Posted March 06, 2023 by Billy Chandler
In 2022, Phyllis Spiegel, E&H ’88, was named the 12th Bishop of the Utah Diocese, and Rev. Spiegel is excited about what comes next.
“I’m just me” is how Rev. Spiegel expresses a bit of lingering shock that comes with the recent announcement that she has been chosen to serve as the new Episcopal Bishop for the Utah Diocese. It is a diverse area for the Episcopal Church that includes Native Americans, a strong Sudanese contingent and more. Rev. Spiegel isn’t daunted by the fact that in a state dominated by the Church of Latter Day Saints the Episcopal Church makes up one tenth of one percent of the population. In fact, this notion makes her contagious smile spreads wider. “That’s about what the original disciples were facing – so I think we can work with that!”
Being chosen for the role is thrilling – but it’s not the new job title she’s excited about. She says the Episcopal Church in Utah has been doing strong work in social justice and she’s ready to take that work forward. She’s looking forward to partnering with people of other faiths, legislators, and anyone else who is ready to do the work to “make this world better.”
A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, Rev. Spiegel has been most recently serving as Rector of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in West Chester, Ohio. She says she loves her parish and had no thoughts of leaving it until someone pointed out the description of what the Utah Diocese was looking for in a new leader. “I read the statement and felt a tingle all over, and that hasn’t changed throughout the entire process.”
She says the Episcopal Church is committed to the work of creating a Beloved Community where all persons are welcome and safe and have the opportunity for a fulfilling life. And she feels the Church in the Utah Diocese can be an example for the rest of the country on inclusive leadership and an honest embrace of history and our call to serve.
So this announcement is exciting, but there’s no period punctuating this news – because Bishop-Elect Spiegel is just getting started.
Enjoy an enlightening conversation with Rev. Spiegel on the Duck Pond Wall podcast platform.
You can read her letter here that introduces herself to Utah: https://utahbishopsearch.org/spiegel/