BISHOP SEARCH

MEET AND GREET

The Transition Committee for our Bishop Search have been called to accompany the candidates on the final steps of their journeys, and to plan and orchestrate the ordination, consecration and seating of the Bishop Coadjutor of Maryland.

We ask that you refrain from direct engagement with the candidates themselves. Any questions you have for the candidates can be directed to the Transition Committee at transition@episcopalmaryland.org for use at the meet and greets.

 

Meet and Greets with the candidates will take place March 8-11, 2023 across our diocese:

Wednesday, 8 March 2023
Monocacy Hall, Claggett Center and virtually via Zoom | 7:30-9:30 PM
Panel Style Forum with questions submitted by in-person attendees and online.

Thursday, 9 March 2023
Emmanuel Parish, Cumberland | 5:30-7:30 PM
Candidates will meet individually with small groups for questions.

Friday, 10 March 2023
St. James’, Lothian | 6:30-8:30 PM
Candidates will meet individually with small groups for questions.

Saturday, 11 March 2023
Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore and livestreaming on YouTube | 1:00-3:00 PM  
Panel Style Forum with questions submitted by the audience.

Watch the recording of the meet and greet with our candidates for Bishop Coadjutor at the Claggett Center, March 8, 2023. Thank you to the Claggett Center for hosting our first meet and greet.


Watch the recording of the meet and greet with our candidates for Bishop Coadjutor at Emmanuel, Cumberland, March 9, 2023. Thank you to Emmanuel for hosting our second meet and greet.


Watch the recording of the meet and greet with our candidates for Bishop Coadjutor at St. James’, Lothian, March 10, 2023. Thank you to the St. James’ for hosting our third meet and greet.


Meet and greet with our candidates for Bishop Coadjutor at Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore, March 11, 2023. Thank you to Redeemer for hosting our fourth meet and greet.

 

 

The Rev. Dr. Mark Gatza offers and introduction to our bishop candidate meet and greets scheduled
for March 8 – 11
(see schedule above on this page).

BISHOP CANDIDATE VIDEO INTERVIEWS

Congregational Vitality: Across the country, and in the Diocese of Maryland, The Episcopal Church is experiencing declining attendance. Congregations must examine their resources and some must make tough decisions. How would you, as Bishop, balance the support of creative mission work and respect for traditional spaces and their maintenance? How do you ensure the involvement of all stakeholders in these decisions?

Human Sexuality: The Episcopal Church has experienced a great deal of conflict surrounding questions of human sexuality. Although we are generally a progressive church, some of our LGBTQ+ siblings experience acceptance, and some clergy have experienced discrimination in searches. At the same time, there are people in our Diocese who hold a more traditional view of human sexuality, among them clergy who are concerned about being excluded from searches or even forced out of ministry. Do you agree with the “Communion Across Difference” approach that General Convention is currently taking, or will you work to move us in a different direction?

Trust/Integrity/Morale – Supporting Church Communion and Community: Describe how you would intentionally cultivate healthy relationships with clergy and laity, at the diocesan and congregational levels. How would you support spiritual and emotional health for both?

Please choose one of the following and discuss:

  1. How do you engage in continuing theological education? What have you read or studied lately that has been meaningful or important to you?
  2. What is your daily devotional practice?
  3. Going back into the history of the Diocese of Maryland, which of the previous bishops of Maryland resonates with you and why?
  4. What have you done in your role in the Church, either as clergy or lay person, to address all the cliche jokes about “Whiskeypalians”?
  5. How would you answer in a few sentences a question from an unchurched person on why you are a Christian and why you belong to the “Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement?”
  6. Please tell us a little story about a ministry that surprised and delighted you to be part of.

 

 

The Rev. Dr. Mark Gatza, rector, Emmanuel, Bel Air, and co-chair of the Transition Committee introduces us to the work of the Transition Committee and the next steps in our Bishop Search process in the video below.
January 2023

VIDEOS ABOUT OUR DIOCESE

Trail of Souls: A Journey Toward Truth and Transformation

The Rev. Karen Mercer talks about mission and ministry
at Holy Nativity, Pimlico

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DIOCESE

Visit our virtual exhibit booth from the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church!