FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Jersey elects William (“Chip”) Stokes as twelfth bishop

The Reverend Canon William (“Chip”) H. Stokes, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Delray Beach, Florida, has been elected as twelfth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church.

Stokes, age 56, was elected May 4 out of a field of nine nominees. He was elected on the fifth ballot by the election convention meeting at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.

Statement from bishop-elect William H. “Chip” Stokes:

“I am humbled beyond expression and deeply honored to have been elected as the Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey. I am grateful to the people of the Diocese for their confidence, support and prayers. I am grateful above all to God in Christ who has called me and walked with me throughout my journey. The Diocese of New Jersey is a part of the deep history of the Episcopal Church. It is an overwhelming thing to be brought into that history through this election. The Diocese is made up of a rich and wonderful variety of people. The diversity of the diocese is one of its great strengths and beauties. The people of the Diocese understand well the very real challenges that face the Church today. My experience of the clergy and lay people of the Diocese is that that they are faithful, hopeful and up to any challenges as we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us “right onward.” I look forward to getting to know them and to journeying with them hand in hand as we all respond to God’s call to us to love and serve one another, the communities in which we are placed and the wider church and world.”

The other nominees were:

* The Rev. David Anderson, 56, rector of St. Luke’s Parish in Darien, Connecticut;

* The Rev. Joan Beilstein, 52, rector of Church of the Ascension in Silver Spring, Maryland;

* The Rev. Canon Dr. Francisco Pozo, 56, vicar, Christ Church, Trenton;

* The Very Rev. René John, 52, dean, Trinity Cathedral, Trenton;

* The Rev. Canon Donald J. Muller, 60, rector, St. Peter’s Church, Medford.

* The Rev. Allen F. Robinson, 43, rector of St. James’ Church in Baltimore, Maryland;

* The Rev. Canon Melissa M. Skelton, 62, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Seattle, Washington; and canon for congregational development and leadership of the Diocese of Olympia; and

* The Rev. Martha Sylvia Ovalle Vásquez, 60, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Walnut Creek, California.

Under the canons (III.11.4) of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

Pending a successful consent process, the ordination is scheduled for Nov. 2 at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.

The Rev. Canon Stokes will succeed the Rt. Rev. George Edward Councell who has served as the diocese’s 11th bishop since 2003.

Biographical information about bishop-elect Stokes is available here:

www.bishopsearchnj.org/candidates/#post-620

stpaulsdelray.org/staffbios.php

View bishop-elect Stoke’s self-introduction video to the people of New Jersey: http://youtu.be/mSbGNkHGQ_s

CONTACT:

The Reverend Gregory Bezilla

Chair, Transition Committee, Diocese of New Jersey

Chaplain, Episcopal Campus Ministry at Rutgers

Office: 732.932.1278

Mobile: 609.240.1554

E-mail: [email protected]

Photo Credit: Dot Cellini.

The results of the fifth ballot in the election for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

Diocese of New Jersey – Election of XII Bishop — Ballot 5

Clergy votes cast = 186 (clergy majority = 94)

Lay votes cast = 386 (lay majority = 185)

For an election of bishop a majority is required in both the order of laity and the order of clergy.

The Reverend Canon William (“Chip”) H. Stokes is elected bishop

The results of the fourth ballot in the election for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

Diocese of New Jersey – Election of XII Bishop — Ballot 4

Clergy votes cast = 187 (clergy majority = 94 )

Lay votes cast = 370 (laity majority = 186)

For an election of bishop a majority is required in both the order of laity and the order of clergy.

There is no election.

The following candidate has withdrawn after being notified of the results of ballot 4: The Rev. Canon Donald J. Muller.

The results of the third ballot in the election for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

Diocese of New Jersey – Election of XII Bishop — Ballot 3

Clergy votes cast = 188 (clergy majority = 95)

Lay votes cast = 362 (laity majority = 182)

For an election of bishop a majority is required in both the order of laity and the order of clergy.

There is no election.

The following candidate has withdrawn after being notified of the results of ballot 3: The Rev. Martha Sylvia Ovalle Vásquez.

The results of the second ballot in the election for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

Diocese of New Jersey – Election of XII Bishop — Ballot 2

Clergy votes cast = 190 (clergy majority = 96)

Lay votes cast = 372 (laity majority = 187 )

For an election of bishop a majority is required in both the order of laity and the order of clergy.

There is no election.

The following candidates have withdrawn after being notified of the results of ballot 2: The Very Rev. René Rory John; the Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein; the Rev. Canon Dr. Francisco Pozo; and the Rev. David Anderson.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:2).

Thank you to all Clergy and all Deputies who attended one or more of the “Walkabouts” held in various locations throughout our Diocese. A hearty and sincere thank you to all the churches (Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, Trinity in Vineland and St. George’s-by-the-River in Rumson) who hosted these walkabouts and for their hospitality. Thank you to our Diocesan Staff who also hosted “walkabout” opportunity for staff and candidates alike. Thank you to members of the Episcopal Election Committee who organized a lovely opportunity for the spouses of the candidates to learn from a local real estate agent, including an overview of schools in the area, and an opportunity for the spouses to hear from Mrs. Ruth Councell about her experience moving to New Jersey and what it is like being the Bishop’s wife. God is good and so are the people of our Diocese. We are truly blessed to have so many talented and spiritually grounded folks here in New Jersey.

I would like to share a few things that may be helpful to you and your Deputies as you prepare for our Electing Convention from a resource entitled: In Raising Up of Episcopal Leadership: A Manual for Dioceses in Transition, prepared by the Episcopal Elections Leadership Project, in cooperation with the Office of Pastoral Development of the House of Bishops.

Before everything else, we commend the focus of prayer and Bible study prior to and after the Electing Convention.

Prayer: for the Church, our Diocese, all clergy and all of our people from all of our churches and missions.

I am enclosing two prayers that I hope will better prepare you and your Deputies to our Electing Convention.

I ask your prayers for all nine candidates, for their spouses, their churches, for the eight candiates who will not be elected, for Bishop George and Ruth, for the Diocesan staff, for the Cathedral, for all of our clergy, all of our people, and all of our churches and missions. I ask your prayers of thanksgiving for the work and ministry of the Episcopal Election Committee, for the leadership of our chair, Deb Schmidt, and for the continued work and ministry of the Transition Committee, for the leadership of our chair, Fr. Greg Bezilla, and finally, for members of our Standing Committee.

Perhaps you may wish to engage in further Bible Study:

Sharing Leadership: Numbers 11:16–17, 24-25a

Discernment & the Variety of Gifts: Romans 12:1–18

Sources of Recommendation & Qualification: II Corinthians 3:1–9

Jesus’ Prayer for the Church: John 17:15–21

God’s Call to Holiness: I Peter 1:13–21

The Baptized Person’s Role in the Election (Lay and Ordained):

Prayer and Discernment is an-ongoing process. Everyone has a role to play. And it is done in community.

Is “politiking” an appropriate part of your role in the election process ? If politiking means lifting up the strengths of a particular nominee, yes. If politiking means finding ways for others to know and understand the strengths and vision of a particular nominee, yes. If politiking means finding fault with those you do not support, no. If politiking means being closed to recognizing equally attractive strengths in others, no. If politiking means being closed to being led by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Diocese, no.

Finally, during this time, constantly invoke the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Prayers of invocation — praying without ceasing — that is the most important thing you can offer to the election process.

I remain, faithfully yours in Jesus,

The Reverend Ron Pollock

Co-chair, Episcopal Election Committee

Chaplain to Bishop George and Ruth Councell

and member, Transition Committee

The Episcopal Election Committee is seeking questions for use at the “walkabouts” where members of the Diocese of New Jersey may meet the nominees for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey and hear them respond to questions.

To submit a question or questions for consideration please contact [email protected] by April 8, 2013.

To register for the walkabouts scheduled for April 22–24 at locations around the diocese, click on tinyurl.com/DNJWalkabouts.

The Episcopal Election Committee of the Diocese of New Jersey has published the Election Booklet in advance of the Special Convention for the Purpose of Electing the Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey. Included in this Election Booklet are brief biographies, photographs, and responses to questions asked of all nominees.

Three persons have been nominated through the independent nomination process since the publication on January 28th of the Report on Nominations for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

• The Reverend Canon Dr. Francisco Pozo, 56, Vicar of Christ Church in Trenton, NJ
• The Very Reverend René John, 52, Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, NJ
• The Reverend Canon Donald J. Muller, 59, Rector of St. Peter’s Church in Medford, NJ.

The Election Booklet is available in English and Spanish versions for viewing and downloading as a PDF at www.bishopsearchnj.org.

Print copies of the Election Booklet will be delivered via U.S. Mail to lay delegates to the electing convention via their churches and to all canonically resident clergy.

The electing convention is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, NJ. For questions about the Electing Convention contact the Transition Committee: [email protected].

A series of presentations or “walkabouts” have been scheduled around the diocese for the purpose of introducing the nominees to the laity and clergy. Please note that times and details of the walkabouts have been revised and updated since the printing of the Election Booklets as follows:

Revised and Updated Schedule of Walkabouts for Meeting Nominees for

Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey:

Monday, April 22:

At Diocesan House in Trenton, 3–5 p.m., the Nominees will meet the Diocesan Staff (this meeting is for Nominees and Diocesan Staff ONLY).

At Trinity Cathedral in Trenton (open to EVERYONE: Laity and Clergy):

• 5:30 — 6:00 p.m. Registration (light refreshments available)
• 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. Walkabouts (groups of nominees respond to questions)
• 8:00 — 9:00 p.m. Social Time with nominees (light refreshments available)

Tuesday, April 23:

At Trinity Cathedral (open to CLERGY only):

• 9:00 — 9:45 a.m. Coffee, bagels, donuts, etc.
• 9:45 — 10:00 a.m. Introductions, ground rules, etc.
• 10:15 — 12:00 p.m. Walkabouts

At Trinity Church in Vineland (open to EVERYONE: Laity and Clergy):

• 5:30 — 6:00 p.m. Registration (light refreshments available)
• 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. Walkabouts (groups of nominees respond to questions)
• 8:00 — 9:00 p.m. Social Time with nominees (light refreshments available)

Wednesday, April 24:

Afternoon: Nominees will tour various places along the Jersey Shore affected by Hurricane Sandy.

At St. George’s-by-the River in Rumson (open to EVERYONE: Laity and Clergy):

• 5:30 — 6:00 p.m. Registration (light refreshments available)
• 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. Walkabouts (groups of nominees respond to questions)
• 8:00 — 9:00 p.m. Social Time with nominees (light refreshments available)

Register to attend a walkabout: tinyurl.com/DNJWalkabouts

For more information about the walkabouts contact [email protected]

For news and announcements about the election: http://www.bishopsearchnj.org/news

Follow the election for Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bishopsearchnj
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/bishopsearchnj