We would like to thank the Search Committee for preparing the way and for conducting a search process that was filled with integrity, love, and caring from start to finish. You cared for each other and for all the nominees that wanted to participate. To each of you – Ken Beason, James Booth, Joe Chouinard, Angie De La Cruz, Jeff Diehl, Donna Elder-Holifield, Mary Ann Gee, Maly Hughes, Richard Leslie, George Lockwood, Ed Markham, Diane Martin, Stephen Mills, David Morris, Howard Nelson, Vincent Raj, Silvestre Romero, Jr., Joanna Shreve, and Linda Taylor - goes a great debt of gratitude from the Standing Committee and the whole diocese. You did an awesome job and we are grateful.

And now the next step of the process. The Transition Committee, Mary Morrison, Chair, Nancy Cohen, Katherine Doar, Jen Ezell, Caro Hall, Wendy Howe, Bob Levison, Judy MacClelland, Bob Mayer, Mary Lou McKenna, Cynthia Montague, Dee Myers, Jane Pomeroy, Carol Schmidt, Edy Unthank, and Patrick Waddell) who have been doing much of their work in the background, will now be charged with easing the transition for both Bishop Romero and Eva and our bishop-elect and her family. This committee also planned the Electing Convention and Eucharist and have made the initial arrangements for the ordination service to be held in November. We also recognize the support given to them for the convention by our Assisting Bishop Sylvestre Romero, Susan Altig, Patricia Catalano, Denise Chouinard, Joe Chouinard, Nancy Cohen, JoAnn McClain, Barbara Miller, Brian Nordwick, Steve Pearson, Frank Snow, and Patrick Waddell. We also wish to thank everyone who worked the day of the Convention – the Ushers, Security, Registration, Set up and take down, Parking, the Coffee Maker who worked all day, those who provided the munchies in the AM, and all the Counters. All your efforts were appreciated and you did a fabulous job.

The Standing Committee will now begin the process of obtaining approvals from the House of Bishops and all the Standing Committees in The Episcopal Church. The Presiding Bishop’s office will tell us when we can begin. This will happen when the psychiatric and physical examinations have been completed and approved by that office. We then have 120 days to mail our requests for consent and receive them back before we can officially declare the election valid. We will announce this as soon as we know. Information will be forthcoming on the next steps in the process and the Transition Committee will keep you up to date on what they are doing. Their first communication will tell you about the plans for saying good-bye to Bishop Romero and Eva.

It is also important for us to remember that Mary is still working at her present position in Florida and as such will not be available to us for consultation, decision making, or scheduling of meetings until she arrives here and begins to work in this diocese. We will let you know when that happens. This transition time is for her to complete her assignments in Florida, graciously leave her present position, arrange for her departure and move, and then get her family settled in their new home. The Transition Team will be assisting her with these matters. Thank you for you r consideration.

You, the people of El Camino Real, have called the Venerable Mary Gray-Reeves to be our bishop. This is an exciting time for the church and our diocese. It is the culmination of our long journey and we can now look forward to sharing our vision and dreams with her. It is a time to give thanks and celebrate our life together. What an accomplishment – our new journey begins. Thanks be to God!

Your Standing Committee