Reflection On Lenten Study

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our Lenten Study is in full swing. We have completed the second online class and many of our congregations are offering the course in person as well. It has proven to be a very positive learning experience for the participants. We are learning about the role of bishops in the church and preparing for the opportunity to welcome our next bishop in the best way possible.

We have already learned many important things in this time together. In our most recent online session, we were happy to learn about the financial strategy of our diocese, which has prudently managed our investments and allowed us to benefit from an endowment that is approaching a value of twenty million dollars. This allows us to provide for many ministries in local congregations through grants, and in other ways. In the in-person course at Church of Our Saviour, DuBois, where I am vicar, people were surprised to learn that the canons only require a bishop to visit a congregation every three years. Generally, in a diocese of our size, we are used to seeing the bishop more often. There have been many other learnings, and the Search Committee hopes many more will follow.

We are entering an exciting and spirit-filled new season in the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In the words of one of the participants in the online course, “We need to refrain from the adage: ‘We’ve never done it that way before.’” The Holy Spirit is calling us to a season of openness and growth, where we can generously welcome our next bishop and build a loving relationship with them. There are so many blessings waiting for us, and I am filled with hope for our diocese as we engage in this crucial and holy work.

So, please participate in the Lenten Study, either in your congregations or online. Please continue to pray for the Search Committee and the candidates who are discerning God’s will, for the delegates and clergy who will be called to listen carefully to the Holy Spirit in our upcoming episcopal election, and for the whole diocese as we enter this season
of hope and renewal, guided by the Holy Spirit.

On behalf of the Bishop Search Committee,

The Rev. Timothy Kroh