A Foretaste of Heaven

Worship and liturgy is, at its very best, a foretaste of heaven. Whether the soaring and majestic notes of a cathedral organ or the spirited hymns of a gospel choir, when we gather in spirit and song we aren’t there to “do” something together so much as to be with one another and with the one who created us. In that way, we both look forward to the heavenly banquet and experience it in that very moment.

When we as the people of the Diocese of Ohio gather on Saturday for the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Anne B. Jolly as the 12^th bishop of the diocese, we won’t simply be convening at a grand public auditorium to “do” something; we won’t only be raising up a faithful leader who will serve as our spiritual guide for years to come. We’ll be gathering, as the communion of saints, for a celebration of the Beloved Community that is God’s gift to us today.

Our songs will celebrate God’s presence and our vital ministry today. The breadth and diversity of those present will speak of the spectrum of God’s creative energy, and the grand festivities will celebrate that something profoundly special, sacred and transformative is taking place. We will remember together that God is always doing new things in this world, and our role is to come alongside those new things and to be vessels of that grace.

Join us this Saturday for this wonderful event, whether in person at Public Auditorium or online via the diocesan website and diocesan Facebook page. Together we’ll rejoice in the power of the spirit!