[The Episcopal News] Emphasizing culturally and geographically diverse representation, the diocesan Standing Committee has opened applications for the search committee for a bishop coadjutor to be elected in 2025 to succeed Bishop John Harvey Taylor upon his retirement in 2026.
The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. Search committee appointees will be announced on Nov. 5.
“We invite your active participation in forming a search committee that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of our diocese,” Standing Committee officers the Rev. Lester Mackenzie, president, and Rose Hayden-Smith, secretary, wrote in an Oct. 1 letter to the diocese. “Your involvement is crucial in encouraging a broad spectrum of people to apply, ensuring transparency, inclusion, and representation across our diocese’s 10 geographic deaneries located in six counties.”
The Standing Committee’s letter and related application materials are available in Spanish here.
“We have established a clear roadmap for this process, beginning with the formation of the Search Committee this month,” the letter continues. “The committee’s work will be guided by a commitment to diversity, with clear milestones to ensure we stay on track.”
A description of the work and an application form for potential Search Committee members are posted on the diocesan website. The final committee will consist of 15-18 members, representing all deaneries. Search Committee co-chairs will be named by the Standing Committee.
“Please promote this opportunity widely within your communities and consider nominating individuals who embody the values and vision of our diocese,” the letter adds. “We appreciate your commitment to this important process and look forward to your continued support.”
Full information on the search process, undertaken in accordance with diocesan and churchwide constitutional and canonical requirements, is posted here (add link) on the diocesan website.
Questions may be emailed to Standing Committee officers at
standingcommittee@ladiocese.org.