The Episcopal News Service Article

[Episcopal News Service – Stevens Point, Wisconsin] The Diocese of Wisconsin gathered here Oct. 4-5 for its first diocesan convention since the state’s three Episcopal dioceses reunited this year, and the celebration was joined by both The Episcopal Church’s current presiding bishop and its presiding bishop-elect.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, whose nine-year term ends Oct. 31, addressed Wisconsin Episcopalians in a prerecorded video, in which he called the votes authorizing the diocese’s reunion “one of the great highlights of General Convention” and “a sign of hope.”

“It was such a great moment, not only for the Diocese of Wisconsin but for The Episcopal Church,” Curry said. “Go forth following in the footsteps of Jesus.”

This diocesan convention also offered an opportunity to formally install Bishop Matthew Gunter as bishop of the reunited diocese. Gunter previously was bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, and as the only active bishop in Wisconsin, he became bishop of the reunited diocese when Fond du Lac merged with the dioceses of Milwaukee and Eau Claire in June.

On Oct. 5, the convention’s Holy Eucharist was held in a ballroom at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Stevens Point, a city of about 25,000 in the center of the state. The diocese welcomed Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe as preacher, and in his sermon, he praised Gunter as a respected bishop in the church.

“Bishop Matt is looked to in our House of Bishops as one who abides, as one of deep spiritual wisdom, and I’m thrilled that he is leading your people here today,” Rowe said.

Rowe’s sermon responded to the Gospel reading from John 15, in which Jesus describes himself as “the true vine” and his father as the vinegrower. Episcopalians and other Christians are like branches of that vine, Rowe said, but they sometimes err in thinking of themselves as the vinegrower.

“Our only duty as branches connected to the vine is to love and to allow ourselves to be pruned by the one who is the master … to let ourselves be pruned in new ways,” Rowe said.

The Diocese of Wisconsin convention was attended by 300 or more clergy and lay leaders from about 100 Episcopal congregations around the state, as well as the two other diocesan bishops who most recently served there. The Rt. Rev. Jay Lambert, who retired as bishop of Eau Claire in November 2020, and the Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, who retired as bishop of Milwaukee in December 2020, led a liturgy of investiture, in which Gunter affirmed his commitment to Christian ministry and faithfulness in the statewide diocese.

The original Diocese of Wisconsin was created in 1847, a year before Wisconsin became a state, and was first led by Bishop Jackson Kemper. Over the next 80 years, the original statewide diocese divided into three as Wisconsin’s population increased. Today, about 6 million people live in the state, though the church’s membership is steadily declining – down overall by a third in the past decade to about 11,000 in the most recent count.

In August 2021, the three dioceses launched a formal process “to explore ways to deepen cooperation and coordination” at a time of bishop transition in the dioceses of Milwaukee and Eau Claire. That process culminated in June 2024 with bishops and deputies voting to authorize the reunion as one of the final items of business at the 81st General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Wisconsin’s reunion is one example of a growing spirit of collaboration among dioceses across The Episcopal Church. The dioceses of Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan also received approval from the 81st General Convention to merge and will finalize that plan at an Oct. 18-19 convention. Other partnerships, in various stages of alignment, include the dioceses of Indianapolis and Northern Indiana; the dioceses of Central Pennsylvania and Bethlehem; the dioceses of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine; and Rowe’s two dioceses, Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York.

Rowe was elected presiding bishop on June 26 on the first ballot by the House of Bishops and confirmed overwhelmingly by the House of Deputies. He has since emphasized the need to restructure the church so that it is more effective in supporting congregations and dioceses in their ministries with their local communities. His term starts Nov. 1, and a ceremonial investiture will be livestreamed Nov. 2.

As bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Rowe also has served since 2018 as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York through the two dioceses’ formal partnership, which has involved sharing a bishop and collaborating in other ways on mission and ministry. In that role, Rowe had previously traveled to Wisconsin to advise its reunion discernment process, known as the “trialogue,” and shared some of what he and his two dioceses had learned.

Now as presiding bishop-elect, Rowe returned to Wisconsin this month to offer encouragement as the state’s Episcopalians begin this new phase of experimentation. He addressed the Diocese of Wisconsin on Oct. 4 in a speech at the end of the convention’s first day.

Gunter, in introducing Rowe, acknowledged that The Episcopal Church “is facing some real headwinds and challenges” in reversing the decline in membership and Sunday attendance that is affecting most mainline Protestant denominations. By choosing Rowe for presiding bishop, “we wanted somebody who we thought could lead us in these times,” Gunter said.

Rowe, echoing the remarks he made in June after his election, described The Episcopal Church as facing “an existential moment.” He warned against assuming there is some easy solution. Instead, he emphasized the importance of experimenting with organizational structures and new ways of being the church, to ensure it can reach and continue to reach the people and communities where it serves.

“The church is the risen body of Christ in the world,” he said, adding that it’s not enough to try connect with people. The higher goal is “connecting for a purpose,” to spread the Gospel.

Rowe called the Diocese of Wisconsin “an inspiration to the church” as it identifies the need for rejuvenation. “I am inspired by your willingness to step out, by your willingness to do what people simply talk about,” Rowe said. “I hate to break it to you, but the hard part is just beginning.”

He referenced his own experiences with diocesan partnerships. “What I’ve learned,” he said, has come “mostly from failure.” The Diocese of Wisconsin won’t get everything right immediately, Rowe said, but this reunion will be a promising “first step” if its leaders and congregations remember that “God’s always working with us.”

“Think about this as the first iteration of your diocese, but don’t think about it as your last,” he said. “You’ve already got it in your DNA, and I think you can help the rest of the church.”

– David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..