My Sisters and Brothers,
You are much on my mind as we turn to a new season, and I write to update you on a few things. I am so grateful to all of you who hosted the Confirmation services this Eastertide: St. Stephen’s, Lynn, St. John the Evangelist, Duxbury, Christ Church, Needham, Church of the Holy Spirit, Orleans, and Emmanuel Church, Boston. Because there was a record numbers of confirmands, I know this was challenging and demanded patience, precision and some amount of compromise, but you did it: the host congregations and the cathedral staff made wonderful celebrations for all involved.
Thank you, too, in advance, to Emmanuel Church in Boston for hosting the ordination of nine new transitional deacons, yet another sign of hope for the future of the church.
I also want to let you know what I know of our bishop-elect Alan Gates’s plan for his arrival in Massachusetts. He and his wife Tricia have rented a home in the North End of Boston. They will be moving in the first few weeks of this month. Once settled, they will take some vacation. Alan plans to begin at the diocesan offices on July 15. Please continue to keep them and their family, as well as the communities they are saying goodbye to, in your prayers as they make their way through this transition.
Finally, here is an update on my medical treatment. My most recent immunotherapy treatments have made it more difficult for me to keep my regular schedule. As the medical team expected, one of the current side effects of my treatment is some swelling which is making speech more difficult than I am used to. My medical team expects this will resolve over time. I am more often working from home now and have limited the number of worship services, meetings or events I attend so that my energy and time can be focused where it is needed most.
I am looking forward to seeing so many of you at the diocesan picnic and Eucharist on Saturday June 21st at 10:30 am at the Pine Bank Promontory at Jamaica Pond. More details can be found here.
My hope for each of you is that you will seek and find refreshment and renewal during the summer months that we have before us. Please continue to pray for me as I pray for you.
Faithfully,
Tom
Information has been posted on the website about obtaining free tickets for the consecration of our new bishop, which is scheduled for September 13 at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, pending consents from the wider Episcopal Church.