Why call for an election now?
I began my ministry at St. Benedict’s Parish in Plantation, Florida, in 1977. I would have been happy serving with the communicants there for the rest of my life. But after thirteen years I realized that, by God’s grace, I had done with them what I knew how to do. They needed someone to take them to the next level of discipleship. At the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin””although I left there upon having received your call””I knew that I had done with them what I knew how to do. They needed someone to take them to the next level of discipleship.
That is the present reality in our diocese. I am concluding, together with you, what I know how to do. When, following our diocesan convention last October, I met with the newly formed Diocesan Executive Council, and recognized their enthusiasm, their commitment, the efficiency of our present Commission structure, and progress we have all made by God’s grace and your ministry””I recognized that it was time for us to take the next step. Upper South Carolina needs a bishop who can cooperate with you, and provide appropriate episcopal leadership, in moving into the next level of Christian discipleship.
It is also true that my ministry as a member and then President of the Title IV Review Committee of The Episcopal Church absorbed some physical, emotional and spiritual energy, and dulled somewhat the edge of my creativity. It has not, however, reduced my love of the Lord and the Lord’s Church, nor the sheer joy I have as a deacon, priest and bishop.
The election process will take approximately 10 to 18 months, depending upon a number of factors. Our Diocesan Council, in its role as the Standing Committee and guided by the canons of the Church, will have the responsibility of establishing a Calling Committee and providing the guidelines for the calling process.
Not only are the rats jumping from the ship but also the sailors and the officers. But the captain will go down with the ship (is steering the ship towards the rocks).
I wonder if he will have more time to devote to 815’s legal fights. One less lawyer bishop but one more lawyer retired-bishop.
RobRoy [#1]: Would Bp. Henderson, under any circumstances, do anything so drastic and intemperate as [i] leaping[/i]?
What’s all of that writing mean? It seems terribly involuted and circumferential. In short, I don’t get it. Irenaeus, what did he just say?
Larry
Larry [#3]: Don’t be hasty! Let’s have a discerment process.
C a l m l y y o u r s ,
I r e n a e u s
I apologize for using an exclamation point (!) in the first line of comment #4. It was thoughtless, hasty, and on balance, unconducive to the gentle languor with which we should approach this subject.
I have had the honor and pleasure of serving with +Dorsey Upper South Carolina on the legislative Committee on Canons at two General Conventions, and on the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, and have found him to be a gentle and gentlemanly soul with a comprehensive knowledge of the canons of the Church. I hope that he will continue to serve the Church in his well-deserved retirment.
Well ok Kevin. But what did he say? Did he just say, “I’m getting old and and tired and I want to quit?” Is that what he’s talking about?
What’s a “next level of discipleship” Larry
Larry, I’m not understanding what you are writing. The man is approaching the mandatory TEC-required age of retirement.
What is he to do? Refuse to retire?
He merely laid out in his letter his reasoning for setting the date that he did.
So far, I’m not seeing any heresy in his letter. It’s a simple thing, really. “I’m retiring, and here are some reasons, and here’s what we need to do, and here’s a bit about my history.”
Wel, the problem was Sarah that I did not understand his writing. If his intention was to retire, why didn’t he just say that it was time to retire? No, I’m not looking for heresy, just clarity. But maybe I am simply being opaque.. I think that second paragraph is bafflegab.
A simple lesson is plain expository prose is all he needs. Larry
As someone experienced in disentangling knotted prose — I create alot of it — here is my reading. “I have nothing more to contribute to the growth of the diocese. In the past, when I have felt that way about a job, I’ve moved on. That’s the case here as bishop.”
Now, another thing he seems to be saying is this: “my time on the Title IV Review Committee has worn me out.” This is an interesting comment, given its public nature. Is it an oblique criticism of the committee or of its work? Is he admitting to a process that has undermined his sense of spiritual health? If he were, no one should be surprised. And if so, who does hs think is responsible?
Prof. Radner–You appear at interesting times, kind of like a legendary bass in a lake coming up to the surface. It’s good to see your name.
I think you read Bishop Henderson’s letter correctly. But I don’t think it is a criticism of the Title IV Review Committee. He did what he perceived to be his duty and it wasn’t a pleasure. I respect his decision; it takes some guts to say you have given all you have.
As a member of the Standing Comm. on Constitution and Canons, I have worked in parallel with the Title IV Task Force, and I know that all of their members have worked tirelessly on a huge task. I suspect that the memory of the experience at GC2006, when they expected that the prior triennium’s work would be adopted in some form, but instead they were sent “back to the drawing board”, has been a factor in morale, too, although that is just speculation on my part.
+Dorsey also took on the job of episcopal chair of the Special Committee on Anglican Relations at GC2006, a job that must have been like undergoing root canal surgery without anesthesia. I remember the main public hearing of that body, when probably more than 500 people were crammed into a hotel ballroom (actually, three ballrooms opened up; that many people hadn’t been expected) for a three hour hearing, with +Dorsey as the focus of attention, trying to–and succeeding in–keeping good order while allowing all viewpoints to be heard. He was, at times, the calm in a storm, and I gained much respect for him that evening.