Diocese Welcomes the Rev. Dr. Sally French as Interim East Regional Canon

The Diocese welcomes the Rev. Dr. Sally French as the interim East Regional Canon for the Diocese of North Carolina.

French joins a team of missioners and canons dedicated to increasing the vitality and impact of congregational development initiatives at the local, regional and diocesan levels. Together they support congregations in their lives of discipleship as well as encourage and strengthen ministry leadership with a focus on lay vocations. In this work partnerships are formed, engaging congregations and faith communities in the work of Becoming Beloved Community.

Already well known in the Diocese of North Carolina through her service on Standing Committee, including a term as president, and her most recent position as associate rector at St. Philip’s, Durham, in her new role French will be focused on working with worshiping communities in the east region of the diocese, including the Rocky Mount, Raleigh and Durham convocations. She will work to develop increased collaboration and engagement among clergy and laity, and help to implement diocesan programming, including congregational development events, in support of mission priorities.

“In her previous role as president of the Standing Committee, Sally was instrumental in developing a strategic process to advance our missional priorities, including work with the Standing Committee to begin a series of conversations on systemic racism,” said the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. “Sally is uniquely equipped to generate increased connection, collaboration and engagement among clergy and laity in the east region and as a member of our diocesan staff.”

The east regional canon position is being filled on an interim basis as the Diocese continues to discern diocesan needs and challenges. It is the expectation that all congregations and communities will continue to receive leadership support, and French will not only serve the east region in that capacity, she will be part of the ongoing work of diocesan leadership to discern the structure and staffing that will best enable the Diocese of North Carolina to fulfill its missional strategy in 2021 and beyond.

“Sally is an experienced priest with a strong background in pilgrimage, congregational development and collaboration,” said the Rev. Canon David Sellery, diocesan canon for congregational mission. “We are excited about the skills she brings and especially her vision of this role as an opportunity to walk alongside parishes as part of our shared pilgrimage.”

French begins her tenure at the Diocese on November 16, 2020.