The Search committee has posted the names of the candidates for the upcoming episcopal election for the next Bishop of Edmonton on the diocesan website:
The Rev. Wendy AINSWORTH
The Very Rev. Dr. Jane ALEXANDER
The Rt. Rev. David ASHDOWN
The Ven. Edward KING
The Rev. Darcey LAZERTE
The Rev. Dr. Mervyn MERCER
The Very Rev. Peter WALL
I've met 6 (I think) of the candidates.
There is a provision in the process for additional names to be added up to 72 hours prior to the beginning of the electoral synod.
Over the next little while we will be looking at the various documents we've been asked to consider as we discern who is called to be our next bishop. Understanding the vocation of a bishop is key to helping us discern the person called to that office. In the meantime, it would be appropriate to uphold all these people in prayer. It is probably not an easy thing to discern whether to let one's name stand.
While we are first and foremost called to pray for discernment, the diocesan committee will also be posting information on the candidates, as well as their responses to a series of questions. As a delegate to the synod, I will be looking at those responses when they are available.
I would like to remind us that each of these persons holds an office of leadership within our church. No doubt, there will be initial preferences among various the members of our diocese as to whom they think is best suited to be our next bishop, and whom they think is not so called. Such a situation is unavoidable. It is particularly acute at this time in the life of our church. However, we are called to follow advice which St Paul himself heeded and quoted: "You shall not speak evil of a leader of my people." Look it up (Acts 23 et al). That sentiment will be the guiding policy for any discussion (and comments) here at felix hominum in the upcoming weeks.
Click here for the Episcopal election post series
Don't forget that soon we will be descending into Hell.
Update: since I'm going to be away from the blog for much of the day, and to avoid any possibility of having to check comments as they come in, I'm going to close off the comments here for a while. The pancake mix is calling.
Comments