March 9, 2026
Dear beloveds in Christ,
We are writing today with an update on the faithful work of our Bishop Search Committee, which is co-chaired by the Very Rev. Torey Lightcap and Scott Howard. As you know, we anticipated announcing a slate of candidates today, and many of you have been praying and waiting for that announcement.
What we are announcing today is instead an extension of the bishop search process, and we would like to walk you through what this means and what happens next.
Last summer, the Search Committee accepted the mandate to identify an inspiring and diverse slate of no fewer than three and no more than five candidates to present to the Standing Committee, with the understanding that we would discuss possible exceptions to this requirement if the need for an exception became clear. This past week, the Search Committee notified us that while there were enough applications for a robust process, following their discernment, their recommendation is to invite additional applications, thereby extending the search process.
We hope you stand with us in being grateful for the hard, disciplined, and wise work of the Bishop Search Committee. The Standing Committee accepts and affirms their recommendation.
As Dean Lightcap shared with the council, “I believe that procedurally, we are exactly where we need to be, and I am grateful the Search Committee was unified in all decisions along the way. We feel the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon this process, and we believe that with trust and respect we can move to the next logical step. We are especially grateful to our chaplain, the Rev. David Jenkins, who helped us slow down and seek God’s will together.”
Co-chair Scott Howard added, “On behalf of the entire Search Committee we share our deep gratitude and care for those who offered themselves in this discernment but were not selected to move forward. Their willingness to engage in this process with prayer, vulnerability, and generosity is a true gift to our diocese and to the Church. We honor the time, energy, and spiritual reflection they devoted to this call, and we hold them in our prayers. May they know both the appreciation of this diocese and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit as they continue their ministries.”
Accordingly, we have shifted our timeline to accommodate an open application period and subsequent discernment process. We will come together for a combined diocesan convention and bishop election at Grace Cathedral in Topeka on October 23-24.
Pending consents from diocesan standing committees and bishops, the Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe will serve as the chief consecrator for the ordination of the Eleventh Bishop of Kansas on Saturday, April 17, 2027.
The Search Committee is developing the next phase of the application and discernment process. More information will be released over the next few weeks.
The Council of Trustees invites your questions via email cot@episcopal-ks.org.
We continue to pray for our diocese and those in discernment:
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.
Faithfully,
The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Council of Trustees
Jody Carroll
Jim Cummins, president
Carl Edwards
Tim Flynn
Helen Hoch
Melanie Laster
Laurie Lewis
Stephan Mann
Margaret McGhee
Ron Olson
Teresa Ryther
Daryl Stanford
Martha Stone
Mason Weber
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