The Right Reverend George Edward Councell
Letters to the Diocese: May 2003 to December 2003

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The sun was shining on New Jersey on October 18, 2003. The Consecration that day was a grand beginning of a new ministry between a servant church and a servant bishop.

I want to thank all the servants of God who participated in that uplifting celebration. In every respect, the Liturgy was a joyous and reverent offering of praise to our awesome God. Jesus Christ was blessed, praised, worshipped and adored in Word and in Sacrament. The processions into the Cathedral were led by a beautiful array of banners, representing the 164 congregations that make up the one congregation that is the Diocese of New Jersey. The Word of God was read in the languages of diverse faith communities across our Diocese. We heard a gifted preacher break open that same Word and interpret its challenge and encouragement for this moment in our history. We sang and chanted in the different musical styles in which our Lord is praised week by week. God was glorified in our music, led by a marvelous choir of over 140 voices, representing over 40 churches of our Diocese. We welcomed some 25 bishops, including our Presiding Bishop, the Bishop of our Companion Diocese of El Salvador, the Bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, our retired bishops, and bishops from all across the Episcopal Church. The Sacrament was faithfully administered to a congregation of over 1500. We then shared in a gracious reception, filled with light and joy and enriched by a variety of musical offerings. Drummers drummed, dancers danced, singers sang, instrumentalists played, and servers served the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. It was an amazing day, infused, from start to finish, with God's amazing grace.

Somewhere in there, I became the 11th Bishop of New Jersey. Amazing!

I walked into Trinity Cathedral that morning vested in a plain white alb, as a baptized person. Eventually, sustained prayer was offered over me and apostolic hands were laid upon me. As soon as the prayer was completed, I was invested with the symbols of this ministry. In short order, I received a Bible, a cross, a mitre, a ring, a stole and chasuble, and a shepherd's staff. By the time the Church was done with me, I walked out vested in quite a different outfit!

Now that I'm all dressed up, I have 164 places to go. I am now on a pilgrimage. I call it the 'John 10:10 Pilgrimage.' In John 10:10, we find the words of our Lord: 'I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.' Over the next 18 months or so, it is my intention to visit each one of the 164 churches that are part of the one congregation that is the Diocese of New Jersey. On each visit, I am looking for life: the abundant life of Jesus Christ. I have a subtitle for this pilgrimage. It's based on a Country and Western song, 'Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places.' Only, on my pilgrimage, I am looking for clergy and people, practicing Christ's abundant life together, in the all the right churches -- all 164 of them!

Friends, on October 18th I was given a number of powerful symbols and symbolic instruments of the office and ministry of a bishop. But I was only dressed up so that I could charge you up and take you out into the world to love and serve the Lord. I regard the mitre, the staff, the cross and ring and other signs of a bishop as accessories: accessories for service. These outward signs and this ministry as Chief Pastor make me an accessory to your mission and ministry. Like an accessory to a crime, I will not be present when most of the service of Christ takes place in our Diocese. But if, by the grace of God, I handle these accessories faithfully, I will be a steady contributor and an enthusiastic accessory to the commission of the acts of an apostolic church; i.e., a Church sent forth to serve in the name of our living Lord. I hope to be convicted of being an accessory to ministries that show forth the abundant life of the living Christ.

So, I am George, your brother in Christ. I walked out of Trinity Cathedral that Saturday just another sinner, saved by God's amazing grace and beloved of Christ. By the grace of God, however, I became your bishop and was accessorized for service. I thank you for this glorious beginning. I ask for your prayers. I will be coming to a church near you soon. I am coming as a servant of the servants of God. I am coming to look for that abundant life that Christ promises to us and to the world that God so loves. I am coming to become an accessory to the apostolic acts by which we witness to our Lord and share his abundant life with the world.

Right Onward!

The Right Reverend George E. Councell

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Bishop-elect George E. Councell has written the following response to the Statement of the Primates of the Anglican Communion meeting in Lambeth Palace, London, over October 15-16.

I am greatly heartened by the Statement of the Primates of the Anglican Communion meeting in Lambeth Palace, London, over October 15-16. The statement seems to me to set forth hope and confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of our Church, while not shrinking from the honest recognition of the depth and pain of the divisions within the Communion over actions of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the USA and of the Diocese of New Westminster, in the Anglican Church of Canada.

The Primates have affirmed their desire to remain part of a Communion "where what we hold in common is much greater than that which divides us in proclaiming Good News to the world." I am committed to uphold that vision in the Diocese of New Jersey, in the Episcopal Church, and in our worldwide fellowship.

God willing, I will be consecrated a bishop in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church and the Eleventh Bishop of New Jersey on October 18th. As chief pastor, I commit myself to see to it that this diocese, which has known its share of painful divisions, comes together and is revitalized through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now is not the time to allow new fractures to weaken the Body of Christ. Now is the time for us to come around one Table, where Christ is our Head and our Host. For Christ's sake, I call upon us to remain at the Table as one family and never to say to one another, "I have no need of you" (I Corinthians 12:21). For Christ's sake, let us bear the pain of our divisions over homosexuality, the authority of Scripture, and whatever else threatens the unity of this wonderfully diverse and inclusive family of God's people. For Christ's sake, let us bear with one another with mutual respect "whilst seeking from the Lord a correct discernment of how God's Word speaks to us in our contemporary world" (from the Primates' Statement).

I pledge myself to pray ceaselessly, listen patiently, live gently, think creatively, and act faithfully to provide for the pastoral care of all our clergy and congregations, including those who dissent from my own views and/or who feel themselves to be in the minority. I will continue to honor and to uphold the presence and ministries of gay and lesbian clergy and lay members of this Church. And I will continue to honor and uphold the ministries of those clergy and lay members who differ from me on these matters. All of us are deeply loved by the One whom we all call Lord, who commands us to love one another as he loves us (John 15:12).

I find this to be a very vulnerable and yet a very hopeful time in which to become a bishop. I am confident and hopeful about the Diocese of the New Jersey and our wider Communion. Perhaps our God has chosen us for just this purpose and this moment: to share with our sister churches, other religions, and the world what we are learning about the costliness and the glory of respecting the dignity of every human being, even across what appear to be insurmountable walls of difference. I will do everything in my power to foster that respect through collegiality, cooperation, and our common faith in Christ.

The Reverend George E. Councell
Bishop-elect of New Jersey

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Dear Friends in Christ,

I was honored to attend the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Minneapolis with Bishop Joslin, Clergy and Lay Deputies, ECW Triennial Delegates, several volunteers and young people from the Diocese of New Jersey. Our Diocese was very well represented by these faithful and dedicated servants.

The theme of this General Convention -- Engage God's Mission -- was evident in every aspect of this ten-day gathering. The Convention engaged God's mission each day through worship, Bible study, and table conversation; through deliberation, debate and decision-making. In all things we were all striving to give glory to our God and strengthen our Church for God's mission in the world.

I am always interested to see what actions of the General Convention we can bring home that encourage vital Christian mission in congregations and dioceses. Here are a few examples. I was excited about the priorities for mission established by the Executive Council: 1. Young Adults and Youth; 2. Reconciliation and Evangelism; 3. Congregational Transformation; 4. Justice and Peace; and 5. Partnerships. I wonder: How do these compare with the mission priorities of your congregation or the priorities of our diocese?

One resolution calls upon each congregation to engage in an annual review of its common life by asking such questions as these: 'What is our mission in this place? How are lives and communities being transformed? How are people being equipped for Christ's ministry of reconciliation? How is this community and congregation different from a year ago? Five years ago? Ten years ago? How is leadership recognized, affirmed, and shared here?' I am eager to listen to and to reflect our NJ congregational and diocesan leaders on these questions.

Another resolution of the Convention is entitled 'Stewardship: Holy Habits.' It encourages each member of the Episcopal Church 'to develop a personal spiritual discipline that , at minimum, the holy habits of tithing, daily personal prayer and study, Sabbath time, and regular corporate worship.' How does your congregation and how does our diocese support the development of these habits?

One of the most challenging actions of the Convention was to endorse and embrace the United Nations Millennium Goals that pledge to: '1. eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 2. achieve universal primary education, 3. promote gender equality and empower women, 4. reduce child mortality, 5. improve maternal health, 6. ensure environmental stability, and 6. develop a global partnership for development.' The resolution calls upon all dioceses and congregations to contribute .7% of their annual budgets to fund international development programs. Does your congregation embrace such international efforts as a means of engaging God's mission? Does our Diocese?

There were many other signs of engaging God's mission that emerged in our work and worship in Minneapolis. I want you to know that I believe that the process leading to consent to the ordination of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire and the consideration of proposals for the drafting of liturgical rites for the blessing of same-gender unions (characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection, respect, careful, honest communication and holy love) were also signs of engaging God's mission. I did not have the privilege of voting at this Convention. If I had, I would have given consent for the ordination of Canon Robinson. I do not believe that his faithful, committed, and stable relationship with another man is an impediment to serving in ordained ministry. Rather, I believe that his faithfulness to Jesus Christ, his love of our Church, and his honesty about his personal life are strengths that will help him to be a 'faithful pastor and a wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ' and to serve in the office of bishop as described in our Book of Common Prayer (pages 517-521). He has been duly and lawfully selected by his diocese and they have assured the Church of his suitability. He and New Hampshire have my prayerful support.

I would also have voted in favor of the final form of resolution C051 on the Blessing of Committed Same-Sex Relationships. Consistent with the responses I offered when questioned on these matters during the episcopal search process and the diocesan 'Walkabout' last spring, I remain open to the development of a liturgical rite for the celebration and blessing of same-sex unions. I also desire, with all my heart, to worship and serve our Lord in communion with those who disagree, within the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion. I am committed to love and serve all the clergy and people of this great Diocese.

In his homily at the Holy Eucharist on the closing day of Convention, our Presiding Bishop said, 'What has this Convention been about and what do I take away? This 74th General Convention has been about love. It has been about love at work in a community that heretofore had been able to live with both/and realities and now was forced to make an either/or decision . . . . Love has been at work among us.'

'Love has been at work among us.' Please pray with me that love will be at work among us as we begin a new ministry together here in New Jersey. May we engage God's mission faithfully, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the building up of the Church that we all love. Thank you.

Faithfully yours,

The Reverend George E. Councell
Bishop-elect

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Interview with the Councells

Recently, the Via Media talked to George and Ruth Councell about their interests, ministries, and thoughts as they transition from Lake Forest, Illinois, their home for eight years, to New Jersey.

VM. Ruth, you're an artist who has illustrated children's books. What are some of the titles that you have illustrated?

Ruth. I haven't illustrated any children's books for a long time. But, one that's still in print is Once Upon a Bed Time Story by Jane Yolen (Boyds Mills Press). I also illustrated Country Bear?s Good Neighbor by Larry Brimner (re-issued by Boyds Mills Press). Now I've been doing more oil painting and botanicals. I have done some illustrations for children's magazines.

VM. How do the two of you relax? What are your hobbies?

George. I'm not really a hobby person in any formal sense. I do like baseball and am generally a sports fan. The Los Angeles Dodgers is my favorite team -- although that could get me into trouble in New Jersey. I relax by going to bookstores and music stores. We relax together by taking walks and getting together with friends. We enjoy films and take in a matinee on my day off. We both enjoy live music of all sorts. In fact, taking advantage of the cultural offerings is one of the things we're looking forward to in New Jersey.

VM. Do the two of you see yourselves as a team ministry?

George. Team ministry, no. We both have separate vocations. We see ourselves in support of each other. Each brings something to the other's life that adds some spice.

VM. What are some of the factors affecting where you live in New Jersey?

George. For me, there are two factors. The first is proximity to the Diocesan House and the Cathedral. The second is access to the highways that will easily get me to the churches of the diocese. I think we're looking for an older home with character, one that has a studio for Ruth's work.

Ruth. Far enough from work that it can be a haven and a retreat.

George. Like the description of home in the second marriage blessing prayer (Book of Common Prayer p. 431), we want our home to be a "haven of blessing and peace".

VM. In what ways will New Jersey be a change from Lake Forest for the two of you?

George. Just the scope of the diocese brings Ruth and me into a diversity that's geographic, cultural, ethnic. (Our part of Illinois) is flat and unchanging. We're looking forward to the mountains of northwest New Jersey and the Jersey shore. You do have some hills in south Jersey?

VM. Yes, we do -- Apple Pie Hill is 205 feet high. It takes about 10 minutes to stroll to the top where there's a fire lookout station.

Ruth. I like the sense of history.

George. In the Diocese of Chicago we get excited when a church celebrates its centenary.

VM. In what ways do you empathize with the Diocese of New Jersey and what it has been through?

George. In my hearing, partial and incomplete as it is, it sounds like an un-happy divorce. As in my pastoral counseling, I listen without judging and ask, 'Where do we go from here?' I'm not eager to revisit what one person (in the diocese) described as the 'civil war'. Instead, I feel we can be praying for faith, hope, love and openness to the new chapters Christ is leading the Diocese of New Jersey.

VM. Thank you for talking with us.

--Robert Legnani

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Dear Friends in Christ,

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

I cannot think of a better way to greet the clergy and people of the Diocese of New Jersey.  Someone once said that Christianity is the religion of the dawn. I hope with all my heart that Saturday, May 3, was the dawn of a new day in the Diocese and that our years together will be radiant with the light of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My heart is very full. I am filled with awe at the great responsibility of the office of Bishop. I am filled with excitement at the prospect of leading the Diocese as your Bishop. Most of all, I am filled with gratitude: for all the work of the Episcopal Election Committee; for all the nominees who participated in the discernment process; for all the clergy and lay leaders of the congregations of the Diocese; for all the diocesan staff; and especially for the leadership and wisdom of Bishop David Joslin. Thanks be to God for your faithfulness.

I am eager to join you in 'practicing resurrection' together for the cause of Christ and for love of Christ?s Church. I ask for your prayers, that I may prove to be worthy of the trust that you have placed in me. Please pray as well for my wife Ruth and our family as we begin this transition to a new home and ministry among you in New Jersey. In these challenging days, we find strength in the words of our Lord given to Dame Julian of Norwich 700 years ago: I can make all things well; I will make all things well; I shall make all things well; and thou canst see for thyself that all manner of things shall be made well.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

The Reverend George E. Councell
Bishop-elect of the Diocese of New Jersey

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