Sanders Consecrated In East Carolina
Episcopal News Service. November 1, 1979 [79323]
KINSTON, N. C. -- The Very Rev. Brice Sidney Sanders was consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina at St. Mary's Church here on Oct. 26.
Prior to his election at a special convention on June 9, Bishop Sanders was dean of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Jackson, Miss.
The new bishop will assist the present diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Hunley A. Elebash, and will ultimately succeed him upon his retirement, resignation or death. Bishop Elebash, who is 56 years of age, has been head of the East Carolina diocese since 1973. He had served as bishop coadjutor from 1968.
Bishop Elebash requested episcopal assistance for reasons of health and extent of diocesan work soon after he underwent coronary bypass surgery in late 1978.
The Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, was the chief consecrator at the service, with Bishop Elebash and the Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Wright, who retired as bishop of the diocese in 1974, as co-consecrators.
The preacher at the consecration service was the new bishop's brother, the Rt. Rev. William E. Sanders, Bishop of Tennessee.
Bishop Duncan M. Gray, Jr., of Mississippi, and a large number of friends from St. Andrew's Cathedral in Jackson, were present for the service, as well as friends from a previous parish in Virginia and from Virginia Theological Seminary where he served as chaplain and instructor.
East Carolina's new bishop coadjutor will have equal share with Bishop Elebash in visitations, confirmations, ordinations, institutions of clergy, dedications, and vacancy consultations. He will have special responsibilities in the areas of Christian education, college work, camps and conferences, youth work, Christian ministries, communications, stewardship and ecumenical relations.
The northeastern North Carolina community of Williamston was selected as the location for Bishop Sanders' office. He began his ministry in the diocese on Sept. 1, working out of the new offices in the parish house of the Church of the Advent in Williamston. Bishop Elebash's office is in Wilmnington.