Meeting for a week beginning today at Camp Allen in Texas, not far from Austin, we Episcopal bishops are devoting our time to seminary education and the formation of priests in a changing church. Each table of five or six bishops has a representative from a major seminary. Our conversations are lively and consequential. Check out the rocking bishops at my table!
It’s the feast day of Cyril of Jerusalem, a fourth century bishop who was exiled three times because of the enmity of emperors and his defense of Christian orthodoxy, which pitted him against powerful figures in the church. Getting us started at our opening Holy Eucharist, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe said that anyone who thought they were having a bad day should meditate on Cyril’s difficult ministry.
Los Angeles is definitely in the house (of Bishops): Bishop-elect Antonio Gallardo L.; Diocese of San Joaquin Bishop-elect Greg Kimura, who finishes his ministry as rector at St. James in South Pasadena on Palm Sunday; and Bishop assisting Franklin Brookhart, who helped guide our small group discussion today about The Episcopal Church’s call to common ministry with United Methodist Church. No selfie yet with LA’s Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce, interim president of Seminary of the Southwest, also well represented this week.
