Update: Final walkabout schedule set!

Everything is ready for the Magical Episcopal Tour coming to a church near you. The Reverend Reporter hopes that Episcopalians all over the state of Nevada will make the time to attend one of these important sessions. If the prospect of meeting a bunch of priests doesn't excite you, you can always pretend that we're rock stars on tour.

Friday, 9/14:
St. Christopher's, Boulder City. 8:45-10:00 am.
Holy Spirit, Bullhead City AZ, 12:30-2:30 pm
Christ Church, Las Vegas. 6:00-10:00 pm (including Holy Eucharist).

Saturday, 9/15:
Epiphany, Henderson, 9-10:30 am;
Grace in the Desert, Las Vegas. 12:15-2:15 pm.
All Saints, Las Vegas, 7:00-10:00 pm

Sunday, 9/16:
St. Martin's, Pahrump. 9:00-11:30 am (including Holy Eucharist).
St. Mark's, Tonopah, 3:00-4:00 pm.

Monday, 9/17:
RAIN & prison ministries, Carson City, 2:45-4:45 pm
St. Peter's, Carson City, 5:00-9:00 pm.

Tuesday, 9/18:
Camp Galilee/St. John's in the Wilderness. 8-10 am.
St. Patrick's, Incline Village, 12:45-2:45 pm.
Trinity, Reno. 6:30-10:00 pm.

Wednesday, 9/19:
St. Paul's, Sparks. 9:00-10:30 am.
St. Michael and All Angels, Wadsworth. 11:30 am-1:30 pm.
St. Mary the Virgin, Nixon, 2:00-2:30 pm.
Holy Trinity, Fallon. 5:00-9:00 pm.

Thursday, 9/20:
Grace-St. Francis, Lovelock, 10:30-11:30 am
St. Mary's Winnemucca. 12:30-2:00 pm.
St. Paul's, Elko. 5:00-9:00 pm.

Friday, 9/21:
St. Bartholomew's, Ely. 11:30 am-1:00 pm.
Christ Church, Pioche. 3:00-4:00 pm.


How many miles do you think we'll be travelling? Any guesses?

Your Turn to Talk: Youth Ministry in Nevada

Our new bishop will come to his/her new office facing a number of different challenges. One of them will undoubtedly be the current state of ministry to youth in the diocese of Nevada. I now humbly ask those of you reading this blog to think about how this ministry might be strengthened so that our youth might be best served by our church.

Naturally, the opinions of the youth of the diocese are very important, and I hope that those of you who are youth will take the time to comment.

Blessings,
RR+

Bishop Candidates Answers to Essay Questions Now Available

It's a busy news day in the diocese of Nevada!

As part of the application process each candidate was asked to submit answers to three questions. Their answers have now been posted on the diocesan web site.To access the essays for each candidate please click on the following links:

Susan Burns
Cathy Deats
Dan Edwards
Eric Funston
Al Keeney
Jeff Paul

Petition Candidate Announced

The Rev. Jeffrey Paul, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Carson City, has been added to the list of candidates being considered for Bishop of Nevada. A link to more information about the Rev. Paul will be posted as soon as it becomes available.


Update: More information is here.

Was church like this for you today?

Cartoon courtesy of Dave Walker and his Cartoon Church site.

Nevada Episcopal Church Trivia Question

What are the oldest and newest Episcopal congregations in the Silver State?
(Answer will be posted on Sunday).

Answer to trivia question

None of our readers gave this question a shot, so here's the answer:

Bishop-elect Sean Rowe of the diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania was 32 years old at the time of his election this past May. He will be consecrated on September 8th.

...and now for something completely different.

I'll probably get in trouble for posting this, but I just couldn't help myself. Enjoy (or not, as the case may be)!

RR+

Bishop Trivia: Question 2

Who is the youngest member of the House of Bishops?

Try to find the answer and leave it in the comments section. I'll confirm the correct answer or post the answer on Sunday.

Welcome from the Search Committee

Welcome to the blog designed to provide instant access to information about the Bishop candidates and our scheduled September trek around the Diocese! We are definitely on the cutting edge with this technology and are very grateful to our Reverend Reporter who is skilled in this area and is eager to keep us informed.

In addition to providing Nevada Episcopalians with up-to-date quips and quotes, this blog will also present the various media venues at each walkabout stop with photos and press releases for their use. We are very hopeful that easy access to this information will result in additional positive press for the Episcopal Church in our diocese.

The Search Committee has been hard at work for the past nine months to fulfill the charge given to us by the Standing Committee. The walkabouts will be the final leg of this lengthy journey and we are very excited for you to meet and greet the candidates, ask questions and be as informed as possible prior to the beginning of balloting on Friday, October 12, 2007. Please be sure to attend the walkabout scheduled in your area and read this blog for additional up-to-date information as the walkabouts proceed.

We look forward to seeing you!

- Candi Jones
Chair, Search Committee

Convention reminders

In addition to being a newshound and blogger, The Reverend Reporter is also a first-class nag (just ask the Rector at the parish where s/he works). Have you made your arrangements to attend diocesan convention yet? Well, if not, here are the details and info for you to download:

Diocesan Convention takes place on October 12-14 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas. For information about reserving a room at the special group rate, go here. The deadline for reserving a room at the special rate is September 25th.

All diocesan clergy, adult lay delegates, youth delegates, and visitors wishing to attend convention need to register. Information about that is here. The actual registration form is here. Be sure to register before August 24th, because if you register later you'll have to pay more, and who wants to do that?

Did you know that there will be a party on Saturday? Wow! Time for fancy clothes (what are fancy clothes in Nevada, anyway?). You'll need to order a dinner if you'll be attending, and that info is on the registration form.

This has been a public service announcement designed to save you money, time, and aggravation.

God bless!
RR+

Episcopal Church Trivia

True or false? You can answer below in the comment box:

No one shall be ordained and consecrated bishop until the attainment of 30 years of age.

From the Standing Committee

As President of the Standing Committee I welcome you to this space. I am excited about this new resource to keep everyone informed as we continue on our journey of prayerful discernment in the selection of a new Bishop. I invite you to visit this new venue often to keep abreast of developments. God’s continued blessings!

- The Rev Jim Kelly

Greetings from the Great Basin

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.

Welcome to the official newsblog for the bishop search in the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. News, updates, links to the diocesan website, and liveblogging during the walkabout process will be posted here regularly, and I will also post questions from time to time in order to elicit the comments of those of us who live and worship in the diocese. You will also see guest postings from members of the Standing, Search, and Transition Committees in order to explain and clarify the process of electing a bishop.

First, it's important to understand what this blog is for:

• It is primarily a source of news and information for people in the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, especially those living in the more isolated areas of the state who may not be able to attend the walkabouts.
• It is a place to leave general comments and observations in response to posted questions.

...and this is what this blog is not intended to be:

• a forum from which the bishop candidates can "campaign." The candidates will be made aware of the existence of this site, which is only fair since it's about them, but the walkabouts are the appropriate place for them to address Nevada Episcopalians.
• a place to ask questions of the candidates. Again, the walkabouts are the place to do that.
• a forum to debate the policies of the national Church. There are plenty of blogs around representing every conceivable point of view, and it won't be hard for you to find them if that's what you're looking for. This blog will not provide or maintain links to such sites.

... and the Reverend Reporter's role is:

• to maintain this site by posting updates and links whenever they are provided by diocesan officials.
• to pose the occasional questions for your comments.
• to moderate comments by keeping discussions on track, and if necessary, deleting comments that are abusive, consistently off-topic, or which persist in engaging in debates about the national church.
• to travel with the candidates during the walkabouts and either liveblog or post a report as soon as possible after the forum is adjourned.
  
• Live blog during the diocesan convention and post ballot results.

This site is for you, Nevada Episcopalians. God bless!