Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We find ourselves in an unprecedented moment in the life of our young Province. Yesterday [November 5], Archbishop Steve Wood began a voluntary leave of absence pending the resolution of proceedings to address recent allegations brought against him. This news will stir many emotions among us — concern, confusion, frustration and even grief. Yet as your bishop and fellow disciple, I write to you today with a simple exhortation: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me (Jesus).” (John 14:1)
Our Lord’s words were spoken to His disciples on the eve of His Passion — a time when everything familiar was being shaken. Jesus did not offer explanations or strategic plans first; He offered Himself. He reminded His followers that peace is not found in stability of circumstance but in the steadfastness of His presence.
The Anglican theologian John Stott once wrote, “The Christian’s peace is not an escape from reality, but a settled confidence in the midst of it — the quiet assurance that God is in control of all the details of our lives.” That confidence anchors us now. Even when leadership shifts or uncertainty looms, Christ’s Church remains under His sovereign care. The Good Shepherd does not abandon His flock.
As St. Augustine reminds us, “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.” It is that rest — not passivity, but patient trust — that will guard our hearts and keep us from fear or division. We do not minimize the difficulty of this time, but we interpret it through the lens of Christ’s unchanging faithfulness and his promise of redemption.
Therefore, I ask each of you: pray earnestly for our Province. Pray for Archbishop Steve and for his accusers. Pray that the processes now underway proceed with integrity, fairness, and care for all concerned. Our duty as servants of Christ and His Church is to uphold truth and charity together, neither rushing to judgment nor turning aside from justice.
Pray that our Church would be made stronger along the way. Pray also for those provincial leaders who must step into the gap in this season: Bishop Ray Sutton, who serves as Dean of the Province, and who will assume all canonical responsibilities and duties as Archbishop during this time. Pray also for Bishop Julian Dobbs, who has been appointed Dean of Provincial Affairs. Pray for unity of spirit throughout our Province.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 exhorts us, “Let your words be few.” Therefore, avoid online conversations beyond just the facts. Avoid all vitriol and hate-baiting. Do not get swept into speculation. Do not get caught up in online angst and the supposed “inevitable destruction” of the ACNA that some will boldly declare. This is Christ’s Church and He will purify and sustain it. As St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5) The nearness of Christ is our surest hope and truest peace.
In the meantime we will continue the work of the gospel — preaching, teaching, worshiping, planting churches, serving, loving — because Jesus Christ remains Lord of the Church. His kingdom cannot be shaken.
And be assured - I am praying for you. I ask your prayers for Catherine and me. And I ask your prayers for our upcoming Diocesan Synod. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Blessings,
+Chris
Resources/Letters:
This letter originally appeared in the November 6, 2025 issue of The Mid-Atlantic Messenger, the Newsletter of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic To subscribe, visit anglicandoma.org/messenger .