The Rev. Gregory Rickel, 43, rector of St. James’ Church, Austin, Texas, was elected Bishop of Olympia at a special convention May 12 at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle.

Needing 185 votes in the lay order and 104 in the clergy order, Fr. Rickel received 224 lay votes and 106 clergy votes on the third ballot. The nearest challenger was the Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, rector of St. Thomas’ Church, Medina, Wash., who received 145 lay votes and 101 clergy.

Three other candidates withdrew after the second ballot: the Rev. Richard A. Burnett, rector of Trinity Church, Columbus, Ohio; the Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna (Nedi) Rivera, Bishop Suffragan of Olympia; and the Rev. Angela F. Shepherd, rector of St. Philip’s, Annapolis, Md.

Rector of St. James’ since 2001, Fr. Rickel has been a consultant for the stewardship office of The Episcopal Church since 1997 and has also consulted in Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Michigan, Oregon and Kentucky as well as in other denominations, on such topics as initiating comprehensive stewardship programs, working better as a team, diversity, communications and evangelism. He and his wife, Marti, have one child, Austin.

Pending consents from a majority of standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction, Fr. Rickel will be consecrated Sept. 15 at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. The Rt. Rev. Vincent W. Warner previously announced his intention to resign upon the consecration of his successor at which time he will have served 18 years as bishop diocesan.

Robert R. Chapman, Jr.

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