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Bishop’s Journal

August 2025

|  A fabulous week in York…much worship and prayer, a beautiful Evensong, a wonderful organ recital, a great visit to the Heritage Festival, a bit of reading and writing, making great new friends, and a few fabulous meals…the week has been full and good.

|  Today was truly a mountaintop experience. I am so grateful for (and still so humbled by) the invitation to preach at York Minster. So many thanks to Dean Dominic Barrington and all of the clergy team for such a warm welcome and such tremendous hospitality all week. This is an experience I won’t ever forget.

Preached

All my hope on God is founded; he doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown, he alone
calls my heart to be his own.

It seems only fitting that the closing hymn of my last Evening Prayer service on this visit to York Minster was one of my absolute favorites (and the prelude was a series of variations on that magnificent Howells hymn tune). This week has been a gift. Until next time, York Minster.

4 |  Traveled home.

5 |  Staff Meeting

Meetings with Staff Members

6 |  Meeting with Communicant

Media Interview

6 |  Meeting with Vestry at the

Church of the Creator, Clinton

7 |  Commission on Ministry

8 |  Meetings with Staff Members

9 |  Emmett Till Commemoration Weekend:

Workshop: The History of Us

Presented day-long workshop

10 |  St. Andrew’s Cathedral

Baptized 1

10 |  Emmett Till Commemoration

Weekend: Conversation with Bishop Michael Curry (St. Andrew’s Cathedral)

90-minute dialogue

So very, very thankful for all of the folks who engaged this weekend in our commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the killing of Emmett Till. Saturday’s workshop on “The History of Us” was a sold-out success – with many thanks to St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Journey Series for hosting that event and allowing us to engage history together in that space. And having the incomparable Bishop Michael Curry join us yesterday at the Cathedral (another full house!) to engage in a conversation around the pain of that memory and the hope for our future was truly inspiring. Thank you to the many persons from near and far (Truly, thank you to everyone who traveled to Jackson for this weekend!). Know that we will look for ways to keep this faith conversation going!

11 |  Reference Panel

12 |  Staff Meeting

Meetings with Staff Members

13 |  Meeting with Clergyperson

Meeting with CPA firm re: financials

14 |  Meeting with Clergyperson

Meeting with Creation Care Committee

15 |  Meetings with Staff Members

Meeting with Clergyperson

17 |  A wonderful visit with Church of the Mediator/Redeemer in McComb! This church is stunning – with beautiful stained-glass windows – and the congregation is so warm and welcoming! Many thanks to the Rev. Vic McInnis and all of the parish family – and congratulations to the newly confirmed and received! So grateful for this parish family’s investment in community ministries, including MICA Food Pantry and Angel Wings Senior Care. Before Vic and I went to visit the lovely Magnolia church, I also had the chance to meet with Lisa and Dr. Brett Ferman, both of whom staff the Honduran Medical Mission, and whose passion for this ministry is tremendous. Lisa is the team lead for the next Mission – and her excitement is palpable.

Preached, confirmed 2, and received 3

19 |  Staff Meeting

Meetings with Staff Members

21 |  Meet with Aspirant

Meet with Clergyperson

Meet with Clergy Candidate

22 |  A delightful weekday visit to Grace Church, Carrollton! What a beautiful space! Grateful to Joel Williams and Clint Gee for taking time to meet with me today to show me around! Looking forward to visiting again!!

Meet with Staff Member

23 |  Travel to Gulf Coast

Hurricane Katrina/Hurricane Camille Memorial

Thank you to Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi, for hosting this evening’s lovely service of remembrance as we prepare to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The church’s Redeemer stained glass window survived the loss of the church in both Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Katrina – and that window still serves as a testimony to the love and grace of God.

Preached

24 |  My visitation St. John’s Church, Ocean Springs was quite the eventful day! Three worship services, confirmations, baptisms and a reception. Lovely music led by the Cherub Choir and the Adult Choir. A beautiful parish breakfast and a great time of fellowship. And, a lovely dinner with staff. Thank you to the Rev. Charles Hawkins, the Rev. Deacon Adele Ledford, Ann McGraw, Mary Brooks and Jonathan Mitchell, Lena Melton and all of the St. John’s team of vergers, servers, acolytes and ushers – and all of the St. John’s parish family – and a special thanks for sharing such gracious hospitality with the confirmands from St. Elizabeth’s Church, Collins and Christ Church, Bay St. Louis!! And…super thanks to the two ambulance teams who came in response to a fall and an illness – and prayers for our loved ones.

Preached 3 services: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

Confirmed 17, baptized 2, and received 1

24 |  Visit with Clergyperson

25 |  Visits with Clergypersons

26 |  Travel home to Jackson

Staff Meeting

Meetings with Clergypersons

27 |  Travel to Hattiesburg

Visitation: Church of the Ascension

Preached, confirmed 4, baptized 2, and received 3

28 |  Reference Panel

Meeting with Clergyperson

Love Thy Neighbor event, St. James Church, Jackson

29 |  Meeting with Staff Member

Meeting with local photographer

31 |  Thank you, Church of the Holy Trinity, Vicksburg!! Wonderful worship today!!! Confirmations, receptions, reaffirmations! So grateful for your hospitality in welcoming confirmands from Chapel of the Cross, Madison, Chapel of the Cross, Rolling Fork, and St. Mark’s, Raymond!

Preached, confirmed 17, reaffirmed 5, and received 2

Meeting with Wardens

Prayers for us all, as Labor Day approaches: Almighty God, we give thanks for the labors to which you call us. Be present with your people where we work; grant to all people work that enhances human dignity, allows us to best utilize our abilities and calls us to be our best selves. Through the work of our hands, unite us with each other, so that we can serve our brothers and sisters, and your world. Give us pride in our work, a fair return for our labor, and joy in knowing that our work finds its source in you. We lift up to you all who need and long for employment, that they may know he fulfillment, satisfaction and reward of honest work. May those who have retired feel a sense of accomplishment and thanksgiving for their endeavors. In our working and in our resting, may we always give you praise. Amen.