Church News
Compiled by Bruce Henderson
bishop keith retirement
The Rt . Rev . Brian W . Keith
I have decided to step down from the office of the Executive Bishop in June of 2019 . At that time I will have served in this office for six years . Added to my eight years as Assistant Bishop , that will be 14 years in the episcopal office . Also , at that time I will be 68 years old – past the retirement age of any Executive Bishop in more than 50 years !
At the 2017 June meetings the Council of the Clergy will re-examine the selection process it used last time and will have the opportunity to take formal counsel with the General Church Board of Directors . During the next year the clergy will take counsel throughout the Church and come to the 2018 June meetings with candidates to consider so that they can make a nomination to the Church .
From June 2018 through June 2019 the church-wide confirmation process will take place . The nominee will also consider who should serve as his assistant . I will also work with him to prepare him for the office of Executive Bishop .
It is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord ’ s New Church and the General Church in the episcopal office , and I look forward to the two-plus years remaining in my tenure as Executive Bishop .
minister move
The Rev . Calvin Odhner , pastor of the Morning Star Chapel in Atlanta , Georgia , will become the pastor in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , as of July 1 . The Rev . Pearse Frazier , pastor in Pittsburgh , has been called to be the pastor in Atlanta beginning July 1 .
general church update
At the Boynton Beach Retreat in Florida in late January the Rt . Rev . Peter M . Buss Jr . offered an open session with an opportunity for people to ask questions about the Church . Among the highlights :
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