Hassinger to lead
Albany Episcopal Area

United Methodist News Service
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—Bishop Susan W. Hassinger came out of retirement Sept. 1 to become interim leader of the Albany Episcopal Area.
Hassinger, 63, succeeds Bishop Susan Morrison, who retired for health reasons. Morrison had been leader of the area, which includes the Troy and Wyoming conferences, since 1996.
Since Morrison’s retirement occurred in the middle of her four-year assignment to the Albany Area, she recommended Hassinger serve out the remainder of the term.
The Northeastern Jurisdiction is to elect bishops in 2008 to follow those who retire.
Hassinger, who retired from active episcopacy in 2004, said her first response to the request was concern for Morrison. Her second reaction was discomfort.
“I had become somewhat comfortable in my environment these past two years in a home that was my own, teaching part time at Boston University School of Theology, training and practice in spiritual direction,” Hassinger said. She serves as spiritual director for Carter Memorial UMC, Needham, Mass.
After prayerfully considering the request, she said she “discerned that I should simply follow the process and see where God was leading. Now I am feeling excited about the opportunity, yet still sad to see Bishop Morrison retiring.”
Hassinger said part of her role as bishop is to provide leadership, support and resources for church work, and help prepare the conferences for the future.
Hassinger was ordained an elder in 1968 and served in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference until her election as bishop in 1996. In 1983, she was appointed the first female district superintendent in Eastern Pennsylvania, and in 1988 she served on the conference staff with Morrison, then the resident bishop of the Philadelphia Episcopal Area.
Upon her election as bishop, she was assigned to the Boston Episcopal Area, where she served until retiring in 2004.
Originally from Hanover, Pa., Hassinger earned a bachelor’s degree from United Methodist-related Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pa., and a master of divinity degree from Lancaster (Pa.) Theological Seminary. She grew up in the Evangelical United Brethren Church, which merged with The Methodist Church in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.