For Immediate Release
Long-Time McMurray Priest Elected Bishop for Northern Alberta
FORT MCMURRAY, AB. (September 20, 2009). The Rev. Canon Fraser Lawton, the Rector (priest–in-charge) of St Thomas Anglican Church in Thickwood Heights for the past 13 years, was selected as the new Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca at a gathering of northern Alberta Anglicans in Peace River on Saturday September 19th.
Bishop-elect Lawton was greeted with a standing ovation from the delegates in St James Cathedral in Peace River on Saturday afternoon. Speaking of all 6 candidates who let their name stand for election, “This was the best slate of candidates I’ve seen in any diocesan election. This speaks well of the people of [the Diocese of] Athabasca,” said Archbishop David Ashdown at the conclusion of the electoral gathering.
As successor to Archbishop John Clarke of Peace River who retired in April this year, Lawton’s selection as Bishop places him as the chief pastor and spiritual leader of Anglicans in an area that stretches from Lac La Biche in the east to Beaverlodge in the west, from just north of Westlock in the south to Fort Chipewyan and High Level in the north.
Lawton is well-known for his passion to see the church reach out to the wider community as people’s lives are changed through their relationship with God, as a mentor to young Christians, and as a visionary leader. After serving for several years on church councils beyond the diocesan level, his selection as Bishop now propels Lawton into the forefront of national church leadership.
Bishop-elect Lawton and his family are expected to move to Peace River in time for his ordination and consecration as Bishop, at St James’ Cathedral in Peace River at a date to be announced.
For more information contact St Thomas Anglican Church office at 780-790-1114 or the Anglican Centre in Peace River at 780-624-2767.
Submitted by Rev Lesley Hand,
780-791-4634