The Nominating Synod of the Diocese of Springfield has selected the Very Rev. Brian Burgess, rector of Christ Church, Woodbury and Dean of the Woodbury Convocation, as one of three final candidates to serve as its 12th bishop.
The Synod met on Oct. 15 at Cathedral Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, Springfield, Illinois, to finalize its three candidates.
“I am humbled by the Diocese of Springfield’s nomination to stand for election as their 12th Bishop,” said Fr. Burgess. “Both the songs and sighs of God’s people become more fully resonant when you recognize your name on a ballot for episcopal office. The Diocese of Springfield is truly a remarkable place. The combination of mid-western values rooted deeply in the rich soil of sacramental faith, combined with a history of faithfulness invites today what it is the rest of the church will want to become.”
In addition to Burgess, who has served at Christ Church Woodbury since 2005, the other final nominees are the Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Diocese of Oklahoma, and the Rev. Scott Allen Seefeldt, Diocese of Milwaukee.
In the coming weeks, all three candidates will post video interviews to help the people of the Diocese to become familiar with them. From Nov. 8–13, the candidates will travel to Illinois for meetings with various representatives of the diocese.
The Electing Synod will convene at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul the Apostle, Springfield, Illinois, on Dec. 11 to elect the 12th Bishop of Springfield.
Prior to being called as rector of Christ Church, Fr. Burgess served as rector of Saint John’s in Brooksville, Florida, and associate priest and chaplain to the Parish Day School at Saint Luke’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music from Ball State University and his Master of Divinity from Sewanee–The University of the South. He is married to his college sweetheart, Denise Lee, and they have two children, Robert and Catherine.
