To Clergy and Lay Leaders of the Diocese of El Camino Real

On Tuesday, March 30, the Standing Committee met with Bishop Matthews and 9 persons who had documented grievances as a result of past actions by Bishop Shimpfky.  Bishop Matthews listened with great care.  By the end of the discussion it was decided not to file charges.  Rather, a general consensus had been reached on two major issues, which will be communicated to the Presiding Bishop:

(1) Prevention of further harm: All present agreed that Bishop Shimpfky should not be placed in any church position in which he would evaluate or supervise personnel or have access to personnel files.

(2) Communication and clarification:   All present agreed that further communication with the Diocese will be necessary to help people come to better understanding of the nature and content of the grievances. 

On Wednesday, Marcy 31, the Standing Committee with Bishop Matthews to address transition issues.  Bishop Matthews strongly recommended that the Standing Committee, in consultation with the Joint Process Committee, consider and try to arrange for an assisting bishop to work with our diocese during the interim.  Bishop Matthews helped us develop “job descriptions” for the Standing Committee and such an assisting bishop.  Bishop Matthews would be able to recommend bishops to the diocese if we request, and thinks we could have an assisting bishop with us by early fall, to serve the diocese until our next bishop is called.

Wednesday afternoon the Standing Committee met with Bishop Matthews and with the chairs of the Joint Process Committee, Diocesan Council and the Board of Corporation to plan the first steps in the interim period. This was a very productive session and one important idea that was agreed to by all was the need for a Lay Conference as well as a Clergy Conference in the very near future. These two conferences would be designed to facilitate the process of letting go of the past and learning to face the future with hope.

Wednesday evening a member of the diocese offered to fully fund a Lay Conference, to which all lay persons in the diocese will be invited.  The Standing Committee sees this offer as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s work among us and a confirmation that we are moving in the right direction.

On Thursday, April 1, we completed the initial planning for this Lay Conference, which is now set for Saturday, May 22 at St. Stephen's, San Jose.  The Lay Conference will be free and box lunches will be provided. The conference will be led by the Rev. Ron Reed, former Director of the Office of Stewardship Education of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Dale Simison, who assisted our diocese in the formation of the El Camino Real Foundation.  No diocesan clergy will be present.  The recommendations of the Lay Conference will be presented to the clergy at the Clergy Conference which begins May 24.

A note to the laity:  Further information about this Lay Conference will be coming to you soon.  In the meantime, we invite you to clear your calendars for May 22 so that you can be present for this important day.

A note to the clergy: Please clear your calendars for May 24-26, when we will work with the Rev. Al Bamsey to begin letting go of the past and then, with the help of our lay leaders, begin to face the future.

The Rev. Donna Ross                             
President, Standing Committee