On Saturday, June 28, newly appointed members of the Search and Transition Committees for the search for the Eleventh Bishop of Kansas met with members of the Council of Trustees and Consultant Anne Schmidt from The Episcopal Church for a one-day Organizing Retreat held at Grace Cathedral in Topeka.
Also in attendance were the Rev. David Jenkinks, Chaplain for the Bishop Search Process, and Mr. Mike Morrow, Clerk of the Search Process.
The goals for the retreat were to review the timeline for the entire transition, understand the relationship between the committees, and identify resources for the work ahead.
The group spent time getting to know one another, discussing norms for how they would function, and understanding the roles and responsibilities of all involved in the process, including the Standing Committee, Search Committee, Transition Committee, Chaplains, Chancellor, Consultant, Bishop Bascom, and Diocesan Staff.
Dr. Beth Fitz Gibbon, President of the Council of Trustees, said, “These leaders have been entrusted with a sacred obligation on behalf of every member of our Diocese. May God bless them, and the Holy Spirit enlighten their minds, as they undertake this Search and secure our Transition to a new Bishop for the Diocese of Kansas.”
Mr. Scott Howard and the Very Rev. Torey Lightcap, Co-chairs of the Search Committee, shared a joint statement:
“The members of the Search Committee understand that this period of searching for and discerning a slate of candidates from which our next bishop will be elected can be a time of both excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead and uncertainty about the future.
We are committed to an inclusive search process that is open and transparent. We ask for your continued prayers, and your input and guidance through participation in a forthcoming survey and through listening sessions that will be scheduled across the diocese in the coming weeks. We will keep you informed of our progress with regular updates throughout the search process.
We are confident that with your prayerful input and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be led to the person who will faithfully love and care for God’s people as the Eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas.”
Updates and news about the Search for the Eleventh Bishop of Kansas can be found on the diocesan website.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will search for a new bishop to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, 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.
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