[March 1, 2013]: The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts will elect a bishop coadjutor next year to succeed the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE upon his retirement.
In a March 1 letter to clergy, wardens, Diocesan Convention delegates and leadership groups, the Standing Committee has outlined its procedure for appointing the two committees that will carry out the nomination, election and transition process. [The letter and committee nomination form are attached below.]
The diocese's congregations are configured geographically into 12 deaneries. Each of the deaneries has been asked to nominate four people--two lay and two ordained--to a pool from which the Standing Committee will populate a Discernment Committee (usually known as a Nominating Committee) and a Transition Committee. The Standing Committee will appoint additional members to each, as necessary, to insure that the committees have diverse representation and the skills needed to do the work. Each committee will comprise 17 members.
Each deanery will follow its own process and internal deadlines in order to have all committee nominations to the Standing Committee by April 6.
The bishop coadjutor election is scheduled for April 5, 2014, and the new bishop's ordination and consecration for Sept. 13, 2014.
"We are committed to the discipline of prayer as we seek God's guidance and support," the Standing Committee president, the Rev. Zenetta Armstrong of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan, and vice president David Bergquist of Christ Church in South Hamilton said in their letter. They provided a prayer, in English and Spanish, for use by all in the diocese:
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the witness of your whole church in his name. We thank you for your Holy Spirit, empowering us for ministry. So guide the hearts and minds of all those who shall choose a bishop in this diocese and those who will respond to the call, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people. May our discernment transform our spirits and draw us closer to you, Almighty God. Amen.
Dios omnipotente, dador de todo buen don, te damos gracias por la bendición de tu Hijo Jesucristo y por el testimonio de toda tu iglesia en su nombre. Te damos gracias por tu Santo Espíritu que nos otorga el poder para realizar el ministerio. Te pedimos que guíes los corazones y las mentes de las personas que han de elegir al próximo obispo u obispa para esta diócesis y también a aquellas personas que van a responder al llamado de Dios, para que de esa manera recibamos a ese pastor o pastora que cuide a tu pueblo. Que nuestro discernimiento transforme nuestro espíritu y nos acerque a ti, Dios omnipotente. Amén.
Related articles:
Standing Committee issues letter on Bishop Shaw's call for coadjutor election
Bishop Shaw calls for election of his successor