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L to R: Canon Ed Tracy, Canon Michael Spear-Jones, Bishop Hollerith and his assistant, Leah Sicignano.
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Dear Diocesan family,
I am writing you
on the occasion of my first day back after having completed a three
month sabbatical. I am deeply appreciative of the fact that I was
afforded the opportunity to have time away for rest and spiritual
refreshment. It truly was a gift.
While I do believe
my time away was well-spent, I was disappointed that I was not able to
travel and study in Jerusalem as I had originally planned. The unrest in
the Middle East during July and August necessitated cancelling. I hope
that one day I will be afforded another opportunity to take such a
pilgrimage as part of my normal annual continuing education. The fact
that I did not travel as much as I thought I would did provide me with
more quality time with my family.
I am very thankful
for all those who made my time away possible, especially Canon Michael
Spear-Jones, Canon Ed Tracy, Chancellor Sam Webster, and Bishop David
Jones. Needless to say, the Diocese was in very competent hands!
For the next week
or so, as I transition back to the "normal" routine, I will be doing a
lot of catching up and working directly with the diocesan staff. This
weekend I am looking forward to attending the consecration of the new
bishop of East Carolina, and next week being with the clergy of Southern
Virginia for our annual conference at Chanco on the James.
In the next
several weeks, while I'll have plenty to do, I will relish most of all
the opportunity to reconnect with all of you and to hear your stories. I
find that I return with an increased feeling of joy and excitement
about the ministries that are taking place across our diocese. I also
return with a deepened sense of just how blessed I am to be your bishop.
Faithfully,
Bishop Hollerith
