Addressing convention delegates in the Diocese of Northern Michigan, convention chaplain Fredrica Harris Thompsett praised the diocese’s plans to focus their bishop search on local needs and “not in the House of Bishops.”

The retired professor of historical theology at Episcopal Divinity School addressed delegates on the theme, “Give us new eyes to envision God’s dream for us” when they met Oct. 17-19 in Marquette.

“One of the great gifts of seeing is that it is best done together,” she told delegates, as reported on the diocese’s website. “If we are going to be asking for new eyes to see God’s dream, we are going to be asking for a lot of eyes.

“What I think is interesting is that you are looking to ground your episcopate in this diocese, and not in the House of Bishops; to respect the House of Bishops, but to be rooted here,” she continued. She emphasized that part of what makes Anglicanism distinctive is the historical episcopate is locally adapted. Ms. Thompsett also said the diversity of practices is part of Anglican tradition, and theology and tradition move through time.

Delegates overwhelmingly approved a resolution affirming the work of the diocese’s Episcopal Ministry Discernment Team, and expressed support for the process they have designed.

That process will culminate in the affirmation and election of a bishop/“ministry developer” and an episcopal ministry support team at a special convention to be held in February. The commissioning and ordination, to be led by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, are planned for next October.

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