The Celebration of a New Ministry

Two days ago, on Saturday August 18, I was instituted as the 25th Rector of Christ Church in Mexico City.  It was a beautiful, inspiring, and deeply moving occasion. 

The Bishop of the Diocese of Mexico, the Most Rev. Carlos Touché Porter, who is also the Primate of the Anglican Church of Mexico, was the presider. 

The Rev. Tamara Newell, left, the first woman ordained in the Anglican Church in Mexico was the preacher.  She did a splendid job, using the story of Moses and the seventy elders to talk about the work of God's Spirit in the community.  To her left is my good friend and colleague, The Rev. Guillermo Salinas, who is Priest Associate at Christ Church and is also a medical doctor. 

There were a number of other clergy present from the Anglican Church of Mexico.  Also in attendance were ecumenical clergy, including the proto-presbyter of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Mexico City, seen here at the far left, and clergy of the Lutheran Church (also representing the Latin American Council of Churches), the Salvation Army, and the Mormon Church. 

The heart of the service, however, is the presentation of the symbols of office to the new rector.  Here, two of my colleagues, the Rev. Andrés Solis of the Cathedral of San José de Gracia and The Rev. Xavier Ocampo, Vicar of Santa Cruz, present me with the Canons of the Anglican Church of Mexico.  

I was also officially presented with the keys to the Church by the Wardens.

Presentations of the bread and wine, the Bible, the Prayerbook, and oil for anointing also took place.  Since part of the congregation is Spanish-speaking, and part is English-speaking, representatives of each group participated in their own native language. 

At the end of the presentations, also called the Service of Induction, the Bishop invites the congregation to "Greet your New Rector."  Susan was also introduced at this time.



Afterwards, there was a lavish reception, with, naturally a sheet cake.