Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!

Earlier today, the Diocese of Southern Virginia announced their candidates for bishop and the Rev. Susan Haynes, a priest of our diocese who serves as Rector of St. Paul’s in Mishawaka, is one of their candidates. Please join me in praying for Susan and Tom and their children, Sarah and Avery as the public part of this process now begins. The next step is the walkabout which will occur in September. The Electing Convention is scheduled for 21 September 2019.

As many of you know, the Rev. Thomas Haynes serves as Rector of St. Thomas / Santo Tomás in Plymouth. So, I invite you to pray for our siblings at St. Paul’s and St. Thomas’ 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 Mother Susan to be called to serve the wider church in episcopal ministry, this process profoundly affects the life of the faith communities of St. Paul’s and St. Thomas / Santo Tomás.

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!

Pentecost Blessings,

Doug

You can read the official release from the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia here.
You can read Mtr. Susan's announcement here.