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Presentation at the 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware regarding the 10th anniversary of Bishop Wayne Wright
Here is the text of the speeches made by those making presentations:
Standing Committee,
presented by
Mark Sullivan
Ten years ago, at a convention similar to this one, the clergy and lay representatives of the Diocese of Delaware met to see who would become the new bishop of Delaware. After 16 ballots, we – at last – understood that the Holy Spirit had chosen Wayne P. Wright to become the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Delaware. And this surprised priest in New Orleans was called to begin, with us, “a sacred partnership in ministry.”
But before he and his family could scarcely set up residence, he was consecrated, installed, and sent off to England to attend the international Lambeth Conference – joining with bishops from around the world. As “Episcopal Bishop #941,” he was the second newest bishop in attendance – and clearly the bishop of “greatest stature” in the Anglican Communion.
As you know, the Lambeth Conference only meets once every ten years, so this summer he will attend for the second time. And if someone there asks him what he and this “sacred partnership” have been up to since they last met, he will have quite a story to share!
Diocesan Council,
presented by
Pat Van-Catledge
God is making all things new:
Memorial House is completely renovated.
Camp Arrowhead has major upgrades – with more to come.
The Interfaith Resource Center now thrives at St. Alban’s.
26 of our churches had major renovations and expansions - and St. Andrews School.
2 churches, grafted together to become Sts. Andrew and Matthew, celebrated their
10th Anniversary last year; and their uniting enabled the expansion of St. Michael’s Day School.
How we do things has changed:
This Convention changed from a business meeting to a celebration of ministry with fellowship, workshops and displays, sharing our wide variety of service.
Bishop and Council now meet all over the diocese; much of their work is now done in committees which report back to the Council for guidance and approval. Each month the bishop travels to Georgetown – to listen and encourage.
A new training program for deacons is underway.
Our clergy are supported and encouraged through regular Clergy Days, Continuing Education, and the Annual Clergy Retreat; through the work of the Clergy Life Planning Committee and the Retired Clergy Committee
Our shared ministry is expanding:
We support a growing prison ministry.
We have a Spiritual Companion Ministry.
We enjoy a companion relationship with the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles, Scotland.
We serve better with Safe Church training and Inclusion training.
We learn and grow together through our annual Parish Life Day (which is bigger every year)
and through our diocesan website .
New people with new gifts are everywhere:
The Anamchara Fellowship.
A new school for young children: St. Anne’s.
A new pre-school: Primeros Pasos/First Steps.
And we planted a new church, the first in 40 years, Good Shepherd – which has grown so well,
we’re going to plant some more!
Five new servants have joined our bishop’s staff.
New laity have arrived: We’ve confirmed 1,501, received 330, and welcomed 48 Lutherans.
In ten years, 11 new clergy have been ordained.
In addition to that, we’ve called 30 priests – that’s most of our full-time clergy!
Board of Trustees,
presented by
Jim Bray
Bishop, from your first days with us you have worked to understand us and to love us.
You eagerly used the Diocesan Mission Study, conducted just before you came, as a tool to guide us forward. So it was not surprising that the follow-up Mission Study, held in 2005, showed that we had met most of those goals. And the hopes raised in the newer study are already beginning to be met – especially our focus on children.
Bishop, you connect us to the wider communion, you serve on the Pension Fund Board, set the agenda for the House of Bishops, and serve at General Convention (frequently answering the Presiding Bishop’s question, “What’s next?”).
Bishop, you bring important church leaders here to speak to us: the former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, Jim Forbes from Riverside Church, Bishop Jane Dixon, and tonight’s guest speaker, Bishop Shand. Next month Bishop Gene Robinson will visit and next year our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori.
Bishop, you helped unite us with the people of New Orleans and led us in helping them after
Hurricane Katrina. You cared for us as we dealt with the shock and grief of 9/11 and the trials of war that have followed it.
Bishop, during a time of change and deep conflict in some dioceses, a deep awareness of the importance of inclusion has allowed us to maintain our focus on mission. In the midst of all these challenges you said to us, “Be of good courage. Faith in Jesus Christ changes lives. It transforms communities. It renews the face of the earth.”
Bishop, in celebration of all that God has done in this place through you and our “sacred partnership,” we offer you this plaque.:
Plaque:
Wayne P. Wright
10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware
A Faithful Pastor Whose Joy is To Serve
In Thanksgiving for His Faithfulness
And for God’s Grace
In Celebration of 10 Years
Sacred Partnership in Ministry
To Which
The Holy Spirit has Called Him
And This Grateful Diocese
April, 2008
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