“It’s a great honor to take on this role, particularly to follow in the footsteps of Walter Baer, who has done the role with such distinction,” said the Venerable Michael Rusk, who received the mandate to be the new archdeacon of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe from Bishop Mark Edington in late January.
“It was a very moving ceremony at the clergy retreat in the Lusitanian Cathedral of Saint Paul’s in Lisbon,” Rusk said. “The archdeacon (Walter Baer) came before the bishop, laid down his role as archdeacon, handed his staff to Bishop Mark and Bishop Mark gave the staff to me.”
“I am delighted and grateful Michael will be serving as the new archdeacon for the Convocation,” Edington said. “He brings remarkable gifts to this ministry, and I look forward to a collegial and fruitful partnership with him.
“And I am also grateful to the people of Emmanuel Church in Geneva, who are now sharing Michael’s many gifts with the church throughout Europe.”
“I can’t think of anyone that I would be more happy to hand this role to than Michael Rusk,” Baer said. “He comes with tons of skills in this whole area, as well as a deep knowledge of the convocation.”
Rusk said his role will be to continue the work that Baer has done, which is to be “the glue of the convocation. The clergy, the wardens tend to go to the archdeacon with questions, and so he has a real handle on what’s going on in the Convocation.” The archdeacon also helps parishes in transition and is “the first responder” when there needs to be support from the Convocation. “The bishop will send me first and then I will report back to the bishop.”
Rusk has been the rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Geneva since 2017, as well as a member of the Council of Advice and on the board of the European Institute of Christian Studies (EICS), where he is responsible for the formation of ordinands. He previously served Church of England parishes in Durham and Oadby, England, and was the rural dean of the Gartree Deaneries before coming to Emmanuel. He will continue as rector at Emmanuel in addition to the duties as archdeacon (75 percent/25 percent). “I, along with the vestry, will also take steps to appoint an associate rector,” he said.
As the Convocation’s new Canon for Ecumenical Relations, Baer will continue his work with the Convocation’s ecumenical partners, a role he said he is looking forward to. He has also been appointed to be chaplain to retired clergy in Europe.
The Venerable Michael Rusk with his staff of office.
For more information, please contact:
Audrey Shankles
Canon for Programming & Communications
ashankles@episcopaleurope.org
The Venerable Michael Rusk
Archdeacon
archdeacon@episcopaleurope.org