The Episcopal New Yorker |

By Neva Rae Fox

The Episcopal Diocese of New York was well represented at the history –making investiture of the 26th Presiding Bishop, the Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori.

The Episcopal Church welcomed Jefferts Schori, the first woman Presiding Bishop, at a gala, colorful and prayerful service on Saturday, November 4 at National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

Bishop Mark Sisk led the EDNY representatives, which included Bishop Catherine Roskam, Bishop E. Don Taylor and Bishop Herbert Donovan. The Rev. Deacon Ian Betts participated in the service as one of the liturgical dancers from the Omega Dance Company, in residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. There were dozens of EDNY clergy and lay people among the 3200 people who jammed the cathedral.

Youth, seniors, babies and all ages in-between, many traveling from afar, lined up outside National Cathedral for hours, ticket in hand, for their chance to participate in and witness this historic event.
Applause and cheers of happiness and welcome reverberated off the high stone cathedral walls many times throughout the three hour service.
Colorful banners were waved high above the eager assembly. Dancers joined with choirs and musicians offeringa range of music – from liturgical hymns and jazz offerings, favorites from Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS),to chants and drumming by Native Americans.

“A wonderful day for the Episcopal Church and the Communion at large,” Bishop Sisk exclaimed.

“It was a joyful and moving event,” smiled Bishop Roskam.

Bishop Taylor called the Investiture “an outburst of love and gratitude from the whole Church."

The Service

After Washington Bishop John Chane and Cathedral Dean Samuel Lloyd opened the cathedral’s doors in response to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori’s three knocks, she was presented by members of the Diocese of Nevada as their diocese’s “bishop, chief pastor, and sister in Christ” and sent her forth to be the Presiding Bishop.

“Katharine, Bishop in the Church of God, we have looked forward to your coming with great joy. In the name of Christ, we greet you,” replied 25th Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

“I hope to serve among you in Christ’s name and in the joy of the Spirit,” she replied.

In the Diocese

While many watched the celebratory service on a web cast shown by the National Church, two EDNY parishes celebrated an e-Eucharist with the 26th Presiding Bishop.

In the “upper room” at Trinity, Ossining, members of Trinity and All Saints’, Briarcliff Manor, celebrated the Eucharist while watching the Investiture over the internet.

“We worshipped with the people in Washington National Cathedral” said John Deuel, who set up the equipment to display the webcast. “We didn’t just watch. We felt like we were a part of the service, only with better seats. We sang the hymns, said the prayers, shouted ‘amen’ and had a great time celebrating together the beginning of our new PB’s ministry.”

The day before the event parishioners were emailed to see how many might attend the gathering. The Rev. Bonnie Shullenberger of Trinity agreed to concelebrate for the group.

The eleven “e-worshippers” at the “e-Eucharist” at Trinity used champagne in the celebration, a custom Shullenberger experienced at Holy Cross Monastery one New Year’s Eve and for other Festal occasions.

“To me it seemed a little weird having Eucharist while watching the liturgy at the National Cathedral via an internet connection,” noted Bill Shullenberger. “But I was surprised by the depth of my involvement in the liturgy.”

Archbishop of Canterbury

Bishop John Saxbee of Lincoln, Church of England represented Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
In a message read by Saxbee during the service, Williams sent his prayers and best wishes “to Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on the historic occasion of the inauguration as Presiding Bishop. She will take on this responsibility in the most challenging times, but she will be supported by the good will and prayers of very many in the USA and around the world as she strives to lead faithfully, honestly and collaboratively. I pray that she will daily know the love and mercy of God in Jesus Christ as the foundation of all she does, so that this reality will radiate from her ministry and her witness. With my loveand blessing, Rowan.”

The Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, was also in attendance.

Events on Sunday

The celebration didn’t stop on Saturday. A day after she was invested, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori officially took her seat in National Cathedral on November 5 in a festal All Saints Sunday Eucharist.

During her sermon, Jefferts Schori called the congregation and the Church to sainthood, and told them its cost. “Saints are those who are vulnerable to the gut-wrenching pain of this world,” she said. “Some of us have to be seized by the throat or thrown into the tomb before we can find that depth of compassion. And perhaps unless we are, we won’t leave our comfortable narrow lives - or our remarkably nasty ones - to wake up and begin to answer that pain.”

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori’s was elected on June 18 during the Episcopal Church’s 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Bill Cruse and the ENS news team contributed to this article.

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
	November/December 2006
Episcopal Church Welcomes Its New Presiding Bishop

By Neva Rae Fox The Episcopal Diocese of New York was well represented at the history –making investiture of the 26th Presiding Bishop, the Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. The Episcopal Church welcomed Jefferts Schori, the first woman Presiding Bishop, at a gala, colorful and prayerful service on Saturday, November 4 at National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Bishop Mark Sisk led the EDNY representatives, which included Bishop Catherine Roskam, Bishop E. Don Taylor and Bishop Herbert Donovan. The Rev. Deacon Ian Betts participated in the service as one of the liturgical dancers from the Omega Dance Company, in residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. There were dozens of EDNY clergy and lay people among the 3200 people who jammed the cathedral. Youth, seniors, babies and all ages in-between, many traveling from afar, lined up outside National Cathedral for hours, ticket in hand, for their chance to participate in and witness this historic event. Applause and cheers of happiness and welcome reverberated off the high stone cathedral walls many times throughout the three hour service. Colorful banners were waved high above the eager assembly. Dancers joined with choirs and musicians offeringa range of music – from liturgical hymns and jazz offerings, favorites from Lift Every Voice and Sing (LEVAS),to chants and drumming by Native Americans. “A wonderful day for the Episcopal Church and the Communion at large,” Bishop Sisk exclaimed. “It was a joyful and moving event,” smiled Bishop Roskam. Bishop Taylor called the Investiture “an outburst of love and gratitude from the whole Church." The Service After Washington Bishop John Chane and Cathedral Dean Samuel Lloyd opened the cathedral’s doors in response to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori’s three knocks, she was presented by members of the Diocese of Nevada as their diocese’s “bishop, chief pastor, and sister in Christ” and sent her forth to be the Presiding Bishop. “Katharine, Bishop in the Church of God, we have looked forward to your coming with great joy. In the name of Christ, we greet you,” replied 25th Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. “I hope to serve among you in Christ’s name and in the joy of the Spirit,” she replied. In the Diocese While many watched the celebratory service on a web cast shown by the National Church, two EDNY parishes celebrated an e-Eucharist with the 26th Presiding Bishop. In the “upper room” at Trinity, Ossining, members of Trinity and All Saints’, Briarcliff Manor, celebrated the Eucharist while watching the Investiture over the internet. “We worshipped with the people in Washington National Cathedral” said John Deuel, who set up the equipment to display the webcast. “We didn’t just watch. We felt like we were a part of the service, only with better seats. We sang the hymns, said the prayers, shouted ‘amen’ and had a great time celebrating together the beginning of our new PB’s ministry.” The day before the event parishioners were emailed to see how many might attend the gathering. The Rev. Bonnie Shullenberger of Trinity agreed to concelebrate for the group. The eleven “e-worshippers” at the “e-Eucharist” at Trinity used champagne in the celebration, a custom Shullenberger experienced at Holy Cross Monastery one New Year’s Eve and for other Festal occasions. “To me it seemed a little weird having Eucharist while watching the liturgy at the National Cathedral via an internet connection,” noted Bill Shullenberger. “But I was surprised by the depth of my involvement in the liturgy.” Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop John Saxbee of Lincoln, Church of England represented Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. In a message read by Saxbee during the service, Williams sent his prayers and best wishes “to Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on the historic occasion of the inauguration as Presiding Bishop. She will take on this responsibility in the most challenging times, but she will be supported by the good will and prayers of very many in the USA and around the world as she strives to lead faithfully, honestly and collaboratively. I pray that she will daily know the love and mercy of God in Jesus Christ as the foundation of all she does, so that this reality will radiate from her ministry and her witness. With my loveand blessing, Rowan.” The Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, was also in attendance. Events on Sunday The celebration didn’t stop on Saturday. A day after she was invested, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori officially took her seat in National Cathedral on November 5 in a festal All Saints Sunday Eucharist. During her sermon, Jefferts Schori called the congregation and the Church to sainthood, and told them its cost. “Saints are those who are vulnerable to the gut-wrenching pain of this world,” she said. “Some of us have to be seized by the throat or thrown into the tomb before we can find that depth of compassion. And perhaps unless we are, we won’t leave our comfortable narrow lives - or our remarkably nasty ones - to wake up and begin to answer that pain.” Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori’s was elected on June 18 during the Episcopal Church’s 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Bill Cruse and the ENS news team contributed to this article.

Episcopal Church Welcomes Its New Presiding Bishop