Ten Episcopal Church missionaries embark on international mission placements

Episcopal News Service. September 1, 2011 [090111-02]

ENS staff

Ten new Episcopal Church missionaries, all representing different dioceses are embarking on mission placements in eight countries, according to a press release from the Office of Public Affairs.

Seven of the new missionaries -- Erika Almquist, Kathleen Clark, Nicole Groome, Karen Langley, An Ngo, Stephen Smith and Katie Young -- are part of the Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps, or YASC, for one-year assignments.

The other three -- the Rev. Matthew Engleby, Lynn Griebling and the Rev. Pam Strobel -- have assignments ranging from six months to three years representing a range of mission service opportunities.

"We ask that you pray for our missionaries, as they devote their lives in service to the work of our Lord and our church throughout the Anglican Communion," said the Rev. David Copley, mission personnel officer, in the release.

The missionaries, their dioceses and placements, and their blogs follow:

  • Erika Almquist, Diocese of Massachusetts, community health coordinator, Foundation Cristosal, Diocese of El Salvador;
  • Kathleen Clark, Diocese of Tennessee, paralegal and counselor, Mission for Migrant Workers, Diocese of Hong Kong;
  • The Rev. Matthew Engleby, Diocese of New Jersey, executive director, El Hogar Projects, Diocese of Honduras;
  • Lynn Griebling, Diocese of Fond du Lac, music education development advisor, Diocese of Durgapur, Church of North India;
  • Nicole Groome, Diocese of Virginia, volunteer, Asian Rural Institute, Nippon Sei Ko Kai, Japan;
  • Karen Langley, Diocese of Oklahoma, volunteer, Itipini Community Project, Diocese of Mthatha, South Africa;
  • An Ngo, Diocese of Utah, assistant to the bishop, Province of Mexico;
  • Stephen Smith, Diocese of California, assistant teacher, Holy Cross School, Diocese of Grahamstown, South Africa;
  • The Rev. Pam Strobel, Diocese of Connecticut, assistant to the primate, Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo;
  • Katie Young, Diocese of Northwest Texas, teaching assistant, Anglican Youth Center in Nagoya, Diocese of Chubu, Nippon Sei Ko Kai, Japan.