1
How do you envision contributing to the AED Board? What are your special talents and gifts? Before ordination to the priesthood in 2020, I served as a deacon for over six years. As a priest, I have served in parishes with two amazing deacons. Those experiences position me well to function as a bridge between the orders, increasing understanding and trust, and building programs that address the needs of both. I am a natural networker and community builder, connecting people and groups across the country to collaborate in ministry. For example, I co-launched, and co-facilitate Episcopal Migration Ministry’s Asylum & Detention Ministry Network. My professional background is in communications and non-profit leadership, most recently as a founder and leader of an immigrant rights organization. Also, I have social media, protest, and advocacy skills. Recently, I discovered an interest in church governance and would love to assist AED with policymaking. As desired, I would offer sacramental ministry, liturgical support, and pastoral care for AED gatherings and members. Question #2 What is your vision for the future of the Association for Episcopal Deacons? As the ministry context of the Episcopal Church changes rapidly in this post Christian/post-pandemic era, I envision AED as force for creative, transformational change that reveals the Reign of God in the church and world. AED will live into this vision by centering organizational life and culture on persons from marginalized communities. AED will internally model the change it wishes to see in the church at large. The association will serve as a bold prophetic voice and witness for the Church on social issues, collectively as an order as well as individually. New task forces focused on justice, peace, and dignity—with leadership or guidance from directly-impacted persons—will boost AED’s goal to “lead the Church in seeking justice and peace for all people.” Increasing the visibility of the organization, especially among younger adults, is essential for this vision as well. Adapting to new forms of social media and communication will help AED be more present in spaces where young adults connect. Then, listening to their ideas and needs, AED will better support their leadership, practically and spiritually. Of course, every vision of the church is rightly grounded in prayer and Scripture. AED members will unite in prayer for each other and for those among whom they serve, fueling every program and gathering with divine power and love. Scripture study and reflection will increasingly guide AED’s work, which is critical to the future of the church and society. We will, with God’s help. |