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

October 18th, 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last night, you received part one of the Update from the Bishops, and here is part two from Bishop Bill:

It is hard to believe that it has already been a month since my consecration as Bishop Coadjutor. The time has “literally” flown by as I have found myself either on the road or in the air all but approximately one week since Sept. 16th. It is wonderful to be back home, even if just for a short time before I fly out to Nashotah House next week for a three day meeting.

Unfortunately, as a result of being gone so much this past month, I am just now getting a chance to say THANK YOU to everyone throughout the Diocese and the larger Church, who have been holding Karen and the kids and me up in prayer, and for all the many acts of love and kindness that have been done on our behalf. We can never thank you enough. We are truly blessed to be a member of the Diocese of Albany and to count you all as Friends and Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

I was both honored and humbled to have had so many people come to the consecration service, many of whom traveled great distances to get there. The service itself as well as the celebrations leading up to and following the service would never have been possible without a tremendous amount of planning and hard work by a number of different people. While I am very appreciative and grateful to everyone who had any part in the service and others celebrations, I want to say a very special thank you to Carol Drummond, Micki Thomas and Dean Vang, who went above and beyond the call of duty. They did an outstanding job. I am also very appreciative to everyone who contributed toward the purchase of the vestments I will need as Bishop. Individual thank you notes are coming out slowly but surely. In the mean time, please accept this note of thanks.

Bishop Dan, Bishop Dave, Jerry Carroll, Matt Baker and all the diocesan staff have been wonderful in welcoming me and helping me get up to speed on the various responsibilities of the bishop, as well as the various issues and concerns facing the Diocese. I am very thankful and appreciative to each of them. They are discovering, as you will, how technologically challenged I am when it comes to computers. Pray for us.

I just returned from a ten day trip to Ireland, where I joined Bishop Dan and Carol, Fr. Chris & Star Brown, Fr. Scott & Kim Harding, Fr. Bob & Margaret Haskell, and Fr. Ed & Carolyn LaCombe, for a clergy and spouse conference with our Sister Diocese of Down & Dromore. It was a very enjoyable & Spirit-filled time, in which we continued to build upon the wonderful relationship our two Dioceses share. Not only are the numbers of friendships continuing to grow among both the clergy and laity in Albany and Down & Dromore, but we continue to learn from one another as we share in common ministry and outreach throughout the world. In addition, during this very troubled time in the life of the Church, our relationship with Down & Dromore, reminds us that we are part of something larger than our selves.

Please continue to keep me, Bishop Dan, Bishop Dave, and our entire Diocese in your prayers, as you are in ours. As we begin this new chapter together, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and lead us in all that we do, helping us to keep our focus on our Lord Jesus Christ. May He use each of us as an instrument of His love and healing grace in this broken and hurting world. Peace my friends!!!

Faithfully Yours in Christ,
+Bill

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