Maureen Shea, Director of the Office of Government Relations (OGR), previously announced her retirement as of Friday, August 28. Beginning September 1, Alex Baumgarten, International Policy Analyst, will serve as Interim Director for OGR.

Additionally, Mary Getz, currently the OGR Grassroots Coordinator, will oversee the administrative work of the Washington office.

Concurrently, the search for the Episcopal Church”s Director of Advocacy has been temporarily suspended. “With the effects of the 2010-2012 budget just beginning to be felt, and with the organizational changes that these cuts will require being studied, we believe it is best to temporarily halt the process,” explained Linda Watt, Chief Operating Officer for The Episcopal Church. “Please note that this is a temporary suspension of the search process. The Director of Advocacy position has not been eliminated and the search will resume following a decision on the parameters of the position.”

She continued, “Our Church Center staff is being reconfigured as a result of the budget approved by General Convention, and we recognize that there are new factors to be considered in selecting a candidate for this very important and visible ministry.”

The Rev. Canon Brian Grieves, currently the Director of the Advocacy Center, previously announced his intention to leave the Church Center staff as of October, 2009.

The Episcopal Church, with 110 dioceses in 16 nations, is a member province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

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