Episcopal Press and News

Presbyterian Named Canon In Maryland

Episcopal News Service. October 10, 1985 [85205]

BALTIMORE (DPS, Oct.10) -- The Rt. Rev. A. Theodore Eastman, Bishop Coadjutor of Maryland, has appointed Sally Shoemaker Robinson, a Presbyterian, as the Diocesan Canon for Social Ministry. While the first lay canon was appointed by Bishop Pike in California over thirty years ago, Robinson is the first lay woman appointed in the U.S. She is also probably the first non-Episcopalian appointed a canon for program in the Episcopal Church.

As Canon for Social Ministry, Robinson brings special talents to the diocese. Presently, she is executive director of Episcopal Social Ministries, an affiliate of the Diocese of Maryland. She will retain that position along with her new commission.

Daughter of a prominent Episcopal preacher and theologian, she was commissioned by the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. as a missionary to Korea for eleven years. Fluent in the Korean language, she served as a member and chairman of the Seoul Foreign School Board, where she taught and conducted workshops and creative drama courses for children, teenagers and adults. A talented librettist, she has published several hymns, carols, anthems and an operetta, "Jonah and the Great Fish," all with music by Michael McCabe, a nationally known composer of sacred music.

A trustee and cum laude graduate of Bryn Mawr, Robinson recently served as national chairman of the highly successful Bryn Mawr College Centennial Campaign, which raised over fifty million dollars.

A service of institution will be held Nov. 17 at the Cathedral Church of the Incarnation in Baltimore.