They are:

• the Rev. Canon Dr. Mark Gatza, 52, canon missioner for congregational development and clergy deployment, Diocese of Maryland; and
• the Rev. Lura M. Kaval, 45, rector, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Linthicum, Maryland.

The two will join nominees:

• the Very Rev. Peter D. Eaton, 49, dean, St. John's Cathedral, Denver (Diocese of Colorado);
• the Rev. Jane Soyster Gould, 51, rector, St. Stephen's Memorial Church, Lynn, Massachusetts (Diocese of Massachusetts);
• the Rev. Dr. John C.N. Hall, 49, rector, St. Matthew's Church, Chandler, Arizona (Diocese of Arizona); and
• the Rev. Canon Eugene Taylor Sutton, 54, canon pastor, Washington National Cathedral, and director of the Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage (Diocese of Washington).

The nominees will be part of a series of diocese-based meet-and-greet sessions, commonly known as "walk-abouts," in early March.

The electing convention will be held at St. James' Church, Lafayette Square, Baltimore, on March 29.
Photographs and detailed biographies, resumes and letters of introduction are available here. More information about the nominees is available here.

The search process for the successor to Bishop Robert W. Ihloff, who retired in April 2007, began in February 2007. Maryland's Bishop Suffragan John L. Rabb, was named bishop-in-charge of the diocese by the Standing Committee effective April 11, 2007. He will resume his suffragan position with the consecration of the new bishop on June 28.

The original slate was announced January 8 and nominations by petition were then accepted until January 29.

The Diocese of Maryland comprises approximately 44,200 Episcopalians in 117 congregations covering 10 counties and Baltimore City.

-- The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is Episcopal Life Media correspondent for Episcopal Church governance, structure, and trends, as well as news of the dioceses of Province II.