21 Dec As 2021 Draws to a Close…

Dear Upper Midwest Diocese, 

As 2021 draws to a close, I am thankful for this year’s highlights from the Upper Midwest and our diocesan work. While we continue to wait on the provincial investigation, I praise God for these glimpses of grace, including:

• Six individuals ordained, with another deacon being ordained in January 
• More than 80 believers confirmed and received into the Anglican communion
• New church buildings consecrated, helping our congregations outreach in urban Minneapolis, MN, and Madison, WI. 
• New life celebrated as infants, children and adults received the gift of baptism—many baptisms took place during in-person worship services for the first time since the pandemic started
• The launch of weekly worship services by church plant Resurrection Anglican in Minneapolis, and a second church preparing to launch in early 2022

The Bishop’s Council has continued stewarding the mission and ministry of the Upper Midwest by providing spiritual, financial, and operations leadership, meeting every two weeks. A communications subcommittee oversees regular updates to our clergy and congregations, and a finance subcommittee manages budgetary matters. Acting Bishop John Miller serves as a liaison to the Province and has episcopal authority to carry out liturgical functions, including ordinations and confirmations. 

As we move into 2022, the Council seeks to strengthen our diocese for the long-term via three critical task forces:

• A Child Safety Task Force that will collaborate with diocesan churches as we seek to protect the most vulnerable in our communities
• A Response Team Task Force that will develop an external team and procedures for handling concerns or allegations unrelated to the current investigation
• A Constitution and Canons Task Force that will review our governing structures

This year has been painful and challenging for many as we wait on the provincial investigation. But in the midst of this waiting, our hope remains in the Lord to renew us each and supply what we need for this season. We move forward together as brothers and sisters in shared ministry. Please join us in praying this collect for the Church:

“Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.”  (Book of Common Prayer, 2019)

In Christ,

Fr. Alex Cameron
Chair
The Bishop’s Council
Diocese of the Upper Midwest