Our Shepherd Retires: The Search for a New Diocesan Bishop Begins
The Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton has announced his retirement as our diocesan bishop effective December 31, 2012. In his announcement, Bishop Scruton wrote, in part:
“I believe God has brought the diocese to a moment of transition. It is time to seek God’s guidance for a new bishop to lead you into the next chapter of life and ministry in Western Massachusetts.
“When my time as your bishop is finished,” he added, “I will be in the seventeenth year in this ministry and will be on the edge of turning 66. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for all the relationships and experiences we have shared over these years. I also have a deep sense that God is calling Rebecca and me to another ministry, although, like Abraham and Sarah, we are not yet sure what that ministry will be.”
In accordance with church canons, it is the responsibility of the Diocesan Standing Committee (of which Pastor Janice is a member) to oversee the election of a new bishop. This process has already begun, and the date for the election has been set for June 2, 2012. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, will travel from New York City to Springfield to ordain the new bishop on December 1, 2012.
In the meantime, there is much work to be done. The Search and Transition Committees are currently being selected by the Standing Committee. Clergy from throughout the Episcopal Church may submit their names for consideration as our new bishop. The Search Committee will then interview the appropriate candidates, and present a slate of at least three names for voting.
Every member of the clergy in our diocese, together with lay convention delegates from every parish in the diocese, is each given one vote. There must be a majority in both the clergy votes and the lay votes in order for the new Bishop to be elected.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible pastoral leadership that Bishop Scruton has provided over the past fifteen years of his ministry, and his deeply spiritual presence will be sorely missed. We wish him and Rebecca every blessing in whatever their future holds. We know they will most certainly carry out the will of God in whatever they do.
“I believe God has brought the diocese to a moment of transition. It is time to seek God’s guidance for a new bishop to lead you into the next chapter of life and ministry in Western Massachusetts.
“When my time as your bishop is finished,” he added, “I will be in the seventeenth year in this ministry and will be on the edge of turning 66. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for all the relationships and experiences we have shared over these years. I also have a deep sense that God is calling Rebecca and me to another ministry, although, like Abraham and Sarah, we are not yet sure what that ministry will be.”
In accordance with church canons, it is the responsibility of the Diocesan Standing Committee (of which Pastor Janice is a member) to oversee the election of a new bishop. This process has already begun, and the date for the election has been set for June 2, 2012. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, will travel from New York City to Springfield to ordain the new bishop on December 1, 2012.
In the meantime, there is much work to be done. The Search and Transition Committees are currently being selected by the Standing Committee. Clergy from throughout the Episcopal Church may submit their names for consideration as our new bishop. The Search Committee will then interview the appropriate candidates, and present a slate of at least three names for voting.
Every member of the clergy in our diocese, together with lay convention delegates from every parish in the diocese, is each given one vote. There must be a majority in both the clergy votes and the lay votes in order for the new Bishop to be elected.
We are deeply grateful for the incredible pastoral leadership that Bishop Scruton has provided over the past fifteen years of his ministry, and his deeply spiritual presence will be sorely missed. We wish him and Rebecca every blessing in whatever their future holds. We know they will most certainly carry out the will of God in whatever they do.
Our New Fence Is in Place!
If you drive around to the small parking lot behind the church you will be greeted by a sight to behold! Our brand new stockade fence has been put in place, and we have several people to thank. This was, indeed, a project that took “a cast of thousands” to put into motion. Our thanks begin with Mr. Norman Hill, PE, PLS, President of Land Planning, Inc. (and member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sutton), who surveyed our entire property for very minimal cost. His generosity made it possible for the project to go forward.
Once the survey was done, an incredible team came together to remove the old fence, purge the area of the Japanese knotweed that had overtaken it, and remove huge chunks of old concrete and knotweed roots. Bill Dennehy, Robbie Kotarba, Caitlin Kotarba, Jim Feige, and Kyle Soule worked for several hours in the pouring rain to complete the job. The next day, Paul Feige came with a small backhoe to remove the concrete and roots that could not be taken out by hand. With the area cleared, we were able to take the next step to have the new fence delivered.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to parishioner Korey Cotnoir, who donated the fence materials—nine sections of stockade, and ten posts from Spaulding Fence & Supply Co. The entire fence installation (by Mr. Joe Simo) was made possible by the generous donation of parishioners Mark and Sheri Rogers.
It may “take a village to raise a child,” but it also takes a lot of people to raise a fence! Our entire congregation is grateful for the time and resources donated by these wonderful people.
Once the survey was done, an incredible team came together to remove the old fence, purge the area of the Japanese knotweed that had overtaken it, and remove huge chunks of old concrete and knotweed roots. Bill Dennehy, Robbie Kotarba, Caitlin Kotarba, Jim Feige, and Kyle Soule worked for several hours in the pouring rain to complete the job. The next day, Paul Feige came with a small backhoe to remove the concrete and roots that could not be taken out by hand. With the area cleared, we were able to take the next step to have the new fence delivered.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to parishioner Korey Cotnoir, who donated the fence materials—nine sections of stockade, and ten posts from Spaulding Fence & Supply Co. The entire fence installation (by Mr. Joe Simo) was made possible by the generous donation of parishioners Mark and Sheri Rogers.
It may “take a village to raise a child,” but it also takes a lot of people to raise a fence! Our entire congregation is grateful for the time and resources donated by these wonderful people.
Save the Date! You Won't Want to Miss This!
In our July-August newsletter, you will find an article on the work our Mission and Outreach committee is doing. One of their projects is bringing Bishop Abraham Nhial, one of the “Lost Boys” from South Sudan, here to our parish and larger community. Mark your calendar now to be here at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 16, when Bishop Nhial will celebrate and preach at our service of Holy Eucharist. At 2:00 p.m. that same day, the Bishop will speak in our Parish Hall to other members of our diocese, local politicians, clergy, and lay people from other churches in our area, and any other interested parties.
We also encourage you to read his book over the summer, Lost Boy No More. This is a deeply moving and, at times, disturbing story of Bishop Nhial’s journey from childhood to young adulthood in his war-torn homeland. The genocide of his fellow Christians in South Sudan by the Muslims in the north continues to this very day. God has called us as individuals, and as a parish, to give witness to the horror these people are suffering, and we are bound by our common love of Christ to do all we can to help.
Plan to share in this powerful day of testimony and survival.
We also encourage you to read his book over the summer, Lost Boy No More. This is a deeply moving and, at times, disturbing story of Bishop Nhial’s journey from childhood to young adulthood in his war-torn homeland. The genocide of his fellow Christians in South Sudan by the Muslims in the north continues to this very day. God has called us as individuals, and as a parish, to give witness to the horror these people are suffering, and we are bound by our common love of Christ to do all we can to help.
Plan to share in this powerful day of testimony and survival.
Our Services
Sunday
- 10 am Service of Holy Eucharist-Rite II (Sept.-June)
- 9:00 am Service of Holy Eucharist-Rite II (July & August)
- 4th Sunday of every month-Service of Holy Eucharist with Healing
Nursery Care and
Sunday School
- 9:45 a.m. Nursery care available (Sept.-May)
- Nursery care available upon request (July & August)
- 9:30 a.m. Sunday School (Sept.-May)
Quick Info
The Church of the Reconciliation
5 North Main St.
Webster, MA 01570
Get Directions
Phone:
508-943-8714
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
and by appointment
5 North Main St.
Webster, MA 01570
Get Directions
Phone:
508-943-8714
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
and by appointment
