Dear Friends,
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 14b).
This week we have seen and celebrated several important moments in the season of transition currently underway in our diocese.
Last Saturday, we bade farewell to Bishop Dorsey and Betsy McConnell at a wonderful Hawaiian-themed pig roast. We are grateful for their ministry with us over the past nine years. We also owe our thanks to the hardworking Transition Committee for organizing Saturday’s festivities and to the people of Christ Church, North Hills, for hosting it.
Yesterday, Bishop McConnell’s retirement took effect, the Standing Committee became the ecclesiastical authority, and Bishop-elect Ketlen Solak marked her first official day in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Which brings us to today, and this visible sign of transition – Bishop-elect Solak at the diocesan offices, where she met with Bishop McConnell and Standing Committee president Noah Evans, and later spent time with the diocesan staff. As he indicated in his farewell letter, Bishop McConnell is remaining in the diocese until September 11 to advise the Standing Committee and the bishop-elect in these early days of transition.
Our season of transition will continue on for the next ten weeks:
- Throughout September, Bishop-elect Solak will be moving into her new home, begin building new relationships in the diocese and region, and have some sabbath rest.
- On October 1, she will assume full-time duties as Head of Staff overseeing the diocesan office, attending meetings of governing boards, and tending to other administrative and pastoral needs.
- On October 16, Bishop-elect Solak will preach at the worship service that is part of our annual diocesan convention.
- On Saturday, November 13, she will be consecrated as the Ninth Bishop of Pittsburgh. The service will take place at Calvary, East Liberty, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be the chief consecrator.
We ask for your continued prayers for Scott and Ketlen Solak, and for Betsy and Dorsey McConnell, as they each begin new chapters in their lives. And pray also for the Standing Committee, diocesan staff, the Transition Committee, all clergy and lay leaders throughout our diocese during this time of transition.
We are confident and excited about this new season of our life together. May God bless this time, as we stand in awe before Him.
Peace,
The Standing Committee
The Rev. Noah H. Evans, President
Lisa Brown, Secretary
Kathy Baird
Robert Johnston
The Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre
The Rev. Neil K. Raman
The Rev. Annis Rogers
Steve Stagnitta