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Our Canon for Congregations, the Rev. Mark Eldredge, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the American Anglican Council. Congratulations, Fr. Mark! He has until now been splitting his time between the diocesan staff and the AAC, but this new position will require his full-time attention. He will be departing our staff following Synod next week.
“It has been a privilege and honor to serve the Gulf Atlantic Diocese and now two bishops as the Canon for Congregations,” writes Canon Mark. “Although I’m enjoying that role as much as I ever have, taking on additional responsibilities as COO for the American Anglican Council necessitates I let go this staff position. Having said that, I look forward to continue to serve congregations in the Diocese in revitalization and leadership transition processes in my main role as the AAC’s Director of Anglican Revitalization Ministries.”
Bishop Alex Farmer wrote the following in a letter to the Diocese:
I am grateful for Mark’s seven years of ministry on the diocesan staff, as a key leader in the Diocese from its inception, and even going back to the early days of the Anglican Alliance of North Florida.
Although Mark is leaving my staff following Synod next week, he will continue on in an advisory role to the Diocese as needed. Although this may seem sudden, this news does not come as a surprise. We have been together planning for this change since the likelihood began to emerge many months ago. We simply could not announce it until after things became official at the AAC’s Board of Trustees meeting.
Be assured that we are preparing to make additional staffing changes (with Mark’s input) to ensure continuing progress on our journey as a growing Anglican network of flourishing churches.
I have known Mark since we began the discernment process for ordained ministry in 1994. He is a trusted friend, co-laborer for the Gospel, and gifted leader in this diocese. I am grateful for his ministry, first as a rector and more recently as Canon for Congregations. Mark’s work with church revitalization has been invaluable to the progress of the Anglican Church in North America. The loss of him from our staff is necessary for the greater good he can do for the Province through the AAC. Thankfully, we will retain Mark and Ame in the Diocese as members of Resurrection Anglican Jacksonville, and as a part of the life of the Diocese. Finally, I am encouraged that Gulf Atlantic Diocese continues to raise up leaders to serve at the provincial level.
+Alex
The Right Reverend Alex Farmer
Bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese