Governance news posted Wednesday, July 07, 2010
A Letter from the Standing Committee
Dear Diocesan Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we await word from the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop, we would like to share some thoughts with you. Last week the Standing Committee sent an invitation to you to gather at the Cathedral on the Sunday afternoon following the announcement of the Court of Review.
Our intention is to provide an opportunity for those who wish to gather together, to share concerns or hopes, to ask questions and to answer them to the best of our ability, and to offer our prayers for Bishop Bennison, for all who have participated in or been affected by this trial, and for the people of this Diocese. We will begin our gathering with Evening Prayer and conclude with refreshments.
We do not know how the Court is going to rule, neither do we know when the Court is going to rule, nor do we know if the Court’s ruling will be the last word on this trial. But we do know that when the Court rules – whatever that ruling may be – it will be good for the faithful people of this Diocese to have an opportunity to come together in mutual support, in Christian love for one another, and in prayer.
In addition to this initial gathering, the Standing Committee is planning several gatherings to be held this fall at different venues around the Diocese. In consultation with the Presiding Bishop’s office and with full support from Bishop Michel, the Standing Committee has been mapping out several paths for us to take as a Diocese, depending upon the verdict of the trial. We have spoken with members of Standing Committees in other dioceses that have gone through challenging chapters to learn from their experience. We are meeting with the Executive Committee of Diocesan Council, with the Chairman of the Diocesan Planning Commission, and with others in positions of diocesan leadership.
As soon as the trial has concluded, we will be inviting all who wish from through-out the diocese to help shape and plan our mission and ministry together. Our hope and intention is that working together to shape our future will be an opportunity to address some of our differences and seek reconciliation; to share grievances and forgiveness, to share vision, to build hope, and to discern together the leadership needs we face as a Diocese in these times.
We certainly thought we would have heard from the Court of Review by now. As soon as we receive word, we will forward that to you, and with it a date certain for the opportunity to gather at the Cathedral – the first of several gatherings to come.
Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.
Samuel Adu-Andoh, Christopher Hart, Jo Ann Jones, Ledlie Laughlin, Glenn Matis, Norman MacCausland, Arlene McGurk, Isaac Miller, Joy Segal, and D-L Wormley
