Terry Kelshaw as he was then known was my teacher of pastoral theology at Trinity School for Ministry back in the mid 1980’s. He was tirelessly energetic and went out of his way to be encouraging, especially to me.
My understanding is that he died yesterday at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, surrounded by his family and prayer.
An interesting and mostly unnoticed part of Bishop Kelshaw’s ministry in 2014 is described here–KSH.
‘My understanding is’ leaves a shred of hope that this is a mistake. He was stable and cheerful and as active as his condition allows when we saw him last summer. A good and Godly man, and I will miss him a lot.
Assuming this news is correct, I join others in celebrating Terry’s having finished the race. While he was slowed down by health in latter years, many of us remember his feisty and Christ-centered character.
Soon after his election in Rio Grande, Terry was invited to give the commencement address at Trinity School for Ministry. He had developed in his new diocese the practice of including an altar call as part of confirmation (“renewing baptismal vows”). Not to be deterred by academic formalities, Terry concluded his address by inviting members of the congregation to come forward and declare their faith in Christ. Many did. I’m pretty sure this was the first and last Commencement-with-Altar Call in Anglican history.