The Right Rev. John Bryson Chane plans to step down as the Eighth Episcopal Bishop of Washington in mid 2011, he announced during a Jan. 30 address to the Diocesan Convention.

Chane called for the Diocese of Washington’s Standing Committee to appoint a panel to begin the search for his successor in March, and recommended the group spend a year at its work.

He suggested a June 2011 election, with a consecration in the fall, and offered to spend “a good month” working with his successor to ensure a “smooth and seamless transition in leadership.”

“I call for this election not because of any health reasons, or because I am burned out or bored,” he assured the convention deputies. “I don’t know how any bishop could ever be bored serving this diocese.” He noted that he had made an eight-year commitment to serve the diocese – which is almost up – and that he will be 67 by the time his successor is elected.

“It will be time to elect a younger person to lead what I consider to be the best and one of the most influential dioceses in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion,” he said, adding that “when the time actually comes to turn over the crosier to another it will be a very emotional time for me.”

Chane said he intended to remain fully engaged with the work of the diocese during the approximately 19 months until his departure. “This is not a time of goodbyes and reminiscing,” he said. “It is a time to move forward as a mission-driven diocese.”

Earlier in his address, Chane spoke of challenging times in the economy and in the diocese, where neither money nor membership is on the rise.

While the diocese might not be considered a success using a conventional business model, he said, “I think this diocese and our congregations that I love so much and that have fed my soul are models of success in a different way. And the denominational church and its critics that use membership numbers and dollars pledged solely to define either success or failure are really missing the mark and misreading how success is defined by the Gospel. …

“All of our congregations and people are doing God’s work in one way or another in a very challenging world. And though we struggle, we are congregations and a diocese that are making a difference in the lives of our parishioners and the communities that we serve.”

Sustained applause followed Chane’s address and announcement, delivered as a snowstorm gathered force and groundskeepers spread salt on the steps of Washington National Cathedral.

The weather led to a truncated convention agenda, with the keynote speaker offering a few remarks in place of a full address so time could be devoted to elections and necessary business. The Rev. Thomas Brackett, program officer and church planting specialist at the Episcopal Church Center, will return to the diocese to speak in the near future, Chane said.

Before adjourning, the convention passed a $4 million diocesan budget, a reduction of approximately $400,000 from 2009.

“We anticipate that our operating results will be in the black for 2009,” diocesan Treasurer Paula Singleton reported. Finance Committee Chairman Peter Marks urged parishes, whose pledges to the diocese make up the lion’s share of its budget, to “make the diocese a priority in your budget, not a balancing item.”

The convention also passed a resolution calling for continued support for the people of Darfur and all Sudan, and another, titled On Conscience, that drew some discussion before its approval.

The resolution, submitted by David Bickel of All Saints, Chevy Chase, called for the re-affirmation of legislation passed at the 2004 Diocesan Convention to extend pastoral care to members of the diocese who were unhappy with the decisions made on issues of homosexuality at the 2003 General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

“One of the great gifts of this diocese is its diversity,” Chane said. “And one of those gifts is opposing points of view. … I hope this convention will continue to be a ‘big tent’ convention. Reconciliation is at the core of what the Gospel is about.”

Convention deputies also elected members to serve on the Diocesan Council, Ecclesiastical Trial Court and Standing Committee, honored the ministry of deceased clergy members, and offered thanksgiving for the ministry of St. James, Bowie, a congregation which is closing after 114 years of ministry. The Rev. Anne-Marie Jeffery, priest-in-charge, asked members of the diocese to “keep us in your prayers” during the church’s final service at 4 p.m. Feb. 21.

Adjourning the convention at 1:45 p.m. – more than two hours ahead of schedule – Chane urged deputies not to drive home “faster than your angel can fly.” A full report of elections, as well as the Bishop’s address and diocesan budget, is available online at http://convention.edow.org.

Lucy Chumbley is the editor of Washington Window, the newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.