New season, New Partnership

In this episode... We talk about a new partnership with the Diocese of Kansas, farewell to some co-hosts and introduce some new co-hosts. We also debate whether or not incense is helpful or a distraction in worship, we talk about the joys of pet and our favorite times within the liturgical year. This episode is packed with laughter, reflection and holy encounters with friendships. We can’t wait for you to listen.

About the Hosts:

Clare Stern-Burbano (she/her) is a member of the laity and currently a college, youth, and children’s minister at a parish in Kansas City, MO and third-year seminarian at Univ. of Dubuque Theological Seminary and a candidate for Anglican Studies at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She hopes of one day becoming an Episcopal priest and is discerning in the Diocese of Kansas. Clare comes from an interfaith family and found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church when she was nine years old. Hayley Cobb (she/her) is a cradle Episcopalian and southwest Missouri native. A longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, MO (W. MO), Hayley has been helping lead the church's youth program since 2022. She also serves as a LEM, acolyte, and is a member of the parish Youth & Children’s Commission. Hayley is in her second year on Diocesan Council and recently served on the Bishop Search Committee for the 9th Bishop of West Missouri.Professionally, Hayley is the Communications Director for Leadership Springfield, a nonprofit that offers community leadership programs to professionals and students, including Rosie, a free advocacy network for women in the region.

The Rev. Karen Schlabach (she/her) started as the Youth Missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas in January 2013 and her title has changed four times since then, but she's currently the Youth, Young Adult & Campus Missioner. She has been involved as an adult with the diocesan youth program since 2005 and campus ministry program since 2007. Karen was an active youth in Kansas from 1989-1995,
and as a college student participated in Campus Ministry at K-State in 1995-96. Karen was the Youth Minister at St. Michael and All Angels from 2008-2012, and prior to that worked as an Academic Advisor at UTA and UMKC and Associate Registrar at UMKC. Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, is an EFM graduate, and received a Certificate of Presbyterial Studies from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She was ordained to the priesthood in January 2022. In her free time she enjoys reading novels, Lego video games on her Switch, and being ordered around by her personal trainer. She lives in Merriam, KS, with her husband Mike and dog Cherry.

The Rev. David Wilcox (he/him) Serves as the Missioner for Youth Ministry in the Diocese of West Missouri and as Assisting Priest at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Kansas City. Before finding his way to the Episcopal Church in 2015 David spent time in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. He is passionate about the Gospel, formation, history, coffee and little known (and less cared about) information. David and his husband Zach live in Belton with their energetic (and not at all spoiled) dog Ollie.

The Rev. Caroline Howard (she/her) serves as curate for creation care in the diocese of Kansas.

About the Podcast Team:

Zach Phillips (he/him) As Communications Director (W. MO), Zach’s focus is to help promote churches and communicate each parish and congregations’ message across the diocese to other members. He also provides and manages website hosting and access to administrative services to the churches of the diocese, shares news of what’s going on in the diocese and the general Church, plus gives advice and
training on communication method