Dear Friends and Colleagues,

During the month of October and until November 6th I shall be in Scotland serving as a Locum Tenens in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney where Bishop Anne Dyer has asked me to provide services at St Congan’s Church in Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

While I am away The Rev. Jeffrey Cave will be on call for Canon Chaplain services. Jeffrey’s number is 404 775 6621. He will not be making parish/clergy visitations as I do but will be available for pastoral support and help during this period. While I was in Edinburgh last year Jeffrey provided the same coverage and it worked very well for those involved.

I look forward to bringing you a full account of my time in Scotland when I return. Most of you will know that TEC has a special relationship with the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney because of the consecration there of Bishop Seabury in 1784. St Andrew’s Cathedral in Aberdeen has a chapel dedicated to the American Church and shares honorary canons with the Diocese of Connecticut where Seabury was elected first bishop of the new Episcopal Church in the United States. It might be said that the Anglican Communion came into being at that time and place, involving two Episcopal churches in Scotland and America that were not part of the Church of England.

Best wishes and blessings,
JOHN