"I have a heart full of love and gratitude" - By Bishop G

“…Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”  John 21:15-17.

Dear Friends,

            Last Sunday, I had the honor of being with the people of Emmanuel in Opelika to celebrate the blessing of their new parish hall, the confirmation and reception of new members, and the baptism of four children.   What a big, exciting day!  As I began meeting the candidates for baptism, confirmation, and reception, all gathered in the nave, one of the candidates, a young, very observant girl of about eight years, stared intently at my crozier and confidently declared, “Hmmm, Bishop, I can see you like to play with sheep!” 

            Her charm and perfect accuracy caused me to laugh out loud.  How right she is!  I do love my sheep! Our Prayer Book calls the Bishop the chief priest and pastor. Pastor is simply another word for shepherd, and when she saw the crozier I carry, a symbol of the Bishop’s office, she connected all the dots.  I was then further honored by baptizing her in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.   

My time as your Bishop Diocesan will end in just a few days, and I have a head full of stories about my visits to each of our wonderful parishes.  I also have a heart full of love and gratitude for every person and every minute I have served with you and for you, as your Pastor and Chief Priest these past six years.  I give thanks for our devoted clergy and lay leaders.  I give thanks to God for leading us, walking with us through challenges and celebrations.  I give thanks for Jesus showing us daily how to feed and tend all the sheep he brings our way.  I give thanks for all the blessings.

             Our diocese is strong, devoted, and faithful to following Jesus. God has provided a gifted and loving leader to take over this big flock.  I trust our Lord Jesus will lead Bishop Richard to listen, respond, and be an extraordinary Chief Priest and Pastor. 

As I leave, I offer these prayers, which I invite us all to pray as my ministry as Bishop ends and we prepare for our next Bishop. 

Let us pray:

O God, you have bound us together for a time as Chief Priest and Pastor to work for the advancement of your kingdom: We give you humble and hearty thanks for the ministry which we have shared these years now past.

We thank you for your patience with us despite our blindness and slowness of heart.  We thank you for your forgiveness and mercy in the face of our failures. 

Especially, we thank you for your never-failing presence with us through these years, and for the deep knowledge of you and of each other which we have attained. 

We thank you for those who have been joined to this part of Christ’s family through baptism, confirmation, and reception.  We thank you for those who have reaffirmed their vows.  We thank you for opening our hearts and minds again and again to your Word, and for feeding us abundantly with the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your Son.

Now, we pray, be with those who leave and with us who stay; grant that all of us, by drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in the communion of your saints.  All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.  Amen (Book of Occasional Services, pp 342-343).

Please keep Bishop-elect Richard and his family in your prayers and know that you remain in mine every day.  As always, I hope I see you at church!       

Bishop

+G