The Discernment Committee, following up on the Standing Committee’s decision for the Diocese of Easton to enter a time of listening and healing, will continue its data collection efforts through the summer. Once the listening and healing process has been underway, the Discernment Committee will then begin engaging parishes and other stakeholders in conversations about our future as the Episcopal Church on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
“What we as a diocese are invited to do now is to pray,” said the Very Rev David Michaud, co-chair of the Discernment Committee. The committee is calling the Diocese of Easton in this period of transition into a time of prayer. The Committee has developed a number of prayers, collects, and petitions for Prayers of the People, as well as a special litany. These include prayers for discernment; prayers for healing; and prayers for our bishop, diocesan staff, the Standing Committee, and the Discernment Committee.
The Committee is encouraging each parish to pray for the diocese and its discernment every Sunday using any of the prayers offered by the committee or their own prayers. The Discernment Committee is also asking each parish to have a prayer team or group that will pray these prayers during this time of transition on a regular (preferably weekly) basis and encourages these groups to be creative in finding ways to engage parishioners in praying for our diocese.
The Rev. Suz Southern (St. Paul’s, Berlin) and the Rev. Andrew Cropper (All Hallows, Snow Hill) are the Prayer Team for the Discernment Committee and are available to answer questions and provide more information. A Discernment Prayer Page has been established on the diocesan website which contains prayers and resources for this time of transition that you are welcome to access and use: www.dioceseofeaston.org/transition-prayers/.
The Prayer Team would like each parish to confirm with them when they have established a prayer team or group that is regularly praying for diocesan discernment, and to please share any ideas, prayers, or questions they may have.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide the Diocese of Easton in our discernment.
Prayer for Discernment
O God our Comforter, who guides us in the ways of justice and truth and holds us close in times of uncertainty: Inspire us with your grace and wisdom, that we might do everything according to your will and ground ourselves in your love. Give us a sense of openness about the future ministries and mission of the Diocese of Easton. Help us remember that we do not hold all of the answers, nor do we need to. Encourage us when we are anxious about change, reminding us that all things are in your hands: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.