A word of thanks for Archbishop Fred Hiltz

Dear friends,

There are seasons in ministry when the path becomes wider, the responsibilities heavier, and the pace more demanding than usual. This past year has been one of those seasons for me.

Serving as Bishop of Algoma and Moosonee, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, and now Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada has required more of me than I ever imagined. And yet, in the midst of that weight, I have never felt alone. One of the reasons for that is the steady, quiet companionship of Archbishop Fred Hiltz.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Fred has been a spiritual lifeline to me during this time. In the kindest and most understated way, he has offered wisdom, encouragement, and support—always just when I needed it most.

Fred and I have known one another for many years. I admired his leadership long before I ever imagined following in any of his footsteps. As Primate, he led our Church with grace, humility, and a deep love for the people of God. What I have come to treasure even more is the person behind the title—the friend whose first instinct is to listen, who never rushes to fix but always seeks to understand.

In these recent months, as I’ve tried to balance the many calls on my time and heart, Fred has shown up in simple but powerful ways. A phone call to check in. A handwritten note. A story from his own experience that gently reframes mine. He has helped me laugh when the load felt heavy. He has prayed for me—and with me—when I’ve needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness.

During the Consecration service of Bishop Rod BrantFrancis in Moosonee, we stood together at the altar—two colleagues, two friends, sharing in the liturgy of a holy moment. It struck me then, as it has so many times before, how vital it is to have companions in ministry—those who walk with you, shoulder to shoulder, in both joy and responsibility.

I think often of the passage in Ecclesiastes: “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Fred has helped me up more than once. He has helped me walk this path with greater courage and deeper joy. For that, I am profoundly grateful.

I know I am not the only one who has been blessed by his kindness. There are so many people across our Church who could tell similar stories. But today, I want to offer my personal thanks—on behalf of myself and, I suspect, on behalf of many others who have found in Fred a wise counsellor, a faithful shepherd, and a friend.

Thank you, Fred, for standing quietly and firmly beside me. Thank you for the way you continue to serve Christ’s Church—not from a podium or platform, but through presence, prayer, and friendship. Yours is a ministry that never really ended; it has simply deepened.

May God continue to bless you richly, as you have been a blessing to so many.

With deep affection and gratitude,
+Anne