New Bishop Consecrated For Southeast Diocese

On Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 2:00 PM, the Most Reverend Leonard Riches consecrated the Very Reverend Alphonza Gadsden, Sr. a Bishop in the Church of God and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Southeast at Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville, SC.

Father Michael Orr,MSJ, who represented us at this consecration in South Carolina says, "The service was well attended, 300 or more - communion took a long time to complete."


"I spoke briefly with the Presiding Bishop, Leonard Riches. He was very charitable and warm."

"The consecration was very dignified and well ordered. The love and respect for clergy was very tangible and, from what I observed, the clergy love and respect the people of God as well."

"It was a blessed experience to see my brothers and sisters worshiping God in the beauty of Holiness, and seeing an African-American consecrated bishop in the church of God."

New Favorite Hymn

Ok, so it isn't new, but it is new to me. Last week, while at Nashotah House, the evening high mass was packed out and the Nashotah Hymn was sung with rafter rattling gusto. I was moved and maybe it was because I was seated directly next to the organist, who also happens to be the contributing composer of this hymn, but this hymn will live on in my heart for a very long time. +Frederick G. Fick

Here is a link for an mp3
http://www.nashotah.edu/audio/Nashotah_Hymn24bit.mp3

Here is the text to sing along.


1. Firmly I believe and truly
God is three, and God is One;
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.

Refrain:
Sanctus fortis, Sanctus Deus,
de profundis oro te,
Miserere, judex meus,
parce mihi Domine.

2. And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified;
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.

3. Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong,
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

4. And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings as His own.

5. Adoration ay be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Paraphrase of the Refrain:
Holy mighty, Holy God,
from the depths I beseech thee,
have mercy, O my judge,
spare me, O Lord.

Text from The Dream of Gerontius
John Henry Newman, 1801-1890

Father Francis In Tanzania

Embarking on his sixth trip to Africa, Fr. Francis Wardega MSJ has begun his 6-week teaching mission in Tanzania. We remember this mission in our prayers. For more information on Fr. Francis' mission work, view his website:

Office of Foreign Missions

Clergy Vote To Join Anglican Rite Diocese

At it's fall gathering, the clergy of the Missionary Society have unanimously voted to seek clergy credentialing from the Anglican Rite Diocese of St. Augustine, Anglican Province of America.

Bishop Larry Shaver, ordinary of the Anglican Rite Diocese, expressed his joy in the clergy's decision and offered a prayer for a hope filled future of shared ministry and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

All pastors and ministry leaders were urged by Bishop Fick to provide gentle and sensitive pastoral care during this process as each parish has unique needs and will consider its involvement at a pace it deems best, insuring the full involvement of the laity.

While seen as an important first step in a careful process of integrating into the Anglican Rite Diocese, each parish and ministry must consider its commitment through the processes articulated within its own by-laws.

The clergy expressed their joy and confidence in sensing the leading of the Lord and are looking forward to continue to be about the fulfilling their calling to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments, making known the love of Christ to all people.