Journey's end, some thoughts, and an unmasking

Now that the walkabout process for the election of the next Bishop of Nevada has come to an end, I would like to share some closing thoughts with my readers.

Chronicling this journey has been an incredibly informative and deeply spiritual experience. As a native Easterner and a long-time San Franciscan who only moved to Nevada last year, I have learned as much about the land, the church, and the people of Nevada as the candidates did. I have also come away from the tour with a realistic portrait of the state of our diocese, its strengths, and the work that still needs doing. I feel more committed than ever to being a part of this exciting and challenging place, and God willing, will be here for a long time doing ministry alongside our next bishop.

I have also gained an enormous respect for both the candidates and the process they engaged in. It was a strenuous trip with many stops and little rest, and in many ways it was also a pilgrimage. The daily rounds of morning and evening prayer, either with the communities we visited or on the bus, the discussions we had, the times of rest and silence as we traveled, and the way that everyone conducted themselves was indicative of the fact that this is in fact a spiritual process of discernment and not an election campaign. I have nothing but admiration for these wonderful priests and their spouses who seek to work alongside the clergy and laity of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. In Nevada there is often talk of luck, but we are not lucky – we are blessed. The title of this blog, The Desert Shall Rejoice, is a verse from the writings of Isaiah the prophet, and I believe that the desert, along with the rest of God’s creation, rejoices this day and continues to do so in response to God’s abundant love.

This is not goodbye for there is more to come in the next couple of weeks. I will not be posting daily any longer, but I still have material that I have not yet had time to organize and report. I will also be blogging live during the election process so that those of you who are not present at convention will be able to follow the proceedings on October 12th.

Finally, I have had a great deal of fun in the guise of The Reverend Reporter. Anonymity kept the focus of the blog on the candidates, although I do confess to occasionally slipping in my own reflections. Now it is time to be unmasked, and to invite you all to return as we move closer to the election. I ask your prayers for the candidates and their families, and for the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada.

And so we end our walkabouts where we began, with this prayer:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Blessings,
Karen+



Karen Johanns is Associate for youth and young adult ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno, NV.