ELCA Presiding Bishop Installation, Part II

The Rev. Yehiel Curry was installed as Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) this past weekend.

While I did not attend the installation, through the power of social media, anyone who wished to watch was able to do so online.

Because most of you will not hear my sermon this weekend, as I am out of town, here is an excerpt about the service, along with some of what I was feeling as an observer.

It was an extremely emotional service, full of joy and tears. Members of his congregation and synod presented him to those gathered.

Elizabeth Eaton, the former presiding bishop, led the assembly in welcoming Curry. “Yehiel, bishop in the church of God, we have looked forward to your coming with great joy.”

Deeply moved, it took the Bishop-Elect Curry a moment to gather himself to respond, as he was full of emotion, it took a few seconds, someone in the crowd said, “take your time,” Bishop Easton went over to him, placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him, and the speaking with a soft and humble voice, he said,

“With all my heart, I thank you for your welcome. I hope to serve among you in Christ’s name and in the joy of the Spirit. May the peace of God be upon this house and upon this assembly.

As Curry was kneeling on the chancel kneeler, his head was deeply bowed while Bishop Eaton prayed over him, and other members of the greater church in the U.S. and elsewhere offered their prayers.

She took the Bishop’s cross she had received at her installation from her neck and placed it around his:

“Receive this cross and wear it as a sign of your calling to serve Christ and his people, and as an emblem of the office to which you have been elected.”

A great cheer erupted, one of many in this most joyous and enthusiastic service.

When I was kneeling on the chancel at my own installation at DMLC, I felt an overwhelming sense of what that moment meant for me, my family, and this congregation.

Bishop Curry’s response to his being called as Presiding Bishop:

“My siblings in Christ, as we begin this new season of ministry, may our celebration recall us to the unity that is given in baptism and nurtured at the Lord’s table.

May we rejoice in the many gifts enriching the life of our church and be strengthened to proclaim the good news of Christ in the world.”

See you in church!