From the Rector
On September 17, 2021, Bishop Eugene Sutton informed the diocese of his plan to retire in 2024, and called for the election of a bishop coadjutor to succeed him. The diocese’s Standing Committee is in charge of the election and transition process. A timeline of the search process is listed below.
First off, you may be wondering what a bishop coadjutor is. A diocesan bishop is the primary bishop of a diocese, sometimes referred to as “the diocesan.” A bishop coadjutor is a bishop elected to succeed the diocesan bishop when they retire or resign. At that point the co-adjutor becomes the diocesan bishop.
This is an exciting time for our diocese. Bishop Sutton has served our diocese faithfully since his election in 2008. As he looks towards retirement and using his gifts in other arenas (he was recently appointed the Senior Pastor of the Chautauqua Institute), we now also look to the future and who we will call to lead us in this “post-pandemic” world.
As you can see from the timeline, the Search Committee has been hard at work. Next week they will meet for a discernment retreat with the candidates who have advanced in the search processes thus far. Please keep these candidates and their families, the members of the Search Committee, and our entire diocese in prayer. By the end of December or early January the slate of candidates who will stand for election will be announced. When information about events to meet the candidates is released, we will share that and I hope you will join me in participating. The bishop coadjutor election will take place March 25, 2023. Canonically resident clergy and congregational delegates will comprise the voting body.
You can stay up to day with all news related to the search process by visiting the Bishop Search page on the diocesan website. I will close with this prayer for the election of a bishop from The Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese 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.
Yours in God’s peace,
Kristin+
Search Process Timeline
- Diocesan profile posted and application available (August 8, 2022)
- Completed applications due (September 5, 2022)
- Application review and interviews (September – November 2022)
- Discernment retreat for candidates (November 17 – 19, 2022)
- Final slate presented to Standing Committee (December 2022)
- Slate announced / petition period (December 2022 – January 2023)
- Candidate introductions (January – March 2023)
- Election (March 25, 2023)
- Consecration (September 16, 2023)
Outreach
THE HOLIDAYS ARE QUICKLY APPROACHING!!
As your Outreach Committee is completing the gathering of your generous donations for our Thanksgiving families, our attention is now being turned to our Christmas Angel Tree which will be on display this Sunday!
Following our tradition, the Angel Tree will be decorated with colorful paper angels with gift wishes listed on them for Mt. Airy NET families, foster children in Carroll County and residents of our local Pleasant View Nursing Home. Please take an Angel or two to shop for. The wrapped gifts with the Angel tag attached will need to be delivered to the Church no later than Sunday, December 4.
Please help to make this Christmas season merry for these special children and adults!
Last, but not least, THANK YOU very much to all who have donated so many items to make this a wonderful Thanksgiving for ten families in our community. Best wishes to each of you and your families for a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Sunday Worship Information
Join us on November 13th for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist in the sanctuary at 8:30 am and 10:30, or watch the 10:30 service livestream on Facebook.
A printable bulletin can be found here.
Lectionary Readings
Facebook Livestream
We plan to begin streaming to Facebook at 10:30 am. If you arrive at Facebook and you don’t see the video, please refresh your screen. There is a delay.
Announcements
Advent Series ~ An Exploration of Benedictine Spirituality
Benedictine principles have guided individuals and communities through the centuries. Join Rev. Kristin for three Sunday sessions in Advent to explore the Way of St. Benedict, the core practices of Benedictine spirituality, and how we can inhabit this spirituality in our daily lives. We will gather on December 4, 11, & 18 at 9:30 am in seating area in the narthex.
Next Week’s Commemorations:
Prayer Rotation
Please join the Daughters of the King in praying for each parishioner in rotation during 2022 by taking this notice home and by posting it where it will remind you pray to on a daily basis for the needs and blessings of:
David and Heather Peters (Amber, Sonnor)
William and Karen Phillips
Cody and Erin Pond (Finn)
A member of the Daughters of the King will be contacting you this week for special prayer requests.
