A letter from Bp.-Elect Ruch

July 3, 2013

Dearest Diocese of the Upper Midwest:

What a joy it is to write those words!

After 18 months of very focused work, the ACNA has received our request to be named a diocese.  Many have served different roles to bring this moment about.  I am especially thankful for our Steering Team, the Deans, and our Vicar General, Canon William Beasley.

Katherine and I also want to thank the many who have reached out to us with prayer and support in my election as bishop.  We so need your constant prayers.  We are excited and sobered and have begun calling out to Jesus to lead us and lead our diocese.

This winter we as a diocese in formation went through a discernment process regarding our vision, and we all became clear that God is calling us as a diocese to help lead and build a Revival of Word and Sacrament infused by the Holy Spirit in the Upper Midwest.

I have set three weeks this July apart as a season for learning, praying and studying as I prepare for my consecration this fall.  Katherine and I will be spending a day with the Archbishop Bob Duncan and Nara to learn from them the duties of the episcopal office.  I will also be initiating many conversations with ACNA bishops as I learn the balance of serving as rector and bishop, and I will be doing some research into the office of bishop, especially in patristic studies, as well as reading on the history and theology of revival.  I am also looking forward to a retreat for prayer and fasting.

We have the great opportunity to build our diocese on prayer and fasting and, toward that end, I want to do a prayer tour of our new diocese before the consecration service.  I hope to schedule prayer meetings in each of the deaneries (as we did with the Unity Events) where we can seek the Lord together.  I also want to use those times for meeting those I have not yet met and making a personal invitation to each deanery to attend the consecration service.

After working closely with the Archbishop’s office, we have set the date for the Consecration for Saturday September 28 in Wheaton.  I am also delighted to announce that an old friend of mine and Resurrection’s, Archbishop Ben Kwashi of Jos, Nigeria will be present as one of the consecrators.  He is man of God renowned for his passion for mission and church planting.

More information will be forthcoming about the Prayer Tour and Consecration Service.

With our love and prayers,

Fr. Stewart Ruch, III and Katherine
Rector, Church of the Resurrection, Wheaton, IL
Bishop-elect, The Anglican Diocese of the Upper Midwest