All of the information that has been presented in this Profile has been gathered in the context of prayer.
We have clear and strongly-desired hopes of things to come; we willingly accept that we need the guidance of God; we acknowledge our weaknesses and failures in the past; yet we ask for God’s forgiveness, and God’s help to keep us from failing; and we praise God.
We believe that God has wonderful and exciting things in store for us as we live further into the 21st century in northern New Jersey.
We ask to be led further into this world, to do the work that God has given us to do.
We seek a Bishop who will gather the enthusiasm of a diocese, one who will gather the clear and strong agreement among clergy and laity, and—together—shape us into a people that has an incredible amount to offer to our congregations, our Diocese, and our world.
We are at a point where there is a strong sense of hope for the future; where meetings to discuss what we seek in a new Bishop consistently led to thoughtful, constructive, and prayerful recommendations; and where there was little tension, bitterness, or despair. We come to this search seeking not solace and pardon, but strength and renewal.
We are a diocese that has expressed a strong desire to work together with our new Bishop so that others can see and experience a dynamic and relevant Episcopal Church addressing the world’s needs.
We have been given many things, including a wonderful, diverse, exciting, and challenging place to live. We seek a Bishop who will help us engage all people—from whatever ethnic, social, or economic place they may be—to show them the love of God and demonstrate to them what we northern New Jersey Episcopalians can offer.