From the Dean
Dear Friends in Christ,
I’ve recently been in the process of discerning a call to a new ministry and I want to share the results of that with you. For several years now, I’ve been aware of the fact that the Diocese of El Camino Real (stretching from Palo Alto to San Luis Obispo) would soon be searching for their next bishop. When the time came, I allowed my name to stand and began an extended process of deep and holy conversation that involved members of their Search Committee, friends here at the cathedral and in the larger church, and the Holy Spirit. I should add that the topic also came up once or twice at home over the past six months. I’ve received several other inquiries from dioceses in search processes since I’ve been at Saint Paul’s but this was the only one I felt called to investigate. I sent in my documents, filed my background search information, participated in a phone interview, and received a group of four visitors for a weekend of mutual reflection. All of that proved illuminating.
Here’s the outcome: I decided to withdraw my name from consideration before they named their final slate. I am now fully persuaded that we haven’t finished everything God has called us to do together (it may be that we are just getting started). I also came to realize that the actual job of being a bishop doesn’t fit me very well at this point in my life. I’m profoundly grateful for the offering that our bishops make to the church and the world but their work doesn’t directly correspond to my temperament and experience. To say that just a bit differently, what I am doing with you delights me and I want to stay here and do even more. So thanks to the people from El Camino Real (they’ve been stellar), thanks to my friends who walked this journey with me, and thanks to all at Saint Paul’s who make this the very special spiritual community that it clearly is. It is pure joy to serve with you.
God's peace,
Scott +
