Nebraska Episcopal bishop to be selected at event in Hastings

From Nebraska-

St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro Cathedral will host the election of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska’s 11th bishop since the dioceses was established in 1838 at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The private event will include a panel of 261 registered delegates and clergy representing each of the state’s 64 Episcopal churches. Candidates include the Rev. J. Scott Barker of New York, the Rev. Margaret Holt Sammons of Chicago, and the Rev. Sarah J. Shofstall of Maine.

The elected candidate will replace the Rev. Bishop Joe Burnett, who vacated the position in March to seek an Auxiliary Bishop position in Maryland. To date, there has never been a women elected to the position.

The Rev. Catherine Scott, priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s and diocesan standing committee member, said Thursday that both she and her husband, Robert, a retired pastor, will vote in the election. Pastors and deacons both active and retired may vote in the election, along with lay delegates.

Selection is decided by a simple majority vote, provided at least 2/3 of all clergy entitled to vote and all lay delegates entitled to vote are present. Though Burnett’s election in 2003 was decided on the first ballot, the process can take several votes to accomplish, Scott said.

More here-

http://www.hastingstribune.com/news0603bishop.php