News & Messages

Bishop Jeffrey Lee Is Provisional Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee

At a Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee held this morning, the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee was approved as the provisional bishop for a period of two years by clergy and lay deputies of the diocese. The convention was held remotely via Zoom and livestreamed to the diocesan YouTube channel. The Special Convention was called by the Standing Committee of the diocese, a group of elected clergy and lay leaders. The Standing Committee has been serving as the ecclesiastical authority for the diocese since January 1, 2021, when the Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller resigned as the 11th diocesan bishop after serving the diocese for 17 years.


 
Bishop Lee comes to the diocese after serving as the 12th bishop diocesan for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, a position that he held from 2008 until his retirement at the end of 2020. In his introduction of Bishop Lee to the Special Convention, Fr. Scott Leannah, president of the Standing Committee, noted that during his time in Chicago, Bishop Lee helped to bring about cultural and structural change. Leannah also described Lee as, “a recognized leader in the national church, an innovator, teacher, and a man with the heart of a shepherd” and further said that “we are blessed to have him walk with us during this time in our common life.”
 
In his remarks to the convention, Bishop Lee thanked the clergy and lay deputies for entrusting him with the oversight of the diocese. He noted that he will endeavor to be a good steward of their trust, and “I will willingly and to the best of my abilities exercise the oversight you have asked me to hold for you.” He went on to say, “This Church of ours does not belong to us. It does not belong to the rector, it does not belong to the vestry, it does not belong to the altar guild, it does not belong to the feeding ministry team, it does not belong to the bishop. This Church belongs to God alone, and so do we.” Lee noted challenges that are before the Church at this time, and said, “infinitely stronger than any of those things is the love of God.”
 
Bishop Lee began serving the Diocese of Milwaukee on April 1, 2021, as the provisional bishop-elect.


A recording of the Special Convention can be found here.

Provisional Bishop Announced

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 2, 2020 AT 1 PM CST
contact:  Sara Bitner,

 BISHOP JEFFREY D. LEE IS PROVISIONAL BISHOP DESIGNEE IN DIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, a group of elected clergy and lay leaders, announced today that the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, is the designee for provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. Bishop Lee will begin serving as the provisional bishop designee on April 1, 2021. The convention at which the clergy and lay representatives of the diocese will vote on Bishop Lee’s nomination will be held shortly thereafter, at a date to be determined but likely in June 2021. Bishop Lee will conclude his ministry as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago at the end of this month.

“On behalf of the Standing Committee, I’d like to express our enthusiasm and readiness to work with Bishop Jeff Lee in this season of our common life together. His love for the Diocese of Milwaukee is evident when you talk with him, and his roots here among us are deep,” said the Rev. Scott Leannah, president of the Standing Committee. “His love for the gospel, dedication to the Church, and knowledge of congregational and diocesan ministry will be a blessing and gift for us during this time of transition and new life. We urge your prayerful support for Bishop Lee and his family as he concludes his ministry in the Diocese of Chicago. We ask you to do all you can to support him in the role of provisional bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee. He comes to us at a pivotal time in our shared life and we are grateful for his “yes”; we believe it was inspired by the Holy Spirit.”

The Diocese of Milwaukee’s current bishop, the Rt. Rev. Steven Andrew Miller, will retire on December 31 after a terminal sabbatical. As stated above, Bishop Lee will begin his ministry with the Diocese of Milwaukee on April 1. He will be working half-time for a two-year term.

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee was elected as the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Chicago in 2007 and was consecrated on February 2, 2008. Bishop Lee is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Nashotah House Seminary and served as a curate, canon to the ordinary and church developer in the Diocese of Northern Indiana and as rector of churches in Wisconsin and Washington before being elected bishop. He and his wife, Lisa Rogers Lee, have two children, Katherine and Jonathan. You may find Bishop Lee’s full bio here.

“I am delighted at the prospect of returning to ministry with the people of the Diocese of Milwaukee. More than twenty years since our time at St. Christopher’s, River Hills, Lisa and I still remember fondly the warm friendships and vital ministry we experienced in Wisconsin,” said Bishop Lee. “I am honored that the Standing Committee has asked me to stand for election as bishop provisional, and all the people of the diocese will be in my prayers between now and when I hope to join you in April.”

Between January 1 and March 31, two assisting bishops will support and advise the Standing Committee in their role as the Ecclesiastical Authority for the Diocese of Milwaukee. The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter, bishop of Fond du Lac and provisional bishop of Eau Claire will be the assisting bishop January 1-February 15 and the Rt. Rev. Keith Whitmore, retired, will be the assisting bishop February 16-March 31. They will meet with the Standing Committee monthly and will be available for advice and pastoral care on an as-needed basis.  

The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee comprises 49 congregations in the 18 counties of southern Wisconsin. To learn more, visit www.diomil.org.

An earlier version of this message incorrectly reported that Bishop Lee will begin his ministry in the Diocese of Milwaukee in 2020 instead of 2021.

This message is also available as a pdf here.