25 September 2021

Dear Sisters, Brothers, Siblings,

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, God’s Word made flesh!

I want to share some wonderful news with you. Today, our brother, the Rev. Matthew Cowden (pictured), was elected by the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia to serve as their Bishop Coadjutor for a period of time before becoming the Eighth Bishop of the diocese. This is great news for the whole church and especially those who are part of the Episcopal Church in West Virginia.

Fr. Matthew began serving as the Rector of St. Michael and All Angels in 2009. He has many gifts that have enhanced the mission, ministry, and management of St. Michael’s. He has also served in positions of leadership in our diocese, the province and was most recently elected to serve on the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. Let us pray for Matthew and Melissa, their children Meghan, Nicholas, and Joshua, as they prepare for this new ministry.

There is also a bitter sweetness to this news, especially for our sisters, brothers, siblings of St. Michael and All Angels in South Bend. I know full well how happy and sad they are, given the news of this election. Let us uphold them in our prayer as well as they prepare to give thanks for Fr. Matthew and his family and begin a time of transition.

It is our blessing to support all those whose lives are changed by this 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!

Every blessing!
Doug

The Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Sparks
VIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana

You can watch the 144th Annual Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia and the Election of the Bishop Coadjutor here or by clicking on the image below.