Dear Members of the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna,
It is customary that the House of Bishops pens an official Pastoral Word to the Church at the conclusion of its biannual meeting, held this past week at Camp Allen in Texas. That letter, whose purpose is to share our work and our theological reflections, is written by committee and is approved by consensus.
This note is a more personal reflection on our time in Texas.
First, please know that Bishop Kevin and I are grateful for the opportunity to be away with our colleagues. There is a joy in meeting with those who share the same work that we do, and the variety of contexts across our international church reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a powerful unifying force confirming that there is one Body, one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. (BCP 299)
Our meeting challenged us intellectually and theologically as we received presentations on AI from colleagues Nicholas Knisley (RI) and Andy Doyle (TX), digging deep to understand the moral and theological implications of this medium, its benefits and its threats. We were introduced to a way of thinking called “future back” by Bob Johansen of The Institute for the Future, whose recent book, Disciplines of Hope (2026) — co-authored by Bishop Doyle — was given to us as a gift for our continued learning. Jason Shenck and Haley Bankey of the Presiding Bishop’s office made a presentation about their developing work in resourcing dioceses for Congregational Vitality, Church Planting, and Redevelopment — great opportunities abound for us! And we continued our work from our last session in March focusing on the importance of formation for ordination and the various thresholds of understanding along the ordination path.
Hosting the Archbishop of Canterbury was a joy. She shared encouraging words with us and, in her practical and authentic way, talked about where she finds hope. She named as the focus of her hope several mission sites that she has visited where good gospel work is being done and where people are being cared for with compassion. The Archbishop was gracious at the end of her visit and stood with us in the 97-degree heat as we assembled for a group photo.
There were beautiful moments of vulnerability in the preaching of our colleagues during daily worship, opportunities to sit in the shade in rocking chairs and meet one-on-one with friends, time to gather with our classes (all those ordained in the same year) and our Provinces, and meetings of affinity groups like Bishops United Against Gun Violence and Campus Ministry. On our sabbath day, we had the opportunity to gather in a contemplative retreat, engage in “camp” activities (I never miss a chance to go horseback riding!), or travel to local art museums at Texas A&M or other nearby cultural sites.
And, it is always good to get home.
We were blessed with easy travel this time (no six-hour lines at TSA this trip as there had been in March!) and we are both refreshed and excited for Convention and the Presiding Bishop’s visit in mid-October. In looking forward to his visit, the Presiding Bishop mentioned his respect for our diocese as a leader in the Church and model for reunification, as well as his great affection having served as Provisional Bishop in the Diocese of Bethlehem (2014-2018). +Sean said to me, “I love those people!”
With gratitude for all of you, and excitement for our future together,
+Audrey and +Kevin