Having spent a large portion of the day at the National Cathedral for the glorious celebration of the consecration of The Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, our new Bishop Coadjutor, I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts on why I love our Church.
(These are not all the reasons, or necessarily the most important reasons, or in any kind of order... but here we go.)
1. Women can be priests. Presiding Bishops even. When I was a kid, it wasn't true. Of course, when I was a kid, I had no idea I was ever going to be a priest!
2. It's a family! Being part of a larger communion means there is always someone else. There's nothing like being one priest in one baby congregation, but showing up for an event like this and knowing and greeting literally hundreds of other priests and lay people from around the diocese. Old friends from churches I've worshipped in. People I know from committees and commissions. The love is thick. They are as excited about our ministry as I am about what God is doing in their places.
3. Amazing processions
(This was only about 1/4 of the total procession into the cathedral.
(This was only about 1/4 of the total procession into the cathedral. 4. The Cathedral. It's the National Cathedral. A house of Prayer for all People. But it is ours - Episcopal. I'd like to think our churches are all that way. Houses of prayer for all people. Places to meet God no matter who you are.
5. Cool hats (That's my husband Chris in a biretta)
6. Great music in all different styles. St. Gabriel's style is a lot different than most of the music we heard at the cathedral today, but I love the richness.
7. Variety and Unity. People who can have different ideas on various theological and social issues all praying and singing and taking communion together. I'm made richer my friends and colleagues to the right and left of where I stand.
and of course
8. The Father (God Almighty)
9. The Son (Jesus Christ our Lord)
10. and The Holy Spirit (The Lord, the Giver of Life)
Without this Trinity all our pomp, processions, and presiding bishops wouldn't make a hoot of difference. But it is because each of us has found life and purpose by aligning ourselves with God's purposes to reconcile the world to himself, that we enjoy sharing our joy by bringing out our best for God.
2 comments:
Saturday was completely awesome!.
I was in the choir and heard everything but saw nothing.
From where I was in the Cathedral I was able to open myself up to the experience and soak it all in. As Bernie talked about I believe I was filled with the sprit. It was emotional in a very good way.
As I was talking to Anne after everything was done I saw how far I've come in such a short time.
I'm so glad I was able to share this experience in this wonderful experience.
Good post.
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