Having left the diocese only four months ago, I followed the election closely. I will admit that I was deeply concerned when the slate of candidates was announced. The addition of a petition candidate did not assuage my fears. Part of my concern stemmed from my knowledge of the diocese and of the state after living there for ten years. I had spent enough time with lay people from across the diocese and knew the general tenor of religiosity and of politics.

I also have enormous respect and deep affection for Bishop Henderson. He navigated an incredibly difficult situation after 2003 with grace and skill and he was a gifted pastor to his clergy. I hoped that his legacy would be a strong diocese, moderate theologically, and diverse in its churchmanship. The slate of candidates seemed not to reflect his wisdom and perspective.

There are those who regard Bishop Henderson as a heretic or as spineless. He is neither. The same people regard at least three of the candidates for the next bishop as “revisionist,” whatever that means.

The election is a clear repudiation of the theology and politics of marginalization and polarization. I found it interesting that Waldo+received a clear majority from the lay delegates from the very first ballot, while the clergy were more divided amongst themselves. What I learned of him from a distance suggested to me that he would be an unlikely fit for the diocese I know so well. That he prevailed so quickly and easily suggests to me that he wa eloquent and charismatic in the walk-abouts, and that he connected very quickly with lay people.

I continue to pray for the people and clergy of the diocese. I count many among my friends. They have done good work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And I pray that they will continue to do such good work. Thanks be to God.

I’ve never voted in the election of a bishop, and as time passes, I’m increasingly grateful for that, and hopeful that I will never be burdened with that responsibility. Seeing the firestorm that was ignited by last week’s elections in the Diocese of LA, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be casting a ballot with the knowledge that all of the Anglican Communion, and perhaps the world-wide press, would be taking an interest.

I almost did vote in the election of a bishop, and even more onerously, I was nominated to serve on the Search Committee for the next Bishop of Upper South Carolina (thankfully, wiser heads prevailed and I was not selected). My prayers are with all of those people who will be casting ballots on Saturday in Columbia. I’m wondering what effect last week’s elections is having on this week’s. How are events in the wider church having an impact on the decision-making by those who will be voting?

I’ve not followed the discussions closely and know only two of the candidates at all. I’m curious to see how the clergy and the laity, after more than ten years of Bishop Henderson, go about choosing his successor.