Slate of candidates announced for 10th bishop of Maine

Posted Nov 8, 2018

[Diocese of Maine] The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine has announced a slate of five candidates for the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Maine who will stand for election Saturday, Feb. 9. The new bishop will succeed Bishop Stephen T. Lane, who is retiring in June after eleven years of service.

The candidates in alphabetical order are:

  • The Rev. Kenneth Brannon, Rector, St. Thomas, Sun Valley, Idaho
  • The Rev. Thomas Brown, Rector, Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, Massachusetts
  • The Rev. Anne Mallonee, Executive Vice President & Chief Ecclesiastical Officer, Church Pension Group, New York City
  • The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Everett, Washington
  • The Rev. Janet Waggoner, Canon to the Ordinary & Transition Ministry Officer, Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas

The announcement culminates a prayerful and thoughtful process over the past several months conducted by the Discernment Committee, chaired by The Rev. John Balicki, rector of St. Mark’s Church – Waterville. Balicki commented, “the Discernment Committee was pleased with the wide interest expressed from around the country in being the next Bishop of Maine. We spent nearly five months reviewing materials, interviewing candidates via teleconferencing, and eventually meeting some in person which led us to the slate of candidates we are pleased to present. We have significant diversity in age, gender and geography and we hope that everyone in the state of Maine will enjoy getting to know these candidates as well as we have.”

The Standing Committee received and approved the proposed slate by unanimous vote. In making the announcement, the Rev. Maria Hoecker, Rector of St. Columba’s Church – Boothbay Harbor and Chair of the Standing Committee wants the diocese to know that “together, we are walking as followers of Jesus. During this time of transition, and always, we are working in the spirit of transparency and collaboration, with trust and affection, as we go about our planning and prayers.”

Background on the slate of nominees, including a video, bio, resume and answers to questions posed in the discernment process, can be found on the Bishop Quest web site: http://bishopquest.episcopalmaine.org/.

The Standing Committee also announced nominations by petition may be filed until Nov. 15. Information on this process – by which candidates may be added to the slate upon successful completion of background checks and other requirements – can be found on the Bishop quest website.

A special convention for the election is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9 (snow date: Feb. 23) at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The Standing Committee will then then obtain canonical consents of the majority the dioceses of the Episcopal Church, following which the new bishop will be ordained and consecrated at the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland Saturday, June 22. The officiant will be Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry.

Members of the diocese will also have the opportunity to meet the candidates face to face in attending “walkabout” presentations by the nominees. Organized by the Transition Committee, the meetings will be held in three locations across the diocese Jan. 18 in Augusta, Jan. 19 in Bangor and Jan. 20 in Portland.  The walkabouts will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.

The Episcopal Diocese of Maine includes 59 congregations, 18 summer chapels and other ministries across the state. It was founded in 1820.

For more information, please visit http://bishopquest.episcopalmaine.org


Tags