Diocese of New Jersey | Bishop Councell

God loves you. Who you are, what you are, how you've gotten to be where you are: God know and loves all that. God has this passionate love affair going on with you. God has created you as you are, cherishes you, and longs for your companionship. God has plans for a relationship with you that lasts forever and that grows in intimacy over time. It's like an eternal infatuation. When you're sleeping, God is dreaming up ways to be with you. When you're working or walking or weeping, God is catching up with you in the wind across your face, in the singing of a bird, in the free fall of laughter, in the soothing touch of a friend. You are the apple of God's eyes.

—Unwrapping the Gifts: The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Curtis G. Almquist

Brother Curtis G. Almquist serves as the Superior of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal religious order for men. Their monastery is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I have made an annual retreat at the Monastery in each of the last four years. This year it was my privilege to spend a week there in silence, prayer, worship, reflection and rest; and to receive direction from Brother Curtis. I hear his voice when I read the passage above about the love of God. I commend to everyone his fine book about the gifts of Christmas.

What follow are some brief notes about various services and events that took place in the time between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, all of which are gifts to me in this ministry.

I attended an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's, Bound Brook. It was a wonderful celebration, with reflections and music from a wide variety of religious traditions all offered in worshipful and respectful manner, with good will and good humor. This was the result of the fine work and leadership of the Reverend Dr. Ed Murphy, who was recently honored for his role in the community. Well deserved, dear brother.

On December 3rd, I made a visitation to St. Mary's, Haddon Heights, where I preached and presided at the Eucharist and confirmed and received several new members. Under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Henry Jansma, St. Mary's has embraced the principles and insights of The Purpose Driven Church, appropriating them for an Anglican/Episcopal setting. Their purpose and vision booklet is one of the finest mission documents I have ever seen. Their pledge card reads, “I want to put God first in my life…” So do I.

St. Andrew', Camden, celebrated their 100th anniversary with a Eucharist and fiesta on the afternoon of December 3rd. It was a great honor to read from a letter that I received a year ago from the late Bishop Pettit, whose parents were among the founders of St. Andrew's. It was standing room only at worship and at the reception following. We were entertained by a number of young folk dancers and blessed with a great feast. Me encanta la iglesia Latina.

During the week of December 4th, I attended my first meetings of the Presiding Bishop's Council of Advice and the Provincial Leadership Conference. One bishop from each of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church serves on the Council of Advice. We meet annually and by teleconference, as may be requested by the Presiding Bishop. The Provincial Leadership Conference is made up of the President and Vice-President and Provincial Coordinator from each of the nine provinces and meets twice per year.

Advent is the season for ordinations to the priesthood. On Saturday, December 9th, I was glad to preside at the ordination of the Reverend Jeff Hulet and his institution as Rector of St. Stephen's, Riverside and Vicar of Christ Church, Palmyra. That same afternoon I presided at the ordination of the Reverend Susan Richardson, at Christ Church in Philadelphia, where she serves as curate. The following week, on December 16th, I presided at the ordination of the Reverend Debra Brewin-Wilson at Trinity, Cranford, where she has been serving as Assistant.

On the afternoon of December 16th I was pleased to preside at the Renewal of Ministry at St. Thomas', Alexandria and the institution of the Reverend Canon Carol Horton as their new Rector.

I made visitations to St. Thomas', Red Bank and to St. John's, Little Silver on December 17th. This year St. Thomas' celebrated their 125th year and the 25th anniversary of the ministry of the Reverend Terrence Rosheuvel as their Rector. In 2007, St. John's and the Reverend Mark Van Sant, Rector, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their mutual ministry.

On Tuesday, December 12th I was honored to celebrate the Eucharist with a chapter of Integrity (a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender justice ministry to and with the Episcopal Church), meeting at Trinity, Princeton. At the reception and discussion that followed I was delighted to receive a copy of Spiritual Friendship, by Aelred of Rievaulx (1109—1167), signed by all of the members.

On the Third Sunday of Advent I was pleased to take part in a wonderful parish musical, composed by John Rutter, at All Saints', Princeton. The actors and musicians and dancers all performed beautifully and there was a sweet, sweet spirit in that place.

I was blessed to preside and preach at the 9:30 p.m. Eucharist on Christmas Eve at Trinity Cathedral. It was good to hear the choir and guest musicians adorn the praises of the people. I was glad to acknowledge, with deepest gratitude, the ministry of the Reverend Bert Draesel as Interim Dean. I am thankful to all those who support our Cathedral. I look forward to the ministry of the Reverend René John as our new Dean, beginning on New Year's Day.

Somewhere in the writings of Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) there appears this note: “For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes.”

That seems a fitting prayer, here at the threshold of the Year of Our Lord, 2007. Thanks, Lord. Yes, Lord. Amen.

Right Onward!

GE Councell
The Right Reverend George E. Councell
XI Bishop of New Jersey

Christmas books and other gifts received, waiting to be read

Unwrapping the Gifts: The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Curtis G. Almquist (2006)
Marking the Hours: English People and Their Prayers, 1240–1570, by Eamon Duffy (2006)
History of the Church in Burlington, New Jersey, by George Morgan Hills (1885)
The World to Come, by Dara Horn (2006)
Hope for the Flowers, by Trina Paulus (1972)
Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq, by Thomas E. Ricks (2006)
Spiritual Friendship, by Aelred of Rievaulx, translated by Mary Eugenia Laker, SSND (1977)
On the Wings of the Morning: Two Islands, One Church, by the Rt. Reverend Richard B. Martin, D.D. (2006)
The New Faces of Christianity: Believing the Bible in the Global South, by Philip Jenkins (2006)
Few and Chosen: Defining Dodgers Greatness Across the Eras, by Duke Snider, with Phil Pepe (2006)
And God Said, "Play Ball!" by Gary Graf (2005, 2006)

Listening to…

The Holly and The Ivy: Christmas Carols, the Royal Scottish Orchestra
Narada Presents The Best of Celtic Christmas
The McGarrigle Christmas Hour, by Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Blessed, by the Soweto Gospel Choir
Song of the Volga Boatmen: Songs of Russia's Meadows, Rivers and Villages, by Slavyanka Men's Russian Chorus
God Help Us, by The Miserable Offenders
Fight or Flight? by Kellylee Evans
Impulsive! by Eliane Elias, Bob Brookmeyer and The Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra
Step Forward: The Next Generation, by Afro Cuban All Stars
The Best of James Brown, by James Brown
"Diggin' On James Brown" on Tower Of Power: Live, by Tower Of Power

Top