Nominations are now closed and Electoral College representatives are reviewing candidate information. Read on for what happens next....

Have you signed up for the 24-hour Prayer Vigil ?

Tēnā koutou katoa 

It continues to be a privilege to be serving as Archbishops’ Commissary to the Diocese of Dunedin during this time while work is undertaken for the appointment of a new bishop. 

Candidate information is now being considered by Electoral College members and candidate video interviews are taking place. A reminder that the Electoral College takes place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 November at St John's Roslyn. Public information on this is available on our website at: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/new-bishop-of-dunedin/.

Synod will reconvene briefly before the Electoral College (on Friday 22 November) to finish one item of business that was missed at Synod in September (the confirmation of Bills).

There is a particular (confidential) process that the College will move through leading up to this:

• Electoral College members are those entitled to Lay and Clergy votes at Diocesan Synod.

• Any individuals who are nominated are now considered as being candidates.

• Candidates will submit a more formal application, including answering a series of questions the Arrangements Committee have finalised. These applications will be made available to members of the Electoral College on a secure on-line platform.

• The candidates will be invited to answer further questions, which will be recorded on video: these presentations will be played to the Electoral College. This takes place at St John's Roslyn from 6.30 pm on Friday 22 November.

• During the following Conference, Movers and Seconders of the candidates have the opportunity to tell the College why they have put them forward. Electoral College members will also have the opportunity to discuss and pray about the candidates.

• After prayer, when the Commissary determines there has been sufficient discussion, there will be a first ballot (in houses - lay and clergy).

• This is followed by subsequent conferences and ballots until it becomes clear who is the preferred candidate for Bishop of Dunedin. This involves getting a clear majority from both houses for the preferred candidate, but there is an exceptional provision for further candidates to be considered.

All of the above is outlined in more detail in the Electoral College Standing Orders and Order of Proceedings, which have now been circulated to College Members.

Part of this process is the agreement that Electoral College proceedings are totally and permanently confidential to College members. This means that, forever, the name of each proposed candidate, any information about them, and any discussion at the Electoral College, are all confidential – for ever. Also, the name of any person we decide to nominate to the Primate is confidential unless and until that name is publicly announced by the Anglican Church.

I am so grateful for the efforts that are being made to hold the work of the Electoral College in prayer as we prepare to discern God’s call on a person to be the next Bishop of Dunedin. I am overseas this week but will be joining my prayers from afar with yours. Let’s remember these words of St Paul:

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I do encourage you to participate in a 24-hour Prayer Vigil that is being organised on 8-9 November 2024.

Grace and peace be with you all. 

+ Ross

A reminder that the members of the Arrangements Committee are:

• The Right Rev’d Ross Bay, Commissary (Bishop of Auckland)

• The Ven Jan Clark, Vicar General

• The Rev’d John Graveston, Diocesan CYF Educator

• Theodore Rose, Cathedral Church of St Paul

• Rauhina Scott-Fyfe, Dunedin North Parish

• The Ven Barb Walker, Archdeacon, Rural Southland

• Prof Stuart Young, Upper Clutha Parish

(supported by Nicola Wong and Andrew Metcalfe from the Diocesan office team.) 

Any queries? Please contact Nicola Wong (phone 03 488 0826).

The most important work we can do is to pray, putting ourselves and the future in God's hands as we move towards the next phase of our life together.

You may like to use the following prayers privately and as you meet with others over this period:

A Collect

God of unchangeable power,
you have revealed yourself
to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
keep us firm in this faith
that we may praise and bless your holy name;
for you are one God
now and for ever.
Amen.

E te Atua mau tonu,
kua whakaatu nei koe
ki a mātou he Matua, he Tama, he Wairua Tapu;
puritia mātou i roto i tēnei whakapono
kia pai ai tā mātou whakamoemiti me te manaaki i tōu ingoa tapu;
ko koe nei te Atua kotahi
ināianei ā mō āke tonu atu.
Āmine.

(From A New Zealand Prayer Book pg 616)