“We met grieved by the immensity of the tragedy accompanying hurricane Katrina and thankful for the actions so many who have come to the aid of the victims, particularly noting the work of the Episcopal dioceses affected by the disaster and Episcopal Relief and Development,” said a statement issued by the committee. “Several persons expected at our meeting were called to the efforts to respond to the pressing needs of those affected and we met thankful for their ministries.”

The committee met with those being considered for nomination as Presiding Bishop and continued in its work of discernment. Further discussions and interviews will follow in the fall in preparation for the committee’s January 2006 meeting.

Following the January 2006 meeting the committee will report its nominations to the church and will prepare and publish information on the nominees for the House of Bishops who will elect and the House of Deputies that will consent at the General Convention meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in June 2006.

The committee will recommend to Executive Council and the House of Bishops a process by which additional nominations can be received from members of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies and appropriately screened prior to General Convention.

The committee met within the context of prayer and Eucharist and asked the church to hold all those who have been willing to be considered and the committee itself in prayer. The committee commended the following prayer:

Almighty God, giver of very good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who shall choose the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, that we may receive a faithful Chief Pastor and visionary Primate, who will proclaim the Gospel and lead us with wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

For further information, contact either of the co-chairs, The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, pjlee@thediocese.net or Ms. Diane Pollard dbpsd4u@aol.com

Members of the Joint Nominating Committee:

Province One
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris
The Rev. Thomas J. Brown , Secretary
Mr. Albert T. Mollegen, Jr.

Province Two
The Rt. Rev. Gladstone B. Adams III, Chaplain
The Rev. Jeannette DeFriest
Ms. Diane B. Pollard , Co-Chair

Province Three
The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Co-Chair
The Rev. Canon Mark Harris
Mrs. Jane R. Cosby

Province Four
The Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray III
The Rev. E. Claiborne Jones
Mr. Vincent Currie, Jr.

Province Five
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price, Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Tolliver
Dr. Scott E. Evenbeck

Province Six
The Rt. Rev. Bruce Caldwell
The Rev. Ann K. Fontaine, Chaplain
Mr. Don Betts

Province Seven
The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly
The Rev. James P. Haney V
Ms. Sarah J. Knoll

Province Eight
The Rt. Rev. Jerry A. Lamb
The Rt. Rev. Bavi E. Rivera
Mrs. Bettye Jo Harris

Province Nine
The Rt. Rev. David Alvarez
The Rev. Luis F. Ruiz
Ms. Blanca Lucia Echeverry

Appointed Youth Representatives
Ms. Sierra Wilkinson
Mr. Bradley A. Woodall