Anglican Diocese of Niagara

Bishop Michael Bird's presentation to Synod

Bishop paid tribute to members of youth synod for bringing the environmental issue to this synod.

Bishop spoke of how sacred his moments were at his ordination and showed slides of the evening. He spoke of how honoured he was to be called to serve the church as bishop. Many of the slides shown can be seen on Bishop Bird's page on this site.

Seven weeks later he indicated that he is even more excited and more inspired. He has expired all kinds of 'firsts'! Wearing his mitre for the very first time he had to 'duck' going through a door!

Thanks to Michael Patterson who has agreed to be his executive officer. Jean Archibell and Robert Hurkmans for accepting the role as chaplains. Thanks to Bishop Ralph and Marion Vincett and all staff for their support.

God has great things in store for the diocese of NIagara. Everyone in this room will be part of that mission and calling before us.

Michael spoke of his 5 day retreat before his ordination to the episcopacy. He took a book by Desmond Tutu - "God has dream - a vision of hope for our time". Bishop Michael quoted from the book about vulnerability - but with God's help we are ultimately invincible.

He spoke about the incident in his life - being caught up in the London bombings 2 years ago. It had great impact on him. He was traveling through London on a bus - to Kings Cross station. Suddenly at Tavistock square he saw that a major crisis was ahead - and they were told to vacate the bus. Everything in his life for the next several hours was turned upside down. Confusion and chaos raged. People were running from an exploded bus. A woman told him that bombs were going off all over the city. A taxi driver said all the train and tube stations were closed. It was like the twilight zone - and there was no direction. (Michael shows pictures of the bombing in London). It didn't make any difference that he was a priest - his titles meant nothing. The things in his suitcases - clothes and souvenirs were now a hindrance. THe money in his pocket had no value - the shops were closed and locked. Even the credit cards were useless. For those few hours on the streets in London - he had much of what he would take fro granted - stripped from him - and then it began to pour rain. Eventually he took shelter under a tree- wet, lonely and afraid. No information about what was going on - a sense of hopelessness an vulnerability set in - a vulnerability that he had never experienced before. At some point he began to pray - in the course of that prayer - something took hold of Michael - it has never let go. IT was a very clear and dramatic awareness of the presence of God surrounding him in this difficult situation. Everything he needed to be - had nothing to do with titles, possessions, credit cards - it was that he was a child of God and never alone. Shortly after that moment - a profound encounter with God - he moved on and found a place of refuge and counter until the day had passed. In his retreat - what began to emerge was a strong desire to others to recognize and to articulate that our parishes are places where the clamour of the broken world is quietened. In our weakness and vulnerability is where the love of Christ resides. Following in the ways of Jesus brings us comfort love and peace. Secondly on that day - he had a short glimpse into the lives of those who live each day with the realities of violence loneliness and fear. He carried his possessions like a person on a street would do everyday. I had a small taste of what it was like to live with no identity.

He spoke of the movie "In pursuit of Happiness" - it shows vulnerability. IT shows the potential that the gifts of love and hope have to raise us up. (Michael showed clips from the movie)

Michael invited everyone to enter into conversation with him over the next months - so that we can discover the leading of God's spirit for us and for the diocese. How have you experienced the sacred and holy moments in your life? What are the challenges and barriers that prevent the experience of the holy. How can we welcome new people in the church and push aside the clamour of the world? How can we connect to the place where God resides? How can we respond to our baptismal covenant? How can we carry that pearl into our streets?

The road ahead will have challenges and we will have to work hard. We will have to persist and call upon the prayers of the people of Niagara.