Ascension Day Letter from Bishop Skirving

Ascension Day – May 14, 2026

To the people of the Diocese of East Carolina

Dear Friends in Christ,

Some of you know that from the time of the November 16, 2024 announcement of my intent to resign from my role as your bishop, I have had a “countdown” app running on my cell phone. Periodically, when folks have asked how much longer, I’ve opened the app and shared the number of days, always adding “but who’s counting?” And then we’d chuckle a little bit.

With just nine days to go, this will be my last letter to you, and I want to offer three things.

First, I want to offer my deepest thanks for the love and support that you have shown to Sandy and to me as we have lived in your midst. In the ways that you welcomed us to eastern North Carolina beginning in 2014, and in the many ways that you have shown us hospitality week by week since then, your kindnesses will be memories that we will always cherish. Thank you!

Second, I want to offer you a little bit of my “resignation” plan. Most of us are more familiar with the word “retirement.” For me, retirement plans are still to be determined. As I hand the pastoral staff to our 9th Bishop during her ordination on Saturday, May 23, I will formally resign as Bishop of East Carolina. Two days later, Sandy and I will board a plane for Scotland, where we will spend a week in pilgrimage on the holy island of Iona and then an additional two weeks visiting places of historic and family significance. We are excited about this trip, and we are hopeful that it will allow us the opportunity to begin to reorder the patterns that have shaped my life during my time as your bishop. On our return to Beaufort, as we live into the next chapter of our life together, we will be attentive to whatever new calls God may place before us.

Finally, I want to offer the promise of my prayers for our Bishop-Elect Sarah as she prepares for her ordination and for her ministry as your bishop. And I offer the promise of my prayers for all of you, the people of this diocese, lay and clergy, as you continue to live into your baptismal and ordination vows, made and regularly renewed together, and as you face the challenges and opportunities that arise, and for which God’s Holy Spirit will equip you.

For years, I have been grateful for this teaching from the apostle Paul, who wrote “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” As I bid you farewell, it is my hope that I have been a faithful laborer in your midst. I will watch expectantly for the growth that God will give as all of you continue to labor together in the fields of East Carolina!

Yours in Christ,