​The Rev. Dcn. Sandra Muinde retired from active ordained ministry May 7, 2022. 11 years earlier, she was ordained deacon and assigned to serve at Trinity, Oshkosh. Prior to ordination, she had been an active lay member there since 1969.

Dcn. Sandy is well known across the diocese. She served on the Executive Council and Standing Commission, been a General Convention deputy and served on numerous committees and commissions. She is a Cursillista and Bishop's Cross award recipient.

"This does not mean that I will no longer be a Deacon, it means I will step down from actively serving on a regular basis at Trinity." she shared in a letter to the parish. "I am not going anywhere. I will continue to be a regular communicant and assist with some ministries as needed and as I am able to do so."

Bishop Matt Gunter awarded the Bishop's Cross to Dr. Bradley Lauderdale and the Rev. Christopher Arnold. As a diocesan award, it was presented during the 2021 Convention of the Diocese of Fond du Lac on October 30th. The Bishop’s Cross is intended to honor individuals who have provided outstanding service to the Episcopal Church, especially on the diocesan and congregational levels. The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus established this award in 1997. 

Dr. Brad is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Menasha, Wisconsin. In his comments to the Convention, Bishop Matt noted his involvement in his parish and the diocese, especially in sharing his expertise as part of the diocesan Covid Task Force.

Fr. Chris is a priest canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac. In his comments  to the Convention, Bishop Matt noted his leadership to congregations with a focus in the prayerful life as well as to the diocese, especially in chairing the diocesan Covid Task Force.

You may read the Bishop's comments here.

Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Canon John A. Cell, SSC who died July 28, 2021. He was 78.

Born in Philadelphia, John Cell and was raised in the church. Graduating with a degree in education from Temple University he served three years in the Army and worked for a decade of secular employment before testing his vocation. With a Masters of Divinity from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky, John was ordered Deacon in May 1978 and Priest in December 1978.

From 1978 through 1982, he served as Curate at St. Paul’s, Muskegon, Michigan. Fr. Cell accepted the call to serve as Rector of Blessed Sacrament, Green Bay, arriving in March, 1982 and would extend over the next 28 years until his retirement in 2011. He served both congregation and diocese faithfully.

As Rector he was pastor to the people. As priest of the diocese he served in many ways: Summer Camp
Chaplain, Executive Council, Trustee, Commission on Ministry, Standing Committee, Rural Dean, Cursillo Spiritual Director, Vocare for Young Adults, Happening for Youth, Mission to Seamen Chaplain. He was a longtime member of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC, Societas Sanctae Crucis). In recognition for his many years of service to diocese, congregation and community, he was awarded the Bishop’s Cross in 2009. Following retirement, Fr. Cell moved back to Philadelphia to be close to his family. A copy of the article in the diocesan paper on his retirement is posted below.

Father Cell is survived by his brother and sister, Paul J. Cell and his wife Dorothy “Dolly” and Beverly A. Gebeline and her husband Paul, and many nieces and nephews.

A Requiem Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday August 3, 2021 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 105 W. Broad St. Burlington, NJ., where he was active in retirement.  A Celebration of the Life and Ministry will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church,  De Pere. The Rt. Rev.  Matt Gunter and the Rt. Rev. James Adams, Co-Officiants. The Ven. Ed Smith, Homilist. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, or to The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of the Rev. Canon Barry Whenal who died May 29, 2019. He was 72. He is survived by his wife Barbara.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Barry received a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Masters of Divinity from Episcopal Theological School. He was ordained a priest in December 9, 1972. He served parishes in the Diocese of Quincy in Illinois and all three Episcopal Dioceses in Wisconsin. He retired from active ministry in January 2004 having most recently served Intercession, Stevens Point and St. Olaf's, Amherst. After living for a time in the northwoods, Barry and Barb moved to Salisbury, North Carolina.

In addition to serving as a parish priest, Barry was active on the diocesan level in a variety of capacities including Secretary of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. He was installed as an honorary canon on September 16, 2008. He was also a recipient of the Bishop's Cross for his service to the Church.

Barry had a lifelong passion for learning.  After his retirement he embarked on a journey to learn foreign languages and helping others to learn English.Memorials to celebrate and honor Barry's life have been established to support the English Language Learner's Program and checks may be made payable to Rowan County Literacy Council, PO Box 95, Salisbury, NC 28145.

A Burial Eucharist and Committal will be held Thursday, June 6, 2019 at St. Luke's, Salisbury. A full obituary is available here.