After a quickie election by acclamation, ordination, and consecration, I will be in England shortly to establish the Mission in the Church of England (MitCoE) dedicated to the conversion of the leadership of the church to the way of the Gospel and away from their ways of bigotry against LGTB pesons and misogyny toward women.
Rowan, you may raise your eyebrows at the irregularity of my ordination and consecration, which took place on Facebook, when the rabble chose me as flying Bishop of MitCoE by acclamation in the old way of the early church. If Kenya can do irregular ordinations, why not consecrations of bishops chosen by acclamation on Facebook? Our method extends far back in church history to the "faith handed down". Remember: I did not seek the office; the office sought me.
I hereby serve notice that while I am in England, I will be wearing my mitre, not carrying it under my arm. I will remove it only to shower and sleep.
Signed,
Bishop Mimi
Don't blame me. Blame James Holloway for the photoshop and for this entire concept. If you're his Facebook friend, you may blame him personally.
Oh, this is excellent, Bishop Mimi! I can hardly wait to meet you!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent indeed! Whooohooo --there IS hope for the church!
ReplyDeleteI DO think a bigger Mitre is in order though, Your Grace, if you mean to impress --Rowan Who...
ReplyDeleteOh wow, now if you got Bishop Maya to come with you, the two of you would be invincible.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Awesome! Hope for the church, indeed!
ReplyDeleteShow ’em what a woman bishop can do!
ReplyDeleteOh, my friends, this post was, hands down, the most enjoyable I've ever written. I am so thankful to James for the idea.
ReplyDeleteBut of course a larger mitre! After all you ARE Bishop Mimi!
ReplyDeleteBTW, wear your mitre when you take your walk this evening. Not only will your neighbors will think you've gone round the bend, but the owl might leave you alone..
Love you!
Your Grace! Careful walking through doors with that hat.
ReplyDeleteI think you ought simply move in Lambeth Palace for your stay...don´t worry, the living ghost won´t even know you´re home (besides, I´m told the whole lazy staff takes a powder on the weekends and nobody´s really aware of much except making stuff up to agree with the ABC´s version of reality).
ReplyDeleteI think you look fit for a audience with the Queen--surely she will listen to YOU (after all the nonsense she´s been told is true).
Enjoy your Grace--get in their FACE!
J. Edgar Groover
suzanne, the gold may reflect the light and attract the owl.
ReplyDeleteAnd doorways would be more difficult to navigate with a taller mitre.
J. Edgar, too true. After all Lambeth is a vast palace. Who would even know I was there? Think of the money I'd save on lodgings.
I decided. My Grace will get in their FACE.
Absolutely priceless, Grandmere! I say you should make yourself a paper one (there are instructions for making newspaper ones, among other methods) and have pictures taken wearing it at various churches and cathedrals during your trip!!!
ReplyDeleteOur bishops are way cooler than their bishops, any day. And sassy, too.
ReplyDeleteYou should call your mission the American Mission in England (AMiE) just to stir things up a bit more
ReplyDelete:-) Hey, if the GAFCONites can try to steal our churches, we can try to steal their acronyms.
via email from Lambeth Palace:
ReplyDeleteA statement from Lambeth Palace
Tuesday 5th July 2011
The announcement of the creation an 'Mission in the Church of England' prompts concern for a number of reasons. New mission initiatives are, as such, always good news; and the declared intention of the spokeswoman for this new initiative to remain faithful to the structures of the Church of England is welcome.
However, it is not at all clear how the proposed mission relates to the proper oversight of the diocesan bishops of the Church of England. Nor is there any definition of what the issues are that might be thought to justify the mission rather than the use of normal procedures. Furthermore, the ordination of one bishop in America with a view to service in England is problematic. It is not clear what process of recognised scrutiny and formation has taken place and how, in the absence of Letters Dimissory (the relevant formal letters from the sponsoring bishop), she has come to be recommended as candidate for ordination by the authorities of another province.
The issue is one of episcopal collegiality. There needs to be some further discussion of this development between those involved and the diocesan bishops of the Church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury will have the opportunity to speak with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church about the situation: the good faith and fraternal good intentions of our American colleagues are not at all in question, but it seems that there were misunderstandings of the precise requirements of English Canon Law and good practice as regards the recommendation of candidates for ordination and deployment in mission. It is hoped that an early opportunity will be found to clarify what this new initiative seeks to achieve if it is truly to serve God's mission in the most effective and collaborative way.
Oh, Mimi! An epistle from the ABC!!!! My word that was quick! You must have hit the nail on the head!!
ReplyDeleteBishop Mimi, this is fantastic news! I stand behind your election 100%! Surely you can set Rowan straight. I'd be willing to bet that he's never encountered the likes of our Grandmere.
ReplyDeleteGo forth! Take no prisoners!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I have had real hope for the Anglican Communion since I don't know when. Tonight at last, I shall sleep well. There is, by the way, ample precedent in the early church for electing laity to the episcopate by acclamation.
ReplyDeleteYour Grace! What a gracious and speedy response. It's past 4 o'clock in the morning over there. Did you have a sleepless night, tossing and turning and finally decide to get up and write? Or were you up very early to write?
ReplyDeleteYes, Your Grace, I understand: Blah, blah, blah and all that, but, remember, I am the bishop of the people.
susan s., isn't it rather that I struck a nerve?
whiteycat, I heard Rowan preach in New Orleans, but he was on the stage, and I was way up in the seats, so I guess you could say he's never encountered anyone quite like me.
Rick, I will!
I love this!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! I see I missed a few comments.
ReplyDeleteJeffri, we have photoshop now. I can be a bishop any time and anywhere I wish. :-)
James, thanks.
Bill, I like MitCoE. The acronym works for me.
There is, by the way, ample precedent in the early church for electing laity to the episcopate by acclamation.
Canon G, I know, I know. And anyone was allowed to acclaim - even the rabble, my people.
Oh, yes, preach on, Bishop Mimi!
ReplyDelete(Verification word: fines, as in "this is oh, so very"!
["MitCoE"? I'm sure I'm missing something here, but My Wee Brain can't tell what]
ReplyDeleteIs that the BVM on your mitre? Perfect!
And what Canon G said.
I kid you not: wv, "beati". I always *knew* you were on the way to sainthood, Bishop Mimi! ;-D
Your wonderful sense of humor speaks volumes!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile in England, Your Grace, perhaps you should stop at Westminster Abbey and talk them into voting to leave the CofE and installing your Cathedra there! I'm Sure --Rowan would understand.
ReplyDeleteFinally, a bishop I can live with. Way to go, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteYour Ladyship (only archbishops and dukes/duchesses are "graces" but Yanks never get the hang of that), I rejoice at your election and support your ministry wholeheartedly. I have no doubt our fellow rabble across the pond are eager for your ministry of oversight and breath of fresh air. Do I kiss your ring before or after we next hug?
ReplyDeleteYou have SO brightened my Wednesday morning. Cue the choir for Ecce Sacerdos Magnus!
Maybe you and Cathy will get the chance to catch the Sunday morning service at St Alban's (pronounced, by the pretentious, "Snawlban's") and get a "snap" of yourselves with the dean? Another gem for your Rogues' Gallery.
ReplyDeleteKay & Sarah and annski, thank you.
ReplyDeleteJCF, thank you, too. I must say I am committed to MitCoe as the name of my see. I like the sound of the acronym.
David and Lindy, thank you.
I plan to call a conference of canine and feline bishops soon to consolidate their support. Once I have them on my side, along with the rabble, we will be invincible.
Wade, I'll consider Westminster for my home away from home in England.
Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar, Wade.
ReplyDeletePaul, then I'm not Your Grace? I was rather counting on the manner of address. What am I then? Chopped liver?
ReplyDeleteLapin, we shall see. However, with wonders of photoshop, I can be wherever I want with whomever I want. I really don't see the need to actually be present.
Maybe that's how God does it, Mimi?
ReplyDeleteSplendid! Your sister +Maya sends her furry best, says "Don't forget to nap!" She also sends some of the playful energy she seems to have in abundance this summer (not sure what's gotten into her - or me) to bless you on your way. Her brother +Rowan (the canine bishop, not the ABC) sends playfulness as well, I know. They confer regularly, those two. A true example of interspecies and cross-gender collaboration.
ReplyDeleteCaminante is right, between the two of you Ladyships you would be invincible, but you alone are already a formidable power. I agree about the large mitre, but you can have several, you know. One for teatime, one for plane rides, one for meetings with ridiculous upper clergy, and so on.
Much love and happy trails,
Jane R, Canon to the Extraordinary (The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Maya Pavlova, FBE [Feline Bishop Extraordinaire])
M'lady - This comes with all good wishes for a successful missionary trip to the UK. We shall anticipate many hundreds of thousands of converts to the one, true Gospel of absolute inclusion and joy. Traveling mercies! Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteHow did this happen? Archbishop Duncan Pitts (itself) recognizes Mimi as an Archbishop-- he knows what it takes to make sh*t happen!
ReplyDeleteJ. Edgar Smoozer
BEST EVER! Where do we send donations to your travel fund?
ReplyDeleteToo good, too good, too good. Count me in Bishop. Traveling mercies to you.
ReplyDeletePablito, Jane, Elizabeth, I guess m'Lady is not chopped liver.
ReplyDeleteThank you all. Send donations through PayPal please. ;-)
I think we'll see other bishops lining up to join before too long.
Oh hell yeah!
ReplyDeleteLong overdue, I say.
Yes, where do we send contributions? PayPal time?
ReplyDeleteYour Ladyship, you are far from chopped liver. And you are unfailingly gracious.
ReplyDeletePaul, Grandmère Mimi has more Grace in her little finger than --Rowan has in his entire misbegotten body. So she's Her Grace over here.
ReplyDeleteLapinbizarre, I agree the whole Royal thing is peculiar. But to be honest I'd rather have Elizabeth as our head of State than some politician. But then there's Charles to think of, speaking of peculiar.
Next time I'm in Westminster Abbey I'm going to ask that nice Priest we met last time where Archbishop Mimi's chair is!
May Bishop Mimi travel safely to England and make many converts. I wait to hear the wonderful stories of how God was on your side as you spread the good news of God's love for all of God's creation.
ReplyDeleteChopped---and blackened---Cajun liver! Mmmmm!!! ;-p
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you, my dear rabble. I love you all. Mwah, mwah, mwah.
ReplyDelete