For the first time, a woman will be installed as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. The Very Rev. DeDe Duncan-Probe will look for ways to bring a geographically sprawling diocese together in an increasingly secular and divided world.
In December, Duncan-Probe becomes bishop of a diocese that stretches from the Canadian border to Pennsylvania and includes the cities of Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton, Watertown, Elmira and Ithaca. Membership of the far flung churches total 13,000, with numbers in individual parishes either dropping or holding steady. That brings Duncan-Probe to central New York at a critical time.
"Like most major religions, we’re at a turning point, where I think the idea we’ll continue to have ministry in the same way we’ve always had ministry, is changing,” said Duncan-Probe.
That means, in this sprawling geographical area with a snow line across the middle, meeting people where they are.
“So it is not so much about having one service that everyone’s expected to come to, but having multiple ministries through the week, doing more things online, going out into the community. Having ‘thelogy on tap.’ Going out and having meetings in other places, coffee houses, things like that.”
Duncan-Probe was selected on the second ballot in an election this summer, and says she never felt that being a woman was an issue. Episcopalians have had female clergy for over 40 years, and it’s something Duncan-Probe sees as a privilege.
"It’s also an opportunity to help bring that opportunity to other people, and to work to make sure that all people, regardless of gender and lifestyle, have access."
Duncan-Probe says she finds the Episcopalians of central New York to be compassionate. Ninety percent of the parishes feed people and 60 percent clothe the poor. Beyond these works of mercy, she sees her church becoming more of a mediator in a fractured society, specifically pointing to a divisive presidential election.
"We’ve really gotten into a place where people feel if they disagree about a policy, then they need to be enemies. And neither is that an American nor a Christian value … it’s time for us to recognize that we can disagree passionately, but fundamentally our relationship is one of compassion and love, and that’s a measure of our integrity as people."
Duncan-Probe also says she doesn’t think the toxic political atmosphere won’t end on Election Day.
"But I think November 9th it will probably continue, the conversations that are being had right now. So in conjunction with the diocese and leadership, talking about ways to respond in these changing and difficult times -- and offer hope. I think the world is desperate for hope, relationship, kindness, compassion, and those are central to our faith.
