I have a personal announcement: Paul Sheehan and I are getting married!
Paul has been my partner for many years; and a friend for many more. Many of you have met him at my consecration, conventions, or visitations over the last six years.
Bishop’s E-pistle
What I Found at My Episcopal Church
By Laurel Way I like to joke with people that I “married” into the Episcopal Church. Before I met my now husband, I had never heard the word “episcopal” in …
You Are Not Alone
Two weeks ago, a member of our diocesan clergy called me in tears (and gave me permission to share their story).
She had applied for a passport renewal in late December, but there was an administrative delay, and when the passport arrived in February it listed a gender that was different than the gender on her prior passport; a gender different from that which is listed on her birth certificate; a gender that does not reflect her identity or self-understanding; it is, however, the gender she was assigned at birth.
Waymo, AI and the Future Church
A few weeks ago, I took my first Waymo Ride.
Waymo is like Uber, but with a fully automated car… there is no driver. You order a ride on the app, you get into the car when it arrives, and push a button on a screen to say that you’ve secured your seatbelt and are ready to go. Then off you are driven to your destination, following a route chosen by the computer and following all the rules of the road.
Resurrection Drugs
I remember powerfully the discussion with diocesan leaders about the new HIV drugs that were now accessible. They referred to them as “Resurrection Drugs” because people who had looked like they were about to die of AIDS revived and became healthy as soon as they began taking the medication.
Innocents
On Sunday, some of us heard the story of the flight to Egypt of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, and their return to Nazareth. The passage omitted the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16-18), but that part of the Gospel story has been on my heart because of the violence last week.
Preparing for the Kingdom of God
Presiding Bishop Rowe is articulating his vision for the Episcopal Church in the next nine years, and he is re-committing us to articulating that vision in terms of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus speaks a lot about the Kingdom of God in the gospels—it is like a mustard seed, a pearl of great price, yeast, and so many other images.
Conclave and the Archbishop
I had intended to write today’s Epistle about the movie Conclave, a fictional exploration of the conclave of cardinals gathering to elect a new pope I found it a fascinating …
The Alpha and The Omega
Serving as an Episcopal bishop in a swing state means that I know there are some members of my flock who are happy at the results of yesterday’s election, and to those who are in that category, I ask for your support and compassion and prayers for those who woke up this morning feeling frightened or lost.
Elections, Investures, Surveys, and More
It is a huge week for the nation, and there are also many critical things going on in our diocese. This E-pistle is perhaps a reflection of the scattered nature of my own thoughts, prayers, and actions.