Episcopal Diocese of Albany - Priests and Deacons Update

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

June 5th, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the last PDU, I mentioned about learning how to keep up with the correspondence; including email. The other thing I’m working on is pacing myself with all the travel and time commitments. Please bear with me.

Since the time of my last writing, I spent time at the College of Bishops residential course for new bishops which was held in Glen Cove on Long Island. It was an interesting 3 days and on my last day I received a surprise visit at lunch time from Fr. Gary Parker, a priest of our diocese, who is doing interim work in Glen Cove. Fr Parker is a recently retired Navy chaplain who worked on the Bishop of Armed Forces staff at the Episcopal Church center.

From Glen Cove, I caught a flight to Chicago, where I met up with my son Chris and drove to Nashotah House for commencement and the Trustees meeting. Chris was born the summer that Karen and I went to seminary. It was great showing him where he spent the first three years of his life. Seminarian Tom Ortung, from our Diocese, graduated this year. Our other Nashotah House seminarian is Sue Waldron who will be graduating next year.

I returned home on Saturday in time for my Sunday morning celebration of Pentecost at St. Andrew’s, Albany, with confirmations and receptions. Wonderful visit with Rev. Mary White and her family and all the folks at St. Andrews.

Enjoyed Monday of Memorial Day with the family and Tuesday, was at St. Stephen’s, Schenectady for the funeral for Fr. John Peatling, the former rector. Wednesday evening, along with Canon Bob Haskell and Clark Curtis, was in Malone for the last pre-convention information meeting. Thursday morning, I went to visit Fr. Paul and Pat Bailey. Fr. Paul is in ICU at the Hospital in Utica with a bowel obstruction. Please keep the Bailey’s in your prayers. Friday and Saturday I was at the Hoosac School (Episcopal roots) in Hoosick. Met their Board of Trustees on Friday, and on Saturday, celebrated the Eucharist for the graduates, their families, friends, and the faculty, and following Eucharist, attended graduation and gave the benediction. Fr. Clint Dugger is doing a great job as the school’s chaplain.

Sunday, I visited St. Thomas, Tupper Lake, Fr. Bill Cooper, vicar. Confirmed and received 3 adults and one high school student. We had a wonderful service and reception following. In addition, we blessed St. Thomas’ new rectory. Returned to Lake Luzerne with two minutes to spare, where I met up with Canon Haskell and Archdeacon Huth at St. Mary’s. We held an informational meeting for anyone interested in Holy Orders in the Diocese of Albany. A number of gifted individuals and spouses attended from around the Diocese. Beginning this summer, anyone interested in Holy Orders will have a one year period of structured discernment before applying for aspirancy for Holy Orders.

Today, met with the Christ the King Advisory and Oversight Committee this morning. The King’s Inn is on schedule to be ready July 1. Beaver Cross summer camp registrations are ahead of last year and we are looking forward to a most successful summer.

Fr. Nigel Mumford and I have been invited to attend the Dioceses of Down and Dromore synod (their convention) and leave Monday afternoon after convention. I will also be leading a priest retreat and preaching at the ordination service.

For clergy desiring to process for the Ordination and concelebrate Eucharist on Saturday during Convention, please vest with cassock alb and white stole and be vested and lined up by 3:15.

In closing, I’m looking forward to a Holy Spirit filled weekend. On site accommodations are filled and you are welcome to register for off-site or day trip attendance.

Faithfully in Christ,
+Bill

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