May 14, 2026
Oh, dear Canon Anita,
You know how dogs grieve when a trusted owner leaves; they howl in dismay. I. too, utter a heartfelt “Aoooowww” at this news that you will be leaving as the bishop’s assistant, a job you have performed with excellence. You have been so supportive of St. Paul’s during our challenging years of Covid, rector departure and search, multiple transitions of leadership, and the resulting struggles to regain our membership. I am so grateful for your enlightened guidance for my own learning of how to be a senior warden during such difficult turmoil. I’d say you were God-sent for the whole diocese, not just for St. Paul’s and me. Thank you for being you, for helping us with a gentle, loving hand.
Balancing our feelings of loss is the sense that the Church is offering you a tremendous opportunity working for Sean Rowe in this new position. What a gain for the Episcopal Church nationally! Yet, I would honestly say to him, “Sean, Dude, take good care of our beloved Anita.” You bring openness, honesty, warmth, grace, clarity, and goodness to this challenging new work. What a timely and important position you undertake during this difficult time for racial relations, for Christian beliefs and political morality. Speaking for St. Paul’s and for me personally, we wish you success and God’s blessing to you and to the many you will lead.
I am relieved that you will, for now, remain in Phoenix. I invite you in your spare time (ha!) to visit us in Payson or, for a restful country experience, at Cindy’s and my place in Young. It’s a long drive from Phoenix but we welcome you, as will our loving dog, Tilly.
With greatest blessing,
Randy Mynard
