[Diocese of Lexington] On Nov. 1, at the Special Convention for the Diocese of Lexington held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Winchester, Kentucky, the first order of business was the election of the eighth bishop of Lexington.

Bishop Mark Van Koevering

The Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering was duly elected and was greeted joyously by the convention. Van Koevering has been serving as the bishop provisional since being appointed by the diocesan convention in February 2018. As such, he continues as the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese, but now also is bishop diocesan-elect.

The Canons of The Episcopal Church provide that a majority of bishops diocesan and standing committees must consent to the election. Responses must be made within 120 days after receipt of the certificate of election.

Pending the receipt of necessary consents, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has set aside March 21, 2020, for the Van Koevering’s investiture and recognition bishop diocesan of Lexington. That service will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.

The Standing Committee will begin formulating plans for the investiture service at its meeting later this month. The Diocese of Lexington looks forward to continuing work with Van Koevering and living into the vision affirmed by the recent convention, “Be the Church: Be the Change.”