Diocese of North Carolina Announces the Rev. Marion Sprott as New Transition Ministry Officer

The Diocese of North Carolina announces today that the Rev. Marion Sprott will soon join the staff as the new transition ministry officer.

A native of South Carolina, Sprott earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degree from the University of South Carolina. She worked as a collaborative pianist with regional opera and theater companies prior to pursuing a call to ordained ministry.

She answered that call, graduating from The School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, in 2019. Following her ordination that same year, she served as associate rector at St. Martin’s, Charlotte. From there, Sprott became the second vicar of Church of the Advocate, Chapel Hill, before becoming its first rector when the Advocate moved from mission to parish status at the diocese’s 208th Annual Convention in November 2023.

“Marion’s call to this work was clearly a response to the movement of the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop Sam Rodman, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. “She brings a deep passion for discernment in community, a strong and compelling capacity to build trusting relationships, and a vision for leadership in the church that is both inviting and celebrates the rich diversity of the whole church.”

The search for the new transition ministry officer marks the first diocesan search using approaches following an in-depth training on diversity in hiring. The training was conducted by consultants in diversity, equity and inclusion; diocesan staff and leadership took part, as well as members of our governing bodies. With the consultants’ assistance, new protocols were developed and implemented, including search oversight by a hiring committee comprised of both staff and non-staff members, extended recruitment avenues and objective decision-making tools.

“We are grateful for the tools we are now incorporating into all our staff search processes," said Rodman. "Part of Marion’s role in her new position will be to share these tools and learnings with congregations and search committees throughout our diocese.”

As the position’s title suggests, the transition ministry officer assists clergy and parishes in transition. Sprott will succeed Canon Catherine Massey in this role, as Massey completes her own transition as canon to the bishop, a role that is assisting with a missionally focused, diocesan culture shift intended to move away from the traditional focus of a diocese as part of an institutional organization and toward greater emphasis on our collective diocesan call to mission.

“It has been a privilege to walk alongside our clergy and congregations during times of transition,” said Massey. “I'm thrilled that Marion will be joining our team, bringing new life and energy into this wonderful ministry. I look forward to leaning into my new role and seeing what the Holy Spirit has in store for us.”

Sprott will report to Massey and work closely with diocesan staff, especially the congregational vitality team. When not working, Sprott enjoys playing with her dog, Abraham, traveling and learning photography.

“I’m so excited to journey with congregations in their transitions and discern where God is in the midst of it all,”said Sprott.

Sprott begins her tenure June 10.