Bishop Oulton has ‘left the buliding’ (almost)

Twelve years ago on February 12th, 2011, I stood at the lectern of St. George’s Cathedral to address the assembled delegates of the Electoral Synod of the Diocese of Ontario who had just elected me to serve as the twelfth bishop of our diocese. I remember looking at my wife Jeanie and wishing her an early “Happy Valentine’s Day”. I remember speaking about my sense of deep appreciation to the delegates for their trust that the Spirit had called me to serve them as bishop and for their affirmation of that call through my election. 

I remember speaking about the trepidation that came with being elected, using an image from my childhood as a member of my grade one rhythm band. I was in the “wood” section, which I recall as being charged with banging two sticks together when the conductor pointed at our section. I could hardly wait for my turn with the baton, but when I finally got my big chance, I couldn’t decide where to point, and rhythm was replaced with cacophony! 

The past twelve years have flown by and when I think about the changes that have happened over that time, the remarkable people I have come to know both within our diocese and beyond it, my first thought is the deep thanks and appreciation I feel for having the privilege of ministering among the people of this diocese. God is good, Jesus walks with us, the Spirit strengthens us for the journey and the Law of Love undergirds it all.

There is not enough space within an article such as this to adequately distill the experiences of my time as bishop. We faced many challenges together, including significant diocesan restructuring which included a complete overhaul of our communications strategy, the sad period of bidding farewell to our beloved Camp Hyanto, moving on from 90 Johnson St. into our new offices at 165 Ontario St. and then having to wind up the Church Book Room operation. 

I had the great blessing of joining the Consultation of Anglican Bishops in Dialogue with its strong focus on reconciliation. I joined meetings in Cape Town, Coventry, Richmond Virginia and Liverpool. The Friday offering of the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation since 2014 has been an anchor in my weekly routine.

The other anchor throughout the weeks of my episcopacy are the hundreds of visits I have made to the parishes of our diocese, joining in worship with the faithful lay people and clergy whose Christian witness is nurtured in those congregations, strengthened for service to the communities where they are planted. The memories and many photos of those visits bring an easy smile to my face.

Just a snippet from twelve years, but the last thought I want to leave you with comes from deep within my heart. Looking at the photo from the day of my consecration, my family standing with me, Jeanie, Thomas, Sarah and Charles. You walked with us through Jeanie’s long illness and death and were a blanket of support to us all. You rejoiced when I had the blessing of finding love once more with Sophie and as we began our married life together. You are family to me and will always remain close to my soul. 

I prepare to move through the final weeks of my time in office focused on preparing for my successor to take over.  There is no doubt that there will be challenges aplenty in the years ahead, but this fact is true of the church in every time and place. People of faith embrace challenge as opportunity. The work we will undertake in the weeks ahead, engaging with the challenge of the call to be more fully a mission shaped diocese, will set the sails for that exciting new work. 

You will be in my prayers and may the Spirit bless you for the years ahead.