WASHINGTON - s4story -- Seabury Resources for Aging® is proud to announce the appointment of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to its Board of Governors. As a prominent spiritual leader overseeing 86 Episcopal congregations and ten Episcopal schools across the District of Columbia and four Maryland counties, Bishop Budde brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to social justice and community service.

Bishop Budde, the first woman to be elected as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, is a passionate advocate for the dignity of every human being, emphasizing the importance of justice and inclusion, particularly for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community.

"Jesus calls us to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being," said Bishop Budde. "I believe that our faith compels us to advocate for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons and to support those who are marginalized, including immigrants and other vulnerable communities."

Consecrated as the ninth bishop of Washington in November 2011, Bishop Budde previously served for 18 years as the rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. She holds a B.A. in history from the University of Rochester and earned both a Master's in Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary. Bishop Budde has been open about her own journey as a care partner to her recently deceased mother. In a homily from January 2023, she shared:

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"For example, part of the call on my life right now, which I was not expecting, is it's my job, it's my call, to care now, for my 91-year-old mother. It wasn't in my job description. It wasn't in my life plans. But it's a claim on my life, and God's been very clear about that with me. And that rising to this is one of the most important responsibilities that I have…And, yes there are times when it is hard, but it's also a gift. A gift I pray every day to receive with gratitude."

It's this personal experience of caregiving, and strong commitment to justice and inclusion, that Seabury celebrates as Bishop Budde joins the Board of Governors. The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has historically held an ex officio honorary position on the Board, stemming from Seabury's origin as the Episcopal Church Home. Bishop Budde's election marks the transition of this role from honorary to a full participating, voting member. "We are honored to welcome Bishop Budde to our board," said Craig McCullough, President of Seabury's Board. "As Seabury prepares to host Silver Pride for LGBTQ+ older adults as part of the DC World Pride event this summer, her leadership as an ally will greatly enhance our efforts to support older adults and their families in our community."

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"We are thrilled to have Bishop Budde join our Board," said Dawn M. Quattlebaum, CEO of Seabury Resources for Aging. "Her deep commitment to social justice and her extensive experience in community leadership will be invaluable as we strive to enhance the lives of older adults. We look forward to collaborating with her to create inclusive and supportive environments for everyone to age with dignity and independence."

For more information about Seabury Resources for Aging and its mission to serve older adults, please visit seaburyresources.org.