Dyer of Massachusetts Elected in Bethlehem
Episcopal News Service. July 1, 1982 [82158]
BETHLEHEM, Penna. (DPS, July 1) -- The Rev. James Michael Mark Dyer, rector of Christ Church, South Hamilton, Mass., has been elected bishop coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Dyer was chosen by the lay and clerical delegates to a special session of the diocesan convention here June 26 at the conclusion of an evaluation and election process that began early in the year. One of five priests nominated, he won majorities in both lay and clerical orders on the third ballot. As bishop coadjutor, he will succeed diocesan Bishop Lloyd E. Gressle as chief pastor of the 14-county diocese when the latter retires at the end of 1983.
A New Hampshire native, Dyer is a graduate of St. Anselm's College and the University of Ottawa. He was a priest and religious of the Roman Catholic Church from 1965 until 1969 and was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1971. After serving for eight years as canon missioner to the diocesan clergy of Massachusetts, he was called as rector of Christ Church in 1978. He and his wife, Marie Elizabeth, have one child. His wife is a children's hospital chaplain.
Dyer, 52, is the author of three books on spiritual development and is a well-known retreat and devotional leader. He has served twice as clerical deputy to the General Convention.
Gressle, 64, has been bishop of the diocese since 1972. He was elected bishop coadjutor in 1970 after a ministry of 27 years, much of which he served as dean of Wilmington, Dela.
The election must be approved by bishops and standing committees of a majority of the Church's dioceses and a late-fall consecration is anticipated. Dyer will have oversight of ministry and parish development and program and budget, according to plans laid out by Gressle in his opening remarks to the electing convention.