I am humbled to stand here. Our shared history is rich with memories and accomplishments of your doing. My journey reflects the stories and paths taken by congregations and their lay members and clergy. I have been privileged and blessed to witness your ministries, sometimes as a participant but more often as an observer awed by the passion and depth of commitment to do the right thing.
There have been many signs of God’s grace; God is alive. And with certainty I tell you that you are God’s people. We have been challenged, changed, charged and made stronger.
Let me begin….
Nelson Mandela was released from prison. East and West Germany were reunited. George W. Bush was president. A first class stamp cost 25 cents. Cell phones was a job that someone had. Sadly, wait a minute; I’m retired, so I guess I can say gleefully, the Red Sox lost its quest to get into the World Series. Seinfeld and The Simpsons debuted on TV. Ryan White at age 18 died from AIDS.
The Ward J. Herbert Fund was established to help congregations and in the first year granted $70,000 to 21 churches. (Since then, the fund has granted over $3.5 million to more than 600 applicants.) The proportionate giving plan of 50/50 began. The Hare Preferential Ballot System for convention voting was adopted (whose idea was that, anyway?).
The Rev. Alan King was vicar of Good Shepherd in Wantage. Mrs. Audrey King was a deputy to General Convention. Ms. Mary Beth King was about to embark on a career of parish administration. Ms. Kathryn King was the diocesan youth director. A young teenager named John King was a convention page.
The diocesan bishop married the diocesan administrator creating a vacancy on the diocesan staff. Wedded bliss for them, good fortune for me!
The year was 1990, not 325 AD; I was not at the Council of Nicaea; really.
But I was searching for a job after nearly two decades in corporate America that would allow me to work for the benefit of stakeholders rather than shareholders. So I sought out Bishop Spong, applied for the position, and was hired. The first Diocesan Council meeting I attended implemented the Episcopal Community Development Corporation. That single Council action affirmed my decision to join the diocesan staff. For me this was a sign of God’s presence – and one of many more to come.
Discussion and dialogue were hallmarks to address a number of vexing issues including human sexuality, ordination of lesbians and gays, and racial injustice. Equality, compassion and inclusion were and continue to be priorities.
Authors, theologians and other speakers have graced us with their ideas and theories through lectures, convention addresses and clergy conferences – Karen Armstrong, Elaine Pagels, Marcus Borg, Matthew Fox, Desmond Tutu, Walter Brueggeman… to name a few.
Task forces – nearly three dozen - were appointed for purposeful study on a variety of issues –The Bible, Assisted Suicide, children and the elderly, diocesan governance, Compensation, Interfaith Relations, Reparations, Violence, Civil Unions, and the list goes on… what an array!
These efforts were undertaken by people willing to search for knowledge, understanding, and ideas. Some who participated in them are here today. I enjoyed hearing and reading their reports and supporting where I could. Thank you.
Over the years new congregational and diocesan ministries were started, mission identified, collaborations established and risks taken with steadfast assurance of God’s presence.
Congregations identified ministries within their communities. Church based CDCs brought mission into the neighborhoods. Food pantries, summer camps, homework clubs, after school programs, ESL classes and other programs were started in numerous towns and cities. Diocesan initiatives were established for the benefit of the churches and this work continues as evidenced by the NEWARK ACTS interns and the Mission Strategy Committee with its dedicated leadership and members.
The diocesan offices moved from Rector Street to Mulberry Street and we witnessed the resurgence of vitality and life in our See City of Newark. Our neighborhood changed with the construction of the NJPAC and the Prudential Center. And the changes continue all for the best.
I was fortunate to work with Bishops Jack Spong, Jack McKelvey, Walter Righter, Jack Croneberger, Martin Townsend, Carol Gallagher, Theophilus Brome, and then Mark Beckwith. Bishop Beckwith has nurtured, nudged and nuanced us all into seeing the wonders of God in our lives – signs of God’s Grace as he says - and the transformation that Jesus can bring.
I rejoiced with you for the successes of some of our clergy as they left for other dioceses as bishops – Jack McKelvey, Richard Shimpfky, Bob Ihloff, Prince Singh – or as cathedral deans – Tracey Lind, Zach Fleetwood, Richard Demarest and Robert Schiesler. And with you I grieved the loss of those whom we held close in our hearts.
It’s been an absolute delight working with the members of the Diocesan Council, ACTS/VIM, Ward J. Herbert, the convention committees, the HR Committee and many others. I am thankful to those who accepted my phone calls that began with “have you thought about being a member of…” or my personal favorite, “here is a ministry opportunity….” What fun it has been being with people who enjoyed their ministries and honed their leadership skills.
St. George’s in Maplewood has been not only a church home since 1986 – it has sustained my spiritual life. Thank you, St. Georgians.
I am deeply thankful for the friendship and support of my staff colleagues, past and present. They are an incredible group of people who understand that our work as a diocesan staff isn’t about us but about you.
Certainly, no one can manage the intense pace that we keep, work the odd hours that we do, or respond to the sometimes daily avalanche of calls and emails that we handle without the encouragement of family. Bill - thank you for your support, patience and love.
Now, a few words to John.
By the way, our transition has had none of the drama of the Jimmy Fallon – Jay Leno transition.
A lesson learned was that when I said I don’t know, I need help or I love you that wasn’t so much expressing vulnerability in those three word phrases but recognizing our shared human condition and giving a gift to others that allowed them in turn to minister and assist. Although I can imagine John maybe wanting to use a different 3-word phrase when needed, Michael did it.
John, love and respect these people and they will love and respect in you return. Ask them for guidance and support and they will assist you. Minister with them and together you will find truth and wisdom.
Here is a frame as a commemoration of family – place this in your office and fill it with an image upon which you can gaze at those moments when you might need strength or encouragement.
Here is a cross as a remembrance – remember why you accepted this position – to seek and serve Christ in all persons, that the diocese is not a corporation and as Peter tells us the work you do is for God’s own people.
The future is bright. God is with you all. Be well. Amen.
"Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble." – Isaiah
"Israel is the Lord’s witness. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people." – Peter
