November 7, 2026
My friends in Christ,
Last night, over 200 members of the diocese gathered for Eucharist followed by a delightful reception hosted by the good people of St Timothy’s Cathedral.
Today, your clergy and lay delegates elected The Rt. Rev. Paul Donison as the second bishop of the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast in an overwhelming fashion. Simultaneously, the parishes of the Great Plains Missionary District have voted to join the Diocese. Transition work will begin immediately on necessary changes to governance, constitution and canons, and budgeting.
A change to our disciplinary canons was also approved to meet provincial requirements and the canons were reordered to accommodate these changes. A temporary 2027 budget was also approved. We began the day with Morning Prayer and a keynote speech from the Rev. Canon Tony Melton reminding us to keep mission the main thing by raising up new leaders and by planting churches. Not only did Canon Tony inspire us, but he also set the tone for the rest of synod.
As your interim bishop, I have named Bishop Paul “bishop in charge” and I will serve him and you as an episcopal consultant until his seating as diocesan bishop in February. A formal announcement will be issued after the College of Bishops approves his election. I ask your prayers for Bishop Paul and all those who will be assisting him in this transition for the diocese.
Finally I want to thank the clergy and delegates for giving up their time to represent each of you in the councils of the Church. I am leaving this synod with great joy and a new hope for the days to come for this diocese and for each of your congregations. We are in fact one church with one mission.
Because He lives,
Bishop Ryan Reed