The Council of Bishops (COB) mourns the loss of the Rev. Bruce Robbins and celebrates his life and ministry among the people of The United Methodist Church and beyond. He was the former General Secretary of the General Commission of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC). He died on August 3, 2024, at the age of 73.
Rev. Bruce Robbins
Photo Courtesy of Council of Bishops
Rev. Robbins was ordained as a deacon in 1974 and as an elder in 1981. He served churches in the former Troy Conference in Upper New York. Because of his passion for the unity of Christ’s Church he was selected to serve as the Associate General Secretary and later as the General Secretary of the General Commission of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC) when the denominational ecumenical ministries were held in that agency and located in Manhattan, New York.
After leaving GCCUIC, Rev. Robbins served Hennepin Avenue UMC in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He retired in 2013 and remained in the Minneapolis area, serving as a museum docent in retirement. He is survived by his children, Adam and Casey, his sister, Betsey, and his grandchildren, Hannah and Benjamin.
Colleagues from his time as the General Secretary of GCCUIC remembered him as a blessing both to The UMC and beyond as a visionary and bold leader.
“As the Ecumenical Officer, I appreciate how Bruce was always looking for and mentoring people into the ecumenical movement. He was totally devoted to the unity of the church,” COB Ecumenical Officer Bishop Sally Dyck said.
Bishop Dyck added that as Rev. Robbins’ bishop in Minnesota, “I appreciated his wider perspective within the conference, helping us all keep our eyes on the horizon of a wider world and church than just our present location. A good and faithful servant!”
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson remembered him as “an incredible ecumenical leader.”
Bishop Karen Oliveto noted that she was “appreciated of his wise and thoughtful leadership.”
Bishop Hee-Soon Jung said, “Bruce has been a wonderful leader and friend in the ministry with all different faith traditions. His leadership was so crucial and impactful to our UMC and interfaith/Christian unity work.”
COB Ecumenical Staff Officer Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst said, “Bruce was encouraging, loveable, intelligent and supportive. His voice and his friendship will be missed throughout Christ’s universal Church.”
A memorial service will be held at Hennepin Avenue UMC on September 21st at 1:00 p.m. In the meantime, messages of condolence can be shared via email with Rev. Robbins' children at kathryncaseyrobbins@gmail.com and adambrobbins@live.com, or by mail to Adam Robbins, 285 W. 110th St., Apt. 4H, New York, NY 10026. Memorial gifts are preferred to the Richard Ormsby School in Sierra Leone, a project of OC Ministries.