[Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina] Diocese of Western North Carolina Bishop G. Porter Taylor recently announced the he will resign at the end of September 2016.

Taylor, 65, was consecrated as the sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina on Sept. 18, 2004.

He included the following letter in the March 26 edition of the weekly diocesan e-newsletter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For every time there is a season. I have been honored to be your bishop for this past decade. It has been a privilege beyond my dreams. I have travelled the globe and represented you to the wider Church. Most of all, I have been honored to be part of your lives and your parishes’ lives as your bishop — to confirm/receive, to baptize, to ordain, to celebrate new ministries, to bury, to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord. We have labored together; we have started new initiatives; we have been blessed by the Lord in smooth and rocky times.

After much prayer and deep conversations, it has become clear to me that God is calling me to something else. In 2016 I will be 66 and am convinced that this is the time for me and the diocese to begin a new chapter. I have consulted with the Standing Committee. They are prepared to move the nomination/election process forward appropriately.

Therefore, at the Renewal of Vows on March 26, I will announce that I will ask the Executive Council to authorize the election of the Seventh Bishop of WNC on October 1, 2016.

I give thanks for our ministry. Working with you has been a joy. I am absolutely assured that “all will be well and all manner of things will be well.”

Grace and peace,

+G. Porter Taylor

Bishop, Diocese of WNC