In a little less than an hour, at midnight bringing in July 1, 2021, I will officially retire as the presiding bishop of the Independent Catholic Christian Church (ICCC). The Mission Episcopate of St. Michael, my episcopate, will at that time become an independent ministry, although certainly remaining in cordial fraternal relationship with the ICCC. I will celebrate a couple of more masses in the parish over the next couple of months and consecrate my successor, most likely in September. It is possible, after a year apart, that there may be further ministry collaboration.
I am feeling drawn toward other ministries, most likely teaching and writing. The next year will a sabbatical year. In fact, the biblical sabbatical year, in which the land rests, the shmita year, will begin on Rosh Hashanah of 5782, which begins on Monday night of Labor Day. This will be a time of rest (well, other than my secular job) and discernment for me as I discern what G!d has in store for me next.
Although I will continue to celebrate the eucharist daily at home, I will be worshiping with two synagogues I have become a non-Jewish member of - the Society Hill Synagogue and the South Philadelphia Shtiebel. They have welcomed with open arms over the last couple of years and I know that those are the places I am meant to be right now.
I am grateful for the over 19 years with the ICCC and pray that they have many blessings as they, too, discern their next steps. I appreciate your prayers.
