Before coming to the Episcopal Church Center in New York six years ago, the Rev. Canon Rosemari Sullivan, 58, was associate rector of Grace Church and rector of St. Clement’s, both in Alexandria. That's a short distance from the seminary, where she developed a close relationship with seminarians and provided spiritual direction.

“The opportunity ... has come at the time in the cycle of our General Convention when I believe the systems and staff are in place to move forward to the 75th General Convention,” Sullivan said in her resignation letter. “In our family life it is time to return to Virginia, and in my personal journey it is an exciting opportunity to serve another dimension of the life of the church we love.” Sullivan is a 1985 graduate of VTS.

Dean George Werner, president of the House of Deputies, said he had not known a finer colleague or mentor than Sullivan. “Wrapped around her deep spirituality and Benedictine discipline are gifts of brilliance, vision, courage, leadership and a delicious sense of humor. I am pleased she will continue to be a leader of our church and will lend her gifts to an exciting and thriving seminary.”

Sullivan said that she had tried to help the church understand the way in which it chooses to govern its affairs and work. “Because we are a democratic system, we can make changes to that system, providing for a clearer focus and efficiency,” she said.

Werner and Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, in a joint letter to Executive Council members, said Sullivan had done a superb job in reordering and rationalizing vast areas of the church’s corporate life and governance. “Not only that, she has been a much-valued colleague and source of wisdom over the years that she has served. Our sadness is overridden by the deep gratitude we have for her clarity and her tireless efforts to make the legislative and governance structures of the church revelatory of the gospel."

The presiding bishop and House of Deputies president appoint the executive officer of General Convention. The officer is first elected secretary of the House of Deputies; the House of Bishops then concurs that the person elected is also secretary of General Convention.

VTS is the largest of the 11 accredited Episcopal seminaries, currently preparing men and women from more than 40 dioceses and nine countries for ordained and lay ministry. The seminary’s president, Dean Martha Horne, said Sullivan’s wealth of experience and unique gifts would enable the seminary to expand its continuing commitment to clergy and congregations in the United States and throughout the Anglican Communion. “We are excited about her return to the community and the insights and energy she will bring to this position.”

In her new position, Sullivan said she would work on special events and convocations and would develop a community of alumni and a ministry of hospitality.

The seminary also announced a second appointment.  The Rev. Michael Battle, assistant professor of spirituality and black church studies at the Divinity School of Duke University, is vice-president and new associate dean for academic affairs. Battle is also a chaplain to the House of Bishops.