Province 1's Executive Director Accepts Position with Bexley Seabury Seminary

The Rev. Kit Wang, President of the Episcopal Province of New England (Province 1), has accepted the resignation of Province 1's Executive Director, Dr. Julie Lytle, effective November 14, 2019.

"Julie's tenure as ED has greatly enriched the life of Province 1 as well as the broader church, particularly enhancing network relationships as we work together to expand ministry and formation opportunities ," Wang said. "I am sorry to see Julie leave, and feel that she has left us in a better place from which to do ministry and to work collaboratively to strengthen the ministry of each diocese within Province 1."

For the past year, Lytle worked half time with Province I and half time with Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation. Last month, she accepted the seminary's offer to join them full time as Director of Distributive and Lifelong Learning Initiatives and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership.

"It has been a great honor to serve as executive director for the last eight years and a great privilege to collaborate with faithful Episcopalians seeking to make a difference in the world," Lytle said. "My hope is that my new role will amplify what we learned together as I continue to support God's people in recognizing God's invitation, claiming their gifts, and accessing the resources they need to share God's love."

Bringing education and training in theology, education and communications media, Julie has played a critical role as "initiator of connections" enhancing the effectiveness of ministry networks serving God's mission in the seven Episcopal dioceses of New England since 2011. Her accomplishments include

• the first hybrid (online and onsite) racial reconciliation/anti-racism program  to meet the standards set by the Episcopal Church Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism and Racial Reconciliation framework adopted at 2018 General Convention. Created and offered in partnership with Kaleidoscope Institute and Bexley Seabury

• two acclaimed live monthly webinars: Deacons Talking on the Road to Emmaus with the New England Deacons Network and Exploring Diversity and Nurturing Cultural Competency with the Task Force on Racial Reconciliation/Anti-Racism and Cultural Competency.

• annual Faith Formation Leaders gatherings and a monthly webinar/social media resource Faith Formation Connect with Emily Keniston

• Preparing for General Convention webinars (2018): Racial Reconciliation, Evangelism, Environment and Structure

• Embracing Gender Complexity gathering (2016)

• Ministry Forums: New Models of Church, Faith Formation, Communications, Young Adults (2013); 

• Art of Hosting (2015, 2017)

• Episcopal Peace Fellowship Pilgrimage toward Racial Reconciliation (2019)

• Expanded communications - Constant Contact (2,176 contacts), redesigned provincial website, Provincial YouTube page with curated recordings of provincial webinars, automated calendar management, and integration of web conferencing (Zoom and Adobe Connect)

A search committee has been named for identify the next person to coordinate Province I's missional efforts. It includes the Executive Committee - President the Rev. Kit Wang (ME), Vice President the Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas (CT), and Treasurer the Rev. Titus Presler (VT) - along with the Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher (W MA), Betsy Fornal (RI) and Betsy Ridge Madsen (MA).