Livestream, watch parties planned for presiding bishop-elect’s investiture on Nov. 2

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church is preparing for a leadership transition that occurs once every nine years: This week, the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe takes office as the church’s 28th presiding bishop. On Nov. 2, Episcopalians will celebrate the beginning of the new denominational leader’s term with a service of investiture. Livestream watch parties are planned in dioceses across the church.

This transition, however, will look a bit different from transitions past.

Rowe has arranged for a simpler, scaled-down service at 11 a.m. Eastern Nov. 2 in the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the church’s headquarters in New York. It will be a contrast to the larger, grander presiding bishop installations that typically have been hosted by Washington National Cathedral in the U.S. capital. The cathedral has served as the seat of the presiding bishop since 1941.

Rowe was partly motivated by an interest in reducing the service’s carbon footprint while increasing opportunities for churchwide virtual participation. All of the churches over 106 dioceses and missions were invited to send video greetings for a “roll call” that will precede the investiture, starting at 9:30 a.m. on the livestream. It can be viewed on the church’s Facebook page.

“In the next nine years, we will focus our energy and resources on equipping and supporting our dioceses to participate in God’s mission, and along the way, we will try out many new ideas,” the presiding bishop-elect told Episcopal News Service. “In that spirit, I am grateful to everyone who has embraced the opportunity to do a new thing with this investiture service. I look forward to celebrating with all of God’s people in The Episcopal Church on Saturday.”

Rowe was elected and confirmed in June by the 81st General Convention. He is the fourth bishop elected to serve a nine-year term as presiding bishop. Starting with 25th Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who was elected in 1997, the term’s duration was shortened from the office’s previous 12 years. Griswold was followed in 2006 by 26th Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. Rowe’s predecessor, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, was elected 27th presiding bishop in 2015 and will conclude his eventful primacy on Oct. 31.

“This will be the first time in our history that we have installed a presiding bishop in this way,” Curry noted in a video invitation to Episcopalians to view Rowe’s investiture. “We learned through the pandemic how to be the church embodied physically and how to be the church embodied in cyberspace.”

The presiding bishop has a range of responsibilities, as outlined by The Episcopal Church Constitution and Canons. Those include presiding over the House of Bishops, chairing Executive Council, visiting every Episcopal diocese, participating in the ordination and consecration of bishops, receiving and responding to disciplinary complaints against bishops, making appointments to the church’s interim bodies, and “developing policies and strategies for the church and speaking for the church on the policies, strategies and programs of General Convention.”

The House of Bishops elected Rowe on the first ballot on June 26 from a slate of five bishops. The House of Deputies then voted overwhelmingly to confirm the result of the bishops’ election.

Rowe, 49, has served the past 17 years as bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and the past five years as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York, and he has emphasized since his election as presiding bishop that he wants to shift the church’s focus and resources to the diocesan and congregational level. He takes office on Nov. 1, the day before the investiture.

The Episcopal Church has released a series of online resources for dioceses and congregations interested in hosting watch parties for Rowe’s investiture, and many have been actively promoting festive events.

In the Diocese of Florida, for instance, St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville is organizing an investiture watch party for Episcopalians in the diocese. The Diocese of Louisiana, meanwhile, is planning watch parties in each of its deaneries.

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe was consecrated as bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007. Since April 2019, he also has served as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York.

Students from Episcopal schools in Louisiana will join Bishop Shannon Duckworth as she gives “blessings to the Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe and thank Presiding Bishop Michael Curry for his dedicated work,” the diocese said. “It will be a significant moment to be together and celebrate the tradition and future of our church.”

Similarly, the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, which includes the southern half of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, has announced that nine churches around the diocese will host gatherings to watch the investiture together.

In California, the Diocese of El Camino Real is planning a “pajama watch party” for the livestream, at Church of the Good Shepherd in Salinas. The Diocese of Los Angeles’ Daughters of the King will incorporate a viewing of the investiture into its Fall Assembly on Nov. 2 at Christ the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Los Angeles.

And, in the Diocese of Texas, the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin has invited its campus community and Episcopalians in the region to watch the service together in its Knapp Auditorium followed by a reception. Other watch parties are planned at congregations throughout the Houston-based diocese.

The celebration will be especially meaningful at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Franklin, Pennsylvania. That was the parish that first welcomed Rowe as its rector after he was ordained a priest in 2000 at age 25. It held a watch party last June when he was elected presiding bishop, and its members will gather again on Nov. 2 to watch his investiture.

“He has lots of friends here still,” Kaycee Reib, a longtime lay leader at St. John’s, told Episcopal News Service. She added playfully, “We would take him back if you guys don’t want to go through with this.”

Reib, however, will not be joining the St. John’s watch party. Instead, she and her husband will be among the small group of people attending Rowe’s investiture in person in New York. “We were there when he became a deacon and a priest and a bishop,” Reib said, “and now we’ll be there for this one, too.”

She has full confidence in the church’s next presiding bishop. “I think he’ll do beautifully,” she said. “We love him to pieces.”

A Word from Bishop Matt Gunter
We are approaching the end of a contentious presidential election in a time when the country remains deeply divided and polarized. It is understandable that many of us feel anxious. Christians are to be people of prayer in all times, but particularly in times of heightened anxiety. So, I am calling on the members of the Diocese of Wisconsin to pray together in the days leading up to the election.

Previously, I encouraged you to practice praying for the two candidates for president using the Jesus Payer. Now I want to encourage you to join with Episcopalians around the country in praying a “novena” provided by Forward Movement. A novena is an ancient tradition of nine days of devotional prayers, often with a specific intention. In this case, we pray for discernment in voting and for the well-being of our nation. You can find the prayers and further explanation below. 

Under the Mercy,

Access Nova Here

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..

Excerpt from the first newsletter:

The Diocese of Eau Claire

Vol. 1 No. 1

Hudson, WI, June, 1929

"Last Supper" Panel

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Herewith is a cut of the memorial panel which was unveiled on the Fifth Sunday after Easter, May 22, 1927. It is the gift of Mrs. Walter Fitch in memory of her mother, Mrs. Abigail Milliken Harper, who entered into Paradise July 2, 1904. The panel consists of a wood carving done by one of the Oberammergau Langs (the same who did the carving on the Rood Beam) who is credited with being one of the two best wood carvers in this country. The panel itself is set in a Gothic frame and illuminated by a concealed light from above. 

The carving is a reproduction of the painting known as the "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian painter of the fifteenth century. It shows our Lord and the twelve apostles in the upper room in Jerusalem on Maunday Thursday night when Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. The particular incident portrayed occurred just as our Lord made the startling announcement: "Verily, verily I say unto you that one of you shall betray me." Immediately to the right of our Lord sits St. John, the Beloved Disciple, perplexed by this unexpected statement. St. Peter (third on the right) has jumped to his feet and is leaning back of Judas Iscariot reaching for St. John and urging him to ask the Master who the traitor may be. Judas shrinks forward on the table clutching his money bag. 

On the left of our Lord is St. James the Elder, leaning back with hands extended in astonishment. Behind him stands St. Thomas with his hands raised as though asking the question, "Lord, is it I?" And next to him is pleading his innocence of any treachery. Toward the left end of the table is a group of three more apostles with their heads together discussing the strange turn of events. The first of them is St. Matthew, speaking to the other apostles but extending his hands toward the Savior as though referrring to His recent remarks. Next is Thadeus, striking one hand into the other in token of surprise, and at the end of the table is Simon the Canaanite with his hands extended in dismay. 

The last three, at the right hand end of the table represent St. Andrew with his hands raised in amazement, while St. James the Younger reaches behind him toward St. Peter as though to restrain any hasty action. At the end of the table St. Bartholomew leans attentively forward to catch our Lord's reply to St. John's question as to the identity of the traitor. It is an exceptionally expressive piece of work, beautifully executed and placed in the wall of the Church near the pew which Mrs. Harper used to occupy in the old Church. 

Look for this as you walk into the Cathedral on the right hand side handing on the wall.