Clergy Notes — Sunday, May 19, 2019

It was a privilege and a joy on Thursday evening to attend the consecration of Lynne McNaughton, a priest of our diocese, as Bishop of Kootenay. The service took place in a large Roman Catholic Church, as the Anglican Cathedral in Kelowna was too small. Archbishop Melissa presided and the Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, preached; the Bishops of our Ecclesiastical Province, along with several other Bishops from across the country, took part in the laying on of hands.  Bishop Lynne was well supported by family and friends, a good representation from our Diocese of New Westminster, and of course the people of her new diocese.  It was a vibrant and joyful celebration of Christian worship, life and ministry.

The Primate reminded us in his sermon of the importance for all Christians, and not least for all Bishops, of discipleship: learning together, from the Lord and from one another, as we journey together on the Way. Today’s Collect points us again to Jesus as “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” encouraging us “to love one another and walk in the way of his commandments.” One of the gifts the Church has to offer our increasingly individualistic and self-centred society is this sense of mutual dependence, of learning to live and love together, as we seek to walk as companions (those who share bread together) in the way of self-giving love which is Jesus Christ.

May God bless Bishop Lynne and her diocese of Kootenay in their new ministry together, and may God bless us here at St James’ as we continue as disciples in the Way.

Fr. Kevin