February 23, 2022
Dear Friends,
The week for our candidate “walkabouts” is coming quickly. We have four special gatherings planned for March 21 – 24. We look forward with enthusiasm to discover which of these three men the Lord would have as our next bishop. As we prepare to meet with our candidates, here is an update with instructions related to our time together.
Who Are Walkabouts For?
We will limit physical attendance at walkabouts to lay deputies, alternates, and clergy in the diocese. The first three walkabouts will be video recorded and published to the diocesan YouTube channel soon thereafter for the entire diocesan family to view. The fourth gathering of the week, on Thursday, is for clergy only. The intention is to provide a less structured opportunity for clergy to meet the candidates. This final evening will not be recorded.
Where Will We Meet?
Monday, March 21, 7:00-8:30 pm. Lay and Clergy Deputies
Church of the Ascension (Oakland), 4729 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Tuesday, March 22, 7:00-8:30 pm. Lay and Clergy Deputies
Trinity Church (Washington), 550 South Main St. Washington, PA 15301
Wednesday, March 23, 7:00-8:30 pm. Lay and Clergy Deputies
Christ Church (Fox Chapel), 410 Christ Church Ln, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Thursday, March 24, 7:00-8:30 pm. Clergy Gathering
St. Alban’s Anglican Church (Murrysville), 4920 Cline Hollow Rd, Murrysville, PA
What Will Happen?
On the first three evenings, each candidate will have approximately 20 minutes to answer questions posed by a moderator. The moderators will be the Rev. Jonathan Millard (Chair of Diocesan Council), the Rev. Elaine Storm (Chair of Standing Committee), and the Rev. Eric Rodes (Chair of Bishop Search Committee). Candidates will appear individually. The order of appearance of the candidates will rotate each night. Candidates will be asked 5-6 preplanned questions. The questions will be composed with Core Competencies in mind: Visionary and Collaborative Leadership; Pastoral Care and Oversight; Transformational Leader; Bridge-Builder; Competent Administrator; Marriage and Family. We will also include questions submitted to the diocese (reminder: deadline for submission of questions is March 1). The candidates will be given the questions in advance; however, they will not know when questions will be asked. The questions we ask each of the three evenings will be different. With that in mind, we encourage all lay and clergy deputies, as well as the wider diocesan family, to watch all three videos to get a full picture of each candidate. The final clergy gathering will be less structured and there will be opportunity to submit questions that evening. It will not be recorded.
How Can We Pray?
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Pray for our candidates and their spouses. That the Lord would preserve them and their families through this process. That he would bless them and keep them and continue to guide their ministries. Pray that each can present himself authentically and clearly.
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Pray for our voting deputies and clergy. That the Holy Spirit would guide them as they discern whom to vote for. Pray that they have clarity, understanding, and insight.
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Pray for the walkabouts. That details would fall into place, and that there would be no unexpected interruptions. Pray that the week will be beneficial to all and that we gain valuable insight into our candidates.
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Pray for the Special Convention. As we come together on April 30 to elect our bishop, pray that the Lord’s will be done. Pray for those planning and organizing the event, that their plans are well-executed and run smoothly.
Submitting Questions?
The deadline for question submission is March 1, 2022.
On Behalf of the Bishop Search Committee,
The Rev. Eric Rodes, Chair