STANDING COMMITTEE NAMES CHAIRS AND MEMBERS OF NOMINATING AND TRANSITION COMMITTEES   The Standing Committee, charged with instituting the process for selecting the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, has selected the chairs and members of the Bishop Nominating and Transition committees. The announcements came after the Standing Committee's September 22 meeting.  Heading up the committees that will do the work will be the Reverend Richard Burden, Priest-in-Charge, Church of our Saviour, Richmond, Ky,  who will chair the Nominating Committee, and Mr. Frank Kebbell, a member of St. Michael's Church, Lexington, Ky,  who will lead the Transition Committee. Serving with Burden on the Nominating Committee are The Rev. Laurie Brock, St. Michael's Church, Lexington, Mr. Mark Barnard, Church of the Resurrection, Jessamine County,  Ms. Jane Fitzpatrick, Christ Church, Lexington, The Rev. Phillip Haug, Retired, Richmond, Mr. Steve Obermann, St. Mary's Church, Middlesboro, Mr. Joe O'Brochta, Trinity Church, Covington, The Rev. Margaret Shanks, St. John's Church, Corbin and The Rev. Lauren Villemuer, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington. Serving with Kebbell on the Transition Committee are Mr. Bruce Corey, St. John's Church, Corbin, Ms. Lucy Cox, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington, The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest-in-Charge, St. Phillip's, Harrisburgh, The Rev. Dominic Moore, Curate, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington, Mr. John Wiseman Moore, St. Mary's Church, Middlesboro, The Rev. Jessee Neat, Church of the Ascension, Frankfort, The Rev. Paula Ott, Deacon, Emmanuel Church, Winchester, Ms. Teresa Worten, Church of the Resurrection, Jessamine County and The Rev. Diane Zwick, St. James Church, Prestonsburg. "We had a reasonable  response of people who wanted to serve on the committees," said The Rev. Bob Sessum, Standing Committee president.. "Approximately 40 or so people applied, and unfortunately we can't have that many on the committees. In addition, not every church sent nominations. Our work was to be sure there is balance, and if there wasn't balance it was our task to find that balance and solicit it.  Your Standing Committee is very dedicated and devoted to this process and was unanimous in these appointments."  "We based these appointments on what we knew of their work in the diocese in the past, their commitment, faithfulness, character, experience and ability to lead," he noted. Explaining the responsibilities of each committee, Sessum said that the nominating committee has two major tasks. First, it must develop a profile of the diocese after it has solicited responses from  the clergy and laity to identify "their hopes and dreams for the diocese"  "The profile, which will be sent to dioceses and posted online, is very important because it will establish the qualities of leadership that the diocese is seeking", he noted. The committee also will be responsible for soliciting nominations; interviewing and visiting nominees; and discerning a slate of nominees that will be considered at a special diocesan convention on Saturday,  August 18 for electing a new bishop. The transition committee has two main responsibilities: it organizes the "walk about," a   series of meetings three weeks before the election with the slate of candidates at several locations in the diocese; and it manages the special electing convention, and the transition and reception of the new bishop, including the installation and consecration service. Both committees will meet for the first time at the retreat at Mission House next week on September 30, where they will meet with members of the Standing Committee, and work with the national consultant, The Very Rev. Ron Clingenpeel" consultant, Sessum said, will explain the whole process and help the committees establish the structures and timelines necessary for them to complete their responsibilities". "Basically," he said, "the retreat will set into process the work of the committees." ______________________________________________________________________ The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd 533 East Main Street Lexington, Kentucky 40508 899-252-1744 Email Website