The Search for our
6th Bishop Diocesan

Our Current Focus: The slate of Nominees for VI Bishop of San Joaquin is announced - July 1, 2025:

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The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin announces a preliminary slate of four candidates for our sixth bishop. The election will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at St. James’ Cathedral, in Fresno. The next bishop will succeed The Right Reverend David C. Rice, Fifth Bishop Diocesan of San Joaquin.

The candidates in alphabetical order are:

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· The Rev. Canon Anna Carmichael Ph.D. – Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of San Joaquin

· The Rev. Robert Keim – Rector of St. Barnabas, Arroyo Grande (Diocese of El Camino Real)

· The Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimura – Rector of St. James, South Pasadena (Diocese of Los Angeles)

· The Rev. Canon Shawn Wamsley – Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Pennsylvania

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This announcement draws to a close a prayerful and collaborative process that began in November of 2024.  "The Nominating Committee has prayerfully selected an outstanding slate of candidates," said the Rev. Suzy Ward, President of EDSJ’s Standing Committee and Chair of the Nominating Committee. "The next step is that the Diocese and the wider church continue to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we proceed to the election in October."

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Since March, the Nominating Committee has reviewed applications and written materials, checked references, and conducted multiple interviews, initially via Zoom, and ultimately with the semi-finalist candidates at an in-person retreat at ECCO in mid-June. Additionally, with the help of the Presiding Bishop’s office, detailed background checks were conducted and candidates were also interviewed by EDSJ Chancellor Michael Glass. The Nominating Committee’s final action was to present a preliminary slate of nominees to the Standing Committee for their approval. At the time of the announcement of the preliminary slate by the Standing Committee on July 1, nominations of additional candidates to the slate by petition will be accepted until July 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Information on the petition process will be posted at that time. The final slate of candidates will be announced the following week.

 

We thank the members of the Nominating Committee for their diligent and Spirit-filled work. The Transition Committee now begins the next steps, which include "Meet & Greets" with nominees and partners throughout the diocese during September 11-14, and the bishop election at the Special Meeting of Convention on October 18, 2025.

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​​We pray that those who have presented themselves for consideration are “Called to be…” a shepherd, a leader, a Bishop to our Diocese who will listen, who will dream and who will continue to build a vision of hope and love, in vibrant and faithful congregations and communities, with hope to explore new paths of engagement with our neighbors.

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