To God’s Beloved in the Diocese of Chicago,

Over a year ago, the Presiding Bishop’s Office, through Bishop Todd Ousley, contacted me to ask if I would come to the Diocese of Chicago to serve as an assisting bishop. I would fill in while your Bishop-elect, Paula Clark, continued her rehab and prepared to be consecrated your diocesan bishop.

This homecoming felt right to me. Chicago was my sponsoring diocese in the ordination process. My first two congregations were here. Bishop Frank Griswold called me to his staff and for more than 10 years I was canon for pastoral care. I was elected bishop of Maine from here.

What was amazing: the churchwide discernment which joined yours about my coming to serve you. A video was issued, featuring the Presiding Bishop, Bishop-elect Paula, and Standing Committee President Anne Jolly. Right away, my phone lit up as people across the church asked if I was going to the Diocese of Chicago.

As I said “yes” to this invitation, I remembered the really tough times women priests experienced in the Diocese of Chicago in my first years. It’s a joy to experience the presence of female clergy across our diocese. The Diocese of Chicago has evolved in many other positive ways as well. It’s been good to be back!

As I look back over our year together, many highlights come to mind. A few of the many:

+ The great backlog of confirmations, receptions and ordinations which awaited me. Thank you to those who were so very patient until a bishop could come and attend to those occasions.

+ The (understandable) anxiety you felt about Bishop-elect Paula, and your uncertainity about how long her rehab would take and whether she would be able to assume her office.

+ The opportunity to work with your diocesan staff. You are blessed with some of the most gifted and dedicated diocesan staff in the church today.

+ The same is true for other leaders I worked with: the Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry, and the deans. And, you have elected a bishop who is wondrously gifted! Thanks be to God, Paula is now bishop of Chicago. I am excited about your next chapter in ministry.

At clergy conference last October, during our roudtable, we talked about COVID-related anxiety and fatigue. One clergyperson said, “Can’t we just stop and take a break?” So, after multiple consultations, we rolled out a mini-sabbatical program that provided a week off for everyone, lay or clergy. Although there were some negative comments, I was moved by the diocesan community’s enthusiastic embrace of the program. You started telling me of the creative ways you spent your mini-sabbaticals. I heard from other bishops who wanted to copy our plan.

I can’t adequately express my gratitude for the opportunities to offer pastoral care, to support you in figuring out church life after COVID, and to track vocational challenges alongside you. I do not take that trust lightly.

I love you, Diocese of Chicago; I loved you years ago when I was a new priest in your midst. I love you more deeply now, all these years later. Thank you, dear ones, for our year together. You will always be in my prayers and in my heart. Yours ever in Christ, +Chilton

The Rt. Rev. Chiton R Knudsen
Assisting Bishop of Chicago (October 2021 – September 2022)