An Update from the Standing Committee with Anticipated Timeline of Events
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As a reminder, the Standing Committee is requesting applications to serve on the Bishop Discernment and Nominating Committee (BDNC).
The deadline for applications is February 15, 2018. Ten members of the BDNC will be selected by the Standing Committee by March 1.
Each member of the BDNC must be able to attend an overnight retreat beginning at 4 PM on March 16 and concluding on the afternoon of March 17. The location will be announced in the near future. The cost of the retreat will be covered; committee members are responsible for their travel costs.
Please review the Charge to the Bishop Discernment and Nominating Committee. Click here to read/download the Charge.
If following your review of the Committee Charge you feel called to apply, please complete and return the application form. Click here to download the form.
Thank you for prayerfully considering a call to serve.
Clergy and lay leaders, feel free to share this request as well as the Anticipated Timeline below in your Sunday announcements
Sincerely,
The Standing Committee of the Diocese
Anticipated Timeline
Some of the tasks that are ahead include: appointing a Bishop Discernment and Nominating Committee and a Transition Committee, as well as creating a budget and financial plan for this transition. We are committed to keep everyone informed each step of the way and to be as clear and transparent as possible throughout the process.
Consistent with our commitment, below is our anticipated timeline of activities through 2018 and 2019 leading to the election of a new bishop for the Episcopal Church in Vermont.
2018
January/February: Process announced for and the selection of members to the Bishop Discernment and Nominating Committee (BDNC)
March 16-17: Retreat with the Bishop Discernment and Nominating Committee, Standing Committee and Consultant. Location: TBA
Spring/Summer: Discernment Process to gain clarity about “Who we are, what God is doing with us and how best to organize and move forward for the next season of ministry.”
July 15: BDNC initial presentation of the “Profile” to the Standing Committee and, then, publication to the diocese.
Late Summer/Fall: Process of inviting and gathering the names of potential candidates, as outlined by the final “Profile” as approved by the Standing Committee. Transition Committee appointed.
Late Oct/Early Nov: Diocesan Convention, Burlington
2019
Winter/Spring: Discernment of candidates for the 11th Bishop of Vermont.
Spring: Candidates announced; Petition Process; Walkabouts
April 14-20: Holy Week
April 21: Easter
Late Spring: Possible time for the Electing Convention
September 28: Possible date of the Ordination and Consecration of the 11th Bishop of Vermont
A Prayer for the Discernment of the 11th Bishop of Vermont
Loving and gracious God, we pray for your Holy Spirit’s guidance as we seek new leadership for the Episcopal Church in Vermont. Give listening hearts and receptive minds to those appointed to search for candidates; and inquiring and open hearts to those discerning a call to serve as Bishop of Vermont.
May we all share the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.
May we be united in our desire for your will for this Diocese, that the love of Christ may be evident to all; for it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.
Subscribe to The Mountain, the diocesan magazine, for monthly updates from the Standing Committee regarding the Bishop’s transition, and find an archive of transition-related communications on the diocesan website here: https://diovermont.org/bishop-transition.php.