Christ Church will host the Episcopal Bishop of Long Island, the Right Reverend Lawrence C. Provenzano, on Sunday, May 18 at the 10 a.m. Church Service. The Bishop’s visit is to confirm eleven of the Christ Church youth. These local youngsters are: Kayla Deosaran, Elizabeth Kelly, Lucy Pavlovich, Decker Paterson, Michael Polis, Sage Sherry, Megan Smith, Walter Stackler, William Stackler, Una Stopford, and Charlotte Trezza.
In preparation for their Confirmation, the student candidates spent the last year learning what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, studying various parts of both the Old and the New Testaments, with particular attention to the amazing revelatory relationship between the Creator and God’s people, a relationship that culminated in Jesus’ ministry. The class also examined the many roles water plays in the scriptures, such as in the creation and in baptism. And in order to understand that God is a God of Justice, the class read the entire Book of Amos in which God “…let justice flow like water, and righteousness like an unfailing stream.” Amos 5:24. The Confirmation Candidates look forward to the Bishop’s visit to confirm and affirm their own discipleship.
Bishop Provenzano serves as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Long Island, and was consecrated as Bishop in September 2009. Prior to his consecration, Bishop Provenzano served as Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church, both in the Diocese of Massachusetts, and Christ Episcopal Church, Westerly, RI. He was twice elected to serve at the Episcopal General Convention. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Bishop Provenzano attended St. John’s University, the University of the State of New York, and Christ the King Seminary. He was received as a priest in the Episcopal Church in April 1984. Bishop Provenzano is married and have three adult children, Kay, Mary and Christopher.
Christ Church Interim Rector Father Charles Colwell, stated, “Christ Church is honored to welcome the Bishop on this celebratory occasion of our parishioners’ Confirmation. We would also be honored if many members of our community would join us in hosting the Bishop on that Sunday.” Bishop Provenzano stated, “My visit will afford me the great joy of getting to know the clergy,lay leaders and parishioners at Christ Church. It is my practice in the Long Island Diocese to celebrate the Rite of Confirmation with the understanding that those presented for Confirmation have participated in an extensive formation program that affords each candidate to make an adult affirmation of his or her baptismal vows.”
Christ Church is located at 1355 Northern Blvd. For more information, contact the Church Office on 627-2184.
