FUNNIEST TWEET OF THE DAY

Nothing to do with the covenant.  From Bishop Alan Wilson at Oxford diocesan synod:

Christ church giftshop criticised 4 selling Harry Potter magic wands; inquiry decided it was OK cos they didn't work

See Not the Same Stream for details.  What would I do without Paul's postings to steal?

PLEASE PRAY FOR ST. JOHN AND THE OTHER PARISHES

Note at the top of the right sidebar the prayer for the search for new rectors to serve congregations in four parishes in south Louisiana, including my own, St. John. The diocese is working with a new (to us) program to choose prospective rectors from amongst recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates of seminary to be ordained for service in a particular church. For parishes with strained financial resources, the wage for a newly ordained priest, just out of seminary, compared to the wage for a priest with years of experience, can make the difference in whether a parish can afford a full-time priest. In addition, the search process is less expensive for the parishes.

The newly-ordained priests will serve with experienced priests as mentors for a period of time. Our congregations and the diocese appreciate prayers offered that all involved will be guided by the Spirit in matching parishes and rectors. Canon Mark Stevenson met with a group from St. John's last night, and he told us that quite a number of candidates stepped forward for consideration by the diocese and the churches involved.

Thanks to all who pray for us.

BISHOP MORRIS THOMPSON IS COMING

 

If you recall, after the walk-about to meet and greet the candidates for bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, I named the Rev. Morris Thompson as my favorite amongst the candidates. If you don't remember, I remind you.

My favorite of all and the one I would vote for if I had a vote is Fr Morris Thompson. He looked good on paper, and I liked him face to face.

A friend who once attended a church where Fr Thompson served applauded my choice.

June -
It's the middle of the night, but just caught up with your blog, not perused for several months. Happy to see that you like Morris for bishop !!
He was an assistant at our church in Ashland, loved by all, and now rectors a large church in Lexington KY, where he is highly thought of. Good friends of ours there have watched, loved and benefited from his pastoral gifts thru the years. They would hate to lose him, but feel he may best serve in wider pastures & offer his gifts as bishop in a diocese that has been through the tribulations that La. has.

And lo! A miracle happened. My favorite was elected as 11th bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana.

I don't know if Christ Church Cathedral will hold all the people who want to attend. Bishop Charles Jenkins, our retired bishop, was consecrated at St Dominic's Roman Catholic Church because it accommodated a larger number than Christ Church. Still, I'm pleased that the ceremony will be at the cathedral. I presume arrangements will be made for an overflow crowd to view the ceremony elsewhere on the cathedral grounds.

No reservations will be taken, so first come, first served with seating. I'll try to get a seat, but I won't arrive earlier than 8:00 AM, when the doors open. Is it possible that my peon of praise here for our bishop-elect might get me a special seat at the ceremony? Probably not, but if a seat is offered, I won't say no. After all, I'm an old lady.

I've wondered whether "ordain" or "consecrate" is the proper term for making a bishop. I've heard opinions in favor of both terms. The invitation states:

"The Most Reverend Katharine Jefforts Schori the Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church will ordain and consecrate The Very Reverend Morris King Thompson, Jr...."

The Via Media applied?

The scan of the invitation is taken from Churchwork, the diocesan magazine.