The Search for the Ninth Bishop of California

The Rev. Canon Augusta Anne Anderson

Canon to the Ordinary & Chief of Staff
Diocese of Western North Carolina

Seminary Education:

M.Div – Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA

Other Education:

B.A. American Studies – Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Experience
Written Responses

View nominee’s submitted resumé

Introductory Statement

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! It is with deep joy, and excitement for the future I offer a brief introduction.

I have had the privilege and blessing of finding home in some of the most beautiful parts of God’s creation, including California. As a fifth-generation Californian, born in San Rafael, growing up in Oakland and Foster City, the San Francisco Bay area has always been a place I have come home to. Even when my journey took me beyond the Golden State, I have regularly returned, visiting extended family and friends, and introducing my four children and husband to the community that helped shape who I am today. In so many ways, your stories are interwoven in the foundation of my sense of self, purpose, and vocation.

I am inspired by the ways you follow Jesus and seek to make the grace and love of God known in your communities, especially in the face of some real challenges and creative opportunities. I am moved by your longing to thrive, build relationships of trust and mutual affection, and share the Good News of healing and hope. Your unwavering passion for extending justice, inclusion, and belonging to all God’s creation resonates with my own vision of ministry.

I bring a depth of experience that comes from over two decades of ordained ministry and a lifetime worshipping in churches that span the breadth of The Episcopal Church in a variety of contexts and multicultural settings. As a parish priest, I have served congregations in both small towns and larger urban cities. As Canon to the Ordinary, my work portfolio includes: overseeing the daily operations of the diocese; assisting all diocesan executive leadership bodies and mission staff in their responsibilities; and providing guidance and pastoral support to both lay leaders and clergy in a wide variety of circumstances. All of these opportunities have equipped me to develop resilience, a willingness to engage in hard conversations, and a profound respect and delight in the diversity of God’s people.

With God’s help, I am guided by core values of curiosity, hospitality, and collaboration. I believe love and accountability go hand in hand. I lead by holding space for human hungers to be made known, especially across difference, and satiated by embodying God’s welcome, compassion, and grace. I prioritize healthy and dynamic relationships of transparency, vulnerability and mutuality by integrating joy and unity through playfulness, humor, sacred storytelling. With deep trust that God is at work in our midst, I seek to bear witness every day to the many ways resurrection is real, happening right here and now. These foundational practices and beliefs shape my life and ministry as I walk together with God’s people.

Video Statement

Greetings, beloved in the Diocese of California! I’m the Reverend Canon Augusta Anderson.

As a fifth-generation Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area, many of your stories are interwoven with my own sense of self and vocation.

I am persuaded that your next bishop is called to collaboratively build on your visionary commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and belonging, while simultaneously nurturing relationships of trust, mutual affection and joy.

I bring a unique spirit of curiosity and humility which equips me to lead undaunted by the messiness that comes from being human and living in community.

I can’t wait to meet you when we can share more of our stories. Who knows, maybe we sat near each other on the Tidal Wave roller coaster at California’s Great America?

Know that you remain in my daily prayers as we discern God’s vision for the future.