Rosenthal, Martin awarded Cross of St. Augustine for distinguished service
Episcopal News Service. January 27, 2009 [012709-01]
Matthew Davies
The Rev. Canon James M. Rosenthal and Deirdre Martin were each awarded the Cross of St. Augustine at a January 26 reception hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in honor of their combined 51 years of service to the Anglican Communion.
Both former staff members at the London-based Anglican Communion Office, Rosenthal recently left his post as director of communications after 19 years and Martin resigned following a 32-year tenure, most recently serving as executive assistant to the secretary general.
The Cross of St. Augustine, founded by former Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and first awarded in February 1965, is a circular silver medallion presented to clergy and lay people for long-standing and distinguished service to the Anglican Communion.
Williams presented the crosses at Lambeth Palace in the presence of more than 70 friends and supporters of the two honorees. He described Rosenthal as one of the most "beloved and admired" people in the Anglican world and called Martin the "memory" of the communion, citing her vast experience.
Rosenthal and Martin have served under three secretaries general and staffed several primates meetings, Lambeth Conferences, Anglican Consultative Council gatherings and other international Anglican gatherings.
In November 2008, they were both awarded honorary life memberships in the Compass Rose Society in recognition of their outstanding work for the Anglican Communion.
"Deirdre has served the communion for over 30 years with unobtrusive skill and commitment, as well as real theological intelligence. She has been an anchor of stability for us all, and a generous friend to countless individuals," said Williams. "Jim has been an outstanding ambassador for the communion and has had a unique role in making and keeping friendships among us. I am very glad to recognize in this award the warmth and passionate dedication he has brought to his role."
Rosenthal, an Episcopal Church missionary, was recruited for the communications post at the Anglican Communion Office after his volunteer work during the 1988 Lambeth Conference. He went on to work in a media relations role for two further Lambeth Conferences. He has traveled to more than 60 countries, often accompanying the Archbishop of Canterbury on pastoral visits to provinces of the Anglican Communion.
In 1993, Rosenthal resurrected Anglican World magazine, which served as the communion's official print publication until it moved to an electronic format in 2008. His award-winning photography has been a foundation of his ministry as the communion's chief communicator.
Prior to becoming director of communications for the Anglican Communion in 1989, Rosenthal was communications officer for the Diocese of Chicago, a position he held during former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold's 11-year term as bishop of Chicago.
"Jim became a close friend and much trusted colleague when I was bishop of Chicago. His passion was to make connections between congregations, the bishop and the larger realities of the Anglican Communion and the world," Griswold told ENS. "Though at the time he was not ordained, I know of no one who better embodies the servant ministry of a deacon."
Rosenthal was ordained a "distinctive deacon" -- the British term for a permanent deacon -- at St. Paul's Cathedral, London in June 2007.
Griswold said that during his time as Presiding Bishop, he had the "opportunity to see and experience the fruits of the ministry that Jim carried out so selflessly on behalf of us all. I pray that in the days ahead his ministry will continue to strengthen and enrich our communion."
For several years, Rosenthal has brought seasonal cheer to people of all ages as he dons beard and miter and assumes the role of St. Nicholas of Myra in an effort to reclaim the authenticity of the Christmas tradition.
As president of the U.K.-based St. Nicholas Society, Rosenthal says that St. Nicholas "leads his followers to the true essence of Christmas and the miracle of Bethlehem."
In 2006, Rosenthal was awarded an honorary doctorate in Canon Law from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, in recognition of his service to the Anglican Communion.
Barbara Braver, Griswold's former assistant for communication and one of Rosenthal's close and long-standing friends, said, "The communion at its heart is united by 'bonds of affection.' Jim Rosenthal, through his tireless ministry of communication, has strengthened these bonds. He has enabled the members of our communion to share their joys and their struggles to proclaim and live the gospel in a wide variety of contexts. His warmth and humor and sensitive spirit have been a gift to our Anglican Communion."