Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect for this Sunday comes as a welcome reminder for me to breathe and refocus my emotional, physical, and spiritual energy. As most of you have heard or read by now, I have the honor of being on the diocesan slate as a nominee for Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of West Texas. This whole process has been a beautiful gift for me as I’ve oriented (and then re-oriented) myself into a posture of openness: open to whatever the Spirit may be calling us into; open to offering my gifts and my experiences at this time, and alongside Bishop Read’s Episcopacy. While we don’t know what the next month will hold, our invitation and challenge is to faithfully remain open. As you offer your prayers for the Wises and for the diocese, I ask that you also pray for the other nominees and their families. You can learn more about them in Meet the Nominees digital booklet, found here, and I commend their writings, videos, and sermons to you. What follows is an excerpt from my own “Continued Call Statement” found in that same booklet.
I am energized by Bishop Read’s vision for the next era of ministry here. This diocese is in my bones as I have been formed by the leaders, ministries, and charisms of West Texas my entire life, and I am deeply invested in its continued flourishing. We are being called into a new iteration of the church, celebrating where we’ve been while experimenting our way into the future. I am rooted in our diocesan identity, and restless for us to become something new.
I thrive alongside visionary, administrative leaders and am excited by the possibility that I may be called to join Bishop Read and the diocesan staff in leading our diocese forward. For 13 of my 16 years as a priest, my vocation has been Associate Rector, leading from the second chair first with The Rev’d. Robert Woody, and now with The Rev’d. Elizabeth Knowlton. I helped these very different rectors facilitate significant change in our congregations by being a creative collaborator, advisor, and trusted partner in ministry. I love this role, always serving the whole community while also serving the leader.
I find joy in creating space for people to more deeply discern and then share God’s movement in their lives. Serving in small and large parishes, in non-parochial ministry, and in college ministry has gifted me with a deep appreciation for various expressions of the church. I am anchored by the understanding that all ministry is contextual so that one size does not fit even most. I am excited by the Suffragan’s charge to oversee formation and discipleship across our diverse contexts. More empowered lay ministry is the way forward for the Church. This will require deep listening and collaborative reflection so that the diocese can respond to the varied needs of leaders in all our communities, equipping them to serve in their own specific contexts.
I am a bridge builder who delights in connecting people with one another, compelled by the charge for the Suffragan to nurture the particular community of clergy and clergy families. Prioritizing the wellness and wholeness of our clergy and clergy families benefits the whole church and is one of the most crucial ministries our diocese can offer. I hope to cultivate these relationships, providing resources and opportunities for connection, sharing in joys, understanding challenges, and supporting vocations.
Amy and the twins and I are all deeply grateful for your words of encouragement and congratulations, and we ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.
Faithfully, Matt +