The language of the church can sometimes be strange, and the term "installation ceremony" when used for welcoming a new priest is certainly one completely inadequate to describe the deeply personal and spiritual festival that involves all members of the church, some with "key" roles as they come one by one to present the candidate with the tools of his work.

The tools presented included a Bible, water, a stole, a Prayer Book, oil, a symbolic key to the church, the Canons and Constitution, and bread and wine.

The Warden began the ceremony by welcoming Right Rev'd William C. Frey, D. D., Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, proclaiming Fr. Rodney S. Hurst as well qualified and prayerfully and lawfully chosen as the new Rector of Grace Episcopal Church. The Bishop then questioned Rod regarding his true commitment to the trust and responsibility for the spiritual health of the congregation of Grace Church.

Following the prayers and blessings and gifts, and a lively homily from The Rev'd Fr. William F. Krieger, Ph.D., Rector of St. Paul's Church in Yuma, AZ, Bishop Frey presented Fr. Rod to the congregation and said, "Greet your new rector." He then asked Carol, Fr. Hurst's wife, to join them.

The Parish Hall was brilliantly decorated with fine crystal and silver, and there was a wonderful selection of food and a cake with a picture of Grace Church on it done magically in frosting. As the evening progressed, Fr. Rod & Carol greeted their friends, family, and congregants, and were presented a gift of wine glasses imprinted with the date and occasion of the gift. It was an enchanting evening, and as the Hursts settle into life in Carlsbad, they want to thank everyone for the absolutely perfect welcome they have received into the folds of our Parish Family.

Tags: Installation