The Rev. Canon James E. Waggoner, Jr., former canon to the ordinary in West Virginia, was consecrated eighth Bishop of Spokane Oct. 21 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

The Rt. Rev. Robert P. Atkinson, retired Bishop of West Virginia, in his sermon described the new bishop as "gifted" but one who could "appreciate the triumphs of ordinary humans" in the church.

Bishop Atkinson also good-humoredly promised that after being able to find his way around remote areas of West Virginia, Bishop Waggoner will certainly be able to locate even the furthest-flung churches in his new diocese. The diocese, with 44 churches, ranges from the Cascade Mountains on the West, across the farmlands of eastern Washington and into the panhandle of northern Idaho.

Bishop Waggoner replaces the late Bishop Frank Jeffrey Terry, who died in February 1999 from complications following heart transplant surgery. The Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb, Bishop of Northern California, was consecrator. Among the co-consecrators were the diocese's two living former bishops, the Rt. Rev. Leigh A. Wallace, Jr., and the Rt. Rev. John R. Wyatt.

The nearly three-hour ordination and consecration was attended by more than 1,000 members of the diocese plus representatives of other churches and civic leaders. It was preceded by an hour of carillon, organ, handbell and brass choir music. Bishop Waggoner's son, Peter, a music major at Seton Hill College (Pa.), performed one of the organ preludes.

The event was held in conjunction with the annual diocesan convention. In his first address to the convention, Bishop Waggoner said it would be "premature and presumptuous" for him to outline a "grand vision" for the diocese this soon.

He said he intends to focus on communication, which he said is the primary ministry of the church — "to carry on Jesus' message." He said he understands the role of bishop to be that of the communications person and the connecting person in the diocese.

Convention business was limited to basic housekeeping chores, so the weekend could be devoted to celebration, which included an open house at the home of the new bishop and wife Gloria. The couple, whose two sons are grown, will live in a spacious apartment on the upper floor of Paulsen House, a 1911 mansion that serves as diocesan headquarters.

Bishop Waggoner, 52, holds a master's and doctoral degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and served in three West Virginia churches before joining the diocesan staff there.