Back
06/29/2008
Idaho elects Brian Thom as 15th bishop
by Reprinted from the Times-News
Fr. Brian Thom is the Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Idaho
Members of the Twin Falls Episcopal Church of the Ascension may have lost their rector Saturday, but they're celebrating the selection of their new bishop.
The Rev. Brian Thom of Twin Falls was officially elected Saturday as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho after a voting process held by statewide delegates at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise. Thom, who has served 17 years as rector in Twin Falls, becomes the 15th bishop in the church's history in Idaho, and the first from Twin Falls.
"I'm surprised and pleased and shocked and so honored and so humbled by it," said Thom in a phone call from Boise. "It's an amazing dream of any priest that they get to serve these good people ��- I think I will be excited about the changes. The holy spirit has something in mind for me."
The Episcopalian Diocese of Idaho covers an area from the Oregon border to Alta, Wyo., and from the Salmon River to the Utah border. The diocese has approximately 8,000 members and elects bishops for a term that runs until the bishop retires or dies; retirement is mandatory at age 72.
The search for a new bishop began nearly a year ago, with candidates nominated and applications received nationwide. Thom was among four candidates that included the Very Rev. Richard Demarest from Boise, the Rev. Kelsey Hogue from Scottsbluff, Neb., and the Ven. Faith Perrizo from Charleston, W.V.
To earn the selection, one of the four nominees had to earn a majority of votes among the 119 lay (unordained) house delegates and the 53 clergy house delegates. Thom emerged as top selection after six ballots.
As a clergy member from one of the 29 Idaho congregations, Thom participated and voted in the entire process, which he called a thoughtful and deliberative experience.
"It's just voting and prayer, and a special guest comes in to offer meditation, so there's none of that campaigning," he said. "With the number of ballots it took, it affirms how well the committee did in finding people who are qualified."
Now elected by the diocese, Thom must await a consenting vote from bishops and standing committees of the other dioceses in the country before he can take the position. Once his selection is approved, Thom - the father of two grown daughters -will likely relocate to Boise in September.
"It's really a wonderful blessing for the entire diocese of Idaho," said David Swain, senior warden at the Twin Falls Church of the Ascension. "He's a man of faith. He's one that believes in an individual's ability to do a job when called on. I think he will bring a great deal of leadership qualities to the position as well as a feeling of cooperation."
Thom served congregations in Portland, Ore., and Palm Desert, Calif., before arriving in Twin Falls in 1991. He has served as president of the Magic Valley Interfaith Association and the Twin Falls Kiwanis Club. Thom is a graduate of Oregon State University and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif.
The Rev. Brian Thom of Twin Falls was officially elected Saturday as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho after a voting process held by statewide delegates at St. Michael's Cathedral in Boise. Thom, who has served 17 years as rector in Twin Falls, becomes the 15th bishop in the church's history in Idaho, and the first from Twin Falls.
"I'm surprised and pleased and shocked and so honored and so humbled by it," said Thom in a phone call from Boise. "It's an amazing dream of any priest that they get to serve these good people ��- I think I will be excited about the changes. The holy spirit has something in mind for me."
The Episcopalian Diocese of Idaho covers an area from the Oregon border to Alta, Wyo., and from the Salmon River to the Utah border. The diocese has approximately 8,000 members and elects bishops for a term that runs until the bishop retires or dies; retirement is mandatory at age 72.
The search for a new bishop began nearly a year ago, with candidates nominated and applications received nationwide. Thom was among four candidates that included the Very Rev. Richard Demarest from Boise, the Rev. Kelsey Hogue from Scottsbluff, Neb., and the Ven. Faith Perrizo from Charleston, W.V.
To earn the selection, one of the four nominees had to earn a majority of votes among the 119 lay (unordained) house delegates and the 53 clergy house delegates. Thom emerged as top selection after six ballots.
As a clergy member from one of the 29 Idaho congregations, Thom participated and voted in the entire process, which he called a thoughtful and deliberative experience.
"It's just voting and prayer, and a special guest comes in to offer meditation, so there's none of that campaigning," he said. "With the number of ballots it took, it affirms how well the committee did in finding people who are qualified."
Now elected by the diocese, Thom must await a consenting vote from bishops and standing committees of the other dioceses in the country before he can take the position. Once his selection is approved, Thom - the father of two grown daughters -will likely relocate to Boise in September.
"It's really a wonderful blessing for the entire diocese of Idaho," said David Swain, senior warden at the Twin Falls Church of the Ascension. "He's a man of faith. He's one that believes in an individual's ability to do a job when called on. I think he will bring a great deal of leadership qualities to the position as well as a feeling of cooperation."
Thom served congregations in Portland, Ore., and Palm Desert, Calif., before arriving in Twin Falls in 1991. He has served as president of the Magic Valley Interfaith Association and the Twin Falls Kiwanis Club. Thom is a graduate of Oregon State University and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif.
