It’s my pleasure to be writing to you all as President of the Standing Committee. I had intended this month to offer an infomercial of sorts for the role the Standing Committee plays when parishes decide to sell property or take on debt. Long story short, it’s more interesting than it sounds, and it’s most helpful that you contact the Standing Committee very early in that process as these matters can take time. When in doubt, just shoot me an email at rector@stjohnswilliamstown.org.
But, with Bishop Fisher’s announcement calling for the election of his successor, it seems much more important and pressing to talk with you about the role the Standing Committee plays in the election of a Bishop.
First, I think we would do well to take Rich Simpson’s advice, as he has done so often in clergy transitions, to encourage us first to have a “good good-bye.” I know I have been greatly supported, inspired and encouraged by Bishop Fisher in his exceptional tenure as our Ninth Bishop. For me he has been a faithful pastor and a voice of great encouragement. Those simple words of, “Go for it!” have given me and my parishes the courage to dream big and take risks. He has been a leader nationally, on confronting gun violence, and considering the morality of our money in how we handle investments. He is a respected voice of leadership in the House of Bishops and a role model to his fellow bishops in the region and beyond. We should all take time to acknowledge with gratitude Bishop Fisher’s ministry and prepare to bid him farewell.
Something else Rich tells parishes in transition - “you’re not going to get another (fill in the blank of your beloved former rector)”. We will not get a carbon copy of Bishop Fisher (personally I would hope our next bishop is not such an ardent supporter of the New York Yankees). But through the processes that the Standing Committee and Diocesan Convention oversees, we have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide this period of discernment, and we will elect the right person at this moment in time.
This fall the Standing Committee will be appointing both a search/profile committee and a transition committee. The search/profile committee will prayerfully discern and craft in words the type of Bishop Western Massachusetts needs at this time. They will also conduct interviews, eventually narrowing candidates down to a final slate. The transition committee will conduct the walkabouts (opportunities for the people of WMA to hear from and meet the candidates in their areas), as well as oversee the transition itself.
If you feel called to serve on one of these committees, or if you feel a member of our diocese has the gifts needed for this important work, please consider nominating them or self-nomination. More information on this process will be forthcoming from the standing committee.
This will be a crucial and important next year and a half for the Jesus Movement in WMA. Please take the time to have our “good goodbye” with Bishop Fisher. And please remember the Standing Committee and our entire Diocese in prayer as we take up this important work.
Nathaniel+
The Rev. Nathaniel Anderson President, Standing Committee Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
