So you want to be a Bishop? Who are you ? You are the chief priest in the Diocese as well as a symbol of unity. As it says in the Diocesan documents "Rites of Initiation", "The Bishop, is, therefore, the guardian of truth, custodian of the sacraments and symbol of unity." How does your week look ?
1. On Sundays, you will visit 60+ churches of the 180+ churches in the Diocese. You will have a morning event at one church and an afternoon event at another so you better get up early. You can’t prep yourself in the car for each church since you drive yourself. You have to know the particulars of each church, the priests, wardens and get the scoop from the last time a Bishop visited. You have to take it all in and make a report later.
Each church service while similar is different also. Besides the service you may have a Christian ed event too. Participate in the service as a Bishop which will include baptisms, confirmations, reaffirmation and receptions (more about that below) and participate in yet another reception. Hope the food mixes well! You have two+ that day.
2. Tuesdays – you have staff meeting at Mayo House in Richmond which includes a service. You may have to preach again. During the week there is a lot of office work and communication stuff and while you have a dedicated staff person there are items that demand a bishop’s attention
3. Bishop Goff is the Suffragen bishop. She is second in command to Bishop Shannon but cannot move up to his position. This Bishop has special duties -the discernment and ordination processes; misconduct prevention and response; the Title IV ecclesiastical discipline canons; and the transition process for clergy and congregations. Get busy! Whew!
4. During the week there are special events to attend – funerals, marriages and meetings. Never enough time. At Annual Council, prepare the meditations (which Bishop Goff does so well).
5. So what does a bishop do with "Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Reaffirmation and reception?
A. Baptism – Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s , the Church (Book of Common Prayer, p. 298). The baptized become part of the church community. As indicated in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 312), it is appropriate that whenever possible Holy Baptism be administered at the Bishop’s visitation, on the Day of Pentecost, All Saints’ Day or the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the first Sunday after Epiphany) and at the Easter Vigil, an occasion especially suited for the baptism of adults. While it is recommended that a priest of the parish perform the actual Baptism, the Bishop, when present, will offer the prayer for the sustaining gifts of the Holy Spirit (p. 308) on behalf of the candididates
There are three episcopal rites which are properly designated as the "Laying on of Hands" – Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation. These are for the Bishop only
B. Confirmation – You must be baptized first. Those who were baptized as infants and who for the first time wish as mature adults to commit themselves to Christ and to renew their Baptismal Vows will receive the episcopal laying on of hands for confirmation.
The primary intent of confirmation is to provide one the occasion in the presence of the Bishop and the gathered community, to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and to invoke God’s help through the Holy Spirit to live as a witnessing Christian in the world.
C. Reception. All Christians of other denominations who have been baptized with water and in the name of the Trinity, who have as adults made a prior affirmation of their baptismal vows and who wish to be received "into the fellowship of this Communion," shall be presented to the Bishop for reception.
D. Reaffirmation. Baptized persons who have made a mature public affirmation of faith and who later desire for significant reasons to renew their commitment to God before a bishop and in the presence of the congregation, shall be presented for Reaffirmation.
Adults who have been baptized by a priest or deacon at a public celebration of the Sacrament in which a bishop did not preside are expected at some later time, without undue delay, to reaffirm their vows before a bishop and to receive the episcopal laying on of hands.
So what day does a Bishop rest ?