A Prayer for the Election of a new Bishop

          Everliving , creating and renewing God, we pray for your help in our search for a new bishop.  Call and guide diligent and discerning members of our Diocese to the tasks of overseeing and implementing the search with skill and open hearts, and of managing the transition to a new bishop with sensitivity and grace.  Inspire worthy servants of your church to stand bravely forward for election.  Send your Holy Spirit upon the delegates who will vote for our next  bishop, that our choice may follow your will.  Support our new bishop every step of the way, from beginning to end, and give peace and knowledge of service well done, to our retiring bishop, Andrew.  Give us all, in this season of change, patience, wisdom, and that gracious hospitality of soul  that allows us to hear your voice and see your face in each other, even when we strongly differ.  We ask your help in all these ways we see, and in all the ways only you can see, in the name of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

-The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity, it turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Amen.