As you might be aware, Bishop Stokes is retiring in June of this year, and the Diocese of New Jersey has been engaged in the prayerful process to call a new bishop. A committee was formed last year, composed of clergy and lay from every geographical area of the diocese, to search for a slate of qualified candidates to stand for election. They have put together a diverse slate of five candidates—you can look at the candidates, read their responses to questions, listen to some of their sermons, and find other information on them here.

The election will take place on January 28th. Every ordained person in the Diocese of New Jersey is eligible to vote, and each congregation of the diocese is given spots for three elected laity to vote. Our lay electors, which were elected by St Mark’s at the Annual Parish Meeting last January, are: Martha Heiner, Doug Post, and Jim Lunny. After going through the materials of the candidates, if you have something to share, or if you have a preference for a particular candidate, you can let one or more of these electors know.

Additionally, there are some upcoming dates where all the candidates will come together in New Jersey to talk about themselves and their ministries, and to answer any questions the people of the diocese have. All of those dates and places can be found here, but of most interest to those of us in the “north” of the diocese—they will be at St Luke’s in Gladstone 6:30–8:30PM on January 12.

In this time of transition, please keep the diocese, Bishop Stokes, and all the candidates and their families in your prayers.