FROM THE STANDING COMMITTEE
OF THE DIOCESE OF EAU CLAIRE
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
April 16, 2008, began a new page in the history of the Diocese of Eau Claire. That day Bishop Keith Whitmore became the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta. That day the Standing Committee became the Ecclesiastical Authority of the diocese. This means that the six of us, three priests and three laity, on the Standing Committee will now take on the responsibility, according to the canons, for the Diocese.
We are not the bishop. For the specific duties of a bishop we will hire an Assisting Bishop who will handle such things as Ordinations and Confirmations. To this end we have met with Bishop Russell Jacobus of the Diocese of Fond du Lac and are in the midst of negotiations with him to fill that role.
Archdeacon Jeanne Stout will continue to serve in her capacity as Diocesan Administrator and will also continue to supervise the Diocesan Diaconal Training Program.
Along with the Bishop, Canon to the Ordinary, Fr. Bruce Gardner has left his position. The Bishop announced Father Gardner’s resignation at the Bishop’s farewell dinner April 13th. A standing ovation was accorded Father Gardner for his many years of service to the Diocese.
We are sure that all of you in the Diocese, Laity and Clergy, have many questions and concerns. Your Standing Committee will do all in our power to make the transition to new leadership for the Diocese as open and direct as possible.
To this end we are planning to hold Listening Sessions around the Diocese which will be conducted by members of the Standing Committee. The following is a list of our names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. If you want to reach any of us please do so.
- The Rev. George Stamm, 624 Bay Street, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, frgccss@sbcglobal.net
- The Rev. Kathleen Charles, 1010 Cass Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, n1dr7c@msn.com
- The Rev. Bob Hoekstra, 4 South Grove St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729, WisconsinRBH@charter.net
- Mrs. Missy Stepanek, 3350 Westover Lane, Eau Claire, WI 54701, arkjeff@aol.com
- Mr. Jim Rice, P.O. Box 701, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538, jjramiklake@msn.com
- Dr. Charles Miller, 3305 Greenspire Lane, La Crosse, WI 54601, millerlax@hotmail.com
There has been talk of combining the Dioceses of Eau Claire and Fond du Lac. That is just what it is, talk. No decision has been made and no decision will be made without first getting your input on the matter.
We must all also give equal thought to electing a new Bishop for the Diocese of Eau Claire. There may well be other options to consider. Whatever ideas there are will be given our attention and recommendations will be passed on to all of you for you consideration and comments. Only after careful and prayerful consideration will a decision be made and it will be made by the Diocese, at our Convention this November in La Crosse.
Please do seek out members of the Standing Committee with your questions and concerns and we will do our best to respond in an open and timely manner. Also, please keep us in your prayers for the guidance of God's Holy Spirit for us all in this great undertaking.
Fr. George Stamm
President, Standing Committee
8 May 2008
 Bi-Diocesan Network of Northern Wisconsin
Communicating and sharing ideas, information and resource for the benefit of the Mission and Ministry of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eau Claire and Fond du Lac.
Click HERE to visit the Bi-Diocesan Network Website. |
