The Diocese of North Carolina has announced a notably young and predominately female slate of nominees to stand for election as Bishop Suffragan:
The Rev. Susan Buchanan, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, North Conway, NH (Diocese of New Hampshire)
The Rev. Canon Amy Real Coultas, Canon Missioner, Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville, KY, and Episcopal Chaplain, University of Louisville Interfaith Center, Louisville, KY (Diocese of Kentucky)
The Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, Vicar, Episcopal Church of the Advocate, Chapel Hill, NC (Diocese of North Carolina)
The Rev. Matthew Heyd, Priest and Director of Faith in Action, Trinity Church Wall Street, New York, NY (Diocese of New York)
The Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Rector, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Durham, NC (Diocese of North Carolina)
In a press release from the Diocese, Bishop Michael Curry said, “We are praying for a Bishop Suffragan who will be a missionary bishop and partner with us as we work to proclaim, live and witness to the gospel of Jesus in the mission context of the new 21st century Galilee.The Nominating Committee has prayerfully identified five priests capable of being just that.”
(Watch Bishop Curry’s video announcement here.)
The press release continues:
The nominees will participate in a visit to the Diocese January 8-12, 2013, during which time they will meet with clergy and participate in three walk-abouts with clergy and lay people of the Diocese. During the walk-abouts, nominees will have time to address those present in a general session and to answer questions in smaller groups.
The Bishop Suffragan election will take place during the 197th Annual Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina January 25-26, 2013, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. The election will be broadcast via livestream video. The consecration of the bishop-elect will take place at the historic Duke Chapel in Durham, NC, on June 15, 2013, with the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori presiding.
Please pray for the nominees and for our Diocese as we go through this important and exciting time in our life together.