[Episcopal Church in Colorado] The Rev. Kimberly (Kym) Lucas was chosen as the 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Colorado during its 131st Annual Convention held at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver on Oct. 27.

The Rev. Kym Lucas

One of two candidates, Lucas was elected on the fourth ballot, receiving 124 of 173 clergy votes and 237 of 306 lay votes. In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive two-thirds votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately as orders in the same balloting round. The second ballot was invalid due to a reporting error after the announcement of the first ballot. The other candidate was The Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, canon to the ordinary of the Episcopal Church in Colorado.

Lucas has served as rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., since January 2012. Previously, she was the rector of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, from 2005 to 2011.

Notified her of the election results, Lucas said:

“I am both amazed and thrilled that the Holy Spirit has called us to minister together! The Episcopal Church in Colorado is an extraordinary and unique branch of the Jesus Movement. I enjoyed the short time I was able to spend in each region, and I look forward spending more time with you, getting to know one another, and discerning how God will use our gifts to proclaim Christ’s kingdom. The next few months will be full for me as my family and I plan our transition, but know that I am eager to be with you. Your confidence and love humble me, and I pray that I will be a faithful steward of both as your bishop.”

Woodliff-Stanley, in response to the election, extended a message of gratitude to the diocese and prayers for Bishop-Elect Lucas:

“Beloved Community, Amada Comunidad,

“I give thanks to God for the election of The Rev. Kym Lucas to serve as the 11th bishop of the great Diocese of Colorado. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you and to your new Bishop-elect.

“My prayers are with you and with Mother Kym and her family as you prepare for a new season of ministry together across this vast and beautiful state.

“If I have been even a small part of this historic moment of your electing the first woman bishop and the first African-American bishop of Colorado, I say praise God! And I have one admonition: support her, with all your heart, mind, and soul. Support her when the road is easy and when the road his hard. Support her.

“Dios es bueno. Todo el rato. Dios los bendiga, todos y cada uno.
God is good. All the time. God bless you, each and every one.”

Lucas grew up in Spring Lake, North Carolina, and received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University. She received her Master of Divinity, New Testament, at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Lucas and her husband, Mark Retherford, have four children.

Pending consent of a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction, Lucas will be ordained and consecrated on May 18, 2019, in Colorado. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preside.