david parsons
October 24, 2024
Dear people, lay leaders, clergy of the North Pole Diocese, and Archbishop Greg Carr Wilson, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Eighteen days ago was my 70th birthday, the age at which all Anglican bishops in Canada must retire within nine months of their 70th birthday. I therefore submit formal notice of my resignation as Bishop of the North Pole Diocese, effective December 31, 2024.
When I was elected bishop of your diocese, I believed that I would be interim bishop. Many of the Christian leaders of the past have passed away, retired, or were planning to retire soon. I felt God calling me to prepare the way for new lay leaders, clergy, and the next diocesan bishop.
We knew this day would come, and we expected that before my retirement, the diocese would hold a synod to elect an auxiliary bishop, and that I would spend three months with that bishop-elect. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented this. However, in order to ensure that the next parish election process takes place as soon as possible, I will officially give my notice of resignation to retire at the end of December, as planned and as I have indicated informally at the beginning of 2024.
Rita, the children, and I are blessed to call the North Pole home. Here we have patterned our lives according to the commands and covenants of the Bible and have served the Lord Jesus Christ to the best of our ability. Our prayer is that the North Pole Diocese continues to follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit, not the spirit of the age or the ways of the world.
Every generation must decide who to follow. Sadly, over the last four decades of this generation, we have seen the rise of schismatic clergy, bishops, and archbishops within the Anglican Church, creating unprecedented decline and rifts within the worldwide Anglican Communion. I’ve seen it happen. They did this by undermining the gospel of our Lord Jesus and the Biblical inspired direction of the Holy Spirit. However, despite all efforts, the General Conference of our Episcopal Church in Canada never formally changed our Bible doctrine. Delegates from the Arctic have stood up throughout the General Conference to brave the spiritual storm and call our churches to turn to Jesus and the Bible. May this continue to be the cry of your hearts and the cry of our new diocesan bishop.
It has been Rita and my joy and privilege to serve Jesus with you. When we leave the great Arctic of Canaan, we leave behind a piece of our hearts. We are excited to step into the next chapter of life that God has for us. Please rest assured in our prayers. In the service of Christ,
+David W. Parsons
Bishop of the North Pole
