Regarding Transitions: A Letter to the People of West Texas

From The Rt. Rev. David Reed, Bishop of West Texas

Dear Friends in Christ,

Grace to you and peace in this joyful Eastertide!

I write to inform you that on Monday, April 25, I met with the diocesan Standing Committee to notify them officially of my intention to retire during the latter part of 2023. I informed the diocesan staff, the Executive Board, and the clergy of West Texas yesterday.

My retirement (the technical term for bishops is “resignation”) is more than a year away, so this is not my farewell. But this announcement allows the Diocese to begin the fairly lengthy process of preparing and holding the election of my successor, and then celebrating the consecration of our new Bishop.

The Standing Committee is given responsibility to plan and oversee the nominating and electing process. In mid-May of this year, and in collaboration with the Standing Committee, I will call for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor, and we will announce the date and the place of the election. We are working on the process and will provide more information as it develops.

As is my custom, I’ll have plenty more to say later. For now, know that Patti and I love you and love the Diocese of West Texas. We are so thankful for the many ways that the Spirit has joined our lives to yours. I love this ministry that you have entrusted to me. I still look forward to going to work, and the great majority of days are good days. I am not burned out or fed up or mad or sick or fleeing scandal. I have not been defeated by the pandemic. It is simply time for the Diocese and for me to begin preparing for what comes next.

I turned 65 last month. Next July 1, I will have served 40 blessed years in the ordained ministry of our Church and 17 years as a bishop. It’s getting to be time. But it’s too soon for goodbyes. In the classic words of Monty Python, “I’m not dead yet.” There is still much that the Lord has given us to do together, and so tomorrow, I’ll get up again and head out into God’s beautiful mission field, looking forward to being with you.

God bless you, and God bless the Diocese of West Texas!

Love in the Risen Lord,

David Reed
Bishop of West Texas

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Would you like to share this letter with others in your congregation? Send them a link to read it on the diocesan blog, at www.dwtx.org/blog, or click here to save a printable document.