Newly consecrated Bishop Stephen Taylor Lane stood for several minutes at the front of the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke facing the congregation after being adorned with Maine-themed vestments and presented with a ring, a cross and a crozier, which resembles a shepherd’s staff.
The moment was striking to Harriet Gosnell, a candidate for holy orders and member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Waterville. “He looked so vulnerable and so receptive and open to the people of Maine, to his flock,” Gosnell said, following the consecration service. “It was a joyful service.”
Lane was consecrated bishop-coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine on Saturday. He will assist current diocesan Bishop Chilton Knudsen until she retires in September.
Lane’s vestments were a gift from the Diocese of Rochester, N.Y., where he used to work. They were designed for him and contained Maine themes, with stitched seagulls, evergreen trees and the ocean. His ring represents the vow between Lane and the church, Knudsen said.
“He looked so vulnerable and so receptive and open to the people of Maine, to his flock,” Gosnell said.
What? No Kelvar vestments?
Er, make that ‘Kevlar’ …
“At Saturday’s service, Presiding Bishop and Primate Katharine Jefferts Schori was chief consecrator. She serves as chief pastor to the Episcopal Church in 16 countries and 110 dioceses.”
Given those bona fides, why am I not impressed?
Katharine who?
[blockquote]The Episcopal Church ranks 15th in size among U.S. churches, according to the 2008 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. It has 2,154,572 members, which is a decrease of 4.15 percent from the 2007 report.[/blockquote]
robroy,
Are these nmbers correct? I know you would know because you have a keen sense of the numbers and are 99% more correct than well…..TEC!
“…in 16 countries and 110 dioceses.â€
So, too, does one find the IRS office in equal numbers, except that the IRS shows its true colors and usually gives up petty court matters.