After 14 years as the Bishop of the Diocese of El Camino Real, the Rt. Reverend Richard Shimpfky has retired, effective March 31. Shimpfky is the second bishop of the diocese, formed in 1980 and extending along the California coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
"Please understand me: this is indeed a new beginning," Shimpfky recently told clergy and staff, confirming the move he announced in 2003 to call for his successor. The 63-year-old husband, father and grandfather plans to move to the New York area where he hopes to serve as interim rector of a parish.
"I give thanks to the diocese for these many years we have had together," said Shimpfky. "I have loved being in the Way with each of you, and I will ever pray for your progress in becoming what in the Resurrection you have been beheld to be: people in the full stature of Christ Jesus, Ambassadors of God and instruments of the Holy Spirit. God bless you."
Asked about the highlights of his tenure, Shimpfky recalled his years as President of the Province. "We re-visioned the whole thing in preparation for the new century, making radical changes, like replacing the Provincial Council with an Executive Committee that was half appointed--so we could get ethnics involved."
Nearly 25% of the membership of the El Camino Real diocese is ethnic, including congregations that worship in Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, Sudanese dialects and Lakota.
In 1997, the House of Bishops Nominating Committee placed Shimpfky on the short list for Presiding Bishop. He served as Chair of the General Convention Standing Commission on Anglican Peace and Justice Concerns, was on the Committee for the Pastoral Teaching on Human Sexuality, the Board of Governors of the National Association of Episcopal Schools, served as Council of Advice to two presiding bishops and was President of the Board of The Witness magazine.
