Invited to participate

The most significant part of our outreach spending as a congregation goes to support the ministry of Diocese of North Carolina. This includes our two Bishops, chaplains at the various campus ministries, Episcopal Farmworker’s ministry, mission congregations, and the selection and training of new deacons and priests. The diocese joins with the other dioceses to support the work of national church, known as The Episcopal Church in the United States (which also includes 14 independent countries, for example Honduras and Haiti) to support for example, the Presiding Bishop, development of Faith Formation resources, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and our Global Mission Partners. 

The current Presiding Bishop is The Right Reverend Michael Curry, formerly Bishop of North Carolina, known and beloved by many of you. His term ends in the summer of 2024 when General Convention (the governing body of the national church which meets every three years) will elect the next presiding bishop. 

You are invited to make your voice heard by participating in a survey to develop a profile of the skills, qualities, and gifts the church needs in its next presiding bishop. Your input will help shape what the church (and even the world) may look like in the next decade. The survey can be found online here in English, French, and Spanish. The deadline for completion is Oct. 31.

Episcopal Church canons (1.2.4) define the presiding bishop as the church’s chief pastor and primate (leader), with duties that include the following:

  • Initiating and developing church policies, strategies and programs as authorized by the General Convention, and speaking for the church about that mission and ministry.
  • Speaking God’s words to The Episcopal Church and to the world.
  • Presiding over meetings of the House of Bishops.
  • Representing The Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion.
  • Serving as president of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the name under which the church is incorporated, conducts business, and carries out its mission. 

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and asks respondents to define the most important issues facing The Episcopal Church and the world in the next 10 years. Participants are also asked to rank the importance of particular areas of experience for the presiding bishop to have. There is also an open section for additional feedback. 

The nominating committee plans to release the profile for the next presiding bishop in the spring of 2023. View the committee roster. For more information, contact the committee at pb28@episcopalchurch.org. You can follow the committee on the following social media sites:

Take a few minutes to put your mouth where your money is!

Blessings,

Nancy+