Dear Members of the Diocese of Western Anglicans:
We hope this update finds you well and thriving in the grace and peace of our Lord. We are deeply grateful for your continued prayer and fasting for us, the Executive Committee, Bp. Keith, and our next Bishop. We are writing to update you on the critical work being conducted by the Diocesan Transition Team (DTT) as we continue the search for the next Bishop for the Diocese.
Our committee has been meeting diligently every Monday night to discuss potential candidates for this significant role within our diocese. We are grateful to Bishop Bill Murdoch, who joins the meetings as much as possible, for providing his expertise as our team’s consultant. Jenna Vazquez, the Bishop’s assistant and Diocesan liaison, continues to provide invaluable resources, context, and insight for our team as we navigate interviews, engage with candidates, and consider the larger context in which our current and future Bishops have and will minister. DTT sub-committees are also meeting during the week, such as the Intercessors and Chaplains with Father Suresh Gunti, Fr. Simon Enwereji, and Sue Ellen Warren, and those preparing the walkabouts with the finalists in the Fall in each Deanery, led by The Rev. Deacon Gail Duffey and Trish Stewart.
The selection process for our new bishop is thorough and deliberate, ensuring that we consider candidates who are not only aligned with our Diocesan values, but also have the vision and capability to lead us forward. Before scheduling interviews with potential candidates, the team reviews their responses to an extensive list of questions. These questions are designed to reveal the candidates’ theological perspectives, leadership styles, and visions for the future of our Diocese. Each candidate’s answers are evaluated using a detailed screening tool. Only those who meet our criteria are moved forward in the process, starting with the first interviews conducted via Zoom.
From Jim Dale: The committee is grateful for Fr. Ron Offringa’s exceptional work co-leading the DTT. Fr. Ron’s gifts have included leading the task of creating important documents for the search including our Diocesan Profile, Bishop’s Profile and the Ministry Description of the Bishop. He has also been instrumental in organizing our questions to the candidates and feedback forms. His efforts have streamlined our process, allowing us to evaluate candidates more efficiently and effectively. Thanks to his organization, we have successfully conducted first interviews with promising candidates and are preparing to conduct second round interviews so that we may gain deeper insights into their qualifications and fit for the role of Bishop.
From Fr. Ron: Jim Dale, our Diocesan President, has continued to provide steady, thoughtful, and focused leadership for our team. His knowledge of our Diocese, its history, and our current and future needs has proved immensely valuable. Our membership is made up of clergy and laity from across the three Deaneries, each with different backgrounds, perspectives, and convictions. This microcosm of our Diocese has continued to thrive in unity through each stage of this process under Jim’s prayerful direction.
We would also like to extend special thanks to the DTT’s Administrator, Connie Polite, for her outstanding leadership and dedication. Connie’s role in reaching out to candidates and ensuring their information is returned to the committee in a timely manner has been critical to our progress. Her meticulous scheduling of interviews with candidates has streamlined our selection process, making it more efficient. Beyond these tasks, Connie’s intuitive ability to anticipate the committee’s needs before they arise has been a gift to us all. Her proactive approach and organizational skills have significantly contributed to the smooth running of our operations. We are truly grateful for her hard work and commitment to excellence in serving the Diocese of Western Anglicans during this important time of transition.
We are now preparing for the next phase of our selection process, which involves site visits to the candidates’ current churches. These visits are crucial, as they provide us with a firsthand view of the candidates in their ministry contexts, allowing us to better assess their leadership in action and the impact they have on their congregations and their community. At the same time a number of reference and background checks will be underway and coordinated by Jim Craft, Chancellor to the DTT, in preparation for the Executive Committee’s meeting in August, at which time, they will select the finalists to forward to the Synod in October for election.
We ask for your continued prayers and support for each member of the DTT as we move forward in this vital task. These brothers and sisters are deeply committed to the task that the Lord has asked them to each undertake. The selection of a new Bishop is a significant moment in the life of our Diocese, and we are committed to ensuring that our choice is guided by the Holy Spirit, for the good of our churches and the broader community we serve. We will continue to keep you informed as we make progress at this important time.
In Christ’s Service,
James Dale
President of the Diocese of Western Anglicans Co-Chair of the Diocesan Transition Team
Fr. Ron Offringa Co-Chair of the Diocesan Transition Team
Diocese of Western Anglicans in Transition 