On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America consented to the elections of the Venerable Dan Gifford and the Very Reverend Chip Edgar as bishops for the Anglican Network in Canada and the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina, respectively.
Gifford was elected on November 18, 2021 during the diocesan synod of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC). He is currently the vicar of St. John’s Vancouver Anglican Church, serving with the Rev. Canon David Short who is rector of that parish. Gifford and his wife, Cathryn, have been married for 20 years and have two sons.
Gifford’s ministry began with a two-year curacy on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, and later he was appointed the first rector of St. Andrew’s Pender Harbour, BC where he ministered for six years. In 1998, Gifford joined the staff of St. John’s. In the diocese, Gifford also serves as archdeacon for Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding area, is a member of the Finance Committee, a past member of the Diocesan Council, and previously chaired the Harvest Task Force in 2019.
Speaking of his time with the College Gifford said, “Their questions were insightful. I felt a warm welcome and hearty support; they were very encouraging to us as a diocese. I look forward to getting to know our diocese better as we share the Gospel. I think it is a gift to be coadjutor–an apprentice–with Bishop Charlie Masters who has a strong, pastoral sense of the Diocese and its leadership.”
Bishop Charlie Masters, current diocesan bishop for ANiC and set to retire in November 2022, stated, “I am delighted today that the College of Bishops consented to Bishop-elect Dan. I look forward to serving alongside him over the coming year and then coming under his leadership as my bishop in the days ahead.”
Bishop-elect Dan Gifford will be consecrated on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Very Rev. Chip Edgar was elected on October 16, 2021 by a special Electing Convention held at Christ Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina by the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina. Edgar was the Planting Pastor, Rector and Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Apostles (Diocese of the Carolinas) in Columbia, South Carolina where he has served since 2004. During that time, he oversaw the growth of the church from a core group of 25 to an average Sunday attendance of nearly 400.
Prior to serving in Columbia, he served as the Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn, Illinois from 1997 -2004; as the Canon Pastor at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in Orlando, Florida from 1994 – 1997 and as the Curate at St. Paul’s Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee from 1993 – 1994. Edgar and his wife, Beth, have been married for 32 years. They have five grown children and a new granddaughter.
“When the Archbishop told me that the College had consented to my election, I thought of the words from King David, ‘Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?’” said Edgar. “I am humbled by the trust that has been invested in me. By God’s grace, I will serve His church to the best of my ability to prove worthy of this call.”
Bishop Mark Lawrence, retiring diocesan bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, stated, “This is most heartening to me on multiple accounts. I’m giving thanks to God for Bishop Edgar’s election and for what it heralds for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina.”
God willing, Bishop-elect Edgar will be consecrated on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, South Carolina.
The College of Bishops met for this discernment in the consecrated space of Prince of Peace Church in Melbourne, Florida. Archbishop Beach said, “It is with great joy that the College of Bishops has consented to Bishops-elect Chip and Dan. We look forward, as co-laborers in Christ, to proclaim the great news of His kingdom with them in North America.”
