Loading...The Episcopal Church of the Advent welcomed the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, bishop of New Hampshire, to services and a public forum on Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Louisville.
A Kentucky native, Bishop Robinson has announced his retirement in 2013, when he turns 65. He has cited among the reasons for his retirement the stress associated with his election and consecration as the first openly gay, non-celibate priest of a major Christian denomination to be ordained a bishop.
Robinson's ordination was controversial, prompting a group of 19 bishops to warn of a schism between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
Bishop Robinson spoke to worshipers, visitors and members of the local community at the Advent Parish House about "Us and Them." He said Christianity calls us to enlarge the fences we build around ourselves until there is no more "them" and there is only "us." [Visit our Media Center to view a short video of Robinson's visit.]
The Rev. Dr. Timothy Mitchell, rector of the Church
of the Advent, serves on the national Episcopal Church Pension Committee with Bishop Robinson and invited him to Louisville to share his witness and ministry with congregants and members of the community at large. Mitchell said a fundraising dinner and reception for Bishop Robinson on Sunday evening was sold out days in advance.
