Ray Elected Bishop in Northern Michigan
Episcopal News Service. February 11, 1982 [82033]
ESCANABA, Mich. (DPS, Feb. 11) -- A priest in the Diocese of Chicago has been elected eighth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan.
The Rev. Thomas K. Ray, 47, rector of St. Luke's Church, Evanston, Ill., received the required majority votes in both the lay and clerical orders on the second ballot at a special election at St. Stephen's Church here on Feb. 6.
Ray, one of three nominees submitted by a special committee, carried the majority of clergy votes on the first ballot and carried both orders on the second. The Rev. Jack C. Potter of St. John's Church, Lafayette, Ind., was runner-up, followed by the Rev. A. Paul Nancarrow of St. Jude's Church, Fenton, Mich.
If Ray accepts his election, confirmation will have to be secured from the diocesan standing committees and bishops of the Episcopal Church before he can be consecrated.
Born in Barberton, Ohio, Ray is a graduate of the University of Michigan and General Theological Seminary. He was ordained a deacon and a priest in 1959.
Prior to coming to St. Luke's, Evanston, in 1971, his ministry was in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Crown Point and Marion, Ind.
He is married to Brenda Lee Ackerman and they have four children.
The bishop-elect will succeed the Rt. Rev. William A. Dimmick who resigned in May, 1981, after serving six years as diocesan bishop, in order to become an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Minnesota. Dimmick's resignation will be effective upon the ordination and consecration of his successor.
The Diocese of Northern Michigan, whose see city is Marquette, includes 32 congregations, 28 clergy, 4,300 members and 2,800 communicants.