On October 31, 2009, the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota will elect the IX Bishop
to be Ordained on February 13, 2010.
Gracious God, you give light and life to your people. You guide us in pathways of renewal and transformation. Light the way before us now, as we discern and choose the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota. May we find a pastor who will lead us in hope, challenge us to ever greater faithfulness, and equip us with love for mission and ministry in the church and in the world. We pray in thanksgiving for your guiding presence and your grace, in the Name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
When the Apostles needed to choose a new member, they prayed for the guidance of God and cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias (Acts 1:24-26). In today’s church, when a diocese needs to choose a new bishop, we do not cast lots – but we do pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and we do believe and trust that the Spirit works through our search and election processes to bring us a person who is both qualified and called to be our bishop.
The bishop is called to be a sign of unity for the church, both locally and globally, and to empower the whole people of God for ministry and mission in the church and in the world. The bishop is called to be a bridge-builder, connecting past and present, tradition and creativity, the faith of the ages and the wisdom needed for the journey – connecting people with each other and with their mission in Christ.
As a diocese, we are called to work faithfully through these discernment processes, showing love and care for all the participants, praying without ceasing that the Holy Spirit will form us as people-and-bishop together.
Let us be in prayer together as we move through this challenging and hope-filled period in the life of our diocese.
(written by the Rev. Dr. Paul S. Nancarrow, former Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Minnesota, now serving a parish in the Commonwealth of Virginia)
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