Governance news posted Tuesday, December 02, 2008
December 2008
As a Diocese we have come through a great deal in the past year. Much of what we have been through has caused distress, the enumeration of which would probably add to the sense of gloom with which some of us, most likely all of us, are still burdened.
We who serve you and the Diocese as a whole on Standing Committee are heartened, however by much that has happened. Bishop Bartlett has graciously agreed to serve until well into the coming summer, which we hope will allow the national church time to recommend candidates to seek to fill his shoes as interim Bishop. If we are lucky, it might be that at convention a year from now we will be able to recommend an assisting bishop whose role could be ratified at convention.
We are grateful to both Bishop Bartlett and Interim Dean Lloyd Casson for the work they did at our request for convention, allowing us all an opportunity similar to that enjoyed by clergy at clergy day in September. All of us needed to simply talk and share our concerns and the need for the healing of the diocese and personally. It is our intention to continue small gatherings and conversations throughout the diocese in various settings. Watch for future announcements about opportunities for these gatherings. The most important thing is that we seek each other and the healing of our relationships in the Body.
We face challenges – an economy that will surely have an effect on our ministries both as a diocese and in individual parishes, the wait on the final outcome of the church courts deliberations concerning Bishop Bennison, who remains our Bishop pending the outcome of the legal proceedings, and the final disposition of the Wapiti land in Maryland. What we cannot afford, either in these times or in any time is to see the bonds of our Oneness in Christ to be diminished. This does not mean that we will agree on everything we face, were that the case we probably should really worry, but it does mean that we speak honestly and candidly with one another and listen with the caring ear of Jesus Himself.
It is our intention to encourage and support this sharing and listening, trusting as we speak and listen, His voice and His truth will be revealed.
The Rev. Isaac Miller
Standing Committee
