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March 2024

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The College for Bishops Class of 2014

March 1, 2024

We spent most of the day at HoB in table groups. An afternoon program included a talk show hosted by Andy Doyle from the Diocese of Texas. Andy interviewed Craig Loya (Minnesota), Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows (Indianapolis), and Scott Mayer (Northwest Texas). It was fun and provided a great way to learn more about my bishop colleagues.

March 2

Today was our Sabbath day with no meetings or business planned. I spent most of the day at a retreat led by Scott Barker (Nebraska). It was a wonderfully spiritual day with quiet, meditation, and discussion mixed in.

March 3

Our Sunday began with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We had a variety of meetings throughout the day. In the afternoon I was able to take a long walk with Jake Owensby (W. Louisiana). I enjoyed the walk and talk.

March 4

The last full day of our meetings included the normal “pre-general convention” information session. In the evening we celebrated our time together with the annual closing banquet.

After the banquet, I started the drive home. While driving I reflected on being part of this community for the past 10 years. I am grateful for the friendship, collegiality, support, and worshipping community.

Closing banquet, House of Bishops, Spring 2024

March 5

I arrived home around 3 am. Not surprisingly I slept late into the morning. In the afternoon I worked out and did laundry.

March 6

I had a busy day playing “catchup in the office. The morning included several staff meetings. The afternoon included meetings with several church leaders from the Diocese.

March 7

Most of the morning was spent getting ready for the afternoon meeting of the executive committee. The meeting went well. The Rev. Will Compton was elected Vice-President. I had two online meetings that lasted into the evening.

March 8

I rose early for a workout. The rest of the day was filled up with meetings, online and in-person. In the evening Kyle and I watched an online movie about the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven. I hope we can arrange a showing of this movie to the Diocese!

March 9

I enjoyed a very quiet Saturday morning. In the afternoon I went to the pool for a workout.

March 10

My visitation was at Christ church in Vicksburg. I celebrated and preached at two services. At the principal service, I confirmed 1 and received another. In the evening I had supper with Katie.

March 11

Sabbath day off! I worked out in the afternoon.

March 12

My morning was spent at the Capital in the Senate chamber. I opened the session with prayer and then stuck around to say hello to some parishioners and friends. After a bit of lunch I spent the afternoon in the office.

March 13

I rose early for a workout. After workout I stopped for a few minutes to remember my dad’s birthday. He would’ve been 101 years old today. My time in the office consisted of staff meetings and then several phone meetings. I met later with the Rev. Katie Sorey for an annual consultation.

March 14

I had a busy morning getting ready for a meeting with the Trustees of the Diocese. At 11 I walked to the Cathedral to preside at their noon Eucharistic celebration. The rest of the day was taken up with the Trustees meeting.

March 15

After a workout I proceeded to the office for my normal meeting with Andy Andrews and later Peggy Jones. Over the lunch hour, I met with the Commission on Ministry.

March 16

I joined the Standing committee for a portion of their quarterly zoom meeting. After lunch I worked out and later in the day I drove to the Coast for evening meetings with St. Patrick’s, Long Beach. My meeting included remodeling to their buildings thanks to a new partnership with the Mississippi school for the Blind. This new ministry promises to offer a unique Spirit to the congregation.

March 17

I officiated at the principal service and confirmed 2 and received 1. I decided to take a little break from driving and spent an additional night on the Coast.

March 18

After driving home from the Coast I managed time to get a workout at the GRIT pool.

March 19

After staff meetings I was busy with phone calls and emails for most of the day. Before heading home I began the task of packing my office.

March 20

I spent the morning at the Capital with judicatories and clergy from around the state. In the afternoon I spoke at a press conference on expanding Medicare. The afernoon was spent driving to Columbus for the Celebration of a New Ministry at St. Paul’s with their rector Andrew McLarty. I drove home after the service.

March 21

I left the house early to make an emergency pastoral call to St. Dominic’s to visit Mr. Bob Everett. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. The rest of my day was busy within the office.

March 22

I kept the normal Friday staff meetings in the morning. After lunch I met up with Katie to attend the funeral of Debbie Hartzog at St. Columb’s. Betsy met us at the Church. It was hard to say good bye to a dear friend. After the service I met, over zoom, with the disciplinary board.

March 23

With Betsy in town for Spring break we made our way downstairs, from my apartment, to the St. Patrick’s day parade. We had a great time at the parade and catching up with friends at the Cathedral.

March 24

In the morning I drove to Lexington for my regular Palm Sunday visit at St. Mary’s. After the service we had lunch. At supper time Betsy and I enjoyed a rack of ribs sent home from St. Mary’s.

March 25

I spent a calm day with Betsy. Around noon I made my way to the pool for a workout. In the evening I attended the Central Ultreya Group at St. James.

March 26

I had a busy morning with a phone call prior to the normal day. Later I made my way to Allin house for the all staff meeting. At lunchtime Betsy I made our way to run errands and grab a smoothie. On the way home she received an email from her college, Birmingham Southern, that they would be closing at the end of the academic year. Needless to say the day and week changed dramatically after that news. I returned to work for several important meetings.

March 27

It was a crazy busy day that included a zoom before the regular work day and another before lunch. During the lunch hour i met with Working Together Jackson at St. Christophers. I spent the rest of the day doing servicese at the Orchard and then St. Catherines Village.

March 28

In additon to preparing for a Maundy Thursday sermon I spent time getting ready for the rest of the preaching during Holy Week. In the afternoon I called David Langdon who’s is ill at home.

March 29

I worked out in the morning and then spent the morning working on Good Friday sermon ideas. At noon I preached at the Chapel of the Cross for my annual Holy week offering. In the evening Betsy and I saw Dune.

March 30

Betsy left around midday. In the evening I preached and presided at the Great Vigil of Easter at St. Philip’s.

March 31

Alleluia, He is risen! I preached the two services at the Cathedral. It was a beautiful morning. It’s been a tremendous blessing to spend the last 10 Easters with this congregation! After the 1030 service I drove to Philadelphia and officiated at an afternoon Easter celebration with St. Francis. Another wonderful celebration! I went straight from St. Francis to Katie’s house for crawfish!

Easter afternoon, St. Francis, Philadephia, MS
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Gencon – 2015 – My First Report

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Most of you are used to my blogging being 140 characters or less! However, after a historic day at the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church it seems like a little longer blog might be more appropriate. So allow me to use the next couple of paragraphs to give you a run down on my experience at #GC78 thus far. Let me begin by saying that this is my first General convention. That’s right I never attended as a deputy or a visitor prior to being elected bishop in 2014. I arrived on Monday blank slate with no idea what to expect.

I started by checking in with my assigned committee, dispatch of business, on Tuesday. The dispatch committee is chaired by Wayne Wright from Delaware and the Vice-chair is our neighbor to the north, Don Johnson, from West Tennessee. This committee is responsible for keeping the house on track in regards to daily agenda and calendar. Dispatch is also responsible for the supervising elections including the coming election of our new presiding bishop. The other members of this committee are outstanding and really know what they’re doing! Thank God for their wisdom!

Convention stuff began on Wednesday with an introductory remarks from the presiding bishop and the president of the house of deputies. After lunch both houses met in the house of deputies for a forum with the 4 candidates for presiding bishop, Ian Douglas, Michael Curry, Dabney Smith and Tom Breidenthal. The 3 hour forum provided opportunity for each to speak and answer questions. I was impressed with each of the candidates. My day came to a close after viewing a movie about Howard Thurman.

Convention officially started on Thursday. We worshiped together at a prayerful celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by business in the House. In the evening I attended a hearing with the Task force on marriage. I got up early on Friday in order to work out with SALT Masters swim team. This team works out on the University of Utah campus. It was a great way to start the day but I quickly learned that Salt Lake City sits at a much greater altitude than Jackson (gasp)! Upon arriving at the convention center I learned about the Supreme court passage of the marriage equality act. A very joyful mood could be sensed. In the evening I attended the UTO banquet with our ECW contingency.

Saturday began with an early meeting with the dispatch committee. The major focus of the meeting was related to the election of our next presiding bishop. It is our responsibility to facilitate the election and count ballots. After our morning Eucharistic celebration the bishops boarded buses and we were driven to St. Mark’s Cathedral where we would be sequestered until we elected a new presiding bishop. After roll call, saying prayers and singing hymns the ballots were cast, collected and taken to a room for counting. It was really strange to be one of the tellers for the election! After counting the ballots the house was reassembled and the report was made. On the first ballot Michael Curry of North Carolina was elected.

The announcement of Michaels election was not only historic but extremely emotional! I think for me the most incredible moment was signing the testimonials. The first to sign the testimonials was a group of bishops of African American descent. I had to wipe away tears when Eugene Sutton of Maryland helped Barbara Harris make her way to front in order to be one of the first to sign the testimonial. We signed the testimonial while singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” It was an amazing moment. I feel blessed to be part of it.

Michaels election was then reported to the House of Deputies who after following their procedures and rules consented to the election. After receiving word of their consent we boarded busses and went back to the convention center for him to be introduced to the House of Deputies. It was another amazing moment.

Yes, I voted for Michael. He’s been an amazing friend to me and our diocese. Most important, however, he has unique gifts for reaching people and inviting them to meet and know Jesus. While talking with other bishops I said, “he’s like a ‘jam band.’ You never know for sure how he’s gonna perform a song or sermon but you wanna listen because you know it’s gonna be amazing.”

We are blessed with the love of our Lord. We are blessed to have Michael as our new Presiding Bishop. He is full of joy and passion for presenting Jesus to the world. Thanks be to God!