In this episode… we talk about resolutions, policies, and stances of the Episcopal Church and more specifically the Diocese of W. Missouri has surrounding Women’s Reproductive Health, gun safety and gun reform, and while we have addressed this in a previous episode, inclusion of members of the LGBTQIA+ community not just as members of the church but in all ordained orders of ministry of the church.  

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. Clare comes from an interfaith family and found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church when she was nine years old.  

The Rev. David Kendrick (he/him) serves as the Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Springfield, MO in the Diocese of West Missouri. He is married to Laura and they are really proud of their son, John, their daughter-in-law, Nancy, and two young grandsons. 

The Rev. Collin Larimore (he/him) serves as Associate Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Carthage, Missouri in the Diocese of West Missouri. Fr. Collin has a passion for the outdoors, travel, and food. A native of the Ozarks of southern Missouri, Fr. Collin was raised in the Episcopal Church, studied religion and conservation in undergraduate, and completed his seminary studies at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. 

About our Guests: 

The Reverend Robin Rusconi 

Robin was raised in the Kansas City metro on the Kansas side and has 4 brothers. She was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and attended Catholic grade school and high school. She first felt the call to ordained ministry in undergrad but did not see a path forward. Before she and her husband Jae married, they joined the Episcopal church. She formally began her discernment process 2019-2020 - when her youngest child was in high school.  

Robin has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from The University of Kansas and a Certificate in Diaconate Studies from The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She was ordained to the diaconate in June 2023. Robin is currently completing a 1-year chaplain residency at St. Luke’s Health System.  

Tara Bennett  

is chair of the Peace and Justice Committee for the Diocese of West Missouri. A member of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, she is also an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, serving as Missouri State Legislative Lead for a number of years. A native Kansas Citian, Tara has lived in 5 states and 2 foreign countries as a military spouse, has a background in international economic development and has taught American Government, International Politics and International Business at City University of Seattle. 

Relevant links… 

To learn more about the Peace and Justice Committee of the Diocese of West Missouri, click here 

To learn more about the BeSmart Program, click here 

To learn more about Pride Fest within the Diocese of West Missouri, click here 

To learn more about policies and resolutions within the Episcopal Church click here 

Suggestions and Comments for the Co-hosts? Click here to submit your question or comment.  

 All Things…Episcopal podcast is a production of The Diocese of West Missouri in association with Resonate Media.  

Music is provided by Blue Dot sessions 

Our opening theme is New Found Believers and our closing theme is After Sunrise