Diocese of Newark
The Search/Nominating Committee
for the 10th Bishop of Newark
News Reports
___________Bishop Search Enters New Phase
by Bill McCollDecember 8, 2005 -- The Nominating Committee for the 10th Bishop of Newark has begun taking nominations for candidates to replace the retiring Jack Croneberger.
The nominating process officially began on December 7th when the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council accepted the committee's profile of the diocese.
Committee co-chair Dr. Louie Crew is pleased this next phase of the search is now underway.
"It is exciting to consider persons who might lead us as bishop at this time," he said. "The Diocese of Newark is poised for dynamic renewal and significant new service. Our next bishop will have a great opportunity to serve with us."
The committee will be using the new profile as a guide to selecting the candidates to be voted on in a special diocesan convention September 23rd, 2006. The work on the profile began in the summer, and throughout the fall the committee asked for input from churches and held a series of "listening sessions" with both clergy and lay members to elicit ideas about what should be in it.
"I thought it was very good," said Nancy Duran of St. Andrew's in Harrington Park, who discussed her thoughts on the profile at a listening session at Grace Church in Hackensack November 16th. She especially liked the focus on the new bishop's need to be skilled at congregational development.
"It has a great emphasis on the personal interactions with the congregations," she said, "It's the most important thing to do."
The Rev. Lynn Bleich Weber of Church of the Atonement in Tenafly also liked the results.
"I think it's a wonderful document," she said after the Christ Church, Hackensack meeting. "I'm just really impressed that the perspective of so many people in so many congregations are brought together in such a powerful way."
She said the profile will really help in finding the person the diocese is looking for.
"The right candidate should get a very good idea of what we are and be excited by the possibilities and challenges."
Duran is also positive about the outcome.
"It's very difficult for someone to meet all of these qualifications, she said, "but I'm very optimistic."
Nominations will be accepted until February 15th. Then, after a screening process to narrow down the field, the committee plans to announce on June 28th the four to six finalists it will present to the special convention.
Those who are interested in nominating someone to be the new bishop can get the required form and instructions by going to the committee's website and clicking on Profile.
Bill McColl is Communications Chairman for the Nominating Committee and attends All Saints Church in Leonia
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