The Bishop Search Committee is no longer accepting applications or nominations. We have received 30 applications from men and women from every region of the United States, from Canada, and from Europe. Although each person is drawn to our diocese for very different reasons and would bring different gifts and experiences, all indicate that they have read our profile carefully and prayerfully and see our challenges as opportunities for creative action.

We give profound thanks to everyone who has nominated a candidate, who has entered the process, and who has prayerfully discerned that this is not the right call at this time. The Holy Spirit is indeed at work in all our hearts, and it is no small act of courage to contemplate “walking this tightrope.”

During the coming month, the Search Committee will evaluate these applications to decide which candidates to interview by telephone.

The Search Committee Education Team has developed a 5-week Lenten Study Program that is available, with a Leader’s Guide, at the “Education” link (above). Drawing upon the Scripture lessons for the five Sundays in Lent and historical portraits of bishops who have served in different periods in the history of the church, this program introduces participants to five different questions in the election of a bishop:

Week #1 – What is a bishop?

Week #2 – What do bishops actually do?

Week #3 – What is the process of becoming a bishop?

Week #4 – What is our Profile and the mission of the diocese?

Week #5 – What do we see to be the Mission of God in this diocese?

Each session begins with a prayer that highlights the theme of the day, followed by questions for discussion in response to brief biographies of two bishops and a Scripture passage. Each session ends with two questions:

• In everything we have talked about today, what one thing do we take away as an important

spiritual insight for our own lives?

• What one thing would we like to offer from this discussion as an important piece of wisdom for

our next bishop?

This program is most suitable for adults and teens. Because a children’s program will be more effective and useful nearer the time of the election and consecration, the Education Team will prepare a program for youth and children that will be available next fall.

Other materials to help congregations and individuals learn more about the Episcopate are also available at the Education link. A New Bishop: Questions and Answers, and a Bishop Trivia Quiz, address questions we may not have thought of asking, such as How old do you have to be to become a bishop? (30) and What are the different kinds of bishops? (Suffragan, Coadjutor, Assistant, Diocesan) to questions that require more complex answers such as What is the role of a bishop? What is apostolic succession? How are bishops elected? Why do we need bishops? These materials can be used by individuals and congregations for less formal opportunities for learning: They can be incorporated into newsletters and bulletin inserts, for example, or they can be the starting point for discussion groups.

Learning, reflecting, praying: By sharing in this preparation together, we will not only be ready to greet our new bishop, but we will also become the diocese our new bishop is called to lead. Our shared purpose is to be open to the Holy Spirit who guides all that we do:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift, look graciously upon your church and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese, and those who offer themselves as candidates, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.