CALL FOR THE ELECTION OF AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF SUFFRAGAN BISHOP

DIOCESE OF MID-AMERICA

ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF AMERICA

Dear Diocesan Family,

As we enter this new season and the celebration of our continued ministry, we will undertake the search for a Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of Mid-America, Anglican Province of America. I'm writing today to encourage us all to embrace this opportunity, and to recognize it as such: an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the present leadership of our Church; an opportunity to examine our health and needs as a diocese; and an opportunity to welcome new Episcopal leadership to the Diocese of Mid-America.

APA Constitution, Article II, Section 4

A Diocese may, with the consent of the Bishop of that Diocese, elect one or more Suffragan Bishops, without right of succession. A Suffragan Bishop shall be consecrated and hold office under such conditions and limitations as provided in this Article and as may be provided by the Canons of this Church. He shall be eligible as Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, or as Suffragan in another Diocese, or he may be elected by the House of Bishops as a Missionary Bishop.

We therefore, being the Bishop Ordinary of this Diocese, in accordance with Canon 13, Section 1, call for the election of a Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of Mid-America, Anglican Province of America. Nominations are to be sent to The Ven. Franklin Endres, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Mid-America, within 60 days.

The qualifications set forth by the Anglican Province of America for nomination and election to the episcopate are as follows:

1) Priest in Good Standing with the Anglican Province of America

2) Attained the age of 30 years

3) Willing to reside within the geographical territory of the Diocese

The Diocese of Mid-America would add the following as preferences for nomination:

4) Spiritual maturation level commensurate with the care of souls

5) 8+ years of pastoral experience after priestly ordination, preferably full-time

6) Master of Divinity degree (ATS accreditation preferred)

7) Proven marital stability and support

8) Ability to work closely with the Ordinary

APA Constitution, Article II, Section 9

Diocesan Bishops, Bishops Coadjutor, and Suffragan Bishops shall reside within the geographical territory of their jurisdiction.

Please note: Nominations will be closed at noon on May 24, 2012. The address for sending nominations is: The Ven. Franklin Endres, Archdeacon, St. Mary of the Angels Church, 50 Dogwood Drive, La Porte, IN 46350. Nominations should be submitted only after carefully considering the above qualifications and preferences.

The date and location for the upcoming DMA Synod and Election of a Suffragan Bishop will be July 19-20, 2012, at the Anglican Pro-Cathedral of The Holy Nativity, 2495 N. Cole St., Lima, OH 45801. Synod arrangements including Hotel accommodation will be forthcoming.

In the meantime, I ask for your prayers during this time of transition: prayers for me as I continue my faithful ministry amongst us this next year and continued years; prayers for a spirit-filled search process; our path of reconciliation with the Anglican Church of America and other traditional Anglicans with whom we share ministry; and, as always, prayers for our Diocese.

Faithfully,

+ Larry L. Shaver

The Most Rev. Dr. Larry L. Shaver

Bishop Ordinary, Diocese of Mid-America

PASTORAL LETTER, RE, CALL TO ELECT SUFFRAGAN

Dear Diocesan Family,

I believe this accompanying letter of explanation is necessary in order to bring clarity to my decision to call for the election of a Suffragan Bishop for our diocese.

I have been thinking about the future of our diocese and the greater APA for some time. I am aware, too, that I agreed in July 2010 to serve as Ordinary for the diocese until the Diocesan Synod of 2015; that remains my intention. Further, I believe and also am praying for a greater degree of unity within the several jurisdictions of the terribly fractured Anglican world (John 17)!

My injury of June 9, 2011, was a mandatory stoppage of my work as a Bishop of this Diocese for several months. Now, I'm back at the work once more but with increased clarity. As a result of the fall, I have had time to think about my mortality. Of course, my concern also includes thoughts for the future of our fragile but faithful diocese. Currently, with the ACA/APA expectations of possible merger within a few years, I want our beloved Diocese of Mid-America to have vibrant, youthful, and informed representation moving forward in the future that is able to work well with this body and its present leadership.

I am also aware that our diocese has been seeded with an additional 8 states for which to be responsible. This will naturally include the development and planting of new congregations and the expansion and growth of our existing ones. By electing a Suffragan, we will increase the number of Bishops in the House of Bishops. This is critically and vitally important for any future merger negotiations for our diocese and will provide the smoothest possible transition as we attempt to merge two faithful bodies together as one, without sacrificing the present leadership of either diocese in our quest for unity. Aggressive and informed leadership will insure fair representation on our behalf as well as the next generation of the faithful!

Finally, I have some thoughts regarding necessary attributes for the episcopal office: (1) Priest in-good-standing with the APA, at least 30 years of age, and willing to stand for election and reside within the geographical boundaries of the diocese; (2) Maturity level sufficient to deal with a myriad of demands and difficult situations; (3) Ample theological education, i.e., seminary trained with a Masters of Divinity degree or the equivalent; (4) Marital stability and spousal support (an unmarried, celibate priest may be considered); (5) Significant pastoral experience (at least 8--10 years); (6) Stable, physical and mental health; (7) Willing to travel weekends and other times when the greater church has need; (8) Willing to work with the Diocesan Bishop in a cordial and loyal relationship; (9) Lastly, the Suffragan Bishop will be working for very little financial compensation, except for limited travel and office expenses. In the Diocese of Mid-America, our clergy carry the parishes "on their backs," so there are few if any salaries! Therefore, the newly elected Bishop must be self-supporting and have sufficient financial resources to support his ministry.

As you can quickly surmise, the above sets of criteria are an audacious expectation, but I feel they are essential. We need the best leadership we can offer; leadership is critical! A purple shirt does not a Bishop make!

In this Lenten season, I ask you to join me in prayerfully seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in selecting a Suffragan Bishop committed to planting new congregations, fostering Anglican unity, and available to assist the Ordinary when called upon. The Office of Bishop of one of great sacrifice, and it is most appropriate that a call for Suffragan come at this time as we ponder the long-suffering and compassion of our Lord. I am reminded of the following prayer:

"O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take upon thee the form of a servant, humbling thyself and accepting death for us, even the death of the cross: Grant that this mind may be also in us; so that we may gladly take upon ourselves the life of humility and service, and taking up our cross daily may follow thee in suffering and death, that with thee we may attain unto the power of thy endless life. Grant this, O Christ, our Saviour and King." Harold Anson

May God's will be done in all things.

Faithfully,

+ Larry L. Shaver

The Most Rev. Dr. Larry L. Shaver

Bishop Ordinary, Diocese of Mid-America