The altar flowers on the Sunday Bishop Ed was officially seated in his chair. A woman in our congregation felt the leaves strongly resembled a bishop's miter, and insisted a take a picture.
This is the last of the pictures documenting the events surrounding the Ordination of the Reverend Dr. Edward J. Konieczny as the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma (Episcopal).
The complete album may be viewed here.
This picture reminds me of the high-point of the service. At the announcement time, Bishop Ed asked his granddaughter to join him. She ran from the pew and jumped into his arms. Such blissful, joyful abandon!
Now, Ed is an ex-cop, and he can seem as dour and closed as the stereotypical cop. But once that young girl flew into his arms, you could see the warmth beneath.
The bishop sits in his cathedra, that is, "chair." A bishop is not a full bishop until he has his cathedra, and a Cathedral building is not truly a cathedral until the bishop has "claimed" his chair. It is a symbiotic relationship, if you will.
The new Bishop knocks on Cathedral Door. The final phase of "consecration weekend" was the Bishop's seating at the Cathedral. As per tradition, the new Bishop does not just barge in - he knocks. He uses the symbol of his office (a non-utilitarian shepherd's crook) to knock on the door.
His predecessor, Robert Moody, stood too close to the door and was knocked off his feet when the door opened. You might notice that Bishop Ed is prepared to step back, which he did immediately after he knocked.
Mother Carol H-, a Caddo and priest of our church, poses near the prayer drum in the north-east corner.
Malcolm Whitebird (Cheyenne) and David. David is a Healer, what we often call a Medicine Man. He walks the Blessing Way. His action of sacred smudging began the service, as prayer drums sang in the south- and north-east cross-corners.
No idea if this young woman's name is any variant of "Cat", but she seems very cat-like here. Relaxed, stretched out, and thoroughly comfortable within herself. A cool young woman (I think teen or early 20s), who maintained her cool even tho' the adults around her are wired for sound. Wound tighter than a cheap watch.
Another young woman rehearsing her part in a service soon to follow. This is Emily, currently the rector of church in Midwest City. She will soon serve as cantor for the psalm, once the service of consecration begins.
Another picture of LaDonna. She is rehearsing a Blessing song she will sing during the service.
Our new Bishop asked that his consecration feature Native Americans. Pictured is former Indian Missioner, Jim, one of the People by adoption; and LaDonna, a Kiowa.
The interior of OCU's Freede Center was transformed into a church for about 48 hours the weekend of Sept 8. If you squint hard (or view the full size picture), you can see the signs promoting the team's winning scores.
Last picture from the reception. This is Barney, currently serving a mission church in El Reno. He later told me he played piano in a night club during seminary.
Soon-to-be retired Bishop Robert M. Moody makes his name tag at the reception honoring the consecration of his successor.
Helen and Gerald, with Betsy. Gerald was Bishop of Oklahoma from sometime in the 70s until 1987.
Katharine Jefferts Schori (center), Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA, meets Sadie and Moses, of the Joy Mennonite Church; Moses is the church's former minister.
The Mennonites are radical pacifists, and Sadie and Moses have been very involved in OKC's peace movement. I imagine Sadie is talking to PB Katharine about the up-coming Spiritual Walk for Peace.
Now, on to "consecration weekend", which began with a reception Friday evening, Sept. 14. Pictured is Myra, a 91 year-old Anglican from Barbados, and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. In the background is Myra's son-in-law (and my friend), Hank.
