From the Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes
The Rev. Laura Eberly, Canon for Congregations
We are delighted to share that the Rev. Laura Eberly is in the new role of Canon for Congregations. Many of you already know Laura through her faithful ministry as a vocational deacon and Clergy-in-Charge at Santiago St. James in Oakland.
Her mandate is clear: “to tend the nets of our common congregational life by centering the gifts and needs of our communities.” Laura will walk alongside vestries, bishop’s committees, and clergy to offer pastoral consultation, governance coaching, and leadership development. Instead of relying on top-down directives, she will help foster grassroots collaboration between neighboring churches. Importantly, Laura will also help us shift our diocesan culture away from viewing our mission congregations through a lens of “failure” and toward cultivating their unique vocational identities and missional callings.
Denise Obando, Canon for Compliance
We recognize that canonical and state regulations can sometimes feel like a heavy, bureaucratic burden. To lift this weight from our local leaders, Denise is stepping into the role of Canon for Compliance.
Denise will serve as a centralized resource, acting not as a barrier to your ministry but as a collaborative guide. She will oversee our Safe Church training, Mandated Reporter verification, and LiveScan administration, helping to ensure our parishes remain demonstrably safe and welcoming spaces for all. Furthermore, she will manage our clergy records and compliance files, while also leading the implementation of a future diocesan CRM database to streamline our shared information. By absorbing this heavy lifting, Denise will help transform accountability into a shared practice of mutual care, freeing you to focus on your church’s spiritual life.
A Collaborative Approach to Seasons of Transition
Seasons of clergy transition are moments of vulnerability, deep discernment, and sometimes anxiety for a congregation. Moving forward, we are wrapping a wider, more holistic net of support around communities in transition.
As your Canon to the Ordinary, I will directly oversee our Transition Ministry, providing guidance to vestries, search committees, and clergy. Because transitions touch every aspect of a church’s life, I will not do this work in isolation. I will be supported by a dedicated team that includes Laura, Denise, and Sarah Crawford. Together, we will assist with departure planning, calling interim leadership, and faithfully navigating the search process. This collaborative model ensures that congregations receive consistent support as they listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in calling new leadership.
These realignments reflect a profound shift in our culture. A move toward proactive support, transparency, and structural resilience. We are deeply grateful for your faithful leadership and look forward to walking this journey together.
J. Sierra Reyes, Canon to the Ordinary – [email protected]
Laura Eberly, Canon for Congregations – [email protected]
Denise Obando, Canon for Compliance – [email protected]
