Presiding Bishop Visits Sewanee
January 28, 2025
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, was in Sewanee Jan. 26 and 27, delivering the sermon at two services, participating in a public panel discussion, and meeting with undergraduates, seminarians, faculty, leaders, and community members. Bishop Rowe was elected presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church in June 2024 and took office on Nov. 1, 2024. In this role, he serves as the church’s chief pastor and CEO. Known for his expertise in organizational learning and adaptive change, Rowe is committed to strengthening support for local ministry and mission.
Now in the early months of his nine-year term, Bishop Rowe’s time in Sewanee marked his first visit to a university or seminary campus. During his brief stay, he prioritized connecting with seminarians and faculty at the School of Theology, one of the Episcopal Church’s few remaining residential seminaries “It was a joy and privilege to host Presiding Bishop Rowe in Sewanee. His presence with us was an inspiration, and also an opportunity to renew the long-standing bond between the University and the Episcopal Church,” said Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Rob Pearigen. “I believe I can speak for the campus community when I say that Bishop Rowe’s visit has left a lasting impression and a sense of optimism about the future of the Episcopal Church and our work together.”
On Sunday, Jan. 26, Presiding Bishop Rowe preached and University Chancellor the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Owensby presided at two services in All Saints’ Chapel. More than 600 undergraduates, seminarians, faculty, staff, community members, and nearly 30 local clergy gathered at the late-morning Holy Eucharist. Recordings of the entire Holy Eucharist (Rite 2) service and Bishop Rowe's sermon are available for viewing.
Later in the day, nearly 150 members of the extended Sewanee community gathered in Convocation Hall for a panel discussion with Presiding Bishop Rowe, Chancellor Jake Owensby, and Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen. They discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the Episcopal Church as well as the role of the University as an Episcopal institution and took questions from Sewanee students.
Read Episcopal News Service coverage of the session here.
Late Sunday afternoon, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, together with Dean Turrell and Bishop Owensby, held an
informal forum for seminarians. The discussion covered a wide range of topics including Rowe’s vision for the Church, anticipated changes, and his approach to leading change. Seminarians also had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel. In a separate closed session, Rowe also met with School of Theology faculty to discuss the importance and future of theological education in a residential setting.
Also during his time in Sewanee, Rowe had the opportunity to meet with leaders of the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation and with parishioners at the Parish of St. Mark and St. Paul in Sewanee Village.
“Bishop Rowe offered a vision of how the Episcopal Church and higher education are natural partners in addressing the intellectual, moral, and spiritual challenges of the current cultural landscape,” said Chancellor Owensby. “There’s lots of work to do, and the bishop’s words inspired us to keep at that life-changing, life-saving work.”
