The regional canons are the transition officer for our diocese. As such, they coordinate the clergy transition process for congregations within their regions, keeping in close contact with congregational leadership teams and final candidates for positions, and deploying human, financial and programmatic resources as needed. They also oversee the administrative process for clergy entering or leaving work in the diocese, including working with our bishops' offices on the background check and clergy licensing processes. The production and retention of Covenant of Ministry documents, also known as Letters of Agreement, and the exit interview process for departing and retiring clergy are also overseen by regional canons.
The regional canons also interface with The Episcopal Church and with transition ministers from Province I (the seven dioceses of New England) and around the country and beyond, providing advocacy for clergy and congregations in search and communication with other dioceses seeking clergy. They coordinate with the Office for Ordained Vocations in order to assist candidates for ordination as they seek positions upon their ordinations.
Meet our regional canons
The Rev. Canon Martha L. Hubbard and The Rev. Canon Kelly A. O'Connell
The regional canons of the Diocese of Massachusetts are responsible for carrying out transition ministry functions, as well as lay leadership support and development in congregations and clergy wellness and clergy family support.
The Rev. Canon Martha L. Hubbard (mhubbard@diomass.org) serves as regional canon for the Northern and Western Region, comprising the diocese's Merrimack Valley, North Shore, Mystic Valley and Concord River deaneries. Currently in a time of staff transition, Canon Hubbard is also covering the Alewife and Charles River deaneries in the Central Region.
The Rev. Canon Kelly A. O'Connell (koconnell@diomass.org) serves as regional canon for the Southern Region, comprising the diocese's South Shore, Taunton River, Mt. Hope-Buzzards Bay, and Cape and Island deaneries. Currently in a time of staff transition, Canon O'Connell is also covering the Boston Harbor and Neponset River deaneries in the Central Region.
For more information, contact the regional canons via individual e-mail links above or to regionalcanons@diomass.org.
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