Bishop Cederholm announces retirement in November 2011

Bishop Suffragan Bud Cederholm has announced his retirement, effective in early November of next year, when he will be marking 40 years of full-time ordained ministry, 10 of them as a bishop.

The full text of Bishop Cederholm’s announcement follows.
 
Nov. 17, 2010

Dear Friends,

Greetings and peace in Christ in this season of thanksgiving and coming season of hope and expectation in Advent.

This coming year, 2011, will mark my 67th birthday, 40 years of full-time ordained ministry for me, 10 years as one of your bishops.  Two years ago my wife, Ruth Ann, and I prayerfully decided that I would retire after my 67th birthday.  And so the time has come for me to write and announce my retirement effective a year from now in early November 2011.  While there are several reasons why I think this timing is right, the main reason is so that Ruth Ann and I can enjoy quality time together in retirement.

At Bishop Tom’s invitation, I will return in February 2012 after a break to assist one and a half to two days a week, subject to approval of the Episcopal Church’s Committee on Ecclesiastical Offices.  I plan to work with congregations in transition and clergy deployment.  I am thankful for this opportunity to be able to continue to serve the diocese.  I don’t believe I can just stop ministry suddenly, and by then Ruth Ann will need a break! 

These past 10 years as bishop have deepened my relationship with Christ and Christ in you.  I am humbled by the honor and privilege you have given me in allowing me to be your servant.  I have loved being a part of your lives, congregations and spiritual journeys, sharing your joys, sorrows and challenges in serving God’s mission to all people and God’s creation. 

I shall forever treasure the gift of your love, friendship, support and honesty over the years.  It has been a wonderful ride (most days!),  and I look forward to some continuing ministry in retirement in this diocese I love.

God bless you and thank you for these years in which, together, we have been answering God’s urgent call for the sake of all people and God’s kingdom of justice and peace.

In Christ’s Love and Peace,

/s/ +Bud

A postscript from Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE and Bishop Gayle E. Harris:

Even as we are sad at the prospect of no longer having our brother Bud as a full-time colleague starting next November, we feel joy for him because we know he has made a good decision for himself, his family and his continuing ministry.  As Bud has said to others on similar occasions:  You never retire from ministry, you just report more directly to God.  May it be so!

We know that many of you will have questions about oversight as we prepare to move into this time of transition.  We are, together, giving careful and prayerful consideration to all of it, and we will make decisions by Advent I about how your bishops and the diocesan staff will be deployed going forward.  There is time to work everything out.  So in this moment, let’s set all of that aside and take time to receive Bud’s news with open and grateful hearts.  It seems appropriate to us that he has chosen this time just before the Thanksgiving holiday to share his news.  We give thanks for Bud and for the abundance of his ministry among us, as it has been and as it will be.  And we give thanks for all of you, for the community we share in Christ, this diocese, as we are and as we are to become.

Pray for us as we pray for you.