And so, the end

Dear readers, we have come to the end of our journey in the search for the next bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. It has been my privilege to serve you by providing information about the candidates, their positions on the issues facing our diocese as well as those affecting the Church at large, and to impart in some small way the beauty and uniqueness of the place we call home. All good things must come to an end, and therefore this will be the final post here. The consecration of The Rev. Dan Edwards is tentatively scheduled for January 5th pending the required consents. This event will be covered on the diocesan web site.

I leave you with some final thoughts:

We have been truly blessed that so many gifted and thoughtful people were willing to put themselves forward for consideration in this search. Although the final six candidates undoubtedly had the most grueling work, and five of those six suffered the most disappointment, the Search Committee heard from a number of fine priests who responded to our call. Even though they didn't make the final slate, we were blessed by their interest and attention. When we look at our own faith communities, especially the small struggling ones in rural areas, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that we are blessed by a God of infinite abundance. The process of searching for a new chief pastor can serve as a reminder to us all that we truly serve a generous Lord.

Lastly, I note that in the wider Church blogosphere there have already been expressions of cynicism and, at times, critical comments of a personal nature about our diocese, our bishop-elect, and our former (and now Presiding) bishop. While this is unfortunate, let us always remember that the Episcopal Church in Nevada is comprised of hard-working, faithful, and visionary people who struggle against the challenges of geography, population depletion in vast areas, and financial worries. We have elected a gifted leader to help us expand our vision of stewardship, evangelism, and faithfulness to the Gospel of Christ, and we will do it in our own way: Nevada style, with God's help.

And now, go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Blessings,
Karen+
The Reverend Reporter

Acceptance Speech

With deep joy and profound gratitude
I accept your call.
The sad part of today is that you were not able
to extend this call to five other candidates – each with much to offer.
I want to acknowledge that,
to say it has been a privilege travel this journey with them,
and to say to their supporters,
I respect your support for my friends and fellow candidates.
They are good people – every one.

The Diocese of Nevada is known and honored
far and wide
for innovation, creativity, and boldness to do a new thing for God.
To serve as a minister in this diocese
is the most exciting mission opportunity I can imagine.
I did not say "to serve as bishop" but "to serve as minister."
We are all minsters, lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons, alike.
Today, we are all called together into a shared mission.

My special joy this day is being invited to join you
in the ministry you are already doing so well.
It will take time for me to learn my way,
and you are the only ones who can teach me.
I will do my best to be a good student,
and I know you will be faithful teachers.
I hope that, as you show me the lay of your land,
you will deepen your knowledge of yourselves and each other,
that you will sharpen the focus of your vision for this diocese,
and that you will enjoy, savor, and celebrate
God's gift of this holy human church in the West.

I know that sometimes, some members of the diocese
have felt discouraged by the seeming scarcity of resources,
and by conflicts – especially conflicts over resources.
Feeling discouraged now and then goes with the turf of doing mission.
Elijah felt that way at times. So did Jesus. So did St. Paul.
But underneath those feelings which come and go like the clouds,
we have an abiding bedrock of faith.
Faith says: God has already given each community the resources
it needs to do its mission.//
It doesn't always look that way, but that's how it is.
I've seen it happen over and over as a priest.
If God gives us five loaves and two fish,
then we bless, break, and share them.
God makes it enough.

As for conflict, we don't have to be afraid of that either.
Nevada is diverse enough to generate a lot of different ideas.
The people of Nevada are feisty enough to express those ideas
with some emphasis.
That's part of what makes this an exciting diocese.
We can afford to have our differences.
God is big enough to supply the unity.
As long as we keep focused on God's mission,
we can work out the details.


Nothing would please me more
than to take the next plane to be with you tomorrow.
But I have a congregation here who are going to need me
to look them in the eye to say I'm leaving after 14 years.
They don't need to read this in the newspaper and find me gone.
But I will be coming to you as soon as I can.
I will begin meeting with some of you right away.
Don't think the people I see first are necessarily the most important people.
Everyone in this diocese is important.
I will be seeing first the people who know about the issues that are most urgent.
After that, I will be making my way around the diocese
learning your stories.

Bishop Kiminjari said, "The stories of the people are the wings of the Gospel."
Your stories will make the Gospel fly over Nevada like a Coopers Hawk.
I cannot wait to hear them.
God bless you and keep you.
God make his face to shine upon you
God give you peace and empower you for mission.

Ballot 2: We have an Election!

Moments ago, Jim Kelly announced "we have an election." Receiving 38 clery votes and 78 lay votes....

Dan Edwards will be the 10th Bishop of Nevada!

Ballot 2 standings for the first 3 candidates were identical for clergy and lay.
1. Dan Edwards
2. Susan Burns
3. Jeff Paul

The next 3 results for clergy were
4. Tie between Al Keeney and Eric Funston
5. Cathy Deats

The next 3 results for lay were
4. Al Keeney
5. Cathy Deats
6. Eric Funston

There is a story about the election and Dan on Episcopal Life Online at
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_90927_ENG_HTM.htm

First Ballot, High Noon

Clergy and lay results are identical for the first four candidates, in order:

1. Dan Edwards
2. Susan Burns
3. Jeff Paul
4. Al Keeney

The next two results by Clergy:
5. Eric Funston
6. Cathy Deats

The next two results by Lay:
5. Cathy Deats
6. Eric Funston

Friday Morning

We opened this morning with A Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit and hymn #531, Like the Murmer of the Dove’s Song. Assisting Bishop Jerry Lamb asked that we be open to the Holy Spirit, to ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:9-13) and find God’s will.

After Eucharist, Jim Kelly gave instructions regarding the election process, and JoAnn Roberts Armstead reported on attendance: of 151 lay delegates, 145 are present, and of 67 clergy delegates, 65 are present. A quorum was declared, and Jill Beesley introduced the candidates.

The floor opened for the first ballot at 10:56 am. To be elected, a candidate must receive 33 votes from clergy delegates and 73 votes from lay delegates.

Catastrophe Averted: Live Blogging to Commence!

Dear readers, for awhile it looked as if live blogging of the bishop election would not happen due to Technological Misunderstandings. However, the intrepid Diocesan Communications Commission has figured out a brilliant plan that involves the indomitable Desert Spirit editor Hallie Murphy, a hotel room away from the convention floor, a wireless connection, and a cell phone. All is right with the world!

The convention will open with Holy Eucharist at 10:00 am on Friday followed by instructions to the delegates and the casting of the first ballot. The results of each ballot will be posted after each candidate has been contacted and notified of their standing in the voting. There is no way to predict what time the voting will begin and how many ballots will be required, so you might want to check in periodically if you are curious about how the vote is proceeding.

The name of the next bishop of Nevada will be posted here after he or she has been formally notified. Stay tuned, and please keep the delegates, candidates, and their families in your prayers.

Last Post Before Convention: Ministry to Youth

Our electing convention will begin on Friday, and The Reverend Reporter has time for one last informational post: the all-important subject of ministry to and with youth, which was a topic raised at all walkabout stops except one:

Al Keeney believes that the bishop will need to take a serious look at what the needs of the different congregations are with respect to programs for children and teens. Ministries to youth must have the ability to draw in kids from the local community; not only should ministry to youth be relevant, they must ultimately function as evangelism tools and not be just programs to keep kids occupied.

Jeff Paul notes that there has been a lack of consistency in the dicoese's approach to youth ministry, and he sees developing consistency as a key to success. Ultimately, Jeff believes that adult leaders must be able to sacrifice time, resources, and "room" in leadership so that youth can be full participants in their own ministries.

Susan Burns advocates for placing children and youth at the very center of our worshipping communities, and that the best youth and children's ministry is done intergenerationally - we do "with" young people, not "to" them.

Dan Edwards believes that youth ministry must be something that is one of the highest priorities of the bishop, but he also believes that no single program is a magic fix that is guaranteed to reach all the youth of the diocese. He noted that "programs don't change people. People change people."

Eric Funston sees young people as inhabiting a central place in the life of the church, and that we need to see them as full and equal members as they are, not as they will be when they reach adulthood. Coordination of diocesan programs for youth is important, and as bishop he would examine the best ways for this to happen.

Cathy Deats believes that ministry to children and youth needs to be done in the context of the individual church community, but that the job of diocesan leadership is to assist the churches with exploring programs and assisting teachers and youth workers in their ministries.

So there you have it. My notes are exhausted, but our delegates now have access to more information than they would have had if they had gone to just one session. My hope is that I have been successful in highlighting both the major issues raised during the candidate visits and to also provide a window into their thinking on a whole range of issues. Please pray for those of us who will be gathering at the end of this week:

Almighty and everlasting Father, you have given the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever: Bless, we pray, the clergy and the laity soon to be assembled in your Name that your Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of Him who loved it and gave Himself for it, your Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

- For a Church Convention
Book of Common Prayer, 1979