PROVINCE V OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Provincial Staff
Province V of The Episcopal Church employs several dedicated professionals to do the work of the church.
The Rev. Heather Barta, Provincial Coordinator
The Rev. Heather Barta has served as the Coordinator of Province V since May 2017. Previously she served as Interim Episcopal Chaplain at Northwestern University, and at a variety of parishes as Rector, Interim, or Transition Minister. She's a trained and certified coach as part of Province V's Leadership Coaching Project. She lives in Allegan, Michigan with her husband, 2 dogs, 3 barn cats, and 3 chickens. For fun, she restores the family farm, reads, walks her dogs, travels, and plays tabletop games.
Email: provinceVcoordinator@gmail.com
Steve Welch, Provincial Communications
Mr. Steve Welch has been Province V's Communications Coordinator since 2024. Welch is also Executive Director of Invite Welcome Connect, a ministry that empowers congregations and dioceses for evangelism, hospitality, and belonging. He has previously served as Canon for Communications for the Diocese of New Jersey, and as a publisher of textbooks and online continuing education course programs. He serves on the Board of Directors of American Mensa. Welch is a graduate of the New Jersey School for Ministry and lives in New Jersey with his wife, the Rev. Gerry Welch, deacon.
Email: provincevcomms@gmail.com
Eric Richey, Campus Ministry Developer
Eric Richey began work as Province V’s Campus Ministry Developer in January 2025. He has spent nearly two decades sharing in Christ’s ministry alongside high school and college students, most recently serving for over 9 years with Coalition for Christian Outreach Campus Ministry. Since 2021, the primary focus of his work has involved training, coaching, and encouraging congregations as they seek to lovingly welcome and disciple college students in their unique ministry contexts. Eric lives with his wife, Alicia, and their 6 children, in Cincinnati, OH. They actively participate in the life of the community at Ascension & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Email: provincevcmd@gmail.com