Update on candidate for provisional bishop

Among the tasks facing delegates to the November 14 diocesan convention will be electing a new provisional bishop.

When Bishop Gulick was elected at the February 7 Special Meeting of the Diocesan Convention, he was chosen by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and presented to us for election because the diocese had no bishop or Standing Committee, all having left the Episcopal Church.

This time the diocese has a Standing Committee, which by canon is the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese when there is no bishop and is the body that bears the responsibility for choosing the replacement for Bishop Gulick. They have done so in consultation with the presiding bishop and her office.

In general, the process has been that the Standing Committee shared the names of potential candidates with the presiding bishop’s office. After a consensus developed, the Standing Committee participated in a conference call with the candidate. If that was a positive experience, the candidate was invited to a face-to-face interview with the Standing Committee.

When a consensus was reached on the final nominee, the Standing Committee notified the presiding bishop and Bishop Gulick. Now details are being worked out, including confidential conversations with the nominee to bring him up to date on litigation. Additionally, the candidate has to have time to make various adjustments in his work schedule.

The illness of Bishop Gulick’s father and the bishop’s absence to deal with family issues naturally delayed some of this. Happily, Edwin Gulick Sr. is home from the hospital and doing well.

The announcement of the candidate’s name will be made at least two weeks before the diocesan convention. He will preach at All Saints Episcopal Church Fort Worth on Sunday, November 1 on All Saints Day at both the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services. A reception at St. Christopher Episcopal Church at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13 will offer another opportunity for people to meet him.