The PB and Me

It's no secret that I am a fan of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, she's been an object d'my blog a few times (see posts from June and later 2006), so when I got word that she'd be visiting my diocese, I was all over it.

She came to Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Philly, to help celebrate CHT's 150th birthday and was Celebrant at the Sunday Eucharist. I'm not a CHT member, but all were invited to come, and came I did. I've been wanting to see her since her election in 2006.

2006 was also the year of my baptism so that year holds a lot of significance for me.

Her sermon was a message of understanding each other and breaking down barriers. Her sermon began with her greetings us on behalf of various dioceses around the globe and that "they all pray for you." Yes, this is true- in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer. That's a good reminder. It was wonderful to hear her message of peace, in that distinctly low-toned voice of hers- a different experience than just reading words.

She cuts a distinct figure, too- she's tall and thin and wears a colorful chasuble and mitre - I have seen these before in photos, but I found that photos do not do them justice. They are much more lovely in person.

As Celebrant, she did the consecration and gave communion. That's when it all hit me.

"Here I am. Look where I am.", I thought. I was thinking about how it was only 3 years ago I had set foot in an Episcopal church for the first time, and I became awed about how much it has added to my life. I was brand-spanking-new to the Church in 2006 when history was made with her election, and on that day, I thought to myself, " Yes. I made the right choice. Re-affirmed!"

I couldn't believe I was now going to stand in front of her and receive Eucharist.

So all of this is running through my head as I'm in the communion line as the choir sang, "Let Us Break Bread Together". Emotion ran high, I was almost shaking as I made eye contact with her as she said, "The Body of Christ" and placed it in my hands. I remember then turning to the church's rector to drink from the chalice, I drank and the ushers were guiding the way back, and I walked back to my pew, overcome by it all, in tears by this time. I kneeled in my pew with my head down, kind of embarassed, kind of a mess, tears even dripping on the bulletin I held in my hand. I know it sounds crazy. Words can't really explain it, but it was very special and a significant moment. Something defintely happened there.

After the service was over, she stayed around to talk. She was still near the altar, there was no "greeting line" at the exit like you usually see in a church. We were all free to just go up and talk to her. Now, before I set out on my trip, I consulted my good Beliefnet board friends about how to greet her if I got to talk to her. Well, memory escaped me and I wound up just saying, "Hello. It's an honor to meet you." rather than, "Good Morning Presiding Bishop..." I am lucky I got that much out, and I also managed to ask her to sign my copy of her book "A Wing and a Prayer." She was kind enough to put down her bishop's staff and grab a pen and I now have a signed copy. I also got to tell her that I was still new to the Church and baptized the same year of her election, and that I was so, so, happy to be here. She responded, with "Welcome home." as we shook hands. What a gesture that was! When I did finally exit the church, I was still dazed from the whole experience. It exceeded all expectations.

I took a few pictures with my cellphone, they are not the best but I will cherish them always. I love the one where the sunlight is shining through the church window right onto her!