Thursday, 20 December 2012 With Home In Trenton New Episcopal Bishop Elect Ready To Lead

With Home In Trenton New Episcopal Bishop Elect Ready To Lead

From New Jersey-

Over breakfast at the Sunrise Luncheonette on South Warren Street, during which he ordered eggs - over easy - in Creole because that was his waiter's primary language, the new Episcopal bishop-elect of New Jersey discussed his pressing search for a new home.

That search continued last week as the Rev. William "Chip" Stokes and his wife Susan headed off to neighborhoods in the Cadwalader, Berkeley Square and Glen Afton sections. They were seeing three or four rental houses in just a couple of hours. They plan to pick one this week.

Beginning this summer, Stokes, who will head a diocese that stretches from Elizabeth to Cape May and encompasses two-thirds of the state, will be living in the city of Trenton.

He will be the first diocesan bishop in 40 years to do so.

"There was some hope in the diocese that the next bishop would live in Trenton, and we're very comfortable with that," Stokes said.

"I think I was chosen in part because of my commitment to urban ministries. I grew up in New York City. I've been blessed to do a lot of work with diverse communities.

"The diversity of this diocese is one of its great strengths and beauties. It's also clear that the city of Trenton is struggling, and part of the calling of Gospel is to live amid the struggling.

"And we think," he added, as his wife nodded enthusiastically, "that this is a beautiful city."

More here-


http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/06/with home in trenton new episc.html