Episcopalians in eastern Massachusetts celebrated the ordination and consecration of a local priest as their new bishop suffragan, March 24. The Rt. Rev. Roy F. Cederholm, Jr. (known familiarly as Bud) was made Bishop Suffragan of Massachusetts during a two-and-a-quarter-hour liturgy at Trinity Church in Boston that was marked by solemn ritual, colorful pageantry, prayer and praise. More than 1,500 bishops, priests, lay persons and ecumenical guests from the diocese and New England region attended.

The liturgy was an occasion for at once celebrating a new episcopal ministry and the ministry shared by all who are baptized. The Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner, Bishop of New Hampshire, presided in his role as the president of Province 1. The sermon was preached by noted lay person and scholar Fredrica Harris Thompsett, professor of historical theology at Episcopal Divinity School. She noted that throughout the day's liturgy, "baptism and episcope stand side by side."

"'No one ever gets 'beyond' baptism,'" she said, quoting Bishop Stephen Sykes of Cambridge University. "This celebration is designed to advance ministry: Bud's new ministry, your ministry and mine and our shared mission as the body of Christ in the world.

"Wade more deeply into the baptismal waters of ministry," she urged the congregation. "I ask you to join in building a new church that actually is grounded in baptism, and not in ordination."

Children and youth participated alongside adults, both lay and ordained, in leading the congregation in the renewal of baptismal vows. Then, to the spiritual "Wade in the Water," the 15 bishops in attendance moved throughout the church, sprinkling the congregation with water. Portions of the service were conducted in Chinese, Spanish and American Sign Language as well as English, and there was an eclectic array of music, including traditional, gospel and contemporary hymns and anthems, with accompaniment by organ, piano, an ensemble of Celtic instruments, guitar, brass and timpani.

Bishop Cederholm, a Brockton, Mass., native, is the former rector of Christ Church in Needham, Mass. He will serve alongside the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, diocesan bishop, and the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, bishop suffragan.

"The episcopacy represents our unity in serving Christ in all people, and so it is with great anticipation and excitement that I approach this occasion for bringing the whole diocese together for the celebration of all our ministries," Bishop Cederholm said prior to his ordination and consecration. "On a personal level," he added, "I am humbled by this honor and trust."