The Reverend Matthew Cowden
Rector, Saint Michael and All Angels (South Bend, Ind.)
Candidate, Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California
5 December 2018
Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,
Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Risen Christ, whose coming we await!
Earlier today, the Diocese of Northern California announced their candidates for bishop and the Rev. Matthew Cowden, a priest of our diocese who serves as Rector of St. Michael and All Angels in South Bend, is one of their candidates. Please join me in praying for Matthew and Melissa and their family as the public part of this process now begins. The next step is the walkabout which will occur in January. The Electing Convention is scheduled for 9 February 2019.
I invite you to pray for the people of St. Michael and All Angels as well. The bond between a clergy person and those they are called to serve is deep. While it is a time to rejoice and give thanks for this potential opportunity for Fr. Matthew to be called to serve the wider church in episcopal ministry, this process profoundly effects the life of the faith community of St. Michael and All Angels.
By God’s providence, this news comes to us during Advent, a season which invites us to watch and wait. So, let us pray for all those involved in this process of discernment and election.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen!
Advent Blessings,
Doug
You can view the official release from the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California here.