Elizabeth (Lissa) Barker

Nominee for Lay Deputy to the 81st General Convention

Please describe your participation in the life of your congregation, the diocese, and the larger community

I am a Family Nurse PRactitioner by profession and a cradle Episcopalian (although my parents were active Episcopalians before I was born, so it’s longer than the cradle 🙂 . During my 36 years in the United State Navy, I was active in all the chapel communities and the dioceses and congregations where I served, as well as working with the Office of the Bishop of the Armed Forces. When I retired from the Navy, I went to work at The Ohio State University as a Professor of Clinical Nursing. During my time in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, I have served on Diocesan Council, and the Procter Board and I have been active in Partners in Ministry in Liberia and as a Deputy to General Convention.In the larger community, I have always had a passion for Global Wellness. I was the health expert during the DSO partner diocese exploratory group to Liberia. While there, I designed a graduate curriculum in Nursing for Cuttington University so that the Liberians would have a plan for graduate education that would be managed and taught by Liberian nationals. I have completed multiple mission trips to rural Honduras and Jamaica and I have been part of two government sponsored health missions (USAID), one to Albania and one to Cambodia.I have been a visiting Distinguished Professor at two nursing schools in China. At St. Patrick’s Dublin, I have served on the vestry, as a Stephen Minister, a choir member, an EFM mentor, and Wellness Coordinator for the Parish. I have also been a member of the Beloved Committee Wisdom Circle.

One of the joys of my life is the mentoring of young professionals. I was a part of the founding of a School of Nursing in Honduras that is now totally run by Hondurans, and proud that the School was recognized by the Minister of Education of Honduras as a project that has changed the face of health for Honduras. I have worked to eliminate colonialism as a model and fulfill with joy and energy my baptismal vows

Why do you feel God is calling you to serve in this position?

I love this church! Its energy and honest determination to eliminate past injustices is something that excites me. Not just in my local congregation, but in the opportunities I have had in the Diocese and the Episcopal Church at large. I have been a Deputy to two General Conventions and I have been energized and enthusiastic about the intergenerational opportunities that work for General Convention offers. It is my strong belief that we are best when we have a collaborative, energetic group who are dedicated to doing the work God has given us to do, not just locally, but nationally and internationally. We must elect a Deputation that is multigenerational in construct and composed of excellent decision makers. I can offer strong, productive experience and balanced perspectives on the issues presented at Convention, as well as a high energy level and excellent listening skills. I have NEVER subscribed to the philosophy of “that’s the way we always did it”. I believe that is a recipe for disaster. We are at our best when we are respectful of the good things and work hard to eliminate the unacceptable “isms” that have stained our past. Helping to create a church that embodies the Way of Love is something for which I will continue to work. In my prayers and meditations about what role I should be implementing, I have consistently received the message that continuing my active involvement in being part of the “Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement” is what I must do. I do so with joy and with energy and determination to respond in a positive way to God’s call.