How is a Bishop Like an Iceberg?

Several days ago I was talking with a member of the parish about Bishop Matt's visit to St. Matthias' on Sunday, August 16th. She said, "All I know about bishops is that they come here once a year. What else do they do?" I attempted to answer her question, but later it occurred to me that bishops are kind of like icebergs. Most of us, most of the time, only see a small part of what a bishop does to care for the diocese and the people within it and, as with an iceberg, a very large part of their work is not visible to us.

In the early church the bishop was the only pastor in a diocese. Eventually, as the church grew it was necessary to provide other pastors and presbyters, or as we now call them, priests, to assist the bishop of a diocese. The bishop remained and still remains the chief pastor of every parish in her or his diocese.

In dioceses where possible, the bishop visits every parish once a year. He or she celebrates the Eucharist with the people of the parish, preaches, baptizes, confirms, or receives persons from other catholic communities into the Episcopal Church, and spends time with all of the members of the parish. This time includes food and fellowship, but it also provides an opportunity for lay people and clergy to talk with the bishop about questions and issues that concern them in the parish, the diocese, or the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

The bishop's presence is a sign that we are not just an isolated community living and ministering to people in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, but that we belong to a world-wide community of Christians, as well as to a local community known as the Diocese of Fond du Lac. When Bishop Matt visits on August 16, we will have an opportunity to meet with him after the 10:00 a.m. liturgy, and to talk with him.

Since there are many issues which concern us as a parish in transition, he has also expressed a willingness to meet with us again after Evensong on Thursday, August 20th, to continue the conversation. In particular, that evening will give as an opportunity to discuss the blessings of same sex marriages, although other topics can also be pursued.

Just a few reflections of those less visible aspects of a bishop's ministry. Like the rector of a parish, a bishop is primarily a pastor, priest, and teacher. He or she is not only a pastor for all of the parishes of a diocese, but for all of its clergy, both active and retired, and for seminarians and postulants (like Isaiah) and candidates for Holy Orders.

Since Bishop Matt has been our bishop, he has asked all clergy to meet with him individually so that he can get to know us. He has had many meetings for all of the clergy of the diocese, as well as meeting with the clergy in deanery meetings. This past February he conducted our annual clergy retreat. In those meetings he has given us instruction on various topics intended to help us in our ministries as deacons and priests. He has also talked with us about his expectations for our individual lives including prayer and study and our relationships with one another. Like a parish priest, the bishop is available to assist clergy coping with personal challenges in their lives and the lives of their families.

Since before and after coming to St. Matthias', Bishop Matt has frequently talked with me about the transition process and will continue to help me to meet, the needs of the parish. Once your new rector has been selected, he will orient that person to the diocese and preside at his or her Service of Institution at St. Matthias'.

Bishops ordain priests and deacons, as well as helping to ordain bishops throughout the Episcopal Church. They also attend meetings of the House of Bishops, several times a year, and serve on many committees in the diocese and the national church. Every three years they attend the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and every ten years they attend the Lambeth Conference with all Anglican bishops throughout the world. When you read the Clarion or go on the website for the diocese, you read about our bishop attending such diverse events as summer camp and other youth activities, the Chrism Mass, baseball games, meetings held for various people involved in lay ministries, such as parish staff and vestries, and the Eucharistic Festival.

Just as a rector has many administrative responsibilities in a parish, a bishop carries many such tasks for the diocese. If you want to know more about how Bishop Matt spends his time, please come to our August conversations and ask him. If you want to discuss being confirmed, baptized, or received, either at the time of the Bishop's visit, or later, please contact me by calling or e mailing the parish office or talking with me directly. I look forward to seeing many of you as we continue the Inquirer's classes on Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner for those who are able to join us.