Dear People of God,
In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, I write with the sad news that Bishop Thomas C. Ely died last night at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. He and his family were celebrating Labor Day weekend when his health began to decline rapidly.
Bishop Tom Ely was the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Vermont retiring in 2019 after eighteen years in the role. He was a champion of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church, as well as lay leadership churchwide. For his care and stewardship of Rock Point, the solar array which powers the diocesan property is named in his and his wife Ann’s honor. He and Ann attended St. Michael’s in Brattleboro in their retirement.
Planning for a Celebration of Life is underway. Please pray for Ann, Jennifer, Katherine, his grandchildren, and for all who loved and cared for him.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Bishop Shannon
