It was a wonderful evening as we welcomed guests from across The Episcopal Church to celebrate our beloved Rector’s twentieth anniversary of his ordination as Bishop.
20th Anniversary Celebration of the Ordination and Consecration of the Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe as a Bishop in the Church of God
Photos by Tim Martin and Kara Flannery
Remarks made by the Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe
The writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton wrote, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” Well, I am very happy tonight as I give thanks, and my happiness is truly doubled by wonder.
The wonder of having such a wonderful family; my wife, Ellen; my son, William, and his wife, Ellie; my-brother-in law, Bud; and Ellie’s parents, Jim and Nancy Skochdopole and all my cousins who are watching at home.
The wonder of having so many good friends here tonight. I’m so appreciative of the efforts you all made to be here.
The wonder of having such great colleagues, especially our Vicar, Peter Thompson, who imagined this celebration, and for Zack Nyein, Meredith Ward, Andrew Mullins, Stephanie Spellers, Molly O’Neil Frank, and John Wirenius - truly the clergy dream team - and for Miriam Schneider and Bill Fry, our dynamic duo of Wardens; for the Vestry, and for the faithful members of this parish who strive each and every day to know Christ and to make Christ known.
My happiness is doubled by the wonder of our amazing choir, led tonight by Alexander Pattavina.My happiness is doubled by wonder for all the teams I’ve assembled and worked with at The Church Center, The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, Saint Michael and All Angels, Dallas, Trinity, Copley Square, St. Clement’s, Berkeley, Christ Church, Alexandria, and my home parish, Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, California. And finally, for all the people who made this celebration possible, especially the Ordination Anniversary Party Committee; Meredith Ward, Chair, Joe and Sarah Bessy, Flora Ferrara, Le Ann Fry, Liz Gillespie, Astrid Horan, Tara Marlovits, Veronica Shea, and Ray Vandenberg.
It is an amazing thing that a boy from Centerville, Ohio would be given the opportunities I have experienced in the Episcopal Church. My gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.