Letters from the Bishop Nominees: The Rev. Kurt Dunkle

Today’s post is the fourth of five this week (one each day, in no particular order) that are “letters to the people of Rhode Island” from the nominees for bishop. Today’s letter is from the Rev. Kurt Dunkle, rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Orange Park, Fla. (near Jacksonville).

To the faithful in Rhode Island:
A week or so ago, we spoke powerful words for the first time in months:

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

It was a joyful reminder of the reality of resurrection after a long, somber season of Lent. Remembering the reality of then; proclaiming the reality of now.

Jesus tried to tell his disciples about this reality many times. But again and again, they did not understand. Even when the faithful women told of the empty tomb, most had to see to be convinced. Resurrection became real only when they saw Jesus. Touched him. Ate with him. Words had to become flesh to be real.

Your profile described the diocese well: roots … tradition … history … richness … decline … concern … transition on all levels. That truth-telling was so appealing. It sparked my interest: Your needs and what I have already done in our diocese and at my parish seem to meet. Yet, I yearned for your words to take on flesh. As with the disciples, only the human touch made that rumor of resurrection live. Meeting with your Search & Nomination Committee members was the start of transforming those words into voices.

Now, as I have gotten to know you, my hunch is being confirmed and something new is coming to light.

First, it is becoming clear that there are real solutions to every one of Rhode Island’s challenges. Really. I know because I have been a part of it happening in my own ordained life. Twice!

For you, a closing cathedral opens the door to the newly imagined. What Christians wouldn’t want a prominent platform for transformational ministry already in place smack in the middle of a capital city? Around the state, available pews mean ready space for the thousands just waiting for the Good News as only the Episcopal Church can engage all our senses to make the story come alive. Moving from “tipping” to tithing becomes real when dry bones take on flesh, and flesh takes on breath, and that breath breathes vision. Remember: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Managing decline in a healthy and positive way may be a valuable and desirable skill, but not for me. I’m not interested in managing decline, however executed. Rather, by getting to know you, I see growth in fallow fields. New people where the emptiness of silence now resides. I see the diocesan seal come alive: the anchor of Christ blooming forth in hope. Hope unfolding in Rhode Island.

But, something new is emerging alongside my hunch of fix-ability; there are many things in the diocese that simply need support and love to continue to bloom. From a few days spent touring your diocese “under the radar,” so to speak, it is also clear that so much is well and beautiful. For that, the fertilizer of episcopal love and support is what is needed. It will be exciting to see those flowers continue to bloom, too.

You said in your profile “we are Easter people.” Alleluia! Meeting you furthers my conviction that resurrection is real and ready to be embraced. But, because words can only go so far, I so look forward to meeting more of you. Heck, I want to meet all of you! I hope you are looking forward to meeting me and Cathleen, too.

See you on May 12 at the walkabout!

Blessings,
Kurt+