The Rev. Dr. Janet Waggoner, canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Church in North Texas, has been named to the three-person slate of candidates for bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
The other two candidates are the Rev. Canon Dr. Rob Droste, canon for Congregational Development and Mission, Diocese of New Jersey; and the Rev. Phyllis Spiegel, rector, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, West Chester, PA.
According to the Utah diocesan website, “Our 12th Episcopal bishop will be elected at our Diocesan Convention on April 30, with convention delegates selecting from this final slate and any candidate who may be added through the petition process. Currently, the consecration is scheduled to be held at the Capitol Theater on September 17, with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry officiating. Members of the diocese will have the opportunity to learn about these candidates through electronic postings of videos, sermon links, etc., as well as a week of in-person regional Meet and Greets with the candidates during the first week in April (details to be released).”
Waggoner currently serves as canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Church in North Texas (formerly, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth). Prior to this, Canon Waggoner served as interim pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church in Coppell, Texas (2012-2013), rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Shelton, Connecticut (2006-2012), and assistant rector in two Connecticut congregations (2001-2003, 2003-2006).
Waggoner, a native of the Pacific Northwest, was born in The Dalles, Oregon, and raised in Goldendale, Washington. In 1989, Waggoner received her BA in Religion from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. In her twenties, she explored a variety of vocations (campus minister, recreation therapist, marketing specialist, and development director) before discerning for the priesthood. In 2001, Waggoner earned an MDiv (magna cum laude) from Yale Divinity School and, in 2021, a DMin in “Transforming Practices: Spirituality, Leadership and Justice” from Brite Divinity School.
Waggoner chairs the church wide Task Force on Church Planting and Congregational Redevelopment. She is a founding member of Circle of Clergy, community leadership for racial justice. She is an Academy 4 mentor, an ICF certified coach, and an Advisor in Title IV disciplinary processes. She is a long-time member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. Waggoner has partnered with Kenyans to build a school in northwest Kenya and with Ecuadorians to rebuild a coastal church destroyed by a tsunami.
Waggoner has two children, Wynne (19) and Ben (16), and a dog, Comet (7). Waggoner enjoys quilting, hiking, cooking, and writing.
In her video greeting to the Utah diocese, Waggoner said, in part, “As a spiritual leader, I rely daily on the transforming power of God ‘s love. The desire for others to know God’s love is what gets me out of bed in the morning. It’s also what makes me so passionate about helping congregations thrive. Congregations are havens of hope in a world that so desperately needs the deep connection and care found in communities of faith…
“When I was offered the opportunity to serve on diocesan staff, I secretly doubted that I would enjoy it as much as being a parish priest, because I loved really knowing people. But as a leader in a small diocese, I have found deep joy as I travel to their congregations, break bread with them, hear their hopes, and recognize their gifts as we listen together for God’s call and map out next steps for their ministries.
“In your search profile, I heard your deep love for your congregations, and your desire to see them flourish. I also heard your commitment to worship, discipleship, reconciliation, and evangelism. My deepest hope is that your hearts’ desires will be fulfilled, and your congregations will flourish.”