[Episcopal Church in Montana] The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Montana announced  on May 1 a slate of three candidates for the 10^th bishop of the diocese.

The Rev. Mary Caucutt

Bishop Franklin Brookhart retired on Oct. 31, 2018. The candidates to succeed Brookhart, in alphabetical order, are:

• The Rev. Mary Caucutt, rector of Christ Church in Cody, Wyoming.
• The Rev. Nina Ranadive Pooley, rector of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Yarmouth, Maine.
• The Rev. Marty Elizabeth Stebbins, rector of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Wilson, North Carolina.

The Rev. Nina Ranadive Pooley

The Standing Committee received and approved the slate of candidates by unanimous vote in a closed-door session on April 16. The approval of the slate is the culmination of a process that began in July 2018, when Brookhart’s retirement plans were announced, and elections were held to form a Nominating Committee to lead the process of discerning and proposing candidates for bishop.

The Nominating Committee, under the leadership of Keith Kuhn as chair, conducted listening sessions in every parish in the diocese, conducted a full survey, met regularly and worked hard to bring a strong slate to the diocese.

The Rev. Marty Stebbins

Detailed information on the individual candidates can be found on the diocesan website.

Candidates for bishop still may be added to the final slate through a petition process, the details of which may be found on the diocesan website. Nominations by petition may be filed until 5 p.m. MDT May 15.

The electing convention will take place on July 26 at First Presbyterian Church in Bozeman. The service of ordination and consecration is scheduled for Dec. 7 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Helena.

The Episcopal Church in Montana encompasses 33 congregations across the Big Sky state.