The Bishop announced his retirement - Rector's Rambling for January 21, 2018

As we heard announced last Sunday, the Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan has announced his retirement, effective December of 2019.

Why such a long lag time between the announcement and his retirement?  This is generally done so that the diocese can have a smooth transition to a new bishop.  Much needs to be done before the new bishop can be consecrated, God willing, in February of 2020.

It is hard to believe that Bishop Gibbs, at his retirement, will have served nearly 20 years as diocesan.  He was consecrated in February of 2000 and became diocesan bishop upon the retirement of Bishop Wood in November 2000.  Shortly after he assumed the post, a young 34 year-old priest called his office to ask for an appointment to meet him because he was interviewing at St. John’s Church.  This came as a surprise to the bishop because despite St. John’s long vacancy, due to the former bishop’s desire to change the traditionalism of the parish, the Vestry had gone ahead and started seeking candidates to interview without the dioceses’ help (perfectly within it’s canonical rights).

Thankfully, Bishop Gibbs was willing to take a chance to meet this cheeky priest, and the two agreed that day, if God was willing to call him to Detroit, to work together to Glorify God and edify His people.

Three months later I arrived as Rector at St. John’s and I am grateful to the Bishop for his willingness to let this happen.  We have not always seen eye to eye on things within the Church, but we have sought to find ways to work together and let God sort it out.  Start praying now that his successor has a similar heart for Jesus and respect for St. John’s Church.

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A reminder that next Sunday the Annual Parish Meeting of St. John’s Church will be held after the 10:00 AM Service.  All members are encouraged to attend.