The Search for the IX Bishop of Minnesota

Search and Transition Committees now being formed

 
At its January 2, 2008 meeting, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota received a letter from Bishop Jelinek advising them that his effective date of resignation as Bishop of Minnesota would be on the day of the consecration of IX Bishop of Minnesota. In accordance with Canon III.11.2 of the National Church Canons, Bishop Jelinek asked the Standing Committee for its advice and consent to the Bishop’s call for a Convention in 2009 for the election of a successor Bishop Diocesan.

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota officially received the letter from Bishop James Jelinek, dated January 2, 2008, and accepted the resignation of Bishop Jelinek effective in 2010 on the day of the consecration of the IX Bishop of Minnesota. The Committee also consented to the election of a bishop diocesan in accordance with Canon III.11.2 and agreed to direct and oversee the search and transition processes.

Representatives of the Standing Committee have met with the Trustees and Diocesan Council to present the timing, costs, and details of the Search and Transition processes, and have received the unanimous support of each body for these processes and their commitment to identify funds for the implementation of the plan to search for and consecrate the IX Bishop Diocesan.

Search and Transition Committees

Membership of the Search Committee and the Transition Committee will include nine people elected by the nine regions of the diocese, and nine appointed by the Standing Committee. Each region is asked to participate in the selection of the IX Bishop Diocesan by electing one representative to serve on the Search Committee and one to serve on the Transition Committee. The name of the regional representative for each committee should be forwarded to The Rev. Debbie Brown, President of the Standing Committee, no later than March 1, 2008. Each elected representative must complete an application form and submit it to the address that is indicated on the form. NOTE: These elected representatives are automatically on the committees. However, information from the application form will assist the Standing Committee as it completes the formation of these committees to ensure that both committees are balanced and accurately represent the diocesan family.

The Standing Committee will appoint additional people to complete the committees. Additional applications to serve on the Search and Transition Committees are invited from clergy and lay people who were not elected regional representatives but who are interested and able to serve as appointed members of these committees.

Click here for a theological reflection and prayer for the Bishop Search.

Click here for a time line for the search, election, and consecration.

Click here for more information on the Search and Transition Committees.

Click here for a committee application form.

All applications are due no later than March 7, 2008.

For more information, contact:

The Rev. Debbie Brown:
1297 Wilderness Curve
Eagan, MN  55123

Home: 651-454-6406
Cell: 612-801-3330

debronmn@aol.com