Slate of five candidates: The Rev. Frank Allen, Rector, St. David’s Wayne, PA; The Rev. Canon Daniel Gutierrez, Canon to the Ordinary Diocese of the Rio Grande; The Rev. Canon John Harmon, Rector, Trinity Church Washington; The Rev. Martha Macgill, Rector, Emmanuel Cumberland, Md; The Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe, Bishop of Kansas
January 28, 2016
A Letter from the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
On Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the Standing Committee met with the Bishop Search and Nominating Committee and had the privilege to receive their report and discuss their discerned recommendations. The Standing Committee unanimously accepted their recommendations and is honored to present the following slate of five candidates for the Bishop Diocesan of Pennsylvania.
- The Rev. W. Frank Allen, Rector, St. David’s Church, Wayne, Pennsylvania, Diocese of Pennsylvania
- The Rev. Canon Daniel G.P. Gutierrez, Canon to the Ordinary, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief of Staff, Diocese of the Rio Grande, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- The Rev. Canon John T.W. Harmon, Rector, Trinity Church Washington, D.C., Diocese of Washington
- The Rev. Martha N. Macgill, Rector, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cumberland, Maryland, Diocese of Maryland
- The Rt. Rev. Dean E. Wolfe, IX Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and Vice-President of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church
We want to express our gratitude for the extraordinary commitment to prayer, dialogue, and faithful discernment undertaken by our Bishop Search/Nominating Committee. For nearly one year they have worked tirelessly in order to discern and present a group of people that they are confident would be wonderful and appropriately gifted candidates to serve as our next Bishop. We believe they understood very well our strengths and heritage, and also recognized the very real challenges that face us in a time of rapid changes and emerging issues. We likewise believe they have faithfully communicated the same to these candidates, and have discerned in them the requisite gifts for leading the Diocese and participating in the councils of the church in the years to come.
We encourage the people of the Diocese of Pennsylvania to undertake these upcoming weeks of discernment with the same commitment to prayer, dialogue, and consideration of the needs of the entire Diocese.
We are grateful to all those who offered themselves in discernment as possible candidates. While we do not know the identities of these scores of individuals, we do know that each of them provided valued perspectives that enriched the process of discernment for the Search/Nominating Committee.
We also express profound thanks to all the members of our diocesan family who have taken part in surveys, re-membering conversations, and holy dialogue over the past years. You have provided critical information and context to our Search/Nominating committee and to these candidates. Bishop Daniel has offered unfailing support, attentiveness to the ongoing needs of the Diocese, and graciousness in a time of change. The Diocesan staff has provided information, support, and commitment to the ministries of the Diocese with professionalism and good humor.
The Electing/Transition team has worked very hard over the past year to prepare for this day and for the many events that lie ahead, including the introduction of the candidates to the Diocese, the week of discernment when the candidates will visit the Diocese, the Call (Election) Convention, the service of gratitude for Bishop Daniel, the introduction of the Bishop-elect to the Diocese and various transition needs, and the service of ordination. Be sure to visit this website diopabishopsearch.com frequently for more information on the candidates, as well as the dates and specifics of the various gatherings and services.
This is an exciting time for our Diocese and we are grateful for your continued discernment, prayer, and participation. Please pray that all of us will be inspired by the Holy Spirit to discern clearly whom God is calling to be our next Bishop and to work with her/him to joyfully continue the “Jesus Movement” in the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Rev. Kathryn Andonian, President Mr. Mac McCausland, Vice-President The Rev. Hillary Raining, Secretary Ms. Debora Brown The Rev. Elizabeth Colton Ms. Jane Cosby The Rev. Sean Mullen Ms. Pat Smith Mr. George Vosburgh The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield
