Diocese of Connecticut Makes History

The 225th convention of the Diocese of Connecticut made history today when it elected the Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas as the 15th Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut. Election came on the second ballot. The history-making came in the fact that Connecticut has never before elected a bishop who was not from the Diocese of Connecticut. Bishop-elect Douglas has been on the faculty of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge and canonically resident in the diocese of Massachusetts.

During these next months our Diocese will enter into a transition period, with Bishop Andrew D. Smith retiring as of the end of January 2010. Bishop-elect Douglas is scheduled to be consecrated as the 15th Bishop on April 17, 2010 at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. Prior to that, a majority of the standing committees in all dioceses of The Episcopal Church must approve his election.

Please give thanks for all four of the fine candidates who offered themselves for election. Please pray for them as they discern their next steps in God's service. Please pray for Drew and Kate Smith as they enter into this transition period and discern their next steps in their family and in their ministry. Please pray for our new bishop and for our diocese.

A full report on Diocesan Convention will be offered on Sunday morning between the services and following the 10 a.m. service in the Sunday Symposium in the Library.

Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+