Episcopal Diocese of Utah
August Newsletter:
First Edition
August 6, 2021
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (July 8)
Liturgical color is Green

People of the Diocese,

See below for the latest updates on the bishop search process well as an important update from Bishop Hayashi on COVID-19 safety.

Additionally, we would like to hear from you about how your congregation is adapting to these unconventional times. Please continue sending any relevant resources or stories to Nick Cockrell at ncockrell@episcopal-ut.org


Bishop Issues Pastoral Letter on
Conditions for Continued Worship
August 4, 2021
The Delta Variant of COVID-19 has swept through Utah and Arizona. The CDC has reversed some of its more relaxed recommendations to mitigate the deadly virus as the numbers of newly infected people climbs. The Rt. Rev. Scott B. Hayashi is praying that more and more people will seek the wisdom of getting vaccinated. We see the unvaccinated as crowding the ICUs with virtually all the cases that are serious enough to require hospitalization. We see new news reports about hospitalized patients expressing regret that they didn’t get the little jab that could have saved their life or made any case much milder. The Bishop suggests congregations may wish to have vaccination events for the public. A recent vaccination clinic held jointly by the Cathedral Church of St. Mark and the Diocese had 19 new vaccinations. 

The new surge in cases has also caused the Bishop to continue restrictions in our worship to help mitigate COVID. He released a Pastoral Letter outlining those conditions of holding our in-person services both indoors and outdoors. To read his Pastoral Letter, Click Here.

Diocesan Profile Released in Bishop Search Process

The Nominating Committee for the search process of obtaining our 12th bishop has released the important diocesan profile. The profile mirrors the accomplishments, needs, desires, opportunities and challenges of the diocese. The information came from listening sessions, a diocesan wide survey and other information gathering mechanisms. The profile was crafted after considerable prayer and work largely by a subcommittee of the nominating committee and under the leadership of the Standing Committee. The profile is public and available for wide distribution on the web at this link,

Camp Tuttle Updates

All About Camp!

One of the great treasures of the Diocese of Utah is the wonderful Camp Tuttle located in Big Cottonwood Canyon near the lake, in the shadow of the majestic mountains and with the freshest pine scented air in Utah! This is the time for camp.
Coming Up:

Attention Families of the Diocese! You're invited to join us up at Camp Tuttle for a couple of days in the mountains for fellowship, fun activities and good food! We still have some cabins that are available for our Family Camp on August 13th-15th. Please visit our website www.camptuttle.org for more information and to register.
Upcoming Events:

  • Introducing our Women's Retreat Weekend! Please mark your calendars for September 17th-29th.
  • Fall Youth Retreat for youth in grades 6-12 will be October 8-10.
 Just Completed:

Fifth and Sixth Grade camp did what you absolutely need to do at camp. They roasted marshmallows and made smores. Of course they also sang camp songs enjoyed the outdoors and had church outside in the beauty of nature.

The High School campers went backpacking in one of the most scenic canyons in Utah. The weather always seems to clear up just in time for the hikes.
And of course, one of the most fun and enlightening moments in camp is having a service with one’s favorite cleric. The services are both in the beautiful Chapel of Christ the King that is inside and outside under the iconic wooden cross.

Bishop Hayashi Addresses Environmental Progress
Made in Federal Infrastructure Bill

Thursday morning, Bishop Hayashi joined with the other faith and labor leaders of United Today Stronger Tomorrow for a press conference on how the bipartisan infrastructure bill would promote rural jobs and clean air and water for all Utahns. The press conference was held outside Senator Lee and Senator Romney's Salt Lake City offices and called for united support from our federal delegation.

Bishop Hayashi spoke to the issue of how the infrastructure bill is an important first step to addressing climate change and air pollution in the state:

“Right now, wildfires are raging across the planet. We need to take action. While much more is needed, we are glad to see that Senator Romney included UTST’s call for funding to address pollution caused by orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells in the final Senate Bill."
Bishop Search Updates
This is another in a series of communications from the Nominating/Search Committee. The articles are designed to inform and educate the Diocese about the search process. This is from committee member Mike Mitchell (St. James, Midvale)
Front Row, from Left to Right: The Rev. Kathalin Walker, St. David’s, Page, AZ | Mary McEntire, St. Luke’s, Park City, UT | Rhonda Dossett, St. Paul’s, Salt Lake, UT

Back Row, from Left to Right: Mike Mitchell, St. James, Midvale, UT | Atem Aleu, All Saints Salt Lake, UT | Rick Stevenson, St. Stephen’s, West Valley, UT The Rev. Christopher Szarke, St. James, Midvale, UT | The Very Rev. Tyler Doherty, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Salt Lake, UT | The Rev. Michael Carney, St. Elizabeth’s, Whiterocks, UT | William Downes, St. Mark’s Cathedral Salt Lake, UT
Bishop Article 11

As a reminder, the Nominating/Search Committee is presently accepting applications for the next Bishop.  The deadline is August 18, 2021.  The application process is on page 28 of the Diocese Profile. The Profile can be found on the Diocese Web-Site under the heading of Bishop Search or click on this link: https://utahbishopsearch.org/wp-content/uploads/diocese-of-utah-Profile-2021pdf.

This is truly a time for each of us to celebrate!

After approximately a year and a half that the Nominating/Search Committee has been together, (having several months of a hiatus because of Covid 19), as a group, we came back to coordinate a Diocese Survey of lay and clergy, conducted town hall meetings of both lay and clergy. We have now completed the Diocese Profile and its publication. We are currently at this milestone of accepting applications for our next Bishop.

This is also a time when you can be part of this process.  We would ask you to search your hearts and souls for clergy connections that you may have that you feel would be a great fit for our next Bishop. Please use the Profile either to refer that special someone or have them apply.

Based on the survey results as well as the feedback from the town hall meetings, our Diocese is in a wonderful and healthy position. This can be credited to Bishop Hayashi. This would be a wonderful opportunity for our next Bishop to take us to the next level. Please play an important role in this process by referring that special someone to the possibility of being our next Bishop.

Peace and Blessings,

Mike Mitchell
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
The COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more widely available for Utahns. All Utahns age 12+ are eligible to receive their vaccine. Visit Vaccinate.Utah.gov to find an appointment.