On June 1, 2025, The Rev. Dr. Carla B. McCook of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida will join the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia’s staff as the Canon to the Ordinary. She follows in the footsteps of the Rev. Canon Mary Brennan Thorpe, who has served as Interim Canon to the Ordinary since May 2024.
“Mother Carla has been a blessing in the Diocese of Southwest Florida,” said Bishop Doug Scharf. “During her nine years serving our diocese, she has fostered positive change in all areas of leadership, faithfully leading her parish while serving as the Manasota Dean, President of the Standing Committee, and Co-Chair of the Commission on Ministry. She will be a wonderful addition to the Diocese of Southern Virginia, where I am confident her ministry will flourish.”
The Rev. Carla currently serves at St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church in Sarasota, Florida, where she was called as Rector in 2016. She is the Co-Chair for the Commission on Ministry and a member of the Sarasota Ministerial Associate Board. Her past appointments include President of the Standing Committee, three years as Dean of the Manasota Deanery; Co-Chair of SURE (Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity); Bishop’s Assistant for Christian Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee; rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury, Greendale, WI; and Assistant Rector at St. Paul’s, Salem, VA. The Rev. Carla received her Doctor of Ministry from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary & Deaf Education from Flagler College. She is married to Shane, and together they have three children.
Bishop Susan Haynes shared, “I am delighted that The Rev. Carla McCook has accepted our call. These are exciting times in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and the work of the Canon to the Ordinary is critical to the effective implementation of the planning with which we are currently underway. Carla brings both diocesan and parish experience to this position, and I look forward to our team being blessed by her presence.”
Mother Carla shared, “I give thanks for my nine years of ministry in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. I’m thankful that Bishop Smith allowed me to accept the call to serve at St. Margaret of Scotland, and for Bishop Scharf’s support of my ministry and leadership in the diocese. I am forever grateful for the collegiality with the clergy and laity I have the privilege to serve with in the Manasota deanery and on the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Commission on Ministry. These opportunities for learning and leadership have prepared me well for my new call to Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Thank you and may God continue to bless the people and ministries in the Diocese of Southwest Florida.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia would like to thank the Diocese of Southwest Florida and look forward to receiving Mother Carla and her family!