In the early summer of 1982 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gary L. Rowe was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church. Today, thirty-six years later, the Rev. Canon Gary L. Rowe announces his retirement.
Gary took his first call in the Diocese of Pennsylvania where he was ordained a priest. Two years later he went to the Diocese of Southern Virginia where he was the rector in Newport News and senior associate in Virginia Beach. In 1996, Gary moved to Delaware and St. David's Episcopal Church in Brandywine Hundred. In 2005 he answered the call to become the Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Church in Delaware. Gary worked with two bishops, the Rt. Rev. Wayne P. Wright and the Rt. Rev. Kevin S. Brown. As Transition Minister, Gary worked with vestries, search committees, and search consultants. He was instrumental in the calling of many clergy now in our congregations.
Gary has enjoyed his work as canon and appreciates the wisdom he has gained. The staff at the Mission Support Office will not only miss Gary's good humor, but also his grace, patience, and kindness. The staff will be the first to say that Gary always took the time to listen and offer gentle guidance. I have been particularly grateful, as a new bishop, for Gary's sound judgment and consistent dedication to proclaiming the love and hope of Jesus Christ. His commitment to the diocese and his staff is unsurpassed and he has been a blessing and a gift to all whom he has served.
Gary and Leslie plan to travel and visit friends across the country while discovering new places and new interests. He looks forward to discerning God's next call.
Please join me in wishing Gary years of happiness and joy in his new beginnings as he marks Thursday, February 28th as his last day in the Mission Support Office.
Godspeed Gary Rowe.
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kevin S. Brown
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