THE BISHOP'S BLOG: February 2005
[NOTE: To see any of the images below in more detail, click on the small photo. A larger one will open in a separate browser window.]
23
February 2005
St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr of Smyrna, c. 156
Dear Friends in Christ,
Hymn 145 in The Hymnal 1982 has the most unlenten-like tune in the section for Lent. But this French carol is actually quite well suited to the words, by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936). It is a bright, uplifting, fresh and enlivening tune that supports the text, beginning with the first verse:
Now quit your care and anxious fear and worry;
For schemes are vain and fretting brings no gain.
Lent calls to prayer, to trust and dedication;
God brings new beauty nigh;
Reply, reply, reply with love to love most high;
Reply, reply, reply with love to love most high.
|
Ventnor City |
I hope that this note finds you engaged in Lenten practices and observances that are helping you and your community to "reply with love to love most high."
I begin with an apology to the Reverend Doug Eberly and the people of the Church of the Epiphany in Ventnor City. In the first installment of my Bishop's Blog, I neglected to mention the beautiful Liturgy that we celebrated on their Feast of Title, January 6, 2005. They involved clergy and laity from several neighboring churches in the Atlantic Convocation. A marvelous banquet followed the Service. Thanks be to God. As they are the only congregation in the Diocese to be named for the Epiphany, I assured them that I would be glad to come back every year, as I am able: "I'll be back!"
|
I enjoyed my time with 275+ (!) acolytes and acolyte advisors at the 5th Annual Acolyte Festival at Trinity Cathedral earlier this month. Thanks be to God for the organizers of this event and, as always, to Dean Nancekivell and the Cathedral staff, for hosting it. Nearly everyone vested and processed for the Eucharist at the end of the day. I was moved to tears to see acolytes representing the glorious diversity of New Jersey carrying the Cross and leading their parish groups, accompanied by torches and banners and several thurifers. My own vocation was nurtured and strengthened by my experience as an acolyte. They are living reminders to us that the highest honor for a Christian is to be a servant (Mark 10:45).
The Church of the Advent, Cape May, provided hospitality and lovely accommodations for a parish visitation on February 6. It was a great celebration on a great day -- the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, with the reading of the Transfiguration account from Matthew (17:1-9). "This is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased" (v. 5) are the same words as were heard at Jesus' Baptism (3:17). What a perfect text for the Rite of Confirmation and Reception and the renewal of our Baptismal Covenant!
|
On February 7th it was my privilege to welcome the Right Reverend Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta, to Diocesan House. Bishop Alexander is my Mentor/Coach bishop, under an arrangement made by the Office of Pastoral Development of the House of Bishops in which each newly consecrated bishop is in regular communication with a mentor/coach for the first three years of his/her episcopacy. I couldn't be happier, to have the benefit of meeting and reflecting with this strong, loving and wise bishop, who is so well known to so many here in New Jersey. The senior staff also met with Bishop Alexander.
|
Speaking of support, I am also blessed to meet every other month with several bishops from Province III (the Mid-Atlantic dioceses). On returning from one of these gatherings, I was delighted to call upon the Reverend Brian Burgess, new Rector of Christ Church, Woodbury and his family. On that same trip I was able to meet with the Vestry of St. John's, Salem, and to pray with them for the strengthening of that parish as they begin interviews along the way to discerning the call of a new Rector.
We had a very positive gathering of Wardens at the Cathedral on February 12th. I am humbled by the faith and dedication and devotion of these parish leaders. Elizabeth Geitz, Wanda Greene and Lee Powers all gave helpful and inspiring presentations to the Wardens and were well received. It was a very hope-filled day. Lord, in your mercy, make New Jersey new!
|
| St. Barnabas', Monmouth Junction |
I enjoyed my visit to St. Barnabas', Monmouth Junction, on the First Sunday in Lent. In January they celebrated an International Sunday and worshipped using materials from several different Prayer Books from across the Anglican Communion.
|
St Mark's, Plainfield |
Their congregation includes people who were born in over 25 different nations. In my sermon I used the illustration that Lent, like the Christian pilgrimage, is like a marathon (26.2 miles). Amazingly, the first man presented for Confirmation had run the New Jersey marathon last year.
Last weekend I attended a retreat for the Board of Seabury Western Theological Seminary, held on Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, Florida. That's right; I had to go to Florida in February. It was sunny, but it was very cold. And we worked very hard! Our leader was Bishop Fred Borsch, who is also well known to New Jersey. The Very Reverend Gary Hall, new Dean of Seabury, is off to a good start in very challenging ministry.
|
Canon Leroy Lyons and the people of St. Mark's, Plainfield, welcomed me for a Visitation last Sunday. The young people of the parish are doing a different drama each week on the theme, "Whose Cross Is It Anyway?" It was a powerful presentation.
Along
the way this Lent I am reading Gilead, a wonderful
novel by Marilynne Robinson. 
I also
have been reading again, in its 25th Anniversary Edition, Finding
Grace at the Center: The Beginning of Centering Prayer, by
M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, Thomas Keating, OCSO and Thomas
E. Clarke, SJ. The insights and practice of Centering
Prayer aligned very nicely with the Quiet Day for Clergy
-- Lent and the Longing for God -- led by the
Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullit-Jonas.
I
enjoy driving and I really enjoy listening to music while
I travel the Diocese. From time to time I will include
an update on the CDs I am relishing along the way of
the John 10:10 Pilgrimage. This month I found a number
of Grammy award-winning recordings: "This Is Your
House," by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir; "Nothing
Without You," by Smokie Norful; "Raise Your
Spirit Higher," by Ladysmith Black Mambazo; "Los
Lonely Boys," by Los Lonely Boys; and, "Illuminations," by
McCoy Tyner and companions; and, "Across 110th St.," by
the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. They're all winners!
I ask for your prayers for our Diocese as we gather for the 221st Diocesan Convention at the Hilton Conference Hotel on March 4-5, 2005. Pray that our theme -- New Life, New Mission, New Jersey -- will, indeed be realized in all that we say and do.
Of your goodness, pray for our Presiding Bishop, for Archbishop Rowan Williams and for the Primates of the Anglican Communion, meeting this week in Northern Ireland to discuss the Windsor Report of the Lambeth Commission on Communion.
At the 2003 General Convention in Minneapolis, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold gave all of the Bishops a prayer card with "A Prayer of Philaret," (Metropolitan of Moscow, 1821-1867). I keep that card in my Prayer Book and pray this prayer each day:
Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely on your holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal your will to me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul,
and with firm conviction that your will governs everything.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by you.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering or embarrassing others.
Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day
with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will. Teach me to pray. Pray yourself in me.
Right Onward!
+George
The
Right Reverend George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey
{Like to read the earlier blogs? Click here.}