Retirement well deserved

A tribute to the Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, soon to retire Primate (senior archbishop) of the Anglican Church of Canada

Shared on Facebook by Scott Sharmon, ecumenical officer for the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of Edmonton

I thought Scott’s words were lovely and am pleased to share them in this blog. The Archbishop’s announcement is here.

I interacted with Archbishop Linda while dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kamloops. She also endorsed and support my book project.

Scott Sharmon writes:

In my line of work I walk pretty closely with a wide range of bishops (and with leaders in other churches and traditions who have similar roles but don’t call them bishops). I can’t pretend to understand all of what that episcopal service is like, but I’ve seen enough of it pretty close up to know that it is an incredibly challenging ministry, and one that tends to take a significant personal and spiritual toll. It is very hard to always make exactly the right decision, especially when you are asked to weigh in on so many important ones each and every day. And being called to maintain relationships with everyone on all sides of the issues means it is hard to please anyone entirely and you end up being pulled apart in all directions.

I have had the pleasure of serving with Archbishop Linda Nicholls for 5 years during her tenure as Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and for a few years before that on other commissions and committees. Most often this has been in connection with ecumenical and interfaith relationships, which are two areas in which she has had a unique passion and for which she has particular gifts.

She worked for the General Synod in a version of the interfaith staff role I now hold. She has been a member or co-chair of many of the ecumenical dialogues I support as staff today. It is in these kinds of spaces that I have especially seen her shine. She has a special knack for being able to find a foothold of common ground to start from, even in very complex conversations. She listens to others with generosity, and speaks with gentleness and grace. It is the episcopal art in fine form.

With the announcement late today of her retirement date from the Primacy, I am grateful for her service to our church, and to the Church. I also appreciate the learning I’ve been able to glean, which I am sure will serve me in my ministry for a long time.

Peace to Linda Nicholls for the final stretch of ministry in this chapter, and blessings for the next.