Episcopal Diocese of Rochester
Joy in Christ, a way of life

Bishop's Writings

Clergy Leadership Resource Reallocation Strategy Update

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

October, 2019

Dear friends, 

Thank you for the outpouring of prayer for my mother and our family!
 

Last month I announced my Clergy Leadership Resource Reallocation Strategy and

promised more information on these significant changes that I have made as Bishop. My decisions followed my sense of how to organize ourselves to optimize our help across the Diocese, 

Read more »

Inductions, Ordinations, callings, transitions, and appointments

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Published September 2019

Dear saints,

Life is full of transitions and we know this well in the church because lay and clergy leaders move for various reasons. We had four clergy leaders leave this summer to take new cures in other parts of the church. While this was sad, we are also delighted to bless the larger church and to welcome clergy leaders to take their place in new cures among us.

We rejoice in a fountain of Induction ceremonies as we seat Rectors to affirm and bless the discerned community visions with their lay leaders!

Read more »

Clergy Leadership Resource Reallocation Strategy Effective: 10/1/2019

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Published September, 2019

Dear friends, 

We are a small diocese in terms of both the number of worshipping communities and the average size of our congregations. More than 75% of our congregations are Family Size churches with Average Sunday Attendance of less than 75. 

While we may be a small diocese by these measures, we are blessed with some incredibly talented clergy, and collectively we now have greater clarity about what it takes to grow and develop congregations spiritually, numerically and in missional leadership. 

Read more »

Safe Church Training

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Published September, 2019

Dear saints,
In light of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester's announcement to file for bankruptcy, I write to address the serious issue of sexual harassment and assault, which is a sin. The sin lies solely on the perpetrator. Such behavior fails to respect the inherent dignity of each person as created in the image of God. However, 

Read more »