San Joaquin Diocese reveals panel of prospective bishops
Diocese of San Joaquin Announces Slate of Candidates for Sixth Bishop
The Diocese of San Joaquin, based in Fresno, California, has announced a slate of four candidates for its sixth bishop. The candidates are: The Rev. Anna Carmichael, The Rev. Rob Keim, The Rev. Greg Kimura, and The Rev. Shawn Wamsley.
The electing convention for the sixth bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin will take place on Oct. 18, 2025, at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Fresno. This follows the petition process, which allows for additional nominations to be made for the position of bishop.
The bishop-elect, after completing The Episcopal Church's consent process, is scheduled to be consecrated by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe at St. James on April 18, 2026. The bishop-elect would succeed the Rt. Rev. David C. Rice, who announced his plans to retire in spring 2026.
The Diocese of San Joaquin serves 19 congregations throughout California's Central Valley and portions of the eastern Sierra Nevada range and the Mojave Desert. The diocese has worked hard to heal and rebuild since 2007, following a schism that led many Episcopalians out of The Episcopal Church under the leadership of former Bishop John David Schofield.
The Rev. Anna Carmichael, who currently serves as the Diocese of San Joaquin's canon to the ordinary and transition officer since 2016, is one of the candidates. The Rev. Greg Kimura, the rector of St. James' Episcopal Church in South Pasadena, California, is another candidate. The Rev. Rob Keim, the rector of St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church in Arroyo Grande, California, is also on the slate.
Interestingly, The Rev. Shawn Wamsley, who is the Diocese of Pennsylvania's canon to the ordinary and chief of staff, is also a candidate. He resides in Pennsylvania and will be presented as a candidate during the week of September 12, 2025.
Additional information about the bishop search can be found on the diocesan website's bishop search page. The slate's release marks the beginning of the petition process, which will close at 11:59 p.m. on July 6. The candidates will participate in meet-and-greet sessions the week of Sept. 12.
The Diocese of San Joaquin looks forward to the electing convention and the consecration of its sixth bishop, who will continue the work of healing and rebuilding the diocese.
