Call for the Election of the 10th Bishop of Albany
June 11, 2021
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
It has been almost 8 months since our former bishop announced that he would resign, and it has been almost 6-months since his terminal sabbatical began on January 1st of this year. We have worked hard as a diocesan family and have come a long way in that short time. While we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done, the Standing Committee feels that the diocese is ready to begin the work toward electing the 10th Bishop Diocesan of Albany. Therefore:
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, acting as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, calls for the election of the 10th Bishop Diocesan of Albany.
We anticipate this process will take approximately 18 months. We encourage you to view the video produced by the Standing Committee and found on the Episcopal Transitions page of the diocesan website. This video will give you a helpful overview of the process that will lead to the election of our next bishop. As outlined in the video, this process will be governed by the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, and, in particular, Rule 1a of the Rules of Order of the Convention. All these resources may be viewed on or through the diocesan website.
The process for electing our next bishop will commence with the election of a Profile and Search Committee. The election of the committee will occur in Deanery Convocations which must occur within 30 days of this call for the election of our next bishop. For more information about your Deanery’s convocation please contact your Dean.
Friends, there is much hard work ahead. We encourage every member of the Diocese of Albany to participate in this election process. We also ask you to keep our Diocese, our church, and each other in your prayers. Join us in praying daily our Prayer in a Time of Transition:
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for this, your diocese of Albany. Inspire and sustain us in this time of transition. Incline our hearts to do your will, and so direct us in your ways that the leader you are raising up to be our Bishop will find here joyful disciples, making disciples, united in faith, unflagging in hope, and steeped in mutual charity.
In your mercy, accept our repentance, and grant us peace; look with patience on our enthusiasms; and pour rich gifts and grace upon all who are entrusted with the ongoing work of your church; so that, with diligence and charity, we may discern correctly and walk righteously in your ways.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany
The Rev. Scott Garno, president
Janet Papa, secretary
The Rev. Kathy Alonge-Coons
Christopher Cassidy
John Hyde
Jean Stevens Lauria
The Rev. Tom Malionek
Teresa Mumby
The Rev. David Ousley
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Papazoglakis
The Rev. Derik Roy
Sue Ellen Ruetsch
