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One of the great blessings of being a cathedral congregation is the steady presence of two beloved bishops who have retired from their ministry but continue to offer their faithful support: Bishop Bill Persell, the 10th Dean of Trinity Cathedral and retired Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, and Bishop Arthur Williams, the retired Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio.
Their presence on a Sunday morning is a gift to Trinity, not simply because they are both warm and faithful members of our congregation, but because of who they are; they offer an incarnational reminder of the wider Body of Christ. They also help reinforce our understanding of the cathedral as a symbol of Christian unity and an expression of the many faithful people of our diocese.
Indeed, one of my favorite things to see on a Christmas Eve or an Easter morning service, as I look out on our congregation, is our two retired bishops in the front row, dressed in clericals and standing symmetrically on either side of the aisle. They are, on those great feast days, once more leading the people of God in worship, praise, and thanksgiving.
Bishop Williams and Bishop Persell are part of the vibrant ministry of this place today, and we are deeply grateful to them. I am also very grateful to them for serving as honorary chairpersons of Trinity’s Honoring Our Legacy, Growing in Love campaign to restore Cathedral Hall and our stained glass windows, and to grow the endowment that makes our ministry possible today.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sending you more information about our campaign: the exciting projects, the work ahead, the hopes for ministry, and ways you can participate. I hope you’ll prayerfully consider how you can make a transformational gift in the coming months!
Today, I am especially grateful for all those who have offered leadership in this work, including our beloved retired bishops. Many thanks to Bishop Persell and Bishop Willims for being a part of our work today!
Faithfully,
