Bishop on the Close
Yesterday the Presiding Bishop was here. Now, other than seeing photos of her, I had never seen her let alone speak. I wasn't quite certain what to expect, but I definitely wanted to make my own evaluation considering the hubbub that has surrounded the lady. We met Bshop Jeffers-Schori in our meeting room here at GTS. She is a tall, slim woman and very graceful in the way that she carries herself. She is soft-spoken with a good sense of humor and a friendly way that puts a person at ease in her presence. She includes scripture in her conversation easily and naturally, not seeming to grope around for a passage. And she has this incredible aura of calm about her. It just eminates from her. The woman appears to be unflappable. We spent over an hour and a half with her during which time she fielded questions from seminarians as they came up. We also met her very nice husband. I cannot imagine what it is like to be thrown into the limelight as he has been. He is just a "regular guy" and I suppose there are times he is amazed at the turn his and their life has taken. Bishop Katherine seems the same way. She does not wear her office as one who expected it, much less as one who sees herself as born to it. I like her. I should like to have a cup of tea and a chat with her some day. I don't see as that will ever come about, but hey, I can keep that on my dream list.
The seminarians from NY have been notified that in a couple of weeks our own Bishop, Mark Sisk, will be here to meet with us all. The he will take us and any spouses and partners out for a good meal. Our Canon for Ministry, Constance Coles will join us as well. It should prove to be a good evening and I am looking forward to that. I like our Bishop; actually I like all three of our Bishops. They each bring a different energy to the diocese and I think NY is very blessed with each of them. Bishop Sisk is caring and kind and friendly - and smart. I always feel that he really cares about us seminarians. Bishop Catherine Roskam is full of enthusiasm. She brings real energy to the diocese and all that she does...and she is a good listener. This I know from personal experience. And our dear Bishop E. Don Taylor is so pastoral. He is in my mind the embodiment of the word pastor. So, what more could you want?
Nine of us went out for supper last night after evening mass. It was fun and it was good to just sit and talk and spend time not in classes with one another. I have come to realize how little time we have to just be with one another. We all live in this little nutshell called the Close and yet spend little other time with one another...other than class or chapel or some organized meeting. We know one another, but we don't. It is odd. I truly value those times when we can just have a gab fest.