The Best Laid Plans ...
Posted June 27th, 2011
Central Florida Episcopalian:
Bishop's View
Dear Diocesan Family,
Back in January, when I called for the election of my successor I said the election would be held on November 19 in the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. And we had tentatively scheduled the consecration for April 21, 2012 in the Calvary Assembly here in Orlando. (No details can be finalized until the consents of a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees have been received by the Presiding Bishop.)
Then began a series of complications. Calvary, which is where my consecration took place, has reconfigured its worship space: there is no in-place seating for a choir of several hundred people, and no organ! We could bring one in, and set up risers and chairs, but the cost and time involved in doing so quickly became very daunting. We talked with the people at First Baptist Church in Orlando, and quickly determined it would be an excellent alternative venue. But it was already “booked” for April 21.
Initially we thought we had a “go” for a consecration the week earlier, April 14. But we ran into further scheduling problems with that date, as well. Thanks be to God, we have been able to settle upon a third possibility: Saturday, March 24, 2012. First Baptist tells me they have it “in ink.” They have been extraordinarily accommodating to us. Please thank the Lord for them and ask his continued blessing upon their remarkable ministry.
At the June meeting of the Standing Committee we realized that the logistical problems with having the November 19 election in the Cathedral were, likewise, more and more daunting. Sentimentally, the Cathedral is the place for this election. But the logistics involved in working around the very limited parking, the need to provide seating for clergy, delegates, guests, and the press, the need to provide for lunch, and (frankly) adequate restroom facilities…brought us to the conclusion that the election, too, would have to be moved.
Thankfully, Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park is available all day on Saturday, November 19, 2011, with worship beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The Standing Committee and its subcommittees, composed of literally hundreds of volunteers, are all working very hard to bring all of the details for these two great events together. When you are thanking God for First Baptist, thank him for all these folks, as well.
Things are not working out at all as we originally envisioned, but the good news is that they are working out! The book of Proverbs says, “The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” (16:1)
My love, in him, to all of you,
+ John
