Adapted from the Diocese of Maryland
The Episcopal of Maryland is now accepting applications for the position of bishop suffragan. The position description, diocesan profile and application specifications are available at bishopsearch.episcopalmaryland.org and will be accepted through October 23. The election is scheduled for May 2-3.
The diocese seeks candidates with “experience in a variety of congregational and pastoral settings” who possess “a contagious gift for communication in all areas of ministry as a pastor, teacher, preacher, evangelist, and shepherd.”
The newly elected bishop suffragan will assist the Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, bishop diocesan, in all areas of ministry.
At the most recent diocesan convention in May 2013, delegates affirmed the call made by Bishop Sutton for the election of a bishop suffragan. The Rt. Rev. Joe Goodwin Burnett will end his tenure as assistant bishop with the consecration of the new bishop suffragan in 2014.
In 2010, Bishop Sutton, with the support and consent of the Standing Committee, invited Bishop Burnett to serve as assistant bishop, following his nearly eight years as bishop of Nebraska. Prior to Bishop Burnett, the Rt. Rev. John L. Rabb served as bishop suffragan from 1998 to 2010.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
