Oh MY God!

newpbofecusa
Originally uploaded by Randuwa.

And by that I mean MY GOD.... since we all create a God that fulfills our desires.

My church, Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA) elects a new leader every nine years. The past two leaders (Presiding Bishops) have been rather interesting. From 1991 to 1997 we were shepharded by the Rt. Rev. Edmund Browning, former Bishop of Hawaii. A gentile and intellectually acute man, who preached the and live the mantra, "All Are Welcome" at Christ's table. He is a saint and personal hero of mine.

He was succeeded by the Rt. Rev. David Griswold, former Bishop of Chicago. Griswold was seen as a compromise candidate and he certainly didn't disappoint. Some times he was Lion, and other a Sacrificial Lamb. And today he must be breathing a sigh of relief.

For today my church chose a new leader to take us from 2006 to 2015, and she is the NOW former Bishop of Nevada, Katharine Jefferts Schiori. This picture of her is from a mission trip that she took to Kenya in 2003 -- all other images from her diocesan website seemed to have been removed.....

Nonetheless, here's her low-down:

Biographical Information
Age 51
Ordinations:
Priest – 1994
Bishop – 2001

General Convention 2003 Votes
- Voted AGAINST B001
- Voted FOR the consecration of V. Gene Robinson

General Facts
- Jefferts Schori is the first woman selected as a nominee for Presiding Bishop.
- Serves on the Court for Review of a Trial of a Bishop.
- Appointed by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold to serve on the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
- Encouraged passage of a resolution that implicitly approved recognizing ceremonies to celebrate relationships of “mutuality and fidelity” between same-sex couples.

And this from a friend who was there: Katharine Jefferts Schori, bp of Nevada, has been elected by the  House of Bishops on the fifth ballot the 26th Presiding Bishop of the  Episcopal Church. The House of Deputies concurred in a vote by  orders, lay 94 dioceses to 15, clergy 98 dioceses to 13, then rose to  their feet with an overwhelming roaring burst of lengthy applause.  She is the first woman ever nominated to this office. An Associated  Press reporter told me they'd been planning simply to report this  election in the usual way, but on learning of Bishop Jefferts  Schori's election had been alerted to elevate the story to their  absolute highest priority.

Bishop Jefferts Schori, 51, speaks over five languages, holds her PhD  in oceanography from Oregon State University, an MDiv from the Church  Divinity School of the Pacific, and is an active instrument-rated  pilot with more than 500 hours logged. She has written numerous books  and articles. Her husband Richard is a theoretical mathematician  (topologist). Their only child Katharine Johanna is a second  lieutenant and pilot in the U S Air Force.

This place is alive with joy.


I am Proud to be an Episcopalian today!