Loading...Bishop Nathan Baxter officiated at a Service of Festive Evensong on Jan. 27 for the Institution of two Diocesan Canons and the naming of an Archdeacon for Deacons, Emeritus.
The new canons in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania are The Rev. Canon Theodore Babcock, M.B.A.A., M.Div., Th.D and The Rev. Canon Robyn Szoke, M.Div., M.Ed., S.T.M.
Rev. Babcock is the Canon to the Ordinary, the Bishop’s Executive Officer. Canon Szoke is presently Canon for Children and Youth Ministry.
The Rev. Deacon Carol Snell joined the Diocesan Staff of Bishop Charlie McNutt and was ordained to the Diaconate in 1988. She was named during the Evensong service as Archdeacon for Deacons, Emeritus.
The preacher for this service was The Reverend Canon Richard Tombaugh, M.Div., Canon to the Ordinary, Retired, Diocese of Connecticut. Read his sermon here.
A note about the title “Canon” in the Anglican/Episcopal Tradition
The Greek word “kanon” originally meant reed or rod, as used for measurement by craftsmen (much as we use rulers, yardsticks or tape measures today). Later it came to be a euphemism for the guiding measure of the art, craft or trade. In ecclesiastical context it is used to note the “measure of faith or exercise of ministry”. Examples include the “canon of scripture”, the text chosen as the measure of the Faith; “canon of the mass”, the essential words of consecration in the Holy Communion liturgy; and, of course, “canon law”, the rules of church discipline and authority. As an office title it is first documented in the 8th century and was used for the senior clergy on a bishop’s staff, assisting with diocesan oversight. These are Diocesan canons. Canon is also the title given to senior clergy with specific ministry expertise, who with the chief priest, or dean, had oversight of a cathedral or abbey. These are Cathedral canons. Finally, there are “honorary canons”. These are persons chosen by a bishop and cathedral chapter because of highly distinguished service to the bishop and the Church. Such persons serve as advisors to the Bishop and chapter. With the exception of “honorary canons” persons named as canons hold the title only concurrent with their office, as are other titles such as dean, rector and archdeacon. The same is relinquished when leaving office (unless named emeritus).
Biographical Notes
The Reverend Theodore Babcock
The Rev. Ted Babcock earned his BA with Highest Honors from the University of Michigan 1973, and his MA from the University of Virginia in 1974 in American Southern History (Slavery) where he was a Thomas Jefferson Fellow. In 1982 he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. After 26 years in the business world he went to and graduated from The General Theological Seminary in 2001. In 2009 He received his ThD from the Graduate Theological Foundation/Oxford University for his work in liturgy and history. He was ordained deacon in June of 2001 and ordained priest in January 2002 by The Right Rev. Andrew Smith, Diocesan Bishop of Connecticut. Ted served his curacy at Christ Church, Greenwich, CT where he had pastoral care for the senior citizens. In September of 2005 he was called to St. Andrew’s Shippensburg, PA as their rector. He served there until September 2010 when Bishop Nathan D. Baxter called him to be his Canon to the Ordinary, the Bishop’s Executive Officer. Ted is married to Lyn and has three step-children, Kemberly, Tyler and Darcy and five grandchildren with two more due early this spring.
The Reverend Robyn Szoke
The Rev. Robyn Szoke is presently Canon for Children and Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and Associate Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Carlisle, PA. Prior to this call Robyn was Staff Officer for Children’s Ministries and Christian Education at the Episcopal Church Center for almost 6 years, following a four year appointment to Bishop’s staff for life long Christian Formation and Director of the Resource Center in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Ordained for 21 years, Robyn coordinated the development of the Children’s Ministries Center for The General Conventions in 1997, 2000 and 2003, and in 2003 developed, “Will Our Faith Have Children?” conference for over 800 Christian formation leaders. Her publications include, “Educational Inquiry” “Will Our Faith Have Children?” and “The Prayer Book Guide to Christian Education” in addition to developing and publishing resources for children, such as “Treasure Magazine”.
Robyn has one brother, Dr. Tony Grigonis, and one daughter, Christina married to David Luo and one grandson, Jonathan who live in Nanconset, Long Island.
The Reverend Deacon Carol Burkey Snell
The Rev. Deacon Carol Snell became the Director of “Hospice of York” in 1980. In 1985, she joined the Diocesan Staff of Bishop Charlie McNutt and was ordained to the Diaconate in 1988 and became Deacon at St. Andrew’s, York. In 1997, she was appointed to Bishop Michael Creighton’s Staff as the first Archdeacon for Deacons for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. Deacon Snell attended Ohio State University and took several Continuing Education Courses at the University of Pittsburgh and Lancaster Theological Seminary. She graduated from the School of Christian Studies in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania in June 1988. She has been married to Harry H. Snell III for 49 years. They have three children: son, Harry H. Snell IV has 2 children, Cali and Harry H. Snell V; son Michael S. Snell has two children Michael S. Snell II and Alexandra; daughter Tobi B. Snell has a son Levi. Cali is a junior at Kutztown Univ., Michael II, is a sophomore at West Chester Univ., and Levi is in the US Army stationed at Fort Stewart, GA.
