Re: Bishop’s Notice of Resignation Date Change: February 2, 2026
Through much prayer and consultation with my family, I write to you to announce that I will be resigning effective February 2nd, 2026, being the Feast of the Presentation/Candlemas as per Church Pension Fund guidelines, thus allowing the year 2025 to be credited to my service. Equally, this timeline will affect positively my financial and health retirement benefits. However, I intend to leave the Office of the Bishop of Easton, Bray House, on October 31, 2025, to proceed on one-month annual vacation (November) and two months (December 2025 and January 2026) pre-retirement sabbatical. It is my intention to celebrate my farewell service in the month of October. It will be the observance of my ninth anniversary as Bishop of Easton. You would recall that my investiture as the Eleventh Bishop of Easton was celebrated on October 15, 2016, observed as the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila.
This decision was not made lightly but was discerned in the knowledge that God’s great story continues to unfold in my life and that of the diocese. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
During my time with family in the Bahamas last month, I spent much time in prayer. It was during these times of prayer that I heard God’s voice clearly directing this decision. First, in calling me to spend more time with my family in these latter years of my life, as husband, father and grandfather, without the constant pull of work. And second, to continue my physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological healing.
My decision is equally informed by the action of the Standing Committee in calling for a period of Diocesan Discernment. Personally, I recognize that the Diocese of Easton, as a community of faith, may be called to make critical decisions at the conclusion of the designated period of diocesan wide discernment. These decisions are likely to determine the future trajectory of diocesan life, mission and ministry.
It is customary, practical and ecclesiastically prudent and responsible that this vital exercise be conducted without the physical presence of the incumbent ordinary/bishop. This action reflects my accountability and transparency in the spirit of kenosis (self-emptying – where the interest of others/church are placed before the individual’s self-interest) as modelled by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Philippians 2). It is my conviction that this ‘holy period’ should be devoid of any real or perceived interference by the incumbent in office.
In my more than eight-year tenure here in the Diocese of Easton, prayer has always been central to our walk together. It is the cornerstone of my life, both personally and in ministry, and follows the example of Christ who often went away by himself, for renewal and clarity through prayer with God (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46–47; John 6:15). My beloved, it was through this practice that I arrived at this decision. God is calling me now, in my final season here, to close well this chapter of our diocesan life together, even as the next chapter begins.
May this same practice enshroud everything that the Diocese of Easton discerns as it journeys onward as a PRAYER CENTERED CHURCH + MISSION-SHAPED DIOCESE.
Together in Christ’s service,
Bishop San