Dear Friends in Christ,
I want to begin this month’s letter by repeating some important information about the upcoming Electing Convention.
The Electing Convention for the Ninth Bishop of Rochester will take place in the Vandervort Room of the Scandling Center at Hobart William Smith Colleges on Saturday, February 24, 2024. A Continental Breakfast will be available from 8:00 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. The snow date for the Electing Convention is March 2, 2024.
There will be just one item of business, which will be the casting of ballots for the election.
The day will begin with Holy Eucharist. The Standing Committee will present the slate of nominees. The Convention will vote until a single candidate receives a simple majority in both the clergy and lay orders on the same ballot. The Bishop Elect may then greet us. Before leaving, every voter must sign the Certificate of Election.
Registration for clerical and lay delegates is done online. If you can, please take a moment to complete the Clerical RSVP Registration Form and the Lay Delegates Registration Form. If your parish will elect your delegates at your upcoming annual meeting, please register your delegates as soon as possible.
Additional instructions for the Electing Convention will be distributed in late January. Please be alert to them and inform your delegates. Questions about the Electing Convention voting process can be addressed to Kristy Estey.
The Nominees for Bishop will tour the diocese to meet the people of the diocese January 23 - 27, 2024. Although a stop is planned in every District, please know that you are welcome at any gathering. Please attend the one most convenient for you. The Transition Committee hopes that as many folks as possible will be able to meet the Nominees. More information can be found on the Bishop Search website. Questions may be addressed to the Transition Committee.
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Switching gears, I want to thank you for your generous support of El Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. The hospital is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and cares for all comers regardless of religion. With gifts from the Council, the McKelvey Fund, and from many of you, the Diocese has contributed upwards of $20,000.
The hospital was badly damaged this week during fighting around the hospital, but continues to support patients with a skeleton staff. The Diocese of Jerusalem is continuing to do what it can for the sick and the suffering. The Bishop of Jerusalem has asked us to call for an immediate ceasefire, and I invite you to be in touch with our legislative leaders to share your concerns. And, I invite your continued support through gifts to Episcopal Relief and Development. In this season of our expectation of the coming of the Prince of Peace, peace must be in our actions as well as our hearts.
May God grant you the blessing of peace in this season and always.
Bishop Steve
