The Installation of
the Rev. Bishop Edward R. Benoway
3 p.m. 18 November 2001
Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
Orlando, Florida
TAMPA--Surrounded by a congregation of 1,700, including bishops and leaders of several denominations and four countries, the Rev. Edward R. Benoway was installed as the third bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Sun., Nov. 18, at Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine in Orlando, FL. The ELCA's new Presiding Bishop, the Rev. Mark Hanson, presided over the ceremonies.
Benoway was elected to a six-year term as Bishop at the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly held last May at Kissimmee, FL.
In an event that was described by attendees as "grand and glorious," the service also included the installation of seven Assistants to the Bishop: Kenneth Aicher (Administration), the Rev. Eugene Kern (North Mission District), the Rev. William Miller (Southeast Mission District), the Rev. Rita Gardner Tweed (Southwest Mission District), the Rev. David Webb (Leadership Development), the Rev. Lenier Gallardo (Hispanic Ministries), and the Rev. Ronald Ryckman (Mission, Division for Outreach).
The festive eucharist had historical significance as Benoway became the first bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod to be installed into the historic episcopate, in accord with the recent full communion agreement between the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For that purpose, three bishops of the historic episcopate participated in the ancient and biblical laying on of hands, as prescribed in the documents of the Council of Nicea, 325 AD: Presiding Bishop Hanson and Bishop Margarita Martinez of the Caribbean Synod ELCA and the Rt. Rev. John Lipscomb, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
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"Buy your bishop a truck!"
With both sensitivity and humor, the Rev. Ruben Duran of Chicago, Division for Outreach of the ELCA, captivated all in attendance with his preaching. "You ought to buy your bishop a truck," he advised, as he related meeting a bishop from another denomination who was also a truck driver. "Imagine a truck pulling up behind your car, with horn blaring: 'Get out of the way, it's Benoway!' And on the back of the truck, 'How's my driving?' "
On a more serious note, Duran told those gathered, "You have a mission bishop, with a tender heart and a mind for ministry." As he concluded, he advised Benoway, "Keep on truckin'!" A round of applause greeted Duran after his inspiring sermon.
A special offering was made in the form of liturgical dance by the daughter of the new bishop, Christine LaPace, assisted by Patricia Baker and Pierrette Vernon. Interpreting the dance in sign language was another daughter, Carrie Benoway, while "Here I am, Lord" was sung and played by Kim Kaufman, a family friend. One pastor attending the service said the dance "created a prayerful atmosphere."
The bishop's sister, Andrea Brown, also participated in the service, reading the first lesson. The bishop's secretary, Ileana Sardinas, read the second lesson.
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"I loved the music!"
Major musical moments occurred throughout the service and were described by many as "uplifting," "impressive," "beautiful" and "excellent in its variety," with one person simply saying, "I loved the music!" Providing music was the adult choir of St. John's Lutheran Church, Winter Park, under the direction of Brad Gee, the Children's Choir of Resurrection House Mission, Dade City, under the direction of Margarita Romo, as well as a combined choir of synod church choirs, numerous church bell choirs, a brass quartet, and percussion instruments, all under the direction of Brian Larson, All Saints Lutheran Church, Port Orange. Stirring organ music was presented by Barbara Larson, also of All Saints.
Unique to the event was a sensitive musical arrangement of the Hymn of the Day, "Come, Holy Spirit, Our Souls Inspire," for brass quartet, handbells, organ and congregation, composed especially for the service by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Worship Consultant to the synod, Pinellas Park.
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Expression of Diversity
In a major expression of the diversity of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, songs were sung in English, Spanish and Latin, while prayers, which were prayed in all synod parishes that day, were spoken in the five languages of the synod: Spanish, Creole, German, Finnish, and English.
Setting an ecumenical tone to the installation service at the outset was a greeting made by the director of the shrine, the Rev. Joseph Harte, who read a message from the Most Rev. Norbert N. Dorsey, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando. Wide ecumenical representation was quite visible in the massive entrance procession, which included representatives of churches in full communion partnership with the ELCA -- the Presbyterian Church USA, the Moravian Church in America, the United Church of Christ, and the Episcopal Church (USA) -- as well as Bishops or representatives from three Roman Catholic Diocese in Florida, the Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Atlanta, and the President and Executive Director of the Florida Council of Churches. Attending from outside the U.S. were representatives of the Lutheran Churches of Haiti, Guyana, and Suriname.
Words of excitement and compliment could be heard on the lips of many following the service. "It was absolutely wonderful and uplifting," said one woman. Another related, "I cried [with joy] through the whole service." "Really impressive," commented yet another. "It was great!" said one man simply.
"I would like to give my thanks and special tribute," said Benoway afterwards, "to Pr. Robert Schaefer, Director of the Liturgy, and to Ken Aicher and Allison Anca from the Synod House, as well as to the Installation Committee for their efforts and planning to make this day truly festive." Serving on the Bishop's Installation Committee were the Rev. Robert Endruschat, the Rev. Gilberto Falcon, the Rev. John Hillmer, Barbara and Brian Larson, Victoria Hamilton, Shari O'Brien, the Rev. Roger Prehn, the Rev. Robert Schaefer (chair), the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel (consultant), the Rev. Pam Wellons, and the Rev. Laura Wind.
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For information regarding the Installation or pictures, contact Pastor Thomas L. Weitzel by Email or by phone at the Florida-Bahamas Synod, 813-876-7660.