Dear Ones,

I want to begin by thanking those who attended our clergy day on Wednesday, May 13. I am aware that we all live busy and demanding lives. Conflicts are unavoidable and life can intervene. However, it was clear that those who could attend did. The fruit of your investment was a robust conversation about matters central to our common life. I am grateful.

To summarize ever so briefly what I sensed of our conversation, I offer the following:

Future Church:

I shared with you the work in area four that has occurred thus far. After more than fifteen meetings, the six churches have recognized that a gathering of 25-30 from the assembled congregations will not be able to develop an adaptive, future-oriented mission structure. Thus, a six person working group is striving to create a single proposal. In area four, there are four congregations that are aided by the diocese. Some of those four are in particularly brittle circumstances. The reality is that the current model, even with diocesan aid, is not sustainable. It is a distinct possibility that even this smaller working group will not be able to come to an agreement on a single proposal and it may be necessary for me to articulate a plan and move forward.

One of the learnings of this process is that it is very difficult for systems to change themselves. As we consider our necessary work of reimagining and restructuring the church for 21st century mission, it seems that we will have to have a healthy combination of collaborative work and episcopal leadership.

As you may remember, our diocesan convention considered and passed a resolution that asked me to appoint area deans. I really appreciate the conversation on Wednesday about this resolution. I am aware that the mission areas and the area missioners that I have appointed are working at varying levels. Some expressed a desire for deans to enhance clergy connections and collegiality; others seemed to not see this as necessary. In general, I do not think it will be widely appreciated for me to appoint clergy peers to be the agents of collegiality. However, it might be helpful for you to do so. So, after this conversation, it is my intention to ask the senior rector or vicar in each area to call for a caucus of area clergy between now and the Diocesan Convention in November. Each caucus will nominate a peer to be area dean for the next two years. Because of size, I ask that Areas 6 and 7 combine to caucus and choose one dean. We will provide clergy lists to the conveners to facilitate the calling of a caucus. After two years, we will evaluate the effectiveness of this ministry to see if it should continue.

I suggested that there were four critical issues coming before this General Convention:

* TREC Report and various enabling resolutions. The TREC report (Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church) is proposing major changes in the wider church structure including a unicameral legislature, a smaller Executive Council and fewer deputies.

* Marriage: There are canonical changes being offered to redefine marriage to affect marriage equality.

* The next triennial budget. The budget is always a major strategic document. This budget telegraphs the degree to which the church is changing, or not.

* The election of the next presiding bishop. The nominees are Tom Briedenthal, Michael Curry, Ian Douglas, and Dabney Smith. It is noteworthy that two have been keynote convention speakers (Curry and Douglas) and one (Briedenthal) has led a clergy conference.

I encourage you and your congregants to review the materials on the General Convention website: www.generalconvention.org. I welcome any input you have for me or the deputation.

Finally, what I sensed, and you articulated, was a desire to have similar days for conversation and consultation about matters of importance. Indeed, I continue to note the great value and joy that comes from simply being together. On Wednesday, that joy was facilitated by Willy Crespo and the folks of St. Timothy's-thank you!

Over the next two weeks, I will meet with Joseph Dirbas, who chairs CEFCOM, to work out initial plans for three days in the fall, winter and spring. As your colleagues are asking that we make these dates, given in advance, a priority, I ask that of you as well.

Blessings to you in your ministry and in your walk with Christ.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes

Bishop