Dear Upper Midwest Diocese,

On December 16, the Court for the Trial of a Bishop published its decision fully exonerating Bishop Stewart of all charges. We encourage you to read the Trial Court’s Final Order here  and the Province’s announcement here.

We are very grateful for the clarity of the outcome provided by the Trial Court and are eager to continue our work with Bishop Stewart as we plant a revival of Word and Sacrament. The Trial Court’s Final Order is a substantial document that will take time to digest. We invite you to join us in prayerfully processing what it contains.

The Standing Committee chose not to speak publicly about the investigation or trial proceedings until their conclusion. Our intention has been to honor the process and ensure an outcome free from undue influence.

We also felt called to focus on the work before us. Along with the ACNA, and with the strong support of our Bishop, we have worked to bolster our safeguarding procedures. We have improved our governance structures and our ordination process. We are committed to continue learning, and to further develop a culture and order which reflects the care that Jesus charges us to give. You can see specific actions taken to strengthen the diocese here.

The last four years have brought significant hardships to many inside and outside our Diocese. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered abuse or those who have had their past experiences of abuse stirred up during this season. We continue to pray for God’s supernatural comfort and healing, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure protection and care for those in our fold and to rebuild trust where it has been broken. Lord, have mercy.

We are grateful that in the midst of storms, God’s strong and tender love remains. When everything around us seems to shake, the Kingdom of God cannot be shaken. We trust him to be faithful to his people and his church.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
-Psalm 46:1-2, ESV

May the Lord keep us in his perfect peace.

Sincerely,

The Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest
Dan Easley, Chair
Alyssa Tennison, Vice Chair
Father Kent Anderson
Becky Galstad
Deacon Kaitlyn Gaytan
Father Eric Snyder