"There's a party goin' on, there's a party up in he-ah"

Rejoice with us as the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Newark ordains, consecrates, invests and flat out celebrates the ministry of Mark Beckwith as our tenth bishop at 11:30 this morning.

We are delighted and honored that our Presiding Bishop and Primate, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, will be with us as chief consecrator and preacher.

Even as I speak, the entire diocese is traveling from the farthest reaches of the North, South, East and West of our borders; from rural, suburban, exurban and urban centers of the great diversity and multi-ethnicity of our congregations; and from places we do not yet know wherein live those who have known and loved and been ministered to by our bishop-elect to gather at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the hardscrabble but phoenix-like rising "Brick City" of Newark.

The presence of your spirit and prayers are most welcome.

" . . .let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

And let the church say, "Amen."

(You can also join the seraphim and cherubim and all the company of heaven in the postmodern chant, "Woo-hoo!" and "Go head, be goin'")