Consecration

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last Saturday, members of Saint Anna’s gathered at Grace Cathedral with hundreds of people from all over not just the diocese but the Episcopal Church, to celebrate the ordination and consecration of our new bishop, Bishop Austin Keith Rios who will serve as the ninth bishop of California when Bishop Marc retires in July. Until then, he will serve as bishop coadjutor, which means he will assist Bishop Marc in the administration of the diocese with the right of succession.

It was a glorious and spirit-filled (and long!) day. The three-hour liturgy was filled with hymns, prayers, scripture, litanies, examinations, and promises made and fulfilled. There was incense and dragon dancers, a plethora of bishops and a choir of over 400 from all over the diocese to add to the glorious sound of the men and boys choir of Grace Cathedral. It was the ceremony and beauty of the Episcopal Liturgy at its best, and Saint Anna’s was represented in style with a new banner, thanks to Carol Richardson and Lois Laza who worked hard to complete it in time, and Jeanne who skillfully carried it in one of the many processions that happened that day and which altogether took over half an hour.

And at the end of it the Diocese of California has a new bishop - the one thousand one hundred and sixty fifth bishop of the Episcopal Church. In one moment (or several over the course of three hours!) everything changed… and nothing changed. The work of the Episcopal Diocese of California, the work of Saint Anna’s, is the same as it was before the service. To be, as presiding bishop Michael Curry says, the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement in the Bay Area.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jane+