Discerning Together: Invitation to Submit Questions for Bishop Coadjutor Nominees
Beloved People of the Diocese of West Texas,
What an amazing and exciting time it is for all of us!
The process of calling a Bishop Coadjutor that we began together in the spring has shifted into a time of public discernment with our nominees. The next phase of this diocesan-wide process is for our nominees to talk directly with you all, responding to questions at the Discernment Forums in Harlingen (Jan. 27), Corpus Christi (Jan. 28), and San Antonio (Jan. 29). This is where you come in!
During each forum, moderators will pose questions compiled from the ideas, thoughts, and questions sent in before the events. The forums will not include live questions from those assembled, and so the Standing Committee needs you to submit the questions you have for our nominees before Sunday, January 22.
The Standing Committee, along with the Bishop Nominating Committee, will assemble the questions submitted by the diocese to create our forums as a place for the nominees to articulate their visions for ministry, their hopes, and their strengths as we discern who is being called to serve as our next Bishop. Just like the diocesan profile, which was expertly crafted by the Executive Board, the forums will be built upon the ideas and thoughts that you contribute.
Please send your questions for the nominees to the Standing Committee before Sunday, January 22, at dwtxdiscernment2023@gmail.com. And make plans to join us at one of the forums; the format and questions will be the same at all three.
As we take these next important steps leading to the election on February 18, at the conclusion of Council 2023, I am grateful to serve as the President of the Standing Committee, and so grateful to be a part of this amazing diocese. Continue to pray for all of our nominees, their families, and for the movement of the Holy Spirit in the Diocese of West Texas. God bless each and every one of you.
Peace,
Ben+
The Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson
President of the Standing Committee
Click here to share your questions.
Discernment Forums
Three Discernment Forums will take place January 27 - 29, 2023 in Harlingen, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio. The forums will be open for anyone in the Diocese to attend as one of several ways to get to know the slate of nominees. The final one in San Antonio will be accessible online via livestream and released as a recording afterwards.
Rio Grande Valley
January 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
1417 E Austin Avenue
Harlingen, TX 78550
Coastal Bend
January 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
700 S Upper Broadway
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
San Antonio
January 29, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.*
St. Thomas Episcopal Church & School
1416 N Loop 1604 E
San Antonio, TX 78232
*Viewable online, via livestream at dwtx.org/bishop-election.
Submit questions for the nominees by January 22; email them to the Standing Committee at dwtxdiscernment2023@gmail.com.
Meet the Nominees
- Click here to read the Meet the Nominees online.
- Click here to save the Meet the Nominees as a PDF.
Nominee Introduction Video
- Click here to view a ten-minute introduction video from the slate of nominees.
More Information
- Read prior communications from the Standing Committee
- View the Diocesan Profile online.
- Visit the Bishop Election web-page.
Timeline for Electing Next Diocesan Bishop
October 2022
Nomination Process closes; Nominating Committee conducts interviews of nominees and makes reference calls; background checks conducted
November 1, 2022
Nominating Committee invites selected nominees to Discernment Retreat
November 14-17, 2022
Discernment Retreat - Nominating Committee and Consultant on retreat with selected nominees
December 18, 2022
Final slate of nominees for Bishop Coadjutor published
January 27-29, 2023
Discernment Forums will take place at St. Alban's, Harlingen (1/27), in Corpus Christi (1/28), and at St. Thomas, San Antonio (1/29) with opportunity to attend at least one forum via livestream
February 18, 2023
Election of a Bishop Coadjutor at the conclusion of Diocesan Council in Corpus Christi
July 8, 2023
Consecration of the Bishop-Elect
A Prayer for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, you have called us to a life-giving fellowship in the Diocese of West Texas: Encourage and build up in us the love of Christ Jesus that we might continue to strengthen the legacy of those who have tended and led this diocese with godly courage; look graciously upon us and on your whole Church; by your Spirit, guide the Standing Committee, the delegates, and the clergy who shall discern the one you call to be a bishop for our diocese; send us a faithful shepherd who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
Bishop Nominating Committee
The Standing Committee Members
President - the Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio
Mrs. Nancy Beauchamp, Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi
The Rev. Scott Brown, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio
Dr. Liz Manning, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs
Mr. Richard Mosty, St. Peter’s, Kerrville
The Rev. Matthew Wise, St. Mark’s, San Antonio
The Assisting Members
Mrs. Thurma Hilton, St. Richard’s, Round Rock
The Rev. Alex Holloway, St. Margaret’s, San Antonio
The Rev. John Inserra, St. Alban’s, Harlingen
Ms. Andrea Knight, Resurrection, Windcrest
The Rev. Karen Morris, Emmanuel, Lockhart
The Rev. Arnoldo Romero, St. James, Del Rio
