I am writing to share with you the news that I have been invited (and have accepted) the invitation to take up a key mission post for South America with South American Mission Society (SAMS)/Church Mission Society (CMS). SAMS and CMS are currently finalizing integration talks that may well lead to the formation of a single organization of both of these mission agencies. Their final decisions are expected by early December, after which I will become either Director for South America in the newly-integrated society or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a continuing SAMS.
CMS has a very exciting vision for worldwide mission in the Anglican Communion and SAMS will complete the vision with the South American contribution. SAMS administratively has been scattered around England and this move would consolidate all the staff at the CMS headquarters in Oxford. The long term vision is to enable a South American mission office which would coordinate mission work in, from and to South America. Obviously my history with SAMS both in Argentina and Spain (now 18 years ago) and my experience on the SAMS USA board will be very useful.
So, apart from the excitement of a new challenge, why am I leaving Pittsburgh now? One thing I need to be very clear about is that my decision does not reflect any change of heart regarding realignment or my confidence in the vision and leadership of the diocese. Most of you will know of the birth of our first granddaughter in December 2007. Sophie is certainly a major pull for both Catherine and me; we would love to be nearer the family to be able to support them. It is an added bonus that our son, Joel, and his wife Sarah, live in Oxford, at least until he finishes his doctoral studies.
Interesting timing on this: if Bishop Duncan is deposed, Pittsburgh will be without a Bishop. Also interesting that Bishop Scriven is going back to CoE land. I do not think CoE will be going GAFCON. And he is not Anglo-Catholic either.
I think we will see more folk leaving Pittsburgh before the vote to realign (OK Bishop Scriven will be there for the vote, but not the consequences).
I wish the Bishop well: I guess I would rather live in Oxford than Pittsburgh!
From everything I know of Henry and Catherine, I think they will both be sorry to leave Pittsburgh. The reality is that there is no way an assistant bishop’s salary will be affordable under the new dispensation.
Henry will be missed. He was respected across the theological spectrum and had the unenviable task of smoothing ruffled feathers almost from his first day. And I shall be sorry to have one fewer fellow countryman in western Pennsylvania.
Ah well, all things change.
Just to second Jeremy’s note. +Henry’s ministry among us here has been Christ-centered and gracious–and he and Catherine and their family have been wonderful friends. They will be missed.
Bruce Robison
I hope they send missionaries back to the USA without regard for diocesan boundaries.