On August 16, 2023, the Rev. Canon Betsy Ivey will retire from her position within the diocese. Below are messages from both her and Bishop Gutiérrez that they wanted to share with you.
Words cannot express my appreciation for the ministry of Canon Betsy Ivey. She has devoted her entire life to serving all of God’s beloved. I fondly remember sitting at a table early in my episcopacy and dreaming of how we could support our churches and bring the Good News to all our siblings in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Betsy helped bring that vision into focus. She has lived into her calling with intelligence, love and creativity. Her love of Jesus and her love of our churches and their people was manifest throughout her ministry. We will miss her, but I know she will not be far. She has extraordinary gifts that I pray she will continue to share with the diocese and the larger church. We will honor Betsy at Diocesan Convention in October. We send you forth with our gratitude, prayers, and love.
- Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez
My Dearest Siblings in Christ,
In the spirit of all good things that must move on, I share that I am retiring from active priesthood effective next Wednesday, August 16, 2023. My birth year and CPG advise I will be 72 this month. My body, mind and spirit tell me that it is time for me to move into a new chapter of my life as a priest.
I cannot express the blessing it has been to work with, and for our, Bishop Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez. His teachings of his deep faith in Jesus "first, last and always" have more clearly defined Jesus as the plumb-line for my ministry and my life. I will forever be grateful to Bishop Gutiérrez for the opportunity to "love every church I’ve ever entered, and to change it."
It has been a profound blessing to have served as your Canon for Growth and Support . I hope that you will continue to grow in all the ways that we have envisioned together, and for which you have set goals. I am grateful for every Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Interim, Warden, Vestry and Youth Leader I have encountered these past six years. Our collaborations, negotiations and celebrations have strengthened my priesthood for the rest of my life.
Finally, I am very grateful to have worked with the other six Canons and the Staff of our Diocesan Offices. Their creativity, knowledge and love of our churches will continue to serve as an inspiration to my ministry.
In Christ’s love,
The Rev. Canon Betsy Smith Ivey
