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[Back to index of April 2008 articles] Meet Mary Kostel, the Diocese's Chancellor By Charles Dervarics
Sundays already are busy for Mary Kostel, who starts her morning in the choir at Washington National Cathedral for the 8:45 a.m. service. Then it's off to nearby St. Alban's to join her family at church and occasionally teach Sunday school. "It's double duty," she admits. But juggling many activities is not new to Kostel, an attorney who recently added another major volunteer task to her schedule – serving as chancellor for the Diocese of Washington. As part of this pro bono assignment, Kostel provides legal advice to Bishop John Bryson Chane and to all congregations within the diocese. "Spiritual life is very important to me," the 44-year-old Kostel said. "I find the church a very refreshing experience." A lifelong Episcopalian, Kostel grew up near Lexington, Va., the daughter of an attorney, and graduated from Princeton University with a degree in psychology. While at the University of Virginia Law School, she was the third woman to serve as editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review. After clerking for judges in Alabama and California, she worked as a trial attorney in the civil branch of the U.S. Justice Department and then as an attorney for several Washington, D.C., firms. In her current post at Goodwin Procter, she has represented the national Episcopal Church on several canon law issues, including tax-related questions as well as church / property disputes with congregations that have chosen to break away from the Episcopal Church. While she cannot comment on much of that legal work, it has helped deepen her faith to the degree that she welcomed the opportunity to serve as diocesean chancellor. "The church does so many good works. Being able to help is very satisfying," she said. "I have a greater commitment to my life in the church." Within a diocese, the chancellor often is an unsung member of the leadership structure, serving as a legal counselor for senior staff as well as for individual parishes. "It's like serving as in-house counsel for a small company," according to Kostel. In addition to Chane, the chancellor also works closely with the diocesan governance office at Church House. The post is an annual appointment. Since taking the post in January, she has focused largely on the interpretation of canons for various elections, from those of local vestries to delegates to the National Convention. But she also can offer advice on employment issues to individual parishes. Employment issues in particular are an increasingly popular area of canon law, she said, involving everything from contracts to background checks and procedures to deal with disciplinary complaints against a rector or other officials. "There can be a huge range of potential issues," she noted. Property issues, including remodeling and improvements, also are part of her portfolio, but that has not been a major focus of her work with the diocese so far. Of property topics, she said, "These can be high profile issues, but most chancellors don't typically deal with them." One thing she has learned through both her private practice and volunteer experience is that the intersection of law and the church is often complex. "You have to have an understanding of the church even to answer a tax question," she said. "Yet it's fun and rewarding." To take a break from her varied legal duties, Kostel is an alto in Cathedral Voices, a 40- to 60-member choir at Washington National Cathedral. A choral singer since her teen years, she looks forward to her weekly musical commitment despite the early Sunday morning call. "It's so fulfilling," she said. Her ambitious Sunday morning schedule also provides front-line contact with the church for which she devotes an increasing share of her work week. "This is my church. The Book of Common Prayer runs through my veins," she says. "It all fits well for me." A resident of Arlington, Kostel is the mother of two boys, Alex, 9, and Philip, 6. Her husband, Greg DiMeglio, also an attorney, is a partner at Stradley, Ronon. For her family, she said, "We feel very connected to St. Alban's." Looking forward, Kostel hopes that her work as chancellor will include at least some time spent on what she terms "the changing face of the Episcopal Church." In particular, she hopes to work on legal and related issues for new and emerging parishes in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Parishes also can come to her with questions. "I carry the canons with me already," she said. "My job is to serve the diocese." [Back to index of April 2008 articles]
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