June 29, 2015
Dear Friends and Family of the Diocese of Eau Claire,
Today is day 5 of of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The biggest decision of the Convention so far has been the election by the House of Bishops and the consent of the House of Deputies to have Bishop Michael Curry of the Diocese of North Carolina as the Church’s next Presiding Bishop. The House of Bishops elected Curry over a strong field of four nominees. The vote for Curry was a landslide. He was elected on the first ballot with 32 votes beyond the majority needed. The House of Deputies confirmed his election by a vote of 800 to 12.
Michael Curry is an African-American bishop with a wide array of experience as both priest and bishop. He is a marvelous preacher who can get you laughing over some matter and then follow up with a powerful message. You almost want to say, “What happened? From where did that freight train come?” How he preaches in public, and how he conducts himself in private are one in the same.
Curry is an unabashed evangelist. For him the Presiding Bishop’s primary role is to be the Episcopal Church’s CEO—Chief Evangelism Officer. Our Church needs Bishop Curry’s enthusiasm, his infectious love for Jesus, and his ability to wake up this sleeping giant of a Church and get her moving. Michael Curry is the person who will stir up the person in the pew. He will impact the person out on the street. Today I am boldly assuming the role of a prophet. Michael Curry is going to make a huge difference in the life of our Church. It is time to buckle up the safety belt. Our Church is about to embark on a great ride! Alleluia! Thanks be to God! With my love and best wishes from General Convention, I am,
Your brother in Christ,
Jay