Emmanuel Sserwadda leaves Africa partnerships position
Episcopal News Service. April 8, 2010 [040810-04]
ENS staff
The Rev. Emmanuel Sserwadda has left his position as Africa partnerships officer for the Episcopal Church, effective April 2.
Sserwadda, a priest with 31 years' experience in both the U.S. and Uganda, held the position since August 2005. His work has focused on the Episcopal Church's relationships with the 12 African provinces of the Anglican Communion, ecumenical bodies in the region, and councils and agencies in the U.S. whose work supports the church in Africa.
Prior to taking up his role, based at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, Sserwadda served for nine years as rector of Church of the Ascension in Mount Vernon, and before that in two parishes in the Diocese of Long Island.
Sserwadda said it has been an honor to serve the Episcopal Church as Africa partnerships officer for the last 5 years.
"It has been a humbling and rewarding experience working with church leaders in Africa to build up partnerships," he told ENS. "But it hasn't been easy. The work has been accomplished through intense listening, learning, and trying to understand the different cultural backgrounds and traditions of the people in Africa. It has also been important to educate African Anglicans about the Episcopal Church and the differences between church polities."
Toni Daniels and the Rev. Margaret Rose, co-directors of the Episcopal Church's mission department, expressed their gratitude for the "great strides he has made to embrace and enhance our vital relationships with partners throughout Africa. His assistance during the last Lambeth Conference stands out as a highlight of his dedicated work to our Episcopal Church."
"Understanding the importance of our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Africa, we will seek to fill this position thoughtfully and quickly," they added.
Until the position is filled and a new officer begins, inquiries regarding the Episcopal Church's relationships with its partners in Africa should be referred to Canon Margaret Larom, global partnerships team leader, at mlarom@episcopalchurch.org.