Bishop Search | Episcopal Diocese of Long Island

A Prayer for our Bishop Search

from the Joint Oversight Committee

Almighty God, giver of every good gift and source of all wisdom and understanding, look graciously upon your church and so guide the minds and hearts of those who will choose our next bishop. We pray that those who offer themselves as candidates in this process, you will grant them wisdom and discernment, a spirit of revelation and knowledge of your will, that they will care for all your people and equip us for our ministries through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A stained glass window with light shining in through the holy dove

About the Search for the Ninth Bishop of Long Island

On December 10, 2024, Bishop Provenzano,announced that he had informed Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe of his intention to resign as Bishop Diocesan of Long Island in September of 2026, calling for the discernment process for ninth bishop to begin in early 2025. The Joint Oversight Committee will oversee the election process and facilitate the formation of a Search Committee and Transition Committee with guidance from consultants at the Presiding Bishop’s Office. The Search Committee will be responsible for creating and presenting a slate of candidates, while the Transition Committee will manage key aspects of the transition, including candidate visits, community discernment, and ordination-related events.

This special section of the diocesan website has been created to inform members of the elements of that process, and keep the church informed of progress. New sections will be added as the transition progresses.

View Latest Updates

Diocesan Landscape Survey

The Search Committee for the Ninth Bishop of Long Island warmly invites you to take part in the Diocesan Landscape Survey. This is a vital part of our shared discernment as we seek, with God’s help, the person who will serve as our next bishop.

Your voice matters. Each response helps shape a clearer understanding of who we are as a diocese—our hopes, our challenges, our diversity, and our calling. We ask that you complete this survey prayerfully, listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
as you reflect on your experiences, dreams, and concerns for the Church.

This is more than a questionnaire—it is a tool for holy listening. It will guide the creation of our Diocesan Profile and inform upcoming Listening Sessions. It is one way we can join together in faithful discernment, trusting that the Spirit is at work
among us and through us.

The survey is anonymous, confidential, and being collected by an independent third-party to ensure full privacy. It is available in English, Spanish, and Korean and open from Wednesday, July 16 through Wednesday, August 13.

Please share the survey widely with your parish communities. We seek to hear from every voice in every corner of the Diocese—from long-time members to newcomers, clergy and lay alike. A broad and diverse response will help us discern more fully where the Spirit is leading us. To begin the survey, click the link in your preferred language:

English Spanish Korean

Timeline

Click on each date below to view descriptions of the key events in the search for the Ninth Bishop of Long Island.

Bishop Provenzano Announces Resignation – December 2024

Bishop Provenzano announceshis intention to retire in September 2026.

Joint Oversight Committee Active – January - February 2025

Members of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council appointed to JOC meets with the Presiding Bishop and Consultants for the process.

JOC Calls for Committee Applications – March - April 2025

JOC requested applications for Search and Transition Committees. Application review and selection.

Announcement of Search and Transition Committees – May 2025

Committees and Co-Chairs announced to Diocese.

Search and Transition Committees Active – May - June 2025

Beginning with a shared retreat, the committees are hard at work on communication, data collection, and profile creation plans.

Listening Sessions and Survey Conducted – July - September 2025

Your chance to make your voice heard! Survey link and listening session info will be available soon.

Diocesan Profile Published, Application Opens – Fall 2025

A snapshot of our Diocese is available Discernment Begins for potential applicants. Nomination and application period opens.

Application Period Ends, Discernment Begins – Fall 2025

Applicants are screened and interviewed by the search committee.

Slate Announced, Petition Period Opens – Winter 2026

JOC announces slate of candidates. Petition process begins.

Meet and Greets with Candidates – Spring 2026

Your opportunity to hear directly from the candidates through in-person events across the Diocese.

Electing Convention – Spring 2026

Ninth Bishop elected at a special convention.

Ordination of Ninth Bishop – September 2026

The Diocese gathers for the ordination of the Ninth Bishop of Long Island.

Download Printable Timeline (PDF)

Members of Search and Transition Committees Announced

We are pleased to announce that the following individuals have been selected to serve on the Search Committee and the Transition Committee. After a thorough and prayerful discernment process, these members have been chosen to represent the diverse voices and gifts of our community as we seek our next bishop.

Members of the Search Committee

The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach, Co-Chair
St. John’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

Dr. Lena Mullings, Co-Chair
All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Jimmie Sue Deppe
The Church of St. Jude (Nassau County)

The Rev. Andrew Durbidge
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Grace Flint
St. Francis Episcopal Church (Nassau County)

The Rev. Sheldon N. N. Hamblin
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

The Rev. John Merz
The Episcopal Church of the Ascension (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Deacon Myldred Previl
St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Deacon Katherine Schneider
Zion Episcopal Church (Queens)

The Rev. Carlos Rendon
Iglesia de La Santa Cruz (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Keith A. Voets
The Episcopal Church of St. Alban the Martyr (Queens)

Laura Beckham
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

Jennifer Florez
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Queens)

Tamara Harris
The Cathedral of the Incarnation (Nassau County)

Dr. Nancy Lam
Christ Church (Brooklyn)

Dr. Lorna R. Lewis
Church of the Transfiguration (Nassau County)

James Olszewski
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Queens)

Karen R. Schief
Church of the Advent (Nassau County)

Léon M. Willis II
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity (Brooklyn)

Members of the Transition Committee

The Rev. Deacon Claire Mis, Co-Chair
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

Randal Schultz, Co-Chair
St. Ann’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

The Rev. Diane L. Neuls DeBlasio
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

The Rev. Sully Guillaume-Sam
St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church (Queens)

The Rev. Deacon Brenda Marshall
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Stephen C. Tamke
Christ Church (Nassau County)

The Rev. Darrell L. Tiller
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

The Rev. Dr. Norman Whitmire, Jr.
All Saints' Episcopal Church (Queens)

The Rev. Lu Carrie Zhang
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Queens)

Charmaine G. Alleyne
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Brooklyn)

Dr. Michelle A. Chester
Church of the Transfiguration (Nassau County)

Kevin C. Fowler
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

Lesly Galloway
Christ Church (Suffolk County)

Darleyne Mayers
Church of the Transfiguration (Nassau County)

Angela Sacco
Caroline Episcopal Church (Suffolk County)

Wendy Small-Brassell
Grace Episcopal Church (Queens)

Denise Washington
Church of the Nativity (Brooklyn)

We are deeply grateful to each of them for their willingness to serve in this important ministry. The committees will begin their work immediately, guided by prayer, discernment, and a commitment to listening to the Holy Spirit and the needs of our diocese.

Please keep the members of the committees in your prayers as they undertake this vital work. Further updates and opportunities for input from the wider community will be shared in the coming weeks.

Warm regards,

The Joint Oversight Committee

Joint Oversight Committee

The committee comprises eight members—four elected from the Standing Committee and four elected from the Diocesan Council. The new committee members were elected by the membership of their respective bodies.

From the Standing Committee