[Diocese of East Carolina] The Diocese of East Carolina ordained and consecrated the Rt. Rev. Sarah K. Fisher as its 9th bishop on May 23 at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, North Carolina. Fisher, who formerly served as rector of St. Catherine’s in Marietta, Georgia, succeeds Bishop Rob Skirving. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe was the chief consecrator. He was joined by the former Atlanta Bishop Neil Alexander; former Chicago Bishop Jeffrey Lee; Michigan Bishop Bonnie Perry; Skirving; Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright, who preached; and Bishop Emily Hartner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s North Carolina Synod. In the months leading up to her consecration and ordination, Fisher relocated to Eastern North Carolina and has been active in diocesan life. She has visited parishes, spent time with clergy at the diocesan clergy conference, shared her vision and leadership philosophy with the Diocesan Council, and spent time with Diocesan House staff. In a letter she wrote to the diocese and to those who have helped to shape her path, Fisher said this: “My friends, as we stand on the precipice of this new adventure together, may we hold fast to the promise that God’s power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. With a grateful and full heart, I can’t wait to see where we go.” Fisher was elected on the third ballot during the diocese’s 142nd Annual Convention on Nov. 15, 2025, from a slate of three nominees. Before becoming rector of St. Catherine’s, Fisher served in churches in both the Diocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Chicago. She was ordained to the diaconate in 2004 and the priesthood in 2005, both in the Diocese of Atlanta. She holds degrees from the General Theological Seminary and Agnes Scott College. Fisher is married to the Rev. Mandy Brady. In the autobiographical statement she sent during the search process, she described herself as “a pilgrim following the risen Christ,” with a love for congregational and organizational development. She believes “God’s love is irresistible and that Love Incarnate always gets the last and best word.” As bishop, Fisher now leads 66 parishes and two college campus ministries in an area that spans from I-95 east to the North Carolina coast. The diocese serves several military bases, a large Latino community and parishes of all sizes across five deaneries.
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