The Bishop Search and Nominating Committee announced four candidates for the next bishop of Idaho!

The following is the full text of the announcement letter to the diocese from the commitee.  Over the next few days, information about each candidate will be posted on the diocesan web site including a biography and responses to questions posed by the Search Commitee.

To the People of the Diocese of Idaho

May 5, 2008

Dear Friends,

The Bishop Search and Nominating Committee received many nominations for individuals to be the Fifteenth Bishop of Idaho. In our work, we looked for nominees with skills and experiences in these areas of ministry:
• Leadership Development
• Communication
• Outreach
• Small Church Development
• Support and Nurture of Deacons
• Commitment to the Ministry of all the Baptized
• An understanding of the vast and challenging geography of Idaho
• Relationship building among clergy, lay people, and the broader community
• Fiscal responsibility and attention to stewardship
• A calling to be the Bishop of Idaho

Most of our work was and will remain confidential. We sought to respect the privacy of all nominees, their families, their parishes, and dioceses. We were in almost constant communication with our Creator, and we feel certain that He guided us every step of the way.

We were charged by the Standing Committee to present to you individuals who will make a good bishop for Idaho. We now offer you this slate of nominees:
• The Very Rev. Richard Demarest, Dean, St. Michael's Cathedral, Boise, Idaho
• The Rev. Kelsey Hogue, Rector, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
• The Ven. Faith Perrizo, Archdeacon, Diocese of West Virginia, Charleston, West Virginia
• The Rev. Brian Thom, Rector, Church of the Ascension, Twin Falls, Idaho

We ask you to read all available nominee information on the diocesan website and elsewhere, attend the walkabouts, ask your questions, and pray without ceasing. And, once the electing convention has chosen the Fifteenth Bishop of Idaho, we pray you will resolve, along with us, to embrace the individual chosen with open hearts and willing hands.

We thank you for the opportunity to serve. We have been humbled and awed by this experience.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

In Christ,

Sue Carver, Co-chair, Ascension, Twin Falls
The Rev. Jim Herndon, Co-chair, St. Paul's, Blackfoot
Ron Braman, Good Shepherd, Ft. Hall
The Rev. Shawn Carty, Emmanuel, Hailey
The Ven. Janet King, St. Matthew's, Rupert
Shawna Kissell, St. Luke's, Weiser
Marilyn Lorenzen, St. Mary's, Emmett
Lisa Ogle, St. Stephen's, Boise
Bob Rowett, St. James, Mountain Home
Pamela Tucker, Emmanuel, Hailey
Glen Walker, St. Michael's, Boise