[Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes] At the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes in San Antonio, Texas the organization’s Board of Directors announced it has called Joseph R. Swimmer as the Consortium’s new Executive Director. Joe, who currently serves as the Major Gift Officer at Washington National Cathedral, begins this new ministry on April 1, 2018.

“We are thrilled that Joe has accepted our call to lead the Consortium at this exciting time in the organization’s history.” said the Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, incoming President of the Consortium and Rector of the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City. “Our Board of Directors unanimously and enthusiastically selected Joe this week after a year-long national search while meeting at our annual conference in San Antonio.”

Joe’s most recent work has been renewing the Washington National Cathedral’s Congregation, while securing funding for earthquake repair. Baptized and formed in the faith in Oklahoma, Joe is an active citizen and leader in the Cherokee Nation. He received his BA magna cum laude from Tufts and his JD from Stanford. His studied for an MA in American Indian History at the University of Tulsa.

After practicing law in San Francisco, Joe spent many years in the corporate world. Eventually, Joe spearheaded fundraising for legal nonprofits in the Bay Area. Joe will be based in Washington, D.C. where he resides with his husband, Tarak Patel. “I am honored and humbled by the Board’s call to lead the Consortium and build on the firm foundation laid over the last almost forty years. Together with the Board of Directors, membership and other stakeholders, we will continue as a resource and catalyst in the ministries of our members.” He added, “We will explore where the Holy Spirit is leading the Consortium in its work of building up the Episcopal Church and doing the work of the Gospel. Our strong position and continuing growth in ministry offer wonderful possibilities in the years ahead as we take this venerable organization into its next dynamic phase.”

Cary Kelly, chair of the Consortium’s Executive Director Search Committee and past President, stated that “The search committee, comprised of Consortium members, designed a diligent and prayerful process to identify a faithful and strategic partner for the board and advocate for our members. She added “over forty applicants from across the Church came forward and we are deeply grateful for their participation. Joe proved himself to be the one to help lead this organization that we love to the next expression of its
mission.”

The Rev. Luke Back, immediate past President of the Consortium and the new Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois noted that Joe will be a partner with the Board of Directors and the Consortium’s whole membership in developing a “strategic narrative” for our next chapter. “Joe’s deep love for the Church, coupled with his passion, strategic sense and collaborative leadership style will serve to build up the Body of Christ by supporting the work of our parishes and seminaries. This is an exciting time for the
Consortium.”

Joe succeeds Cynthia Cannon McWhirter, who has served as the Consortium’s Executive Director since 1999.

The Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes’ mission is to celebrate, inspire and equip its member parishes, seminaries, and other Episcopal institutions for effective leadership, stewardship and transformation in the Church and in the world. For more information, visit the Consortium’s website at www.endowedparishes.org, on Facebook or Twitter @endowedparishes.