The prayer book requires that at every ordination (bishop, priest, deacon) one of two hymns must be sung.  They are cited by their Latin titles, Veni, Creator Spiritius (Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire) or Veni, Sancte Spiritius (Come thou Holy Spirit Come).

Since its earliest days, the church has relied on the Holy Spirit as it discerns whom to entrust with the leadership of the church.

Last week the four nominees for election as the Eighth Bishop of East Carolina met hundreds of our people as the people and the nominees prayed for guidance in their mutual discernment.

On May 17, the diocese gathers in convention in Christ Church, New Bern, for the election. My prayer is that all of us will pray individually and corporately to discern what gifts we need and who among the nominees has the gifts in abundance.

I hope that spirit of mutual discernment will enable a clear election and a clear expression of gratitude to all four nominees, no matter who is elected, so our diocese is grounded in faith and prayer as we come to a decision.

Faithfully yours,

Peter James Lee

Bishop Provisional