The cavernous Shapiro Field House at Norwich University in Northfield became a colorful and joy-filled sacred space on April 28, when the Diocese of Vermont and friends from throughout New England gathered for the consecration of the Rev. Thomas Clark Ely as 10th Bishop of Vermont.

The Rt. Rev. Douglas Theuner, Bishop of New Hampshire and president of Province 1, was the chief consecrator, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Mary Adelia McLeod, and the Rt. Rev. Daniel Swenson, retired Bishops of Vermont; the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith, Bishop of Connecticut; the Rt. Rev. Morgan Porteous, and the Rt. Rev. Arthur Walmsley, retired Bishops of Connecticut.

Intended by the new bishop to be "a celebration of the ministry of the whole people of God," the service began with a procession of banners made specially for the occasion by the diocese's congregations to depict in symbol their many and varied ministries. The theme of mutual ministry was evident throughout the service, from the design of the worship space to the procession of wardens with the clergy, from the sermon by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, dean of Episcopal Divinity School, to the renewal of baptismal vows and the participation of Vermont and Connecticut youth as chalice bearers.

A combined diocesan choir under the direction of Mark A. DeW. Howe, of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, led the congregational singing and performed an anthem, "Love Unfolding," commissioned for the event from Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker. Bishop Ely's daughter, Jennifer Ely, a student at Elmira College, and a group of fellow students, offered liturgical dances to open and close the liturgy.

Addressing the congregation of nearly 1,500, Bishop Charleston said, "O brothers and sisters, we have a world waiting to hear the message that we bring. It's not just one messenger with beautiful feet coming across the mountains of Vermont. It's every man and woman in this diocese, along with their bishop, who must stand up and preach that good news, reach out in love and justice and compassion to others and welcome them in to this wonderful community we call the Episcopal Church."

Anne Clarke Brown