Congregation Visitations: Fall 2024
December
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC | December 15th

Great to worship with the people of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Goldsboro today, on the Third Sunday of Advent. Pictured here are those who reaffirmed their baptismal vows, including those who were confirmed (less one or two who missed the photo), with clergy the Rev’s David Wyly and Jon Sargeant. Great to preach on a day when we heard about John the Baptistâs âbaptism of repentance.â Called to a âchange of mindâ and a âchange in behavior!â
Great to see so many familiar faces, especially those of the young people who so regularly participate in events at Trinity Center!
Christ Episcopal Church, Elizabeth City, NC | December 8th




Many thanks to the people of Christ Episcopal Church – Elizabeth City for sharing their photos and sketches with me today! We had great Advent worship, at 8am in their St. Philip’s Chapel and at 10:30am in their church. During the later service, four were baptized and then a large group of teens and adults were confirmed and received. Lots of energy and excitement in this growing congregation that is getting ready to celebrate their 200th anniversary in 2025.
November
St. George’s Episcopal Church, Lake Landing, NC | November 24th

What a beautiful day! Sandy and I traveled to Lake Landing NC this morning, for a visit with the people of St. George’s Episcopal Church. This picture includes many of those who were present âŚothers had already headed over to the parish house to finish preparing what was a delicious lunch! We included themes of Thanksgiving and the Last Sunday After Pentecost (Christ the King) in our worship, and considered Pilateâs question âWhat is truth?â The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina is filled with a great variety of amazing congregations and people âŚwhat a pleasure it is to serve as their bishop!
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Wilmington, NC | November 17th

Lots of energy this morning at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, with sixteen being confirmed at the later service, and with lots of extra family and friends in attendance to support them. Great conversations will all sorts of folks along the side, a crowded hall with lots of food to share, and some time with the Vestry before getting back on the road. Always happy to visit with this congregation!
Christ Church, New Bern, NC | November 10th


âLet us go in peace to love and serve the Lord!â Deacon Lisa Kirby dismisses the congregation at the end of worship this morning at Christ Church, New Bern. The second photo captures the new pipe organ, over the heads of clergy and people. All in all, joyful worship at 8:30am and 11:00am with the people of this very active congregation that preserves and enjoys its historic facilities while working in so many ways to serve their neighbors. Christ Church was the first congregation in The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina that I visited as bishop, ten years ago yesterday! Thanks to the Rev Paul Canady, the Rev. Suzanne Findlen Hood and team for the warm âwelcome backâ today!
Church of the Servant, Wilmington, NC | November 3rd


You know youâve been âbishopingâ for a while when the people youâre confirming on a Sunday include young adults who were young children when you visited their congregation for the first time! As always, it is great to worship with the Rev. Jody Greenwood and the people of Church of the Servant, Wilmington, NC, including a good number from UNCW’s ECCO – Episcopal Campus Christian Organization.
We baptized and confirmed Kennedy (front row, second from right), confirmed eight others and received three. The Feast of All Saints was at the center of our celebration, with some words from the All Saints sermon offered yesterday by new Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and some reflection on what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of these “interesting” times.
October
All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores, NC | October 27th


Enjoyed an early âAll Saintsâ celebration today with the people of
All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Southern Shores, NC! Worship was followed by a lavish reception, originally planned around the 100th birthday of member, Lucille. Unfortunately, Lucille fell recently and was unable to be in church. It was my privilege to take communion to her and her daughter, along with a lay Eucharistic visitor from All Saints.
And a trip to the Outer Banks is always made better when you can bring home some donuts!
St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, Swansboro, NC | October 20th

What a pleasure to be with the Rev. Michelle Bullock and the people of St. Peters By The Sea Episcopal Church in Swansboro this morning! Worship included a good number of confirmations and one reception. Sandy got this picture of Michelle and me just as worship ended. One of the congregationâs teens was at this weekendâs Happening, and so I shared a little bit of our experience together. One of the things I enjoy as bishop is helping folks around the diocese learn a little bit about congregations and ministries besides their own.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Washington, NC | October 13th

Yesterday, at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington NC, a family caught my eye during worship. Like the picture below (which I’ve just pulled from the internet!) this particular family included a mom and a dad and a young girl. At one point, as we sang a hymn, the young girl was carefully following the text of the hymn with her finger while her parents seemed to be supporting her to sing along with the congregation. Later, I had a bit of a conversation with the young girl, who explained that her older sister was one of the acolytes and that next week she herself would be acolyting for the first time …at least that’s what I understood her to be telling me!
These are the sorts of moments that stick with me! While I wish I’d been able to get out my own camera for a picture, I’m afraid that this would have been an intrusive act.
We confirmed three adults and witnessed four others reaffirm their baptismal vows. We worshipped in English and Spanish, as they often do at Saint Peter’s when they bring their three congregations together for a single liturgy. It was great to be with the clergy and people of this congregation, and to catch up with so many people that I’ve come to know over my ten years as bishop.
St. Francis Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC | October 6th

Happy 60th anniversary to âthe saintsâ of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Goldsboro! It was a joy to worship together today, and then to join in a great eastern North Carolina feast of coleslaw, potato salad, barbecue, fried chicken, banana pudding, peach cobbler and tea, sweet and unsweetened. Oh, and cake of course! Lots of stories shared about the first sixty years, with expressions of hope about what God has in store for them next!
September
Grace Episcopal/Christ the King Lutheran, Whiteville, NC | September 29th

With todayâs reading from the letter of James, we heard that those who suffer are directed to pray. We took these words seriously, and prayed with and for all who are suffering in the wake of Hurricane Helene, including family members of those gathered at Grace Episcopal/Christ the King Lutheran in Whiteville. We also remembered Jamesâ teaching that faith without works is dead. While we pray and make offerings of money, let us seek Godâs will for how our prayers can turn into action!
It was good to share worship and a meal with these faithful folks, who continue to find ways to serve the needs of their neighbors.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Wilmington, NC | September 22nd

As more than one person shared, there was âa sweet, sweet Spirit in this placeâ today, as the people of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church- Wilmington, NC gathered for worship. A historic congregation, living and serving in a fast and dramatically changing neighborhoodâŚanybody else facing this challenge? Over a delicious repast, we engaged in good conversation about the ways that God may be calling them forward. Very hope-filled.
Good to be with the Rev. Skip Walker in this place, for the first time since he became priest-in-charge of this congregation and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church Fayetteville NC, while also serving as the Coordinator of Ministry with People of African Descent.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Clinton, NC | September 15th


Yesterday, my Sunday visitation schedule took me to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Clinton where Isabel and Jovanny (back row) were received and their daughter Salome was confirmed, along with brothers Ben and Oliver (all in the front row). It was good to be with rector, the Rev. Eric Grubb and to meet his and Brandie‘s young daughter for the first time. Lots of familiar faces along with some new faces and visitors. All in all, a happy celebration!
Preaching yesterday was a challenge and a privilege with texts that included Jesus’ caution about what it meant to follow him, and also the warning from James that our tongues cannot be tamed. In our time, how does following Jesus lead us to better manage our speech, whether spoken or written? Do our words build others up or tear them down? In this political campaign season, can we positively endorse our chosen candidates without ripping apart and maligning those whom we do not support, or demonizing their supporters? With God’s help …
Thanks to Shurley Ray McCullen Weddle for these pictures!
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Windsor, NC | September 8th

Happy to support this team of acolytes at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Windsor, NC, some of whom are brand new to this ministry. We had a mostly full church this morning, including lots of extra family and friends gathered for the baptism of a sweet little girl. There is a real excitement amongst members of the congregation as they prepare to welcome their new priest, whom they will be sharing with the people of St. Thomas Ahoskie. This will be a new partnership for the two congregations, and I am looking forward to seeing the ways that God will continue to work amongst these faithful people!

Another picture from my Sunday visit to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Windsor, NC, with thanks to senior warden Ed Rawls Jr.. Thought it was great that they wanted to pose this picture on a happy Sunday with lots of folks present for a special celebration.
While every place is unique and wonderful in its own way, my Sunday visits with the congregations of The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina is my favorite part of being their bishop!