THE TENTH BISHOP OF IOWA

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot
Ordained December 18, 2021

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot was consecrated the tenth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa on December 18, 2021, the first woman to be elected to that position since the diocese was formed in 1853. In addition to leading the diocese, her work currently includes service with national and international groups in the area of ecumenism. Monnot also serves on the boards of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas, and The Episcopal Church's College for Bishops.

Under this year’s diocesan theme of Courageous Faith, Monnot frames the ongoing work of the diocese within the belief that each person is called, gifted, and beloved by God and each is called into unique ministry in the world. This ongoing call is transformative and leads each of us closer to the abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10:10b: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Within a belief that our work and our joy as Christians is to partner with God in bringing about God’s kingdom here on earth, just as Jesus did during his ministry, she recognizes that this work will never be complete. During this difficult time in our nation’s history, Betsey hopes to strengthen our collective resilience and flexibility. It is her dream that together -- drawing strength from each of our perspectives, as persons of faith and those of no faith -- we will be equipped to meet whatever is ahead of us.

Before coming to Iowa, Betsey served congregations in the diocese of Northern California, including eleven years as co-rector with her husband, Michael, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sacramento. She also served on the staff of the Bishop of Northern California as Missioner for Leadership Development and Networking. In that position, and afterward as a consultant, Betsey worked with congregations in the areas of congregational development and vitality, and as a trainer in the College for Congregational Development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Master’s of Divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, where she was recently awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband Michael, teenage sons Robert and Thomas, Wrigley the yellow lab, and two pandemic rescue cats, Chadwick and Meerkat. Her oldest son, William, attends college in Sacramento.

THE NINTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, D.D. Ordained April 5, 2003, Retired December 18, 2021

THE EIGHTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, D.D., consecrated September 27, 1988. 
Resigned April 15, 2001

THE SEVENTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Walter Cameron Righter, D.D., consecrated January 12, 1972. 
Retired December 31, 1988. Died September 11, 2011

THE SIXTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Gordon V Smith, S.T.D., D.D., consecrated April 20, 1950. 
Retired December 31, 1971. Died August 27, 1997

THE FIFTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Elwood Lindsay Haines, D.D., consecrated May 31, 1944. 
Died October 28, 1949

THE FOURTH BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Harry Sherman Longley, D.D., consecrated October 23, 1912. 
Died April 5, 1944

THE THIRD BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Theodore Nevin Morrison, D.D., LL.D., consecrated February 22, 1899.
Died December 27, 1929

THE SECOND BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. William Stevens Perry, D.D., LL.D., D.C.L., consecrated September 10, 1876.
Died May 13, 1898

THE FIRST BISHOP

The Rt. Rev. Henry Washington Lee, D.D., LL.D., consecrated October 18, 1854. 
Died September 26, 1874

Photos are free for press or congregational use with the following attribution: Photos by Rachel Mummey