Wow! We have experience our own blowout this week with your generosity thanking Canon Melissa Skelton by fully funding the gift of her Bishop’s Ring in a few short days. Wednesday night, just hours after Bishop Rickel’s email invitation went out to our diocese to join in this gift we met our goal. We know Melissa will be humbled by the expedience with which our diocese has responded to offer this symbol of our gratitude for her ministry here. Bishop Rickel said of this expedient accomplishment of our diocese, “I am not surprised, because this wonderful spirit of gratitude and generosity is who you are. You prove that in so many ways, every day.”
This ring not only will be a symbol of our gratitude, but it also will be symbolic of our close work together as two dioceses in the Anglican Communion in the context of our shared Pacific Northwest. Bishop Rickel asks you all to continue to join him in praying for Melissa, the people of the Diocese of New Westminster and our own diocese in this transition. He stated, “I know through this transition God is preparing wonderful new opportunities and ways for us to serve the people of our region in Christ’s name.”
Melissa met with the ring designer on Feb. 6. Her staff has promised to send us some pictures from the meeting including the wax cast of the ring, if available. Know that as we hear from the folks in New Westminster we will continue to update you on the progress of the ring’s creation.
