a publication of the episcopal diocese of rochester, ny

From our bishopThe Rt. Rev. Bishop Prince G. Singh, Ph.D.8th Bishop of RochesterHow do I see things as I sit with my family on this thirdanniversary of my election as your bishop? I continue tosee a call to this office with all the joys and challengesof leading our beloved Church with faithful saints ata time like this. My hair has grayed some since 2008.I have grown in my prayer life, made some tough decisions,become a little more pensive, and continue tobe cautiously optimistic about our future as a Church.Images of uprising in Egypt are streaming on TV asI reflect. Our world seems to push and pull at theseams of its varied domestic identities seeking a newand more wholesome normal. I see a diocese that isresilient, faithful and in various stages of willingnessto discern and redevelop a new normal for the 21st century.Over the past two years, I have had the privilegeof feeling the exuberance of possibilities in almost everycongregational context. As a diocese, we are intentionallytrying to do the necessary groundwork to faithfullylive into making God’s mission our mission of transformationcustomized relevantly to every unique context.This groundwork would include helping form/bring newleaders, reorienting seasoned leaders, and empoweringall the Baptized while creating strategies that are eclecticand nimble as they are measurable and engaging.With clarity in pursuing a passionate spirituality thatis tempered by radical hospitality and thoughtful engagement,we have a way to foster greater progress inour efforts to share our joy, redevelop congregations andcommunicate our vision, mission and transformationwith each other and more importantly with a curiousand changing world. Our diocese has really good peoplewith many gifts of faith. It is true that every congregationin its location has something unique to offer thosewho call it their spiritual home. Every congregation hasits own set of challenges especially as it relates to beingvibrant in this changing world. We have been engagingevery congregation about the need for greater accountabilitywithin and collaboration with one another, andwithin the districts, while building a team to serve youeffectively from D-House.After two and a half years serving as your bishop, I ama lot more optimistic about having the diocesan staffwho can deliver the kind of help needed to actualize andsustain the emerging possibilities in our congregationalcontexts in the 21st century. Transitions do take a littletime with new players coming onboard to manage aninterface between older systems while embracing technologicalmodes of doing things more efficiently. We arenot quite there yet, but we are certainly moving quicklyin that direction. I acknowledge that getting our communicationbuilding blocks has taken longer than weexpected in our transition from the wrap around newspaper“Living Water,” but we are poised to have these inplace, up and running much more smoothly in the comingmonths. I have invited Canon Peter Peters to continueserving in his current capacity for another year,and he has graciously agreed. I have made the call toour next Chief Financial Missioner for the Diocese. Mr.Todd Rubiano has said yes to my invitation to serve onour Diocesan Executive staff. You will hear more aboutthis gifted man who wants to serve God with his bestabilities at this time in his life. We express our grati-continued on next page3