Dear Siblings in Christ,
It is with a mixture of emotions that I announce to you that the Rev. Canon Claire Woodley will retire as Canon for Congregational Support and leave the Bishop’s Senior Staff, effective December 31, 2024.
In retirement, I have asked Canon Woodley to serve as a consultant and resource person for the Mission Action Plan program in support of clergy in new calls and to continue to provide support to our Clergy Coaches.
Transition Ministry and Interim Ministry will become a shared work of the Bishop’s Office, making use of trained regional clergy.
Canon Woodley joined the staff of the Diocese of Long Island in October 2017, and immediately introduced much needed support programing such as Renewal Works, The Path, Invite-Welcome-Connect, Revive, The Spiritual Gift training, and a host of other programs under the umbrella of "First Tuesdays", a clergy support program for new clergy. Canon Woodley recruited and facilitated the training of Clergy Coaches across the diocese to support clergy in any stage of ministry and as a means of providing one-on-one capacity building in the midst of the changing realities of parish ministry.
In response to the horrific death of George Floyd and a renewed call for racial justice, Canon Woodley, along with others, introduced Sacred Ground and the Healing of Internalized Oppression trainings to Long Island as part of a Clergy Day in an online workshop during COVID. In partnership with Map Dash data, FaithX, and web designer Petra Jones, the Diocese of Long Island’s "Beloved Journey" website was created to expand understanding of racism in our locations, illustrating the story of structural racism on Long Island. This work, along with other efforts, resulted in the creation of the Uncovering Parish History Project facilitated by the Rev. Craig Townsend.
For these efforts, and the countless interventions with the parish communities, the Diocese of Long Island owes a debt of gratitude to Canon Woodley. I personally remain profoundly grateful for her presence, insights, and good sense exhibited during her years as a member of the Senior Staff of the diocese.
I ask the entire diocese to join me in giving thanks for Canon Woodley’s tireless and faithful efforts in supporting the vision and ministry of our diocese, and to join with me and the staff of the diocese in wishing her well as she moves toward retirement at the end of December. We will all have an opportunity to express our gratitude to her in person during our Diocesan Convention.
Sincerely, in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano
Bishop of Long Island