On Sunday, December 6, 2009, Saint Michael’s Church welcomed Archbishop Craig Bates and his wife Cathy to our service. It was his first visit to Saint Michael’s since becoming the Patriarch of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, and it was an anointed time. His Advent message had us laughing, crying, and evaluating our readiness for the coming of Christ Jesus. After the message he celebrated Eucharist and was heard to exclaim, “Of course I believe in the Real Presence, I’m born again.”
While here he kept a busy schedule, which included a Rector’s Council meeting, a Saturday breakfast with the men of SMC, and meetings with individual clergy as well fellowship time. Needless to say, Saint Michael’s Church looks forward to many more visits from Archbishop Bates and his wife Cathy.
A photo album of the visit is available on our flickr album here. This and other stories can be read at the new Diocese of The West website at www.cecwest.org
