The Rev. Marty Stebbins Elected 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Montana

By Diocesan House

The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina offers congratulations and blessings to the Rev. Marty Stebbins, rector of St. Timothy's, Wilson, upon the announcement of her election as the 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Montana.  

Stebbins, the first female to hold the office of bishop of the Diocese of Montana, was elected on the third ballot during the diocesan election on Friday, July 26, 2019.

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, offered his heartfelt congratulations. "This is a happy day for the dioceses in both North Carolina and Montana. Marty brings a unique combination of preaching, teaching, administration, and building leadership capacity to this call."

The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, added her confidence in the bishop-elect in her new role. “Marty’s wide open heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be a great match for the wide open spaces of Montana,” she said. “She is a ‘have mission will travel’ kind of person.”

Rodman noted Stebbins' time at St. Timothy's has been marked from the start by strong collaboration throughout the parish and the community of Wilson. Stebbins has contributed much on the diocesan level as well, serving as a member of the Trustees of the Diocese as well as on the Commission on Ministry for the Diaconate.

"We will miss her leadership here in North Carolina," said Rodman, "but we are grateful her gifts will now serve the Diocese of Montana and the wider church. Blessings and grace, Bishop-elect Stebbins!"

Stebbins will be consecrated and ordained December 7 in Helena, Montana.