[Episcopal Diocese of Northern California] The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner, seventh bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California since 2007, has announced his intention to retire and will call for the election of a new bishop during diocesan convention on Nov. 3 to 4.

The tentative timetable calls for the election of the next bishop in February 2019 and consecration in late June 2019, at which time  Beisner will retire upon the consecration of his successor.

“What a blessing it has been to be bishop of this diocese! It’s been such a great joy and privilege, and I thank God for it. This decision is in response to God’s call, discerned after months of prayer and consultation.”

“I don’t feel a need to go; I feel a call, having discerned with family, friends, the presiding bishop, spiritual directors and colleagues. I’m clear that this is something that I am called to do,” Beisner said.

Beisner served as canon to the ordinary to the previous bishop, Jerry Lamb, from 2002 to 2006. Before that, he was the rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Davis from 1989 to 2002. He and his wife, the Rev. L. Ann Hallisey, are the parents of six grown children.

The Diocese of Northern California includes 14,000 members in 69 parishes and missions in the Northern California region.