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This is the day the Lord has made. I certainly rejoiced and am still glad in it.
Today--Saturday, June 27 2015 the Bishops elected a new Presiding Bishop. We gathered with the rest of Convention for the Eucharist and heard a stirring sermon from a Deacon from South Dakota. She is a Native American and preached of bridging Christianity with her Native American religion.
The bishops then exited and got on buses to go to St. Mark's Cathedral. We prayed and sang hymns. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, explained that there were 176 bishops present and therefore the candidates would need 89 votes to be elected.
We all voted---active and retired bishops. Then five of the bishops went out to count the ballots.
We sang hymns, prayed and then took about a twenty minute break.
The tellers came back in. There was a stillness that happens with the world turns. Bishop Katharine read the results:
Breidenthal 19
Curry 121
Douglas 13
Smith 21
Then the church erupted. I admit tears ran down ,my face. When I hugged Nedi Rivera who was standing next to me, tears were running down our face. We clapped and clapped. Bishop Curry came down and embraced Bishop Katharine. All the bishops of African descent came down. We were laughing and shouting and crying. The earth moved.
I think all four candidates were more than qualified, but this was the time for Michael Curry to lead the Episcopal Church. He brings a prophetic voice with a warm heart. He loves people and loves this Church. He is a leader and a visionary. I am happy and proud to follow him and think you will be too.
Tomorrow we will have our Eucharist and continue but I won't forget this day tomorrow or any day. It was filled with grace and lifted all our spirits.
This is the day the Lord has made. I am rejoice and am very glad in it.
+Porter
This is the day the Lord has made. I certainly rejoiced and am still glad in it.
Today--Saturday, June 27 2015 the Bishops elected a new Presiding Bishop. We gathered with the rest of Convention for the Eucharist and heard a stirring sermon from a Deacon from South Dakota. She is a Native American and preached of bridging Christianity with her Native American religion.
The bishops then exited and got on buses to go to St. Mark's Cathedral. We prayed and sang hymns. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, explained that there were 176 bishops present and therefore the candidates would need 89 votes to be elected.
We all voted---active and retired bishops. Then five of the bishops went out to count the ballots.
We sang hymns, prayed and then took about a twenty minute break.
The tellers came back in. There was a stillness that happens with the world turns. Bishop Katharine read the results:
Breidenthal 19
Curry 121
Douglas 13
Smith 21
Then the church erupted. I admit tears ran down ,my face. When I hugged Nedi Rivera who was standing next to me, tears were running down our face. We clapped and clapped. Bishop Curry came down and embraced Bishop Katharine. All the bishops of African descent came down. We were laughing and shouting and crying. The earth moved.
I think all four candidates were more than qualified, but this was the time for Michael Curry to lead the Episcopal Church. He brings a prophetic voice with a warm heart. He loves people and loves this Church. He is a leader and a visionary. I am happy and proud to follow him and think you will be too.
Tomorrow we will have our Eucharist and continue but I won't forget this day tomorrow or any day. It was filled with grace and lifted all our spirits.
This is the day the Lord has made. I am rejoice and am very glad in it.
+Porter
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