On Saturday, May 14, during a special convention meeting, the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin elected The Rev. Dr. Eric Menees as its bishop and chief pastor. The meeting included clergy and lay delegates and was held at St. James Cathedral in Fresno, Calif. Bishop-elect Menees will succeed Bishop John-David Schofield, who has served the diocese since 1988 and will be retiring this fall.
“We are extremely grateful for the dedication of Bishop Schofield and are thankful for the Spirit-led deliberations among the people of the San Joaquin Diocese to elect a Godly leader to continue to grow the flock. Bishop-elect Menees has shown that he has a true passion for the Gospel and a servant’s heart. I am confident the Diocese of San Joaquin will be greatly blessed while in his care. Our prayers are with Bishop-elect Menees and the whole diocese,” said The Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America.
Bishop-elect Eric Menees currently serves as the Rector of the Anglican Church of the Resurrection in San Marcos, Calif. A graduate of the General Theological Seminary, he then received his Doctor of Ministry from Seabury Western. Bishop-elect Menees was ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Prior to founding the Anglican Church of the Resurrection in 2006, he worked with Spanish-language ministries, served as the chaplain of the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, and took on the role of rector at Grace Episcopal Church in San Marcos. He and his wife have two children.
The consecration of Bishop-elect Menees is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 and the enthronement will take place on Sunday, October 23 to coincide with Bishop Schofield’s retirement. For time and location information, please click here.
Please join the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin in offering the following prayer:
Almighty Father, we thank you for raising up among us faithful servants for the ministry of your Word and Sacraments. We pray that Bishop-elect Eric may be to us an effective example in word and action, in love and patience, in holiness of life, and fidelity to your son and our Lord’s gospel. Grant that we, with him, may serve you now, and always rejoice in your glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
