Presiding Bishop Begins New Ministry
Diocesan Press Service. June 11, 1974 [74182]
Betty Gray, Editor, Episcopal New Yorker
WASHINGTON, D. C. -- The last words of blessing had hardly faded among the columns of Washington Cathedral when newly installed Presiding Bishop John M. Allin came hurrying out of the building, leaped into a waiting car and started a quick trip across the Capitol city.
He was on his way to keep a promise -- to celebrate the eucharist with the Senior Citizens of St. Stephen and the Incarnation. Weeks earlier the rector, the Rev. William E. Wendt, had suggested this as a pastoral beginning of a new ministry and the Presiding Bishop agreed.
Accompanied by the Rt. Rev. John Walker, Suffragan Bishop of Washington, Bishop Allin was greeted at the door and escorted to a free-standing altar. There Ms. Jennie McGill, 84, took charge.
" My brothers and sisters, I present to you our new Presiding Bishop Allin of our church with great honor, joy and especially love. He honors us and our Senior Citizens with his presence. And we thank him that he has come to feed us with the bread of heaven. "
St. Stephen is wide ly known for its innovative liturgy, its colorful vestments and its "Celebrate Life " buttons. The eucharist drew fully on that tradition. Colorful stoles were provided both bishops who donned them while the elderly group of nearly 60 people sang such songs as, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," and "When the Saints Go Marchin' In. "
When the singing stopped Bishop Allin told the group, "I'm late and I'm sorry. There was a long-winded preacher at the Cathedral (he had just given his inaugural sermon), but I knew you would wait and that means much. "
The eucharist was enhanced by many calls of "Amen" and "Thank the Lord." The crowd included the Senior Citizens who daily take a meal at the church, the seniors from St. Timothy's Church brought over in a bus by the Rev. Ed Waldron, the rector, and the Rev. Conner Lynn, prior of the Order of Holy Cross, West Park, N.Y. Among the group was Ms. Eleanor Walker, 84, a retired missionary from China.
The Presiding Bishop left clutching a recording by Mother Scott entitled, "Mama Ain't Nobody's Fool," and returned to the Cathedral close to greet well wishers.
( NOTE TO EDITORS: The two photographs and captions in DPS # 74179, can be used with this story. The photographs were taken during the service described above.)