Our Bishops' Transitions of Roles

A letter from Bishop Charlie regarding our bishops in the days ahead.

My dear ANiC friends,

The transition has begun. 

It began at the Diocesan Episcopal Election, November 18th, 2021 in which Archdeacon Dan Gifford was elected on the third ballot to be Co-Adjutor Bishop-Elect. (Co-Adjutor means he will become the Diocesan Bishop when I retire later next year.)

Since November 18th, Bishop-Elect Dan has been meeting by Zoom, by phone, and, when possible, in person with Bishop Trevor and myself. He is now part of our House of Bishops and will be joining ANiC Council starting December 15, 2021.

There is much work now being done in consultation with our Primate, Archbishop Foley Beach’s office and the Province of the ACNA. Bishop-Elect Dan is to meet, Lord willing, face to face on January 12, 2022 with the College of Bishops of the ACNA. In this meeting it is our hope that his election as Co-Adjutor Bishop will be confirmed by the College.

A great deal of planning is already underway in preparation for the Service of Ordination and Consecration of Bishop-Elect Dan, in anticipation of his acceptance by the College. The service is being planned for February 6, 2022 at 4 pm PST at Good Shepherd Church, Vancouver. It will be officiated by our Primate, Archbishop Foley Beach, along with any other bishops of the ACNA who are able to attend. (You will be hearing more about that service early in the New Year.)

Last Saturday evening, December 11, 2021 there was a wonderful dinner in honour of Bishop Trevor Walters, who will be stepping down from his position as Western Area Bishop (Suffragan Bishop) at the end of this month.

Bishop-Elect Dan, who will eventually be covering the Western area as bishop after his Consecration, will be continuing his work as Vicar of St. John’s Vancouver until the end of March 2022. His last Sunday at St. John’s, after 24 wonderful years of ministry there will be April 3, 2022.

I am very grateful to be able to announce that during the three months after Bishop Trevor’s retirement and before Bishop-Elect Dan takes up episcopal care, Bishop Ron Ferris has graciously agreed to accept a part-time position to provide episcopal coverage for our Western area of ANiC from January 1, 2022 through to March 31, 2022.

Please pray for us all during this exciting and important time of transition.

Continued Advent Blessings, and then a Blessed Christmas and entry into such an important 2022 for all of ANiC,

+Charlie

The Right Reverend Charlie Masters
Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Network in Canada