The Bishop Nominating Committee would like to offer its sincerest thanks to all those who took the time to fill out our survey. We received more than 370 submissions, from the vast majority of parishes in our diocese, and the thoughts you shared will aid us greatly in our work. Your responses offer critical insight into who we are as a diocese and will be very helpful in the development of the profile we will use to present our position to prospective candidates.
Our question regarding the types of gifts and skills you are looking for in a bishop received a wide range of responses reflective of the diversity of our region. In addition to seeking a supportive pastor of deep Christian faith and practice, rooted in the Episcopal tradition, the more frequent responses indicated your desire for a visionary leader and motivator, an activist/leader in social justice and anti-racism, and a good communicator in any medium. The insight we gain from questions like this one help us better understand where our diocese is and where people want it to go.
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our diocese in ways none of us expected. It has obviously been a challenging time for many. Some of you are very frustrated at the limitations imposed on in-person worship over the past months and have struggled with the increased technology being employed. Many have become more appreciative of the role their parish community played in their lives before the current restrictions.
At the same time, even more have found their faith has only deepened during this period, while recognizing that the church is not a building. Some have grown closer to their church community and are thankful for the technology that allows for worship within the home. People are grateful for their parish’s ability to quickly adapt to these challenges. And while many have missed the Eucharist, there is a new appreciation for Morning Prayer.
A number of key themes emerged from our question regarding what you’d want our next bishop to know about the region. These responses were overwhelmingly positive. You collectively present southwestern Pennsylvania as a diverse mix of culture, topography, neighborhoods, and food. Many cited the cultural benefits of a big city, such as the Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Symphony, the National Aviary, the museums, and the variety of performing and visual arts. But just as many raved about the easy access to beautiful outdoor activities, such as water sports, biking, hiking, and locations like the Montour Trail, Ohiopyle, and many community parks. And there were lots of comments on the beautiful hills, rivers, countryside, and architecture.
You seemed to be most proud of the people of Pittsburgh, a welcoming, caring group with a strong work ethic and good deal of resilience. They reside in vibrant local neighborhoods with proud heritages, while uniting around the Pittsburgh Sports teams. The ethnic and cultural diversity lends itself to a wide range of great food; some favorites were Mineo’s Pizza, Tessaro’s, Primanti’s, and pierogies. The new bishop should also be prepared to see french fries on anything.
The sentiments in this survey and our listening sessions with each parish provide crucial input to our process, and we are truly thankful for your participation and your earnestness. We look forward to continuing to update you about our ongoing journey as a committee.
Visit the Nominating Committee’s website at https://pittsburghbishopsearch.com