Current Events
Around the Diocese
Current Events
Around the Diocese
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
Two young women who are sisters were presented to Bishop Burgess for the sacrament of Confirmation on the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Being the third generation of those who call St. Thomas’ in Salem their church home, they already know a great deal about living sacrificial lives to the glory of Almighty God. St. Thomas’ is a beautiful church steeped in the history of our Diocese. This mission church is being led most capably by Danny Shuler, a postulant for Holy Orders. In addition to his regular full-time employment, Danny oversees the administration as well as maintenance of this landmark church and is working hard to finish the educational requirements of the vocational diaconate. He is a licensed lay preacher, Eucharistic minister, and worship leader. Above all, he truly possesses a servant’s heart.
On any given Sunday, we may be assured that this faithful congregation of disciples may be found atop the mountain, sitting in the presence of Jesus Christ giving what they do have for multiplication, transformation, and transubstantiation.
St. Thomas’ Mission Statement is quite clear in its simplicity: “Bring people to the saving love of Christ.”
posted 7/31/24
Bishop's Visit to Temple Israel
Our Calendar commemoration of The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (July 26th) was spent with the Jewish faith community of Temple Israel in Springfield. The Diocese of Springfield has long enjoyed a familiar as well as supporting relationship with Rabbi Emeritus Barry Marks and now Rabbi Arthur Stern. Those who study and offer praise to Almighty God within Temple Israel are leaders within our community (including Governor J. B. Pritzker) and share an appreciation for our Diocese, especially our Cathedral.
Originally constructed in 1959, Temple Israel is a stately building appointed for all sacred uses of the Jewish faith including an impressive bima which is the raised area in the front of the Sanctuary. Its central feature is the Ark, which contains the scrolls of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses. The lectern on the west side of the bima is for prayers, preaching, and announcements, while the inclined desk on the east side is used for unrolling and reading of the Torah scrolls. Within the Sanctuary are many symbols of the Jewish faith: the six-pointed star (Shield of David), the seven-branched candelabrum or Menorah, the Lions of Judah, and the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Bishop Burgess was invited to attend the Friday evening Shabbat service with Denise and to offer the address. His address held up the special relationship we share as people of God’s promises while being those who traverse desert wilderness on exodus. He referred to scriptural passages from the books of Hosea and Isaiah while examining how extemporaneous prayer so popular in an impatient world limits our understanding of God while inviting false teaching and heresy. The address included words of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick, the fifth-century British missionary Bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland, and from their Hashkivenu prayer, asking for God’s protection through the night.
Following the service, dinner was served in the assembly hall where acquaintances were made or renewed and greetings were exchanged. Sadly, and standing as an indication of a fallen world, the evening’s gathering was ushered in and out by a visible security presence at the door.
Psalm 122 - A song of ascents
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,*
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing*
in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city*
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD,*
to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand,*
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:*
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls*
and security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends,*
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,*
I will seek your prosperity.
*Photo is from a previous event held at the Diocesan Center
posted 7/31/24
Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost was observed with the dedicated and faithful members of Christ the King in Normal. The presence of this parish church cuts a bold and inviting image within their neighborhood not far from Illinois State University – Illinois’ first public university. The liturgy was well planned and it was wonderful being with Fr. John Richmond, Deacon Tim Leighton, and Mother Molly Ward to celebrate the Holy Mysteries. One young woman was presented for Confirmation having been duly prepared. A philosophy major in her undergraduate days and now a university professor, she is already offering her gift of volunteer leadership at the parish and Diocesan levels. Upon Dismissal, a covered dish reception was held in honor of their confirmand. Bishop Burgess was asked to share experiences of his recent trip to the Diocese of Tabora in Tanzania, Africa, and details of the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church held in Louisville. Father Richmond has announced his retirement from full-time parish ministry having come to the canonically mandated retirement age. He and this wonderful parish have a promising future ahead of them as they enter into a time of holy discernment.
Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
- Bishop Burgess
(posted 7/15/24)
Seating of Rector in Bloomington
The Amen sounded from God’s people again in Bloomington this past Thursday. The feast of St. Benedict of Nursia was observed before the altar of St. Matthew’s with the celebration of the Holy Mysteries and the rite for the Celebration of a New Ministry (BCP pg. 559). Father Tom Reeves was recognized, called, and seated as their rector. Received as a priest of the Church in July of 2022, Fr. Reeves has served the last two years as priest-in-charge of St. Matthew’s. This parish is gaining momentum in Sunday attendance, outreach, hospitality, education, stewardship, and mission. Their leadership is present, engaged, and expectant. This parish church hosts 13 twelve-step recovery groups each week by opening the doors to their well-maintained campus. Father and Mrs. (Karen) Reeves complete us while adding a weighted presence to the seriousness of our mission and the priority of our calling. Pictured with Fr. Tom and Karen Reeves are the altar party, the attending clergy, and those who presented Fr. Reeves to Bishop Burgess for seating. Congratulations!
(posted 7/15/24)
Statement on the State of our Country
from Bishop Burgess
As details of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump come forward and professional law enforcement investigates the scene in Butler, Pennsylvania for evidence of criminal motive and activity, I call this Diocese to a time of intentional intercessory prayer in the interest of witnessing to the world how it is we commend the faith that is in us. Sunday is when our voices are to be heard collectively in response to being citizens of the greatest country on earth. We have rights and privileges that are intended to mirror our theology so closely that they, too, bend time and space to their divinely orchestrated will. However, with rights and privileges come responsibilities. It is time to temper the heat of political debate with common prayer, sacraments, and living into a scriptural rather than a social ethic. We don’t have a gun problem in this country, we have a sin problem. There is nothing wrong with the Church that a return to lives of faithfulness won’t cure. Our children and grandchildren are watching.
Please join me before an altar within the Diocese of Springfield this Sunday in the interest of sanctifying life, time, and space. May God bless America, President Joseph Biden, former President Donald J. Trump, the House and Senate of Congress, the justices of the Supreme Court, and all who give their lives to making our country safe, prosperous, and a blessing to the rest of the world.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Right Reverend Brian K. Burgess, DD
XII Springfield
(posted 7/13/24)
Tabora Travels Day 1
The Burgess’ left Richmond, Virginia for New York JFK Airport and a five-and-a-half hour layover on Friday, June 7th to be en route to Tabora, Tanzania. From JFK they flew seven hours to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris. After a 3 ½ hour layover in Paris, they took an eight-hour Air France flight to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, Tanzania. After awaiting the three-hour correction of a minor maintenance issue on the plane, they made the short thirty-minute trip by air to Dar es Salaam. Excited and tired, they made it through customs after midnight Saturday. They collected their luggage and were immediately met by The Reverend Canon Richard Kamenya who greeted them and escorted them to the Blue Sapphire Hotel. He ensured their proper check-in and promised to be with them on Sunday afternoon.
Upon a good night’s sleep, they had lunch in the Hotel restaurant and checked in with family and Diocesan staff. Canon Kamenya collected the Burgess’ and returned them to the airport for exchange of US Dollars into Tanzanian Schillings (12000 TZS = $4.54 USD), checked on their flight status to Tabora scheduled for Tuesday morning, and navigated an issue of overweight luggage due to vestments. The Burgess’ had dinner in the hotel restaurant while taking the time to learn some simple Swahili phrases from the wait staff (Thank you so much = Asante sana / You’re welcome = Unakaribishwa / Hello = Hibari).
On Monday, Canon Kamenya returned after a day-long clergy conference to give the Burgess’ a quick tour of the Anglican Cathedral and the Market Place. He is a dedicated priest who has been ordained for 25 years. Living near the airport, he gets calls from many bishops to act as their ambassador. He is married and has three grown children, all university-educated. The Burgess’ then treated Canon and Mrs. Kamenya to dinner as the opportunity to thank them and to hear more about the vocational journey that both families share. On Tuesday, the Burgess’ took the hotel shuttle back to Dar es Salaam Airport to board the three-hour Air Tanzania flight to Tabora with a thirty-minute layover in Mpanda. Bishop Elias Chakupewa has been in direct WhatsApp communication and shares how he is looking forward to greeting Bishop Brian and Denise Burgess when they arrive on Tuesday afternoon.
Please keep this time of travel and Companion Diocese relationship ensconced within your daily prayer. Bishop Burgess will send additional updates as time and wireless communications allow.
posted 6/11/24
Tabora Day 2
I am sitting in the lobby of our hotel in Tabora, Tanzania. There is a wedding reception across the courtyard in the open-air covered patio. Most spaces in Tanzania are open liberally to the outside which for the past few days has been a very comfortable 72 degrees with a light breeze. It was a very full day, so I attempt to summarize as best I can.
We were picked up by Joe, Bishop Chakupewa’s driver and mechanic who brought us to his office on the Cathedral grounds where we were shown the historic St. Stephen’s Anglican Church built on these grounds by the English in 1832. Once in his office, we were shown the detailed plans for a new secondary school campus on the outskirts of town. We then headed out to see the acreage they purchased for the movement and expansion of St. Peter’s Anglican School. The property is undeveloped and being used as the site of a brick-making business to make bricks (more along the line of cinder blocks) as revenue for the building of the school campus. Currently, St. Peter’s School shares a campus with the hospital and the Bible College, where we traveled next. We were greeted by Dr. Advent Chakupewa, MD, Bishop Chakupewa’s son, who is the resident physician of the clinic, lab, pharmacy, and hospital. I was most interested in the standard of care being offered with 1980s-era lab equipment that is in current and often use within their lab today.
We were welcomed in song by the Bible college at St. Peter’s School. We were then greeted by the headmaster who gave us a tour of the campus, invited us to tea with the faculty and staff, and then introduced us to the student body who stood in ranks according to form (year in school) and by gender; the boys together and the girls together. They asked us a few questions about our travel and what we would be taking back with us. The buildings were staffed with brilliant faculty teaching advanced biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. After touring the classrooms, we made our way across campus to the Bible college that trains catechistic and Sunday school teachers from all of their Diocesan deaneries. There were about 40 who came to spend from one to six months in residence to then return home and build the Church. Most of the students were men. All of the adult students were most respectful of the Episcopal office and had questions about the Episcopal Church USA. It was hard to leave because they all wanted selfies with Denise.
We then traveled to St. John’s parish where we met their rector and toured their after-school youth center as well as a weekend academy of over 260 students. They teach skills such as computer literacy and sewing. The students are fed and are also taught Christian ethics and doctrine. Although organized, the facilities are rudimentary as one room contained 1990s-era IBM computer hard drives with monitors. The children are taught on these computers to become proficient in skills they will need as they take their place in a technologically advanced world. St. John’s is building a new church to meet the needs of this dynamic parish. The progress continues as the funds appear. The foundation has been poured and the exterior walls have been raised. Sheets of corrugated metal roofing are now being put into place. The Nave is the length of the Nave of our own cathedral in Springfield. This is quite a commanding presence in a community that is heavily Muslim. To summarize, I have never seen so much being accomplished on behalf of the mission of the Church so joyfully with so little.
Lunch was served at the cathedral, and we had the opportunity to speak with the coordinator of the Mother’s Union in Tabora. She wanted to know about the reach and influence of women in the Episcopal Church when it comes to advancing the church and advocating for children and women. We then toured The Tabora Zoo. It was primarily an outside, unfenced area where we saw an orphan elephant, monkeys, gazelles, zebras, and warthogs grazing on their own. The more beautiful but aggressive animals were in large contained areas (Lion-Simba, Lioness-Fiona, and a leopard).
The good people of the Anglican Diocese of Tabora have been most welcoming and patient with us. Tomorrow we are meeting Bishop Elias at 8:30 AM in order to travel to Kahama. We are going to bed each night tired but extremely fulfilled. Please keep Denise and me in your intercessory prayer and this wonderful Diocese in your prayer of thanksgiving.
Mungu akubariki (God bless you)
+BKB
posted 6/12/24
Tabora Day 3
Today was spent traveling in a car caravan for over three hours, our final destination being the city of Kahama. We stopped at St. Andrew’s Church in Nzega on the way to have lunch and a forum with their vestry. This is a rural church in a community known for the meeting of tribal chiefs. Although Kahama is an area mostly populated by Muslims, St. Andrew’s sustains the spiritual lives of over 47 Christians on a Sunday. They, too, have an 1800s-era church that was built by the English missionaries but now they worship in a beautiful open-air church that could seat upwards of 150 communicants. The local Moravian pastor was part of the welcoming party that greeted us. He works closely with the Anglicans for the success of the Gospel in their community. The faithful served us a tremendous lunch of beans, rice, chicken, salad, and watermelon. We were then on our way to Kahama. The wives of the clergy are regarded highly and are shown a great deal of respect and honor here by the entire community. We met the widow of the previous vicar of St. Andrew’s whose priest husband died this past year of a sickness. She took great comfort in being recognized and embraced personally by Denise.
When we arrived on the outskirts of Kahama, we were directed to pull off the highway as the local police were dispatched to give us a lights and siren escort into town. Our first stop was St. Paul’s Church where we were greeted by elementary school children singing, dancing, and waving leafy branches. Just like St. John’s in Isevya, St. Paul’s building is a new church that will triple the worship space they now enjoy. St. Paul’s stands out within a community that is feeling the impact of the mining business from other parts of the world. If the infrastructure suits the mining business (airports, highways, bridges) then they are built. If it does not suit the mining business (maintenance of general population roadways, schools, and libraries) then these needs are left unmet. The Vestry of St. Paul’s and the regional dean of the deanery (who also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese) expressed concern about how to have influence over and above the government when it comes to the relationship with the mining companies.
We then checked into our hotel for the next two evenings, changed our clothes, and left with Bishop Chakupewa, “Momma” Asofku, the priests and drivers in our caravan to inspect the home being built for Bishop Elias ahead of his retirement. Since there is neither state nor church pension in Tanzania, the faithful are directed by Church Canons to provide a retirement home for their bishop. It is a beautiful home about halfway completed with high ceilings, large open windows, three bedrooms/bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen. There is a guest house and a house helper’s quarters behind their home being constructed simultaneously. The Diocese of Springfield is donating to the construction of their home in recognition of the relationship we have shared for almost a decade. Denise and I presented a sharing cross for their home where the cutout cross leaves a silhouette, and each family will keep one part for our homes. These serve as reminders of the relationship we share as dioceses and families and to pray for one another’s family, diocese, and our people.
We then headed back into town where we ate dinner together in an open-air restaurant before returning to our hotel for rest and preparing for Friday.
A note about the Toyota Land Cruiser that Bishop Elias is chauffeured in. It was a gift given to the Diocese of Tabora seven years ago by the parish of St. John the Baptist in Mount Carmel. The 4-wheel, drive, all-terrain vehicle has over 147,000 miles on it and it is being maintained meticulously by Bishop Elias’ driver and mechanic, Joe. Having been here and now having traveled hundreds of miles with Bishop Elias, I can assure you that this is not a luxury item, it is most necessary. The roads here are terrible and Joe is a master at avoiding very large pot-holes, ravines, and insane detours which at times require our cutting through the off-road paths to make it safely to our intended destination. Bishop Elias has expressed his gratitude to us several times and publicly in several meetings.
Thank you all for your faithful stewardship and your constant intercessory prayer. This is a Diocese that is constantly singing and dancing in the face of adversity and need which brings forward mightily and in an incarnate way, the reign of Christ. Amen!
+BKB
posted 6/13/24
Tabora Days 4-5
Dear people of God. Thank you for your patience with us as we traveled throughout the Kahama area in the northwest section of the Diocese of Tabora. This area is booming in population and there are ongoing talks about separating this portion of the Diocese of Tabora, creating an entirely new diocese. If this happens, the new Diocese could be electing their first bishop as the Diocese of Tabora elects Bishop Elias’ successor in response to his pending retirement. After enjoying Tanzanian coffee within the open-air patio in the courtyard of our hotel, we loaded the vehicles and headed out to St. Paul’s Church where it is the Vicar General of the Diocese serves as rector. We were given a late morning tea complete with a tremendous assortment of locally grown nuts and fresh cut/fried potato chips. This gathering allowed a time for questions and answers between Vestry and parish leadership and their Bishop and his guest.
We then made our way to the parish of Christ the King where we were met at the entrance by clergy, clergy spouses, the Mothers’ Union, Confirmation candidates, and parish leadership and members. We only had about 30 minutes to vest for the Eucharist and make our way to the principal door where the people had been gathered and were already filling the church with singing. It was quite festive with processions, singing, dancing, and the presentation of 34 youth candidates for Confirmation. Bishop Elias invited me to preach a sermon on Matthew 6:19-23 ( “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.) The service was over three hours long. Upon postcommunion prayer and blessing, all were seated as the secretary of the parish read a full-length report to Bishop Elias on their progress. Following the report, and quite unexpectantly by me and Denise, parishioners started bringing in gifts from their various farms as an offering. Denise and I both received satchels of rice, ours were about 50 pounds each. Bishop Elias received many gifts including several hundred pounds of rice. Since Air France would charge us a ton of money to fly the rice back to Springfield in the baggage/cargo hold, we have donated our gift of rice to Bishop Elias for distribution based on his discretion.
All of our meals were served at the same restaurant in Kahama. The juice drink made to order by mixing pineapple and watermelon juice with a bit of sugar was the most refreshing. The young man who works the juice bar behind the scenes at the restaurant attends St. Paul’s parish. He made it a point to introduce himself to me so that I would know it was he who made our juices for our meals. Later that afternoon, we went back to the hotel, changed our clothes, and were taken to the street market for shopping. During dinner, Bishop Elias thanked me for preaching, but said, it was too short. I preached for over 20 minutes with an interpreter stretching that out to over 30 minutes.
A note about our interpreter. His name is Fr. Bartholomew (Fr. Bart) and he serves as principal of the Bible College in Tabora. He studied at the University of the South in Sewanee for two years (MA in Sacred Theology) before coming to the Diocese of Tabora from another Tanzanian diocese. He is most joyful and a great deal of fun to work with. He knows many of the professors and administrators that I knew when I attended seminary at Sewanee. We had a great deal to share and to celebrate.
On Saturday, we were picked up by Bishop Elias’ driver (Joe) and taken back to St. Paul’s Church where we were greeted at the entrance by clergy, clergy spouses, the Mother’s Union, Confirmation candidates, and local children who had just didn’t want to be left out. We quickly vested, offered prayer, and made our way into the church with over 15 vested clergy as four parishes were represented by their choirs and Confirmation candidates. There was barely room outside the door for all the people gathered. They extended the entrance with a tent and still children came around to open side doors to find a place on the floor. I preached a Homily based on the text of Matthew 6:24-34 ( “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”) I was having fun, especially with Fr. Bart interpreting. I made sure I remained in that pulpit for over 30 minutes. 103 were presented for Confirmation and Bishop Elias made sure I did not dally. Every child was named aloud including Samuel, Water, Isaac, and Angel. St. Paul’s kindly presented Denise with a beautifully handmade dress and a well-made shirt for me.
This service also lasted over three hours and the process for each church’s Confirmation class group picture with the clergy was quite an operation to behold. Many want pictures with me and Denise as well. Once we were able to remove our vestments, Bishop Elias gave me a tour of the new St. Paul’s Church now under construction. It will one day seat (two levels) over 1000 communicants (two levels) and most likely be designated the Cathedral of that Diocese when it forms.
At both services, the confirmands stood before the altar before receiving the laying-on of hands singing a hymn; asking the Lord for strong faith, and fortitude in their leadership, and to grant them an entrance into heaven. “Praise the Lord.”
After a quick lunch at our favorite restaurant, we prayed together and then made the three-hour trip back to Tabora. Imagine a two-lane interstate (one lane for each direction) with many pedestrians, ox carts, herds of cows and goats, bicycles, motorcycles, 1970s-era busses, and three-wheeled scooter taxies all without regard to traffic laws. I was so glad to finally pull into our hotel parking lot. We are going to bed early as we must be at the Cathedral for tomorrow’s Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM.
Blessings upon you and your families as this embrace from Tabora includes all of us.
In the peace of God, which passeth all understanding;
+BKB
posted 6/16/24
Tabora Day 6
Bishop and Mrs. Burgess spent the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost within the Diocese of Tabora in the Province of Tanzania, east Africa. Bishop Burgess assisted Bishop Elias Chakupewa before the altar of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Tabora and was invited to preach the Sunday sermon before the congregation assembling ahead of their triennial Synod. Over 850 assembled to hear the Word of God and celebrate the Holy Mysteries. One hundred children came forward at the Offertory for a blessing by Bishop Elias before assembling for Sunday School in the original St. Stephen’s Church, which was built by Church of England missionaries in 1832. Four different choirs (including one from the Mother’s Union) offered well-choreographed dancing and beautifully balanced singing as part of the Word liturgy.
Bishop Burgess welcomed Diocesan clergy, Synod delegates, and regular communicants. His sermon was based on Chapters 1-3 of the Book of I Samuel (The Distress and Deliverance of Hannah, the Disobedience of Eli’s Sons, and the Call of Samuel). Four choirs offered song, and a group from Kaliua offered a rousing presentation of traditional African chanting, singing, and rhythmic dancing arranged and choreographed specifically to thank Bishop Elias for his faithful leadership. The lyrics were specific to Bishop Elias. Upon Dismissal and final Benediction, the cathedral choir sang a beautiful offering, a cappella, and then the cathedral secretary gave Bishop Elias a detailed report before the congregation.
Upon procession to the courtyard, a group picture was taken of all assembled clergy and then lunch was served. The Synod was called to order within Canon Nashon Nkugwe Hall, the secretary declared a quorum and the three houses were seated separately by orders (lay, clerical, and bishop). Canonically, each church of the Diocese is allowed three delegates (one priest, one layman, and one laywoman). The priests sit opposite of the lay delegates. When the Synod was adjourned for the evening, many remained for dinner, committee meetings, fellowship, and Bible study. We were taken back to our hotel by Bishop Elias and “Mama” Lucy (title of respect for a bishop’s wife).
This morning we reported to the assembly hall to convene the Synod with a Morning Prayer service. This Diocese sings and chants a cappella effortlessly. Their harmonies are brilliant. Prayers of the people are sung saturating every inch of the space and go on to ensure all intercessions are accounted for. After a few reports, we broke for breakfast (fresh cake donuts, and tea or coffee). Bishop Elias gave his Synod report and then the floor was opened for delegates of the other two houses to make comment on his report, which they did for over an hour showing support of his vision for the Diocese and pointing out some discrepancies that were noted. Bishop Elias and Mama Lucy took me and Denise off campus at this point while they continued the discussion. We went to the Tabora Market to purchase Tabora honey (the best in the world), check on tomorrow’s flight at the Air Tanzania office, meet the Moravian Bishop, and visit a Roman Catholic book store. We returned to Synod and took our seats as delegates were still discussing the strategic plan. We heard from Dr. Njerango, a consultant, on the Diocesan strategic plan. He is a celebrated churchman and consultant from the capital city, Dodoma.
The next agenda item was our greeting to the Diocese on your behalf and offering of gifts. We extended all of your well-wishes for their success and protection in the mission field. We presented a monetary gift from the Diocese in the interest of Bishop Elias’ retirement home and a power bank, one each for Bishop Elias and Mama Lucy. Denise and I gave a monetary gift to the school children we met in interest of their classroom needs. In return, the Mother’s Union gave Denise a beautiful handmade dress and a shirt for me. Once the Synod was adjourned for the evening, we were taken to our hotel where we had time to prepare this update and pack for our return home. Before we departed, we extended our prayers, love, and admiration toward them and promised to return. Many embraces, shaking of hands, and last-minute photos were taken.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank and show appreciation to The Diocese of Springfield and her staff for their prayer, support, and financial funding. We also would like our gratitude to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Canon Chuck Robertson, and Father Daniel Karanja of the Episcopal Church Center in New York for their prayers, direct advice and assistance, and financial support. Their participation and encouragement allowed this meeting of companion diocese to occur.
We will be up early for our journey home. We have many prayers, stories, and memories to share with you.
+BKB
posted 6/18/24