Episcopal Press and News
Dimmick Named Minnesota Assistant
Episcopal News Service. July 9, 1981 [81199]
MINNEAPOLIS -- A "new model for episcopal ministry" is taking shape in the Diocese of Minnesota with the appointment of an assistant bishop who will live away from the see city in a Roman Catholic community.
The Rt. Rev. Robert Anderson, Bishop of the state-wide Episcopal diocese, announced that the Rt. Rev. William A. Dimmick, Bishop of Northern Michigan since 1975, has resigned his position and will take up duties in Minnesota in September. Dimmick will live on the campus of St. John's University and Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., and maintain his Episcopal Church community in St. John's Church, St. Cloud, Minn.
The Rev. Robert Bilheimer, executive director of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, Collegeville, has invited Dimmick to live at the Institute as an Adjunct Fellow. The appointment, which was made with the concurrence of the diocese's Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, was preceded by discussions with the Rt. Rev. Jerome Theisen, Eighth Abbot of St. John's Abbey, and others in the community.
According to Anderson, "What is unique and exciting for us is that Bishop Dimmick will live in an ecumenical setting and will have an informal association with St. John's. His gifts and interests are connected with liturgical renewal, spirituality and ecumenism. He also has a natural tie with the Benedictines."
For the past several years, Dimmick has been the episcopal visitor to St. Gregory's Abbey (Benedictine), Three Rivers, Mich. He has participated in the Anglican/ Roman Catholic dialogue and the Consultation on Church Union. As a member of the national Standing Liturgical Commission of the Episcopal Church, he oversaw the revision of the "Daily Offices" portion of the Book of Common Prayer. He has had a deep interest in retreats, the spiritual life and education for clergy and laity.
Dimmick was graduated from Berea College and later received his M.Div. from Yale University Divinity School and M.A. from George Peabody College. His Doctor of Divinity is from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. During World War II, Dimmick served in the Pacific aboard a destroyer escort. He has served parishes in Tennessee and Connecticut. Dimmick was dean of the Cathedral of St. Mary, Memphis, from 1962-1973.
In making the announcement, Anderson said, "We are delighted that Bishop Dimmick will join our diocese and especially that he will be in the St. Cloud area."
Anderson pointed out that before the Episcopal Diocese of Duluth became part of the Diocese of Minnesota, Episcopal bishops lived in St. Cloud. In addition to the historical connection, Anderson emphasized, "We have been invited into an exciting center -- Collegeville is known worldwide for its work on liturgics and spirituality." He also noted that Dimmick will live near the geographic center of the state rather than in the Twin Cities. "We are trying a new model for episcopal ministry, and what we do here will be followed with interest, not only in Minnesota but in other areas of the country."
The major focus of Dimmick's ministry will be pastoral and will include retreats, spiritual guidance and conferences for laity and clergy. He will serve as chairman of the diocese's department of Christian education. Dimmick will also assist with episcopal duties, including parish visitations and confirmations, throughout the diocese.
His resignation from his current see will become formal upon the consecration of a successor.
Anderson added that final arrangements will soon be completed for another assistant bishop who will be coming to the diocese and who will live and work outside of the Twin Cities area.