An Unending Conversation

At the close of Marcus Borg’s most recent book, with the simple main title Jesus, I read a passage which speaks of my own life’s journey.  In coming articles I want to write about that journey, and about who Jesus is for me (and you), but this time I want to pass on the paragraphs themselves.  My hope is that each reader will take a look at her/his own part in this “unending conversation.”

Marcus Borg writes:  “Being born is like entering a parlor where there’s already a conversation going on.  The conversation began long before we were born, and it will continue long after we’re gone. The conversation is about life itself - about what is real, what worth paying attention to, how we should live, and what ‘this’ is all about.  When we have listened long enough to have some idea of what the conversation is about, we join it ourselves. 

Then, in the words of twentieth century American scholar Kenneth Burke, ‘The hour grows late, you must depart.  And you do depart, with the discussion still vigorously in progress.’ ”

Borg continues:  “So also for those of us who are Christians.  We are all involved in an unending conversation about Jesus.  It has gone on from the time of his first followers - a conversation that includes memory, testimony, significance, meaning, application, praise, prayer and, of course, difference and conflict…  Indeed, for Christians, the unending conversation about Jesus is the most important conversation there is... It is the conversation that matters most.”

             Bill Kelly, Associate Pastor

Just What Are Those
Bishop Titles?

Many wonder about the difference between a diocesan bishop, an assistant bishop, a bishop coadjutor, and a suffragan bishop. Finally: here are the answers to your wonderings.

à If a diocese has more than one bishop, only one has jurisdiction (canonical authority). This is the diocesan bishop also referred to as the ordinary. When one diocesan bishop resigns jurisdiction (by retiring, resigning, or through death), if there is a coadjutor bishop, the coadjutor now becomes the diocesan bishop. If there is no coadjutor, then a new diocesan bishop is elected by a diocesan convention.

à An assisting bishop is a bishop appointed by a diocesan bishop or ecclesiastical authority (i.e. Standing Committee) to assist in the diocesan's duties and functions, but without jurisdiction or right of succession. An assisting bishop's tenure does not extend beyond the termination of the jurisdiction of the appointing authority. So, if the Standing Committee appoints an assistant bishop, the Standing Committee is still the ecclesiastical authority (not the assisting bishop), and the assisting bishop will cease to hold his or her position once the Standing Committee no longer has ecclesiastical authority, i.e. when a new (elected) diocesan bishop takes office.

à A bishop coadjutor is a bishop elected by a diocesan convention to assist a bishop of a diocese. A coadjutor bishop has the right of succession, i.e. he/she becomes the diocesan bishop when the previous diocesan resigns jurisdiction.

à A suffragan bishop is a bishop elected by a diocesan convention to assist a diocesan bishop but having no right of succession. A suffragan's tenure is not dependent upon the diocesan bishop's tenure. A suffragan maintains his or her position as suffragan even when one diocesan bishop resigns jurisdiction and a new diocesan bishop assumes jurisdiction.

             Annie Warr, Bishop’s Committee

What is an Episcopalian???

Pastor Mary would like to know if there are any of you, any age, who are interested in exploring your faith. Would you like to spend time this summer learning, sharing, and reflecting on Anglicanism and the Episcopal faith?  If interested, this could be the beginning of a process toward the sacrament of Confirmation, an “adult commitment of faith”, or a “renewal of faith.” 

Please contact Pastor Mary if you are interested.  831-438-4360 or pastor@stphilip-sv.org.

NOTE: We are not certain when we will have our next Bishop Visitation, if it will be with Assisting Bishop Romero or with our next Diocesan Bishop, as things are in transition during this time in which we will vote on a new Bishop (June 16).  The new person will not be consecrated Bishop until November 10, 2007.