142nd Annual Convention Recap

142nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of East Carolina

November 14-15, 2025 at the Maxwell Convention Center in Goldsboro, NC

Friday, November 14: 142nd Annual Convention

The first day was dedicated to essential business of Annual Convention, namely elections, resolutions, and adopting the 2026 budget. This day also included the Bishop’s Address, and a message from the President of the Standing Committee preparing convention for the election of a bishop. Below are the materials related to elections, resolutions, and the 2026 budget. Videos of the Bishop’s Address, worship sessions, and other events will be posted in the coming weeks.

Elections

Officers of Convention

  • Historiographer – Position will be filled according to the Constitution and Canons
  • Secretary of Convention – Mary Duane Hale (St. Paul’s, Beaufort)
  • Treasurer – Tess Judge (All Saints, Southern Shores)

Standing Committee

  • Rev. Jody Greenwood (Church of the Servant, Wilmington) – Three-year term
  • Rev. Paul Canady (Christ Church, New Bern) – One-year term
  • Jane Gordon (St. Paul’s, Beaufort) – Three-year term
  • Marc Asaad (St. Peter’s by the Sea, Swansboro) – Two-year term
  • Tom Tully (St. James, Wilmington) – One-year term

Executive Council

  • Rev. Josiah Daniels (St. Paul’s, Greenville) – Three-year term
  • Rev. Thomas Drake (All Saints, Southern Shores) – Three-year term
  • One lay position for three-year term to be filled according to the Constitutions and Canons

Disciplinary Board

  • Rev. Tambria Lee (St. Paul’s, Beaufort) – Three-year term
  • Rev. Jonathon Sargeant (Holy Innocents, Seven Springs) – Three-year term
  • Rev. Elisa Kirby (Christ Church, New Bern) – Two-year term
  • One clergy position for two-year term to be filled according to the Constitutions and Canons
  • Natasha Clay (Church of the Servant, Wilmington) – Three-year term
  • Ellen Hancox (Holy Trinity, Fayetteville) – Three-year term
  • David DuBuisson (St. Paul’s, Beaufort) – Two-year term
  • Martha Whitesides (St. Timothy’s, Greenville) – Two-year term
  • Linda Brinson (All Saints, Southern Shores) – One-year term

Trustee- University of the South

  • Rev. Joseph “Gray” Hodsdon (St. James, Wilmington) – through summer of 2029
  • Mary Hartwell “Molly” Holdeman (St. Paul’s, Greenville) – through summer of 2028

Executive Council

  • Trinity Deanery Lay Rep – Mary Duane Hale (St. Paul’s, Beaufort)*
    *to complete the unfinished term of previous lay rep

Trustees of the Diocese

  • Rev. Andrew Cannan (St. Paul’s, Greenville) – through 2026
  • Mary Scott Perry Haigler (St. Paul’s, Edenton) – through 2026

Trinity Center Board of Managers

  • Deborah Cook (Christ Church, New Bern) – through 2026
  • Rob Nippers (St. Paul’s, Wilmington) – through 2027
  • Rev. Phillip Craig (St. James, Wilmington) – through 2028
  • Rev. John Pollock (Retired Clergy) – through 2028
  • Rev. Ashley Simpson (St. Paul’s, Beaufort) – through 2028
  • Chip Howes (Camp Trinity Alumni) – through 2028

Commission on Ministry

  • Rev. Matthew Overturf (St. Anne’s, Jacksonville) – through 2028
  • Rev. Melody Perdue (St. Paul’s, Edenton) – through 2028
  • Rev. Deacon Rebecca Bean (St. Andrew’s, Goldsboro) – through 2028
  • Rev. Josiah Daniels (St. Paul’s, Greenville) – through 2029
  • Rev. Ashley Simpson (St. Paul’s, Beaufort) – through 2029

Adopted 2026 Budget

Certified Resolutions

Convention Livestream (Day 1)

Saturday, November 15: Episcopal Election of the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina

The second day of convention was dedicated solely to the election of our Ninth Bishop. Bishop-Elect Sarah Fisher was elected on the third ballot by 36 votes in the clergy order and 70 votes in the lay order. The election required a simple majority from both orders on the same ballot, in accordance with the constitution of the diocese.

You can read more about Bishop-Elect Fisher’s election and the Episcopal Church’s bishop election consent process here.

Bishop Election Livestream (Day 2)