Yes, he was. It was a bitterly cold day, roads were bad. Only 17 people showed up. (Many are old and won't leave home when the roads and sidewalks are slick.) He gave a nice sermon, and indicated that he wanted to merge the cathedral offices with the Diocesan offices. Perhaps with the new bishop there won't be near the acrimony.

Today, Brian, the new Bishop visited with several people in our parish. It was the first time many of them had met and talked to him. They are grieving over the loss of our Sacramental Presence and he was very kind and sensitive to this and discussed some ideas on how he can help them get through this difficult time. I too, and very hopeful that he can make good on his promises to us. I feel he sincerely wants to work toward that reality. The people seemed to relax some after they had a chance to speak with him. I am now optimistic.

Yes, Richard Demerist was Dean when I was there. So what brought you into St. Michael's and caused you to stay?

(BTW, I too was raised an Evangelical. It was for me, a mostly positive experience.)

Hi Gregory,
Blackfoot and St. Paul's Episcopal, is in the Eastern Deanery. We have 9
parishes, most of which are small and struggling. We are hopeful that the new Bishop will have time to really get to know us, unlike his predecessor.
St. Paul's congregation was formed in 1880 and supported St. John's school in the early 1890's because there were no public schools here. It was held in a member's home. In 1892, the frame church was built with 100 in attendance for the grand opening. The parish hall was built in the 1920's. In the 1960's they made an attempt to get out of the old building and worshipped at the brand new Emanuel Lutheran church across town. They said they were actually beginning to grow, when a series of unfortunate events forced them back into the old church where they've stayed ever since.
We've been trying to encourage getting out of the old building once again, but those who were for the idea in the 60's are now our elderly and they don't want to move. They're afraid of change and new ideas, and a text book example of what happens when churches fail to renew every few decades. We recently lost our sacramental presence and are now struggling in a clergy crisis.
We need assistance in teaching people that change doesn't have to be threatening, that reaching out is OK. My fear is that the handful of people in the parish with actual ideas and energy will leave to seek a church home elsewhere. I've thought of encouraging a group to form a new congregation and "plant" ourselves elsewhere so that something new has a chance to happen.
Cheers,
Judy

Gregory, thanks for the comment on my blog post. Noticed you go to St. Michael's... My wife and I attended there for a year back in 2000/01, before we were married. Really enjoyed the St. Michael's community!