Statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Dallas

May 14, 2013

We have received word this day of the resignation of The Right Reverend James M. Stanton, Sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, effective May 31, 2014.

We give thanks to God for his twenty years as Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas, and we look forward to celebrating his ministry and working with him during this time of transition.

We call upon all the faithful, both in the Diocese of Dallas and throughout the larger Church, to give thanks for the ministry of Bishop Stanton, and pray that God will send us a godly bishop who will be a faithful pastor, a wholesome example, and who will guard the faith and unity of the Church.

The Very Rev’d Dr. Neal Michell, President

The Rev’d David Houk

Mr. Robert Hulsey

The Rev’d Robert Johnston

Mr. William McGannon

The Honorable Mr. Jay Patterson, Esq.

To the People and Clergy of the Diocese of Dallas

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

On 14 May, I informed the Standing Committee and Executive Council that I had sent the following letter to the Presiding Bishop:

On 6 March, 1993, I was consecrated as the sixth Bishop of Dallas. On 6 March next year, 2014, I will complete 21 years in this Office. These have been the most challenging, fulfilling and joyful years of my ministry. I am grateful for the trust vested in me by the People and Clergy of the Diocese, and cherish the many relationships which have developed and deepened over this time.

I have come to the place where I believe it is time to relinquish the responsibilities of the Bishop Diocesan, and permit the Diocese to consider and chart its future mission under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I herewith submit my resignation effective May 31, 2014. Please proceed with the canonically appropriate next steps.

This is the way we go about retiring from the Episcopate in our Church. But I want to take this opportunity to thank one and all for the gracious way you have received me and Diane, and our whole family, over these last twenty-plus years.

The decision to retire is not easy, but it is right for me at this time.

Diane and I will continue to live in the Diocese of Dallas.

Bp: Yes. I have written a letter to the Presiding Bishop, as the Canons require, submitting my resignation effective at the end of May, 2014. And I have also met with and informed the Standing Committee and the Executive Council about this decision.

Bp: The Presiding Bishop makes contact with the Standing Committee of the Diocese. They may be “heard” on the matter, as the Canons say. And assuming they are supportive, the Presiding Bishop then informs the Bishops of the Church. A majority of Bishops must consent to the resignation.

BP: Possible for both, I suppose. But I have never known it to happen.

Bp: I will not. We have a very capable Bishop Suffragan. And our Canons in Dallas provide that the Bishop Suffragan may assume the duties of the Ecclesiastical Authority upon the request of the Standing Committee. It will be my recommendation that they avail themselves of the flexibility provided by our Canons in this way.

Bp: No. That is all up to the Standing Committee. For example, it is the Standing Committee that authorizes the Suffragan to assume the duties of the Ecclesiastical Authority. As I say, I will recommend they do so. And in due course, they will call for the election of the next Diocesan.

Bp: Yes. Two reasons, actually. Such an election is expensive, and the “interim” time will permit the Diocese to prepare for that. Secondly, the Diocesan leadership will need time to consult and pray together in order to discern what their needs are. It’s a lot like a Parish who has had a long-term rector. There is no need to rush.

Bp: Last year, Diane and I bought a home in Richardson. So that’s where we live now and will be living after May next year. We want to be close to the grandchildren, of course!

Bp: Well, I hope to continue in some form of ministry. That is my love and life. I will assist in the round of confirmations, if asked to do so. I would love to have time to visit and teach in the parishes as invited. And I have a raft of projects on the docket. So I will stay busy.

Bp: Absolutely. I am pleased to be a part of establishing TCI and will have a definite a role there. Education has always been an emphasis in my ministry, and The Cranmer Institute’s primary objective is education for those preparing for ministry in the Church, those who are already ordained, and laity who wish to deepen their faith and witness. And of course, I will be teaching at the Stanton Center for Ministry at the Cathedral.

The Class of 2013 and students from the Lower School of the Episcopal School of Dallas gathered Wednesday, May 1 to celebrate The Reverend Canon Michael Harmuth’s 50th anniversary of ordination. Bishop James Stanton, the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, led the chapel service in celebration the tremendous milestone.

During his speech, Bishop Stanton told the students to call Father Harmuth “Canon Harmuth” in honor of his character and dedication to the church.

“Canon means ‘measure,’ and we made people canons when they become a measure of what we expect a priest to be,” Bishop Stanton explained. “Father Harmuth is in every respect a model of what a priest should be.”

Father Harmuth’s favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, was sung by the students during the recessional.

Father Harmuth joined the Episcopal School of Dallas community in 1998 as the Lower School Chaplain. He also helps the clergy at Saint Michael and All Angels Church. Ordained on May 4, 1963, Father Harmuth has also served as Chaplain to the Tactical Division of the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Division of the F.B.I. He also provided care and comfort at Ground Zero and at the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy.

The Diocese of Dallas is excited to continue our commitment to developing a culture of externally-focused, missional communities among our churches and congregations. Saint Thomas in Dallas will host our next Missional Church Workshop on Saturday, May 18 from 10am-2pm.

Let us know that you or your group is coming. We will have an easy assignment for you to complete prior to the workshop. This gathering is a great opportunity for parishes, vestries and lay leaders to learn new ideas, share best practices and discuss challenges and successes.

We will enjoy lunch and fellowship together as we learn how to live out our mission in the Diocese of Dallas.

To RSVP contact our Missioner for Outreach Dabney Dwyer at 214-500-7205 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

May 3 & 4, 2013

Scot McKnight

Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and author of The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others, will be our featured guest at the 2013 Stanton Lecture Series.

More information on Scot Mcknight can be found here.

You may register for each day individually, or register for both days and receive a  $10 discount. All registrations completed prior to April 25 will recieve an additional $10 early registration discount.

Friday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm - Lunch and Lecture

Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm - Lunch, Lecture and Q&A

For additional information contact Deacon Pam Dunbar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 214-826-8310.

Saturday April 27

8:00am - 3:00pm

Stewardship Solutions

The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas is offering a one-day Stewardship Conference to be hosted by Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Satuday, April 27.

Last year we learned Money Sanity Solutions from Nathan Dungan, and this year our conference will feature two keynote speakers, Kristine Miller and the Rev. Laurel Johnston. Kristine Miller has assisted churches in the area of stewardship for over fifteen years, and Rev. Johnston is the newly-named Executive Director of TENS.

Saturday, April 27, 2013
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
11122 Midway Road
Dallas, TX  75229

Registration is $35.00 per person (or $25.00 per person if 2 or more people come from the same parish) Must use Coupon Code: PARISHGROUP
Includes breakfast, lunch and resource material
Send checks made out to EDOD to the diocese

For additional information contact Rachel Wright at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 214-826-8310.

This Thursday, April 25th, our Missioner for Evangelism, Carrie Boren, will be interviewed on Daystar Television on the Marcus and Joni Lamb show. It will air live at 11 a.m.

Daystar is the largest Christian television network in the world and airs in 167 countries. It is the only Christian Television network that airs in the Middle East. Carrie will be the first Episcopalian to ever be on their show. Her personal prayer and goal for her appearance will be to lift high the Lord and also our Episcopal/Anglican heritage.

Carrie is dedicated to helping people meet God, know God, and share God.  Carrie speaks to Christians and seekers alike encouraging hearts and engaging minds for Jesus Christ. Carrie also leads numerous workshops focused on equipping Christians to share their faith in their every day lives and to engage the questions our culture is asking.

TO:  Rectors/Vicars and Administrators

FROM: Virginia Wilder

RE:  Annual Parish Meetings

Please return the delegate form (pages 1 & 2) immediately following your annual meeting. The other requested information, send as soon as possible.

Ms. Virginia Wilder
Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
1630 N. Garrett Avenue
Dallas, TX  75206
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

These forms can be found here:  PDF    |   DOC