I will pray for you. Please pray for me.
On Sunday, June 4th, The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, visited Christ Church. A special evening service was held, at which adults were confirmed in to the church.
Greg and I were part of this service. Having completed Discovery Weekend last February, Greg was confirmed and I was received. (Since I was previously confirmed in the Roman Catholic church, which also follows apostolic progression, I needed only be received.)
The service was wonderful. But in particular, we were both very impressed with Bishop Henderson. Our group met with him prior to the service. He told us about a book he keeps at the Cathedral in Columbia, containing all the names of those he has confirmed since he has been Bishop (about 11 years). Whenever he is in Columbia, he prays over the book. And he prays through the book. Name by name. And when he gets to the end of the names, he goes back to the beginning and starts over again. Yes, the Bishop prays for all of us, by name. He also asked us to pray for him.
During the service, the time came for us to come forward for confirmation and reception. Following the blessings, Bishop Henderson took each of us by the hands, looked directly in to our eyes and said, "I will pray for you. Please pray for me."
Wow! Certainly we know that when we are in need, our clergy members will pray for us. But never before have I felt that I had clergy that would pray for me, by name, just because. I didn't need to be someone special. I didn't have to be in need. I just needed to be.
Greg and I were part of this service. Having completed Discovery Weekend last February, Greg was confirmed and I was received. (Since I was previously confirmed in the Roman Catholic church, which also follows apostolic progression, I needed only be received.)
The service was wonderful. But in particular, we were both very impressed with Bishop Henderson. Our group met with him prior to the service. He told us about a book he keeps at the Cathedral in Columbia, containing all the names of those he has confirmed since he has been Bishop (about 11 years). Whenever he is in Columbia, he prays over the book. And he prays through the book. Name by name. And when he gets to the end of the names, he goes back to the beginning and starts over again. Yes, the Bishop prays for all of us, by name. He also asked us to pray for him.
During the service, the time came for us to come forward for confirmation and reception. Following the blessings, Bishop Henderson took each of us by the hands, looked directly in to our eyes and said, "I will pray for you. Please pray for me."
Wow! Certainly we know that when we are in need, our clergy members will pray for us. But never before have I felt that I had clergy that would pray for me, by name, just because. I didn't need to be someone special. I didn't have to be in need. I just needed to be.
posted by Susan | 4:49 PM
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