The Right Reverend Glenda S. Curry
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The Right Reverend Glenda S. Curry As the Twelfth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama CONCERNING THE SERVICE Today, with this liturgy, we begin a new season of ministry in the Diocese of Alabama with the investi- ture of our Twelfth Bishop. We gather together in an unprecedented way in an extraordinary time in history. Limited by the circumstances of the global pandemic, we assemble virtually as a diocesan family in joy and hope, represented in person by our leadership, to give thanks for our history of faith and offer ourselves to the love and service of Jesus Christ. The liturgy reminds us who we are and of our relation- ship with one another, and then, strengthened by the Word and Sacrament, sends us out into the world to make the love of Jesus Christ real and visible in the world. The service is a Eucharistic celebration of the new ministry of our Diocese and our new Diocesan Bishop. There are six liturgical elements unique to the Investiture of a Bishop that deserve a brief expla- nation. The first is Recognition, in which Bishop Curry will ceremonially enter the West Doors of the Cathedral and seek recognition from the presiding Bishop (Bishop Sloan), and confirm the will of God’s people. Next, Bishop Curry will reaffirm the promises made when first consecrated as a bishop of the Church. Third, is the Investiture, when she will be invested with “all the temporal and spiritual rights and responsibilities” of the office and her role as Chief Priest and Pastor. The fourth moment is the entrusting of the Diocesan Crosier to the new Diocesan Bishop, as the Eleventh Bishop of Alabama gives the pastoral staff used by every bishop of Alabama since 1900, to the Twelfth Bishop. The fifth takes the form of an oath, as the new Diocesan Bishop, with one hand on Holy Scripture, vows that she will observe and fulfill the responsibilities and obligations of this office and strive to be a faithful shepherd of God’s people. At the sixth liturgical moment, the Dean of the Cathedral escorts the new bishop to her “cathedra”- the seat in the Cathedral Church reserved for her as a symbol of the office. It is from the “cathedra” that bishops preached and gave formal teaching in ancient times, and it remains a symbol of the bishop’s authority. When the Bishop is seated, we are ready to begin with the work Christ has given us to do as the Church. First our work centers around worship with Word and Sacrament, which includes renewal of our Baptismal vows and remembrance of our identity as Christ’s Body and ministers of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Then we will go out to the work God has given us to do as the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. We are honored today to have the Eleventh Bishop of Alabama, Bishop Kee Sloan, representing the Presiding Bishop in this liturgy and The Right Reverend Brian Prior, former Bishop of Minnesota and current Assisting Bishop for the Diocese of Olympia, as the preacher. We also thank all those from the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Search and Transition Committees, Youth Department, Diocesan officers and staff, as well as the Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, and staff for their assistance and participation. We give thanks for all those talented musicians and supporting staff. Final- ly, we give thanks for all those who have made today possible. This morning we begin a new time of ministry together in the life and mission of our Church. In thanksgiving, in hope, in faith, and in love, we trust our Lord Jesus Christ to lead us as we serve the world in his name, and grant us grace and blessing. As we gather to worship, some important information: We are glad you are here. Please maintain a physical distance of six feet or more from anyone outside your own household, and wear a mask when in the nave. Please silence your cell phones, and refrain from using flash photography during the service. Please allow the ushers to guide you to communion. Thank you! 2 THE PRELUDE Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam (Christ our Lord to Jordan came) BWV 684 J. S. Bach Canzona per sonare No. 2 G. Gabrieli/arr. R. King “The Peace may be exchanged” from Rubrics Dan Locklair Hymn in Procession No. 492 Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness When the ministers and people have assembled in the Cathedral, the principal doors having been closed, Bishop Sloan is escorted to a chair placed at the entrance to the chancel, facing the people. 3 THE RECOGNITION A welcoming procession is formed, and moves through the congregation to the principal door. Welcoming Procession Crucifer Representatives of the Diocese The President of the Standing Committee The Dean of the Cathedral Church The XI Bishop of Alabama HYMN “The Lord is My Shepherd” Folk Melody arr. Charlotte Larsen Sung by children across the diocese The new Bishop, attended by two deacons, standing outside the door, knocks upon it three times. The President of the Standing Committee answers Who seeks to enter here? After the new Bishop identifies herself appropriately, the President of the Standing Committee opens the door. As the door is opened, the Bishop’s voice is heard, saying Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. The Warden replies The Lord prosper you; we wish you well in the Name of the Lord. Psalm 23 Dominus regit me C. Hylton Stewart Chanted by choir The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me. 4 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: thou hast anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. But thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. At the conclusion of Psalm 23 the new Bishop petitions as follows I, Glenda Sharp Curry, whom God has ordained to be a shepherd and servant, and who now has been chosen as Bishop of this Diocese, come to you, desiring to be recognized, invested, and seated in the chair which is the symbol of that office. Bishop Sloan replies Before I can accede to your petition, we must be assured by the appointed representative of the Diocese that you will be received as their duly elected Bishop. The President of the Standing Committee then says We are ready and willing to do so. As the President of the Standing Committee, I certify that Glenda Sharp Curry was duly elected Bishop of the Diocese of Alabama by the clergy and peo- ple in Diocesan Convention assembled on the eighteenth day of January, 2020, and that con- sents to the election have been received from a majority of the Bishops of the Church having jurisdiction and of the Standing Committees of the Dioceses. We therefore present to you the Right Reverend Glenda Sharp Curry to be invested for the exercise of the office to which she has been chosen. Bishop Sloan then says Let the will of the people here present be made known. Do you recognize and receive Glenda as your Bishop? People We do. Bishop Sloan says Will you uphold Glenda in this ministry? People We will. Bishop Sloan stands and calls the people to prayer Let us now offer our prayers for Glenda, for this Diocese, and for all of God’s people. The people stand or kneel, and the person appointed leads the Litany. 5 THE LITANY OF THANKSGIVING Refrain Setting by Fran McKendree Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For the splen- dor of your whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mys- tery of love. We thank you, Lord. For the blessing of the family of God, and for your promise to be present whenever two or three are gathered together; We thank you, Lord. For the ministry of all the baptized, who are filled with your love, who hunger for truth, and who thirst for righteousness; We thank you, Lord. REFRAIN For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, for Michael, our Presiding Bishop, and for all bishops, priests and deacons, We thank you, Lord. For Henry, our brother, the tenth Bishop of this Diocese, and for his ministry. We thank you, Lord. For Kee, our brother, eleventh Bishop of this Diocese, and for his ministry. We thank you, Lord. For Glenda, our sister, twelfth Bishop and Chief Pastor of this Diocese, that she may faithfully fulfill the duties of this ministry, build up your Church, and glorify your name. We thank you, Lord. REFRAIN For the community of the Church in this Diocese and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side revealing the image of Christ. We thank you, Lord.