National Indigenous Bishop

Yesterday I was worshiping with the good people of St. Philip's, Chisasibi. In the morning service, which was baptism and communion entirely in the Chisasibi Cree dialect, I had one contribution to the leadership of the service. That was to speak to the gathered congregation of the appointment of Bishop Mark McDonald as the National Indigenous Bishop. Bishop McDonald is currently the Bishop of Alaska, and will begin his new position in March. After explaining briefly the role of the newly appointed NIB, and emphasizing that we will continue to be a part of the Diocese of Moosonee, with Archbishop Caleb as our Diocesan Bishop, I asked the congregation to pray for Bishop Mark, upholding him in prayer along with Archbishop Caleb. I then led in prayer, giving thanksgiving for the newly appointed NIB.

A news story giving more details of the NIB position, along with some biographical info, I had printed off from my email and I gave this to the Rector's Warden. He then took this to the local radio station where he used the info in the story to speak about Bishop McDonald. The Rector's Warden was himself present at the Sacred Circle gathering at which the assembled delegates called for the appointment of a National Indigenous Bishop.

In July 2003 I was privileged to be a student in a class taught by Bishop McDonald. I was at the Native Ministries Consortium Summer School held at the Vancouver School of Theology each summer. On the basis of my experience in that classroom, and my recollections of Bishop McDonald at the School, I am very much looking forward to Bishop McDonald's ministry as the National Indigenous Bishop.