PRINCE ALBERT — The Right Rev. Fraser Lawton was asked to be the guest preacher by Bishop-elect Richard (Rick) Reed because, as his wife told me, God told him to ask him.
They met on one occasion years ago. Bishop Lawton was surprised and delighted at being invited to preach and participate.
He conveyed greetings from the Diocese of Dallas where he has been for about five years, transferring from Fort MacMurray, Alta. He began his sermon on the challenges of learning a new language, for instance in Texas they say “Bless your heart,” which could mean well, or you’re an idiot, aren’t you?
Words carry power, such as a turning point where words are significant, moments you can speak into lives.
What you say at important moments such as when children leave home, people get married, a farewell to a ministry/congregation or the chance to say our last words. In Acts 20 it was Paul’s last opportunity to speak to the people dear to his heart.
He spoke to the elders, specifically the presbyters/bishops. He had devoted himself to teaching them the gospel and forming them as disciples.
The job of a bishop is to guard the faith that has been handed down to him. The gospel states further what Paul said, “You must teach the truth, continue to put the Gospel in front of the world.”
We live with people who do not know the gospel. We have the opportunity to tell people the good news of Jesus Christ who came to serve, as you, as the bishop will pour out your life to the people who are entrusted to you. There is hope and life but it is not about you.
Lawton told Richard that this is a moment of change, of transition, an event, and that his life is over as he knew it and that if he wants to run, they (the bishops) will stop him. If you love the people, you will teach them, you need to be a teacher, remind people about the gospel.
Why are we doing this? We exist because Jesus Christ gave us a mission to accomplish, He counselled us and encouraged us. We need strong backbones. It is our job to keep our eyes on Jesus. Keep your jar full, tend what is in the jar, make space for prayer and people who will pray for you.
The sermon was followed, appropriately, by the hymn “Take My Life, and Let it Be.”
The Right Rev. David Parsons and the Right Rev. Adam Halkett presented the elected bishop to the Archbishop of the Province with these words, “Most Reverend Father in God, we present unto you this godly and well-learned man to be ordained and consecrated Bishop.”
When a deacon or priest is presented to a bishop to be ordained, the wording is similar, but they are not described as godly and well-learned. During the laying of hands it’s said, “Receive the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a priest …”
In the recitation for the office of bishop there is more to this. “Remember that thou stir up the grace of God which is given thee by this imposition of our hands: for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and soberness.”
The new bishop is also presented with a Bible, and where the instruction to a new priest is one sentence, for a bishop there are two paragraphs.
A new bishop is also presented with a pectoral cross with these words, “Receive this cross and bear it on your heart. May it remind you how God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself and may it be a sign of your profession which is to follow Christ, Crucified and Risen.”
He also receives consecrated oils that those who in faith and repentance receive this holy unction may be made whole and those who are sealed with this chrism may share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Following the consecration the newly ordained bishop petitioned the Rev. Canon Dr. David Butorac, the Rev. Canon Don Skinner and the Ven. Andy Hoskin to be installed, with full Episcopal rights in this Cathedral Church of St. Alban’s, into the real, actual and corporal possession of the Bishopric of Saskatchewan.
They stated that they were willing that he be installed and presented him with the pastoral staff, the emblem of his Episcopal office.
The service continued with the Eucharist. Volunteers were petitioned to be part of a choir for this evening. Mary Lou Hoskin was the choir director with Margret Zulkoskey as music director and organist. Sarah Groat, violin, Emily Butorac, piano and Wyndham Thiessen, guitar, performed “How Great Thou Art.”
The sixth verse of the offertory hymn “I Bind Unto Myself Today” epitomized the message for this occasion.
It said, CHRIST be with me, CHRIST within me, CHRIST behind me, CHRIST before me, CHRIST beside me, CHRIST to win me, CHRIST to comfort and restore me, CHRIST beneath me, CHRIST above me, CHRIST in quiet, CHRIST in danger, CHRIST in hearts of all that love me, CHRIST in mouth of friend and stranger.
It was a lovely evening, with the consecration concluding with everyone partaking of delicious cold and hot entrees served in an outdoor tent set up on the lawn outside the cathedral hall.
