The Episcopal Diocese of

North Dakota



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Welcome to our email Newsletter!

Highlights from this issue:

• Annual Diocesan Convention
• Bp. Tom's Obituary & Funeral Information
• 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!

Edward Bouverie Pusey

September 18, 2025

Priest, 1882

Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant Edward Bouverie Pusey, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

*Read about Edward Bouverie Pusey here.

First Lesson: Ezekiel 36:24-28

Psalm: Psalm 106:1-5

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-23

Gospel: Matthew 18:12-14

BISHOP SEARCH UPDATE

Bishop Meet & Greet Q&A

There were three formal Question and Answer sessions during our Bishop Meet and Greet Week). Each of these sessions have been recorded and are available on our website.

Bishop Nominees

Presented in alphabetical order

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

October 24-25, 2025

Prairie Knights Casino & Resort | Fort Yates, ND

Convention website: www.ndepiscopal.org/2025diocesanconvention

*Please note: Diocesan Convention Business will begin at 2:00pm on Friday, October 24. Please see this email announcement for further information.

Housekeeping Information

Hotel Rooms should be secured sooner rather than later. Please call Prairie Knights and book your room. Mention “Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota Convention” when you call to book your room. Phone: 701.854.7777

Display & Selling Tables will be around the Convention space. We look forward to as many tables as there are people interested in sharing their ministries. We ask that tables be ministries or interests appropriate to the Episcopal Church. These display tables could also be a chance to showcase a special ministry or program at your church, sell items to help fund ministries, or a place to give away items your church/ministry is no longer using. Once you get an idea for your display table, please email Jessica in the Diocesan Office for next steps. 

The Diocesan Budget will be available soon on our website. The Finance Committee has sent a 2026 proposed and 2027 projected budget on to the Diocesan Council. Diocesan Council will meet on September 22, 2025 to review and finalize the budget that will be presented at Convention. Once approved, we will send the budget on to all lay delegates and clergy, at least 30-days prior to convention. At this time, we will also upload a copy to the Diocesan website, along with a Budget Book, detailing specific line items of the budget.

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

Passing of The Rt. Rev Tom Ely

Bishop Tom Ely passed away on Saturday, August 30th surrounded by his family.

Bishop Tom's funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 11:00am, Eastern time. If you would like to attend the service virtually, you can watch via vimeo.

Bp. Tom's obituary can be found here.

Finally, in lieu of flowers, Ann and her family have picked a few causes that were close to Bp. Tom's heart. You can find the list here.

Mailing Address for Ann Ely:

104 Magnolia Drive

Brattleboro, VT 05301

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.

Office of Government Relations

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

The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. and helps to shape the discussion of political issues throughout the Church. OGR aims to influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions.

If you or your congregation are interested in being notified about social issues on which the Episcopal Church is taking immediate action, you can sign up to receive Action Alerts from the Office of Government Relations at this link. You can then contribute your voice to the effort to support policies that address poverty, gun violence, LGBTQ+ equality, and other issues.