The Episcopal Diocese of

North Dakota



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Welcome to our email Newsletter!

Highlights from this issue:

• Bishop Search Information
• Transition Committee
• Meet & Greet
• Bishop Slate
• Annual Diocesan Convention
• Friday Business Session
• Nominations Needed
• New Diocesan Treasurer
• Standing Committee Appointment
• Civic Spotlight

Read on for other announcements and the calendar!

Did you miss a copy of the Prairie? The past four editions of the bi-monthly Prairie are now online! Click the button below to be taken to the webpage!

Saint Bartholomew

August 25, 2025

Apostle

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Read about Saint Bartholomew the Apostle here.

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 18:15-18

Psalm: Psalm 91

Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:9-15

Gospel: Luke 22:24-30

BISHOP SEARCH UPDATE

Transition Committee

On August 4th the Nominating Committee completed 8-months of work to pray, discern, and invite four highly talented and dedicated people to be candidates for the new Diocesan Bishop of ND. The amount of work this committee did to work through a complicated and time-consuming job is to be commended. With the announcement of the candidates for Bishop, a new committee was formed to help the diocese and the candidates through the time until the Electing Convention on Saturday, October 25th. 

The Transition Committee is composed of the 6 members of the Standing Committee and five additional members of the Diocese: Joanne Lassiter, Alison Hiatt, Don Henderson, Angela Goodhouse, and Mary Johnson. The role of the Transition Committee is to help the Diocese meet the candidates for Bishop, understand the election process, and educate the diocese on the importance of listening to God's voice when voting. 

The first events upcoming are the Meet and Greet events and activities which will happen September 2-5 across the diocese (more information below). Everyone in the diocese is invited to attend any of the events, except the lunch in Jamestown which is only for clergy. There will be three formal Meet and Greet events with a dinner and Q&A sessions which will happen in Fargo, Spirit Lake, and Bismarck. There will also be some less formal opportunities in Grand Forks, Standing Rock, and at the United Tribes International Powwow. 

It is vital that all delegates to the Electing Convention attend one of the Meet and Greet sessions. We will make sure to have videos available of all the Meet and Greets so that everyone in the diocese can take the time to listen, pray and discern who God is putting on your heart to vote for during the election process. Please know that the committee thoroughly discussed the issue that we could not get everywhere in the diocese but did our best to try and make sure as many congregations as possible are within 100 miles of a Meet and Greet location.

One of the most important issues during the next two months until the election is that there should be no campaigning by anyone for any of the candidates for Bishop. For our diocese to elect the candidate God has chosen for our diocese, each person needs to personally research, reflect, pray and discern for themselves who they believe will be the best Bishop. The Transition Committee unanimously stands by the no campaigning policy and asks that all clergy, delegates, and members abide by this request. We encourage congregations to set aside a time so that all of the people of each congregation can have a discussion about the candidates so that their delegates to the Electing Convention know the thoughts of the members of their congregation.

The Transition Committee will be in touch with all congregations over the coming weeks to see if we can assist you in a congregational meeting or an information webinar so that everyone understands our election process and has their questions answered. We look forward to seeing all the delegates and clergy at a Meet and Greet in September, and to receive questions for the candidates from anyone in the diocese that would like to submit one.

Click here to submit a question for the Meet and Greets.

Please remember to pray continuously for our election process:

O God, creator of the world and sustainer of our lives. We thank you for bringing together the members of the Diocese of North Dakota, a diverse and faithful people. Help us to listen to your Spirit as we discern our choice for a bishop that will live with us, work beside us, and know and understand us as we grow together to serve your people. AMEN.

Dr. Jason Thoms

President of the Standing Committee

Transition Committee Members

Elsie Magnus, St. Peter's, Walhalla

John Baird, St. Stephen's, Fargo

Beth Lipp, St. George's, Bismarck

Jason Thoms, St. George's, Bismarck

Jamie Parsley, St. Stephen's, Fargo

Tyrrell DeCoteau, St. Sylvan's, Dunseith

Joanne Lassiter, St. George's, Bismarck

Alison Hiatt, St. George's, Bismarck

Don Henderson, St. Paul's, Grand Forks

Angela Goodhouse, St. Luke's, Fort Yates

Mary Johnson, Retired Priest

Bishop Meet & Greet

Contact Info for Informal Lunch Sessions

Wednesday, September 3

St. Paul's, Grand Forks

Click the orange link to email Fr. Harvey Henderson

Thursday, September 4

Grace, Jamestown

Click the orange link to email Fr. Robert Hoekstra

Friday, September 5

St. James, Cannon Ball

Click the orange link to email Fr. John Floberg

Bishop Nominees

Presented in alphabetical order

The nominating committee is pleased to present a slate of qualified candidates that meets the requirements described in the Constitution and Canons. The four candidates are:

• The Rev. Lecia Diaz Brannon of the Diocese of Texas
• The Very Rev. Shay Craig of the Diocese of Western Kansas
• The Rev. Dr. Brandt Montgomery of the Diocese of Maryland
• The Very Rev. Benjamin Thomas Th.D. of the Diocese of Minnesota

Further information about each candidate, including a cover letter, short biographical sketch, resume, OTM resume, and brief video clip will be available on the Diocesan Bishop Search web page.

Diocesan Bishop Search Collect

O God, creator of the world and sustainer of our lives. We thank you for bringing together the members of the Diocese of North Dakota, a diverse and faithful people. Help us to listen to your Spirit as we discern our choice for a bishop that will live with us, work beside us, and know and understand us as we grow together to serve your people. AMEN.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION

Anchored in Christ's Love: One Body, One Mission

Planning Information

When: October 24-25, 2025

Where: Prairie Knights Casino & Resort

Things to do:

• Pray for the Convention & the Bishop Nominees
• Register [forms available soon]
• Book hotel room
• Make sure the Diocesan Office has your church's delegate list
• Watch for further information

Friday Business & Quorum

The Convention Planning Committee invites you to note some important changes to the schedule, content, and canonical requirements of this year’s convention:

All Business on Friday Afternoon

Due to the happy task of saving our Saturday meeting time for the election of the 12th Bishop of North Dakota, all of the Diocese’s convention business must be accomplished on Friday, October 24th.

Therefore, the Convention will convene at 2PM in the Pavilion Ballroom of the Prairie Knights Casino that Friday afternoon. Further, because we must have time to elect new diocesan leaders and approve budgets for 2026 and 2027, we will not hold workshops as has been done in past conventions.

Larger Quorum Needed for Election of a Bishop

Because we are holding an election for a bishop, our canons require that two-thirds of the Members of the Clergy entitled to vote and two-thirds of the Lay delegates representing two-thirds of the Congregations entitled to representation at the Convention shall constitute a quorum for the election of a Bishop. (Canon III, Sec.5)

Therefore, accurate delegate lists are imperative, as is the attendance of every parish delegate and eligible clergyperson. Registration materials will be released in early September. Senior Wardens and parish clergy should anticipate these materials and assist their delegates in registration.

With my thanks for your support of an exciting and successful convention,

+Brian

Nominations

Each year we hold nominations for different leadership positions within the Diocese. Please prayerfully consider holding one of these offices. Descriptions of each position are listed on the second page of the nomination form. Questions, please contact Bp. Brian Thom or Jessica Krzewina.

Secretary of Convention

1 person, 1 year term, repeatable

Treasurer of the Diocese

1 person, 1 year term, repeatable

Standing Committee/Diocesan Council

Clergy/Standing Committee: Elect 1 clergy, 2-year term

Clergy/Standing Committee: Elect 1 clergy, 3-year term

Lay/Standing Committee: Elect 1 lay person, 3-year term

East Region to Diocesan Council: Elect multiple positions

West Region to Diocesan Council: Elect multiple positions

General Convention Deputies

Four clergy and four lay deputies

Convention Planning Committee Members

George Abdilnour, St. Peter's, Williston

Harvey Henderson, St. Paul's, Grand Forks

Sandy Holbrook, St. Stephen's, Fargo

Ashley Hubbard, Diocesan Missioner

Jessica Krzewina, Diocesan Administrator

Joanne Lassiter, St. George's, Bismarck

Beth Lipp, St. George's, Bismarck

Donna Pettit, St. Paul's, Grand Forks

Vanessa Strobel, Gethsemane, Fargo

Brian Thom, Bishop Provisional

Diocesan Treasurer Appointment:

The Rev. John Floberg

The Rev. John Floberg, rector of the parishes on the Standing Rock Reservation, has been appointed as the Diocesan Treasurer by the Diocesan Council. Accepting this appointment as the diocese prepares for its annual convention in October, Fr. Floberg will be able to offer his long history as priest and former diocesan staffer to the financial deliberations of the Council. Fr. Floberg resigned his seat on the Standing Committee to accept this new role.

The position of Treasurer is annually elected by the Convention, so Fr. Floberg will be a nominee for the position when the diocese gathers at Prairie Knights for its 55th Annual Convention.

Standing Committee Appointment:

The Rev. Jamie Parsley

With a vacancy on the Standing Committee due to the resignation of Fr. John Floberg, the Standing Committee has appointed The Rev. Jamie Parsley as an interim member. Fr. Parsley is the rector of St. Stephen's Church in Fargo. Interim appointments are only valid until the next diocesan convention, therefore, Fr. Parsley will be a nominee for the two-year unexpired term when Convention convenes.

Province VI Episcopal Church Women

Annual Meeting on Zoom

General Convention - July 2027

The General Convention Office has announced that the legislative days of the 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be Saturday, July 3, to Thursday, July 8, 2027. Bishops and deputies will be asked to arrive in Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the convention, by June 30 for preparatory meetings on July 1 and 2.

The triennial meeting of the National Episcopal Church Women will be held alongside General Convention.

The General Convention Reinvention Steering Committee is continuing to plan for an innovative convention that will include legislative sessions, time for worship, and collective discernment on key issues facing the church. More information about the plans for the 82nd General Convention will be available in August.

The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese. Learn more.

At our Diocesan Convention in October, we will elect four lay deputies and four clergy deputies to attend General Convention in 2027.

United Thank Offering

2026 Annual Grant Applications

The United Thank Offering Board is delighted to announce the opening of applications for its 2026 annual grants, seeking projects that focus on justice through bridging divides. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. ET Jan. 9 for Anglican Communion partners and 5 p.m. ET Jan. 30 for Episcopal Church applicants.

Applications received by the posted deadlines will go through a review process to ensure all criteria are met before a final submission in February. In addition, draft applications can be emailed to the Rev. Heather Melton for feedback and support starting Aug. 1.

Find application materials and support videos online in English and Spanish. Applicants are invited to register for one-on-one support during open office hours this fall with United Thank Offering staff.

The focus of grants for the 2026-2028 triennium is inspired by sources from the “three-legged stool” of Anglicanism: Scripture, tradition, and reason. In 2026, the grant focus is inspired by a C.S. Lewis quote and Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Applications must demonstrate how two disconnected groups will collaborate on a project that works toward meaningful change within a local community.

“Members of the UTO Grants Committee are keenly feeling the ways in which the United States continues to grow increasingly fractured socially, politically, and financially,” writes the Rev. Rowan Larson, vice president for grants for the United Thank Offering. “As we see similar divides deepening in countries across the world, we believe this is a global issue that affects us all. We are hopeful that this year’s grant focus will inspire innovative ministry projects to bridge some of these divides and move communities toward justice for all.”

During the last three-year grant cycle, United Thank Offering grants supported nearly 70 innovative mission and ministry projects focused on areas of ministry based on Matthew 25:31-46, including the worldwide incarceration crisis, welcoming “the stranger,” and water-related issues.

Learn more about the United Thank Offering, a ministry of The Episcopal Church. Read past press releases about United Thank Offering grants.

CIVIC SPOTLIGHT

If there are things you would like to contribute to the "Civic Spotlight," please email links/articles to Jess in the Diocesan Office.

Mail-In Ballots and Vote Machines

Work in North Dakota!

Submitted by Amy Phillips, St. Stephen's, Fargo

On August 18, President Trump announced that he wants to do away with mail-in voting and voting machines before the 2026 midterm elections. He would prefer in-person paper ballots that are counted by hand. His rationale for this position is that mail-in ballots are “corrupt” and that the U.S. “is the only Country in the World that uses Mail-in Voting.” 

The President is wrong on both counts. In reality, 34 countries or territories around the world use mail-in voting, with Europe having the largest number of countries that use mail ballots. In the U.S., mail ballots have been successfully used for over 150 years, and corruption of the mail-in system is virtually non-existent. States administer elections, not the Federal government, and states have developed multiple layers of security including (but not limited to) sealed envelopes, secure drop-off locations, secure ballot handling, and protections against impersonation. Mail-in ballots are not “corrupt.”

States also ensure the safety and security of voting machines. Voting equipment is tested before every election, voting machines must meet federal standards, and electronic voting systems produce paper records for audits and recounts.

North Dakota uses voting machines in its elections and has 42 vote-by-mail counties (where a mail-in ballot application is automatically sent to eligible voters). The remaining 11 counties offer no-excuse absentee ballots upon request (which can be returned by mail). In the 2024 General Election, North Dakotans cast 91,556 vote-by-mail and absentee ballots. The North Dakota Secretary of State provides detailed information on the state’s electronic voting system and guarantees the security of the system.

Why is this information important now? As the League of Women Voters has stated in response to President Trump’s recent comments:

“Free, fair, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. President Trump’s call to eliminate vote-by-mail is a direct attack on Americans’ freedom to vote…. President Trump’s attacks on voting machines are similarly misleading and dangerous. Voting systems in the US already meet strict standards for security, accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, with paper ballots or audit trails to verify results. Scrapping machines in favor of hand counting would undermine election integrity and efficiency, not strengthen it.” 

It is incumbent on all of us to support the safe, secure, and fair election system that exists in North Dakota today. The Episcopal Church provides election engagement resources and seeks volunteers to help promote and facilitate local non-partisan election engagement efforts in their state or region. We are asked by our church to educate ourselves and others to recognize and overcome misinformation, to engage in constructive political conversations, and to……