The Diocese of Iowa announces a slate of 3 women as candidates for the 10th Bishop of Iowa
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Iowa is pleased to announce the slate of candidates for the 10th Bishop of Iowa.
The candidates (listed in alphabetical order by last name) are:
The Reverend Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly, currently Rector of Hickory Neck Episcopal Church, Toano VA, in the diocese of Southern Virginia
The Reverend Betsey Monnot, currently Priest-in-Charge of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Rancho Cordova and Director and Retreat Leader, Called to Abundant Life: Leadership Consulting in the Diocese of Northern California
The Reverend Elizabeth Duff Popplewell, currently Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cedar Falls, in the Diocese of Iowa
Information about the candidates, including narrative biographies and resumes, can be found here.
The Rev. Kathleen Milligan, acting president of the Standing Committee said, “Through a prayerful process of discernment, and creatively responding to challenges presented by the pandemic, the Bishop Search and Nominating Committee worked hard to bring forth a slate of bishop candidates that each would be a faithful and inspiring leader of the Diocese of Iowa. The Standing Committee is thrilled to announce a slate of three incredible women as candidates for the 10th Bishop of Iowa. Each one is exceptionally qualified and uniquely gifted, and would be a blessing to our diocese.”
The Standing Committee has also announced the opening of the petition process, which allows additional nominees to be added to the slate within 10 days. The requirements for petition nominees can be found here. The final slate of candidates will be announced by the Standing Committee on June 15, 2021 after the close of the petition process on May 21, 2021 at 5:00pm Central time.
Members of the diocese will have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates during a series of Meet and Greet events, which will be held in-person and livestreamed July 12-16, 2021.
The election will be held in person and livestreamed on Saturday, July 31, 2021 in Des Moines, Iowa, with the consecration to take place on Saturday, December 18, 2021. The bishop will be seated at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul the following day. The new bishop will succeed the Right Reverend Alan Scarfe, 9th Bishop of Iowa, who was consecrated on April 5, 2003. He will retire on December 18, 2021.
The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa includes almost 7,000 members in 58 congregations, including Trinity Cush Church, a congregation formed by South Sudanese immigrants that was admitted to the diocese in 2020 and a long-standing ministry of Native Americans at St. Paul’s Indian Mission in Sioux City, Iowa. The Diocese of Iowa hosts several specialized ministries, including The Way Station, the Beloved Community Initiative, the Agape Café. The Diocese of Iowa was founded in 1853, and its offices are located in Des Moines. The diocese covers the entire state of Iowa.