Standing Committee Statement on Bishop Transition Process

July 19, 2024

In light of Bishop David’s formal retirement announcement last month, we have an opportunity to reflect on the Diocese of San Joaquin’s many past accomplishments during his tenure as well as opportunities for the future.

So many wonderful changes have occurred under Bishop David’s leadership. The Diocese of San Joaquin has transformed from a fortified island isolated from The Episcopal Church to an inclusive community that is integrated in all facets of the church. Long-time parishioners who were marginalized by past leadership are now fully integrated in church life and involved in leadership themselves. Furthermore, our diocese is now spreading God’s love and justice via commissions dedicated to creation care, anti-racism and immigrant support. Truly, there is much to celebrate.

Looking ahead, we find ourselves in new territory with the Bishop’s pending retirement in 2026 and the election of a new bishop. As our Chancellor Michael Glass is quick to remind us, this will be the first time this diocese has had a bishop’s search and election in about forty years. In that vein, we recognize some folks may be feeling nervous about what lies ahead. After all, change is hard, and anxiety is understandable, particularly for a diocese like this one, which has endured so much past trauma during the “Great Schism.”

At the same time, we can take solace in the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” As the diocese looks ahead to a future bishop’s election, we as the Standing Committee strive to foster a Spirit-led process—not guided by self-serving or political motivations, but instead furthering God’s vision for this diocese as we are continually transformed into the Beloved Community that we are called to be.

This will require creating an inclusive process that gives voice to all members of the diocese. It will also entail updating and clarifying our diocesan canon for elections. We as the Standing Committee want to be transparent and are committed to making sure this process adheres to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and those of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.

In that vein, here is a list of what to expect in the days and months ahead:

• First, the Standing Committee is coordinating with Holy Cow! Consulting to create an online survey that will gather input from parishioners about the qualities they would like to see in a new bishop. Holy Cow! has worked with various other dioceses during their transition processes in the past. In early August, members of the diocese will receive an email from Holy Cow! containing the survey. This email is not spam, so please respond to the questions. (Surveys will also be provided in Spanish.) We ask that someone from each congregation help fellow parishioners complete surveys at church if parishioners don’t have access to a computer at home or otherwise have difficulty completing the online survey. The goal of the survey and planned upcoming listening sessions (see below) is to incorporate your feedback into a profile of the diocese, our vision for the future, and the leadership qualities we seek in a new bishop. Holy Cow! will interpret the survey results and provide a report that will be shared with the Standing Committee and then shared with the diocese at large.
   

• Listening sessions will be offered in the fall, allowing members of the diocese to provide personal feedback about the bishop’s search and what they would like to see in a new bishop. There will be three in-person listening sessions (one for each deanery) as well as a virtual listening session that will be offered via Zoom.
   

• A search committee will be selected following the diocesan convention’s ratification of our new election canon. Search committee members will be chosen and announced after diocesan convention in November 2024.
   

• A call will go out to the larger church in December 2024, notifying the wider church that the Diocese of San Joaquin is in search of a bishop. The position will be posted on Episcopal News Service’s “Jobs and Calls” site.
   

• The search committee will review applications during the first quarter of 2025 and select top candidates.
   

• Top candidates will do walkabouts throughout the diocese during the early summer of 2025, providing an opportunity for members of the diocese to interact with candidates and ask questions of them. 
   

• The Election for a new bishop will take place during diocesan convention in fall 2025.
   

• Bishop David will officially retire sometime around March 2026, followed by the consecration and installation of the new bishop.

Truly, the next year and a half will feel like a whirlwind. Having said that, we’re excited to see how the Holy Spirit will guide this process. We’ve come such a long way during this past decade. From a diocese in recovery, we have gone to thriving on many levels. Looking ahead, we trust that God will do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” if we are open to the work of the Spirit.

So join us on this adventure! Please, be in prayer about this process, and keep an eye out for the Holy Cow! survey later this month. Be sure to attend the listening sessions later this year and other sessions related to the transition process. We’re all in this together, and we need your input to ensure an inclusive process as we move into the future.   

EDSJ Standing Committee:

Rev. Toni Alvarez 

Rev. Rebecca Blair

Jennifer Brock

Linda Masztal

Jonathan Partridge

Cindy Smith 

Rev. Suzy Ward, President