The members of The Episcopal Church Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop invite Episcopalians to join them in prayer as they continue their discernment work leading to the election of the 28th presiding bishop next June.

The members offered this prayer:

Almighty God, source of all wisdom and understanding: Look graciously on your church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will choose our next presiding bishop, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for all of your people, equip us for our ministries, and proclaim your word to us and to the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Our meetings, whether online or in person, have been grounded in prayer and worship,” said the Rev. Deborah Jackson, committee member and chaplain. “We hope that Episcopalians will join us in praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.”

Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Bishop Mark Lattime said, “We also hope that congregations will include this prayer in the Prayers of the People the Sundays between now and when the election takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, next June 26.” 

The JCNPB also reminds members of the church that they have until Saturday, July 15, to submit the name of a bishop whom, after prayerful consideration, they think God is calling and has equipped to serve as the 28th presiding bishop.

Bishops who believe they are called to participate in the process may also submit their names. The form for submitting names is available online in English, Spanish, and French. 

Bishops who discern a call to enter the nomination process must submit their applications by Aug. 15.

The committee will spend the next several months discerning which bishops to nominate to stand for election at the 81st General Convention, scheduled for June 23-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. It will announce its slate of nominees in the spring of 2024.

Then there will be a set period during which any deputy to the 81st convention or bishop must submit to the committee the names of other bishops they intend to nominate from the floor at convention. Canon I.2.1(d) requires the committee to vet any such nominees with the same process used for its nominees. The names of any such additional nominees will be announced in early June 2024.

The committee is charged with nominating at least three bishops.

The committee released its “Profile for the Election of the 28th Presiding Bishop” on May 15. It is available online in English, Spanish, and French.

The committee began working together in the fall of 2021.

For more information, contact the committee at pb28@episcopalchurch.org.

Follow the committee on these social media sites:

• Facebook: facebook.com/PB28Nominations
• Twitter: twitter.com/PB28Nominations, @PB28Nominations
• Instagram: instagram.com/pb28nominatingcommittee

View the committee roster here.

See past press releases about the committee’s work.