One of the things that most surprised me as I was going through the ordination process was my developing relationship with Bishop Henderson. You may already have guessed that I am not someone who responds well to authority figures; indeed throughout my life I have taken a decidedly skeptical stance towards those in power, whether they be my parents, my bosses, my academic advisors, department chairs, or yes, my rectors.

But I’ve discovered there are limits to that skepticism. Bishop Henderson has laid his hands on me three times–once to confirm me, and at my ordinations to the diaconate and to the priesthood. That creates a deep and lasting bond. Over the last few years, as I’ve watched Bishop Henderson negotiate his way through the current conflicts in the church, I have come to admire and respect him more and more. He is a man of deep conviction, deep faith, and deep attachment to the Anglican vision; and he has worked indefatigably to preserve the Episcopal Church’s place in the Anglican Communion. In the midst of all the noise that we have heard coming from the media and blogging circus surrounding the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans, we would do well to play close attention to the words he has written for us. You can read his pastoral letter here: houseof-bishopsnew-orleans07.pdf