House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson to step down

Interesting development two months before General Convention. Might also be of interest to read this earlier letter from Bonnie Anderson to the House of Deputies from last January here at the Episcopal Cafe, with more commentary here.  Cheryl Wetzel of Anglicans United has her commentary here, including her prediction that The Rev'd Gay Jennings of the Diocese of Ohio will be Bonnie Anderson's successor.  Gay Jennings serves on Bonnie Anderson's Council of Advice.  Her term on Executive Council is ending and she preached the closing Eucharist at the most recent Executive Council last month in Salt Lake City.  Her sermon is here.


From here:

May 23, 2012

Dear Deputies and First Alternates,

Bonnie Anderson, Episcopal House of Deputies President

I write to you for two reasons:  to thank you for your support, friendship, prayers, challenges, brilliance and love that has inspired and humbled me during these 6 years and second, to let you know that I do not plan to stand for election as President of the House of Deputies for another term.

The reason I am not seeking re-election is a simple one: I want to spend more time with my family. My husband, Glen, is retired. I want to be with him more. Our amazing son, Justin, lives with us and reminds us every single day, by his very existence, that God is a generous miracle maker. I want to celebrate Justin’s life by being with him every day. I want to bake cakes with my grandchildren and go to all their band concerts, soccer games and school plays. I want to have leisurely phone conversations with my daughters. You get the picture.

By tomorrow, you will receive information on the process for electing a President and Vice President while we are in Indianapolis.

I have been honored beyond measure to lead this house, and gratified to observe the many ways in which Deputies and Alternates serve and lead God’s Church, both when General Convention is in session and when it is not. Your voices resonate not only within the great representative diversity of General Convention, but also in our communities and in commissions during the triennium, in vestries, and in the leadership roles you hold in our congregations, dioceses and provinces.  In my 21 years in the House, and my two terms as your president, I have been reminded again and again of our forebears’ wisdom in creating a system of governance that honors the simple theological truth that the Holy Spirit blows where she will, and that to discern God’s purposes, we must listen to the voices of all of the baptized.

Please know that I will serve the House of Deputies as President at full capacity until the “gavel goes down” on July 12 in Indianapolis.

Peace and blessings,

Bonnie Anderson, D.D.

President, The House of Deputies

Tip of the Tinfoil to Anglican Ink here.