Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

(click on Prayer Instructions for tips on saying Morning or Evening Prayer and online resources)

It is the feast day of William White, Bishop. Bishop White was the primary author of the constitution of the Episcopal Church when it was first established in the late 18th century. The way we elect bishops and the structure of General Convention were all basically developed by Bishop White. He went on to serve as the Presiding Bishop for 40 years (for a long time the Presiding Bishop was the senior bishop in the House of Bishops and served as PB until retirement or death. The PB is now elected for a 9 year term by the HoB). Bishop White played an enormous role in the Episcopal Church’s early years and we owe much to his leadership and foresight. The prayer below is the collect for his feast day, and as I prayed it I could not help but think of our PB elect, the Right Reverend Michael Curry, and the excitement many of us feel about his time as PB. We need his prophetic voice just as we needed Bishop White’s leadership and intelligence and dedication. Pray for Presiding Bishop Katharine and Presiding Bishop elect Michael, and all bishops. They need our prayers.

O Lord, who in a time of turmoil and confusion raised up your servant William White, and endowed him with wisdom, patience, and a reconciling temper, that he might lead your Church into ways of stability and peace: Hear our prayer, and give us wise and faithful leaders, that through their ministry your people may be blessed and your will be done; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.