Biographical information about the four to six finalists posted online at bishopsearch@edow.org.

 

The announcement will follow an approximately year-long process, during which members of the Search and Nominating Committee prepared a profile to “sell” the diocese to potential leaders and met with numerous parishioners to discern and describe the desired qualities sought in the next bishop.

In mid-January, 13 candidates travelled to the Diocese of Washington for two and a half days to take part in a retreat with the 18-member Search Committee.

 

“The intent was to make sure this was as inclusionary a process as possible,” said committee chairman Gerry Perez. “That way, everybody got to meet them. There was no filtered information.”

The decision to bring the candidates to Washington also was cost-effective,  he said, explaining that in some dioceses teams of two or three people are sent to meet the candidates where they live and then report back to the Search Committee.

 

During their visit, the candidates were able to enjoy some social time with committee members and some focused time in small groups, where they were asked to discuss a series of questions on leadership, spirituality, theology and vision.

 

“Everybody on the committee was able to have one or two encounters on one of those subjects with every candidate,” Perez said.

 

Prayer was an important component of the gathering, and the Rev. Nathan Humphrey was chosen to serve as chapel coordinator.

 

“It was decided that the full complement of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, Eucharist and Compline would frame our formal conversations and informal social time,” Humphrey wrote in a report on the shape of the retreat liturgies. “In addition to the chapel, a quiet room was set aside with icons, a Bible and spiritual classics. Kneelers, floor pillows, rosaries and Anglican prayer beads were also provided. … It was very much intended that the quiet room and chapel would together provide a quiet, regular ‘heartbeat’ of corporate and individual prayer throughout the retreat.”

 

Liturgies were led by committee members, “with lay people officiating at the offices and ordained members only stepping in when functions were reserved to the clergy or extra help was needed,” Humphrey wrote, noting that the Friday Compline was held in Spanish. “Candidates were intentionally not put on the spot to lead anything, as the chapel was intended to be a spiritual refuge from the pressure to ‘perform.’ The only liturgical role the candidates were pressed into was that of sharing the intercessory biddings at the two celebrations of the Eucharist.”

 

A guest speaker, John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, was invited to describe “the dynamics and politics” of life in the metropolitan Washington area. And as the final piece of the gathering, the candidates were asked to present a “self-revealing piece” – a sermon, reflection or some personal insight they had gained.

 

“We really did get a good sense of their personalities, how they interacted with others,” Perez said. “Now we’re talking about which candidates resonated the best with us.”

 

At press time, the committee had winnowed its list to eight candidates as a result of the January retreat. Reference and background checks are now under way, and the committee expects to eliminate up to four more candidates during this process.

 

“We continue to meet to discuss this on a weekly basis,” Perez said, adding that he is pleased with the way the search process has unfolded so far. “I think the group has worked very hard, very faithfully. There’s a tremendous build up of trust through the group, and I think we’re ahead of schedule in terms of coming to a good slate.”

 

The eight candidates currently under consideration “have a host of diverse talents and skills,” he added. “Any one would be a good choice.”

 

“I am amazed at how 18 people from all sorts of backgrounds and from all sorts of churches have come together and worked together so well,” wrote committee member Anne-Marie Jeffery. “I love how honest and direct we can be with each other. I don't think anyone is shy about putting forward their opinion and that is a gift.”

 

The retreat’s format was so well received that other dioceses, including the Diocese of Nebraska, are choosing to use it as a model, Perez said.

 

“I feel that we have created a great model of procedure for any search committee, and a stellar model of interviewing in the weekend retreat,” wrote committee member Erika Gilmore.

 

“The process invited all participants to enter with a sense of openness and grace that lead to a very spiritual and revealing exercise,” wrote committee member Cecily Thorne. “Where this formula succeeded was in creating an atmosphere where all participants had the chance to get to know each other at a very human level.”

 

In late May, members of the diocese will have an opportunity to meet the nominees in person during a series of “Walkabouts” (see sidebar). The ninth Bishop of Washington will be elected at a special convention on June 18.