04/22/2008
Diocese welcomes new assistant bishop
by Nan Ross
Get to know our new assistant bishop, the Rt. Rev. Keith B. Whitmore!
In just one week, the former bishop of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, participated in four liturgies, attended a convocational clergy meeting, witnessed a seminar offered by the diocesan Institute for Ministry and Theological Education and met many Episcopalians. He and his wife, Suzie, who finished up the packing job in Eau Claire and arrived in Atlanta Monday, are putting the finishing touches on a house purchase.
By all accounts, we have been blessed. And to help you get to know him, Connecting posed 10 questions to the new bishop, who goes by "Bishop Keith."
Editor: Please tell us about your decision to leave the Diocese of Eau Claire and the role of a diocesan bishop.
Bishop Keith: Well, it all happened so quickly. It began with a phone call in early December about a completely different subject. I am amazed at how God puts these things forward for us at just the right time. I had been considering my own aging process. It was time for me to think about retirement and make some decisions. I still had a great deal of energy for episcopal ministry, but I also need some new challenges. So I was spending time discerning God's call to me when the phone call happened, and Bishop Neil said, "Have you ever considered being an assistant bishop?" Everything fell into place from there.
As I tried to discern if this was a call, I looked at my nine years in Eau Claire. It seemed to me that we together had accomplished all I was called there to do and that someone with other skills would have to lead them to the next step. I knew I wasn't ready to just coast into retirement. I had energy to do episcopal ministry in a new place. It is interesting that both of my last calls came as a surprise. Just when I thought things were settled, God called me to new and exciting ministries, first in Eau Claire then in Atlanta.
Editor: What are you looking forward to serving as our assistant bishop?
Bishop Keith: I am excited to see the dynamic life of the people in the Diocese of Atlanta. Everywhere I look I see wonderful, holy things happening. The prospect of being even a small part of that sacred dynamism is very stimulating to me. I am looking forward to being available to the clergy, their families and the people of the diocese. For me, the best part of being a bishop is visiting congregations, sharing in their life in Christ.
Editor: Tell us about your call to the priesthood and your years in the parish.
Bishop Keith: It began in sixth grade in Confirmation class when we spent time learning about Christian vocation. I was convinced I was called to the priesthood. In fact I spent my early high school years at Notre Dame in Holy Cross Seminary. But alas that was not for me - I discovered girls. Luckily, I met my future wife, Suzie, shortly thereafter. I wasn't sure what an Episcopalian was, but she was a good one. I spent some time after school in the Army, and we were married. But frankly, I was not a very good churchgoer - Christmas, Easter, and other days when I would wake up in time.
In 1968 I became an Episcopalian. But it wasn't until 1970 that my faith was revived. Some good friends invited us to a dinner to hear a former pro football player speak. It turned out he was also an evangelist. His witness raised all my issues of spirituality and, after much struggle, Suzie and I found ourselves exploring churches. We began to attend a Full Gospel Church with our friends. It was very different but good. We felt we were a part of a community, a family. We invited the pastor to our home to tell him we wanted to join his congregation. Imagine our shock when he said "No. You already belong to a church, and if you have discovered anything here you need to take it and share it in your own church."
We took his advice and went back to our Episcopal church and became faithful, active members - even starting their first Bible study group. It was in the process of studying scripture that my struggle with vocation reappeared. I went to see my priest with the hope that he would not laugh out loud when I said I thought I was called to the priesthood. I no more got the words out of my mouth when he said, "Wait!" and picked up the phone. Within minutes I was in the Bishop's Office telling my story again and on my way in the ordination process. (Things worked a little differently in those days.)
I loved my service as a parish priest. It seems my special calling was to broken congregations - everything from gross decline to theological splits. I was blessed in my 22 years of parochial ministry with people of deep faith who were willing to step up and help lead their communities back to health and vitality.
Editor: Please tell us about your family.
Bishop Keith: My son, Chris, lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is an aspiring writer who supports himself by managing the bar in a Mexican restaurant. He also has spent the last eight years tutoring a quadriplegic young man through undergraduate and graduate programs. Chris goes to class with the young man (who will graduate next month with a master's degree in psychology), takes notes and helps him study. Chris is hoping to move next year to a major city and open a bookstore.
My daughter, Aimee, is a professional lighting and stage designer working for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She is married to a second-year seminary student, so they will be looking for work in a year.
You will all get to meet my lovely wife, Suzie, who has a degree in psychology. Suzie has worked with the homeless for quite a number of years. She has also been a professional fund raiser, having worked for one of the major firms that work with Episcopal congregations. Most recently, she has worked as activities director at an assisted living facility.
Editor: What do you do to relax?
I play video games (RPGs), do woodworking and read, read, read. Sometimes I just sit in my recliner and veg.
Editor: What are you reading? What's on your nightstand?
Bishop Keith: I have been trying to finish Ken Follette's sequel to "Pillars of the Earth." I get all kinds of magazines, but my favorite is Biblical Archeology Review. Lately, I have been reading Sara Miles' "Take This Bread," which is the story of her journey from secular atheism to the Episcopal Church. I, of course, read scripture and I am one of those strange people who read biblical commentaries for fun.
Editor: We understand that you're a bit of a geek. What fascinates you about computers?
Bishop Keith: I am more than a bit of a geek. I wear my plastic pocket protectors with pride. I was trained and worked as a mechanical engineer before priesthood. I have always had a fascination for how things work, and my mother wasn't very happy after I dismantled her new alarm clock. I enjoy the orderly creative process a computer can enable. I also like the way computers allow any of us to present an excellent product. We don't seem to see enough people striving for excellence today.
Editor: What else do you want us to know about you?
Bishop Keith: I am retired military, 27 years total. I served as an infantry officer as well as chaplain.
Editor: Moving from Wisconsin to Georgia is a big deal. How can we help you make this adjustment?
Bishop Keith: Pray that it never snows in Atlanta again. I am looking forward to the warm winters here. I have enjoyed the warm, hospitable welcome. People have been most gracious to us.
Editor: Any additional thoughts?
Bishop Keith: I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of this diocesan family. First, I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Bishop Alexander, whom I have admired for many years. I look forward to being a part of all we have to offer to the wider church.
Welcome our new bishop at bishopkeith@episcopalatlanta.org!
Photo above right: Bishop Keith Whitmore blesses the baptismal font during the April 20 Consecration of Church of the Good Shepherd, Covington. Photographer: John Sewak Ray
To read the story announcing his call, click here.
