Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is pleased to announce that The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, has appointed The Rt. Rev. Harry Brown Bainbridge III as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. Bishop Bainbridge, Bishop of Idaho, has served as an ERD Board member since 2001. He succeeds the late Rt. Rev. Robert G. Tharp who served as Chairman of ERD’s Board until his death in May of this year.

Bishop Bainbridge is the twelfth Bishop of Idaho and has served congregations in the Dioceses of Tennessee, Western Louisiana, and Easton. He also served as Chaplain and taught religion at the Sewanee Academy.

"Bishop Bainbridge will bring his experience as a Board member over these last years, clarity about the vision of what ERD can be, and, most important, a passionate commitment to ERD’s work," said Bishop Griswold.

"We look forward to working with Bishop Bainbridge to move ERD’s vision forward and continue our efforts helping people worldwide on behalf of the Episcopal Church," said Sandra Swan, President of ERD.

"This is an exiting time for ERD as we shift from being an agency that responds to problems and emergencies in the world, to being a partner with others in promoting sustainable development, addressing the root causes of poverty, health and other problems that people experience," Bishop Bainbridge said.

"I look forward to working with the Management team, the Board, and the Church as we continue to respond to the needs of the world, reaching out as the hands and heart of Jesus," he added.

Episcopal Relief and Development is a compassionate response of the Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Episcopal Relief and Development provides emergency assistance in times of disaster, rebuilds devastated communities after the immediate crisis is over, and offers long-term solutions to help people sustain safer, healthier, and more productive lives.