A New Presiding Bishop
Dear friends and members of St. Matt’s,
Yesterday, the gathered body of General Convention elected for us a new Presiding Bishop. Bishop Curry, who has led the church faithfully and in the direction of Jesus’ love, will step down from this role on October 31st (yes, Halloween!). And our new Presiding Bishop will take office on November 1st for a nine year term.
Out of five candidates, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe was elected on the first ballot by the House of Bishops and was confirmed shortly thereafter by the House of Deputies. We are a democratic church with a bicameral structure that allows for the voices of all people to be represented. It’s a beautiful thing. Bishop Sean currently serves as the Bishop of Northwest Pennsylvania and the Bishop Provisional of Western New York; these two dioceses are preparing to merge and collaborate more fully.
I give thanks for Bishop Sean’s voice and perspective, for the real ways in which he sees and, I think, will call us to see and serve the church. You can get a taste for that here in his first address. I think you’ll find him to be deeply faithful and refreshingly honest. You can also learn more about him by watching this press conference from after the election. It has always been clear to me that Bishop Sean has a deep love of the parish, a sense that it is here that we begin to build the kingdom. Here that life plays out, here that we grow and learn, here that we celebrate and grieve, here where God’s work is done. I hope you’ll listen to him and hear that in his message, too.
Like so many, I am deeply grateful for the gifts, leadership, and ministry of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. The Holy Spirit led us to him and he was the leader we needed in that moment. I hope and pray that Bishop Sean is that new leader for us in this season. We know from our own experience that the world has changed and that the church has changed. And we know the goodness of the Gospel and the hope of the promises of Jesus. I am hopeful for what lies ahead for us at St. Matt’s and for the national church as we enter this new season of life and ministry.
I hope that you are having a wonderful week. And I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Faithfully,
–Marissa +