(By James Solheim ENS) In a sweeping liturgy that combined soaring choral music, the heady rhythms of Native American drums and African American spirituals, with the spectacle and colour of stately processions, Frank Tracy Griswold of Chicago was invested as the 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church at Washington National Cathedral January 10.

After an extensive musical prelude, drawing on a wide variety of church traditions, almost 200 bishops of the church were joined by ecumenical guests and, for the first time, representatives of Islam and Judaism, in processions that flowed into the cathedral from all directions. Banners and coloured streamers captured the festive air of the occasion, as the nearly 4,000 participants filled the cathedral to inaugurate a new season of leadership in the church.

Participants in the cathedral were joined by church members at over 200 downlink sites across the country who watched a live satellite television broadcast and participated locally in the service. A simultaneous audio feed over the world-wide Internet extended the audience internationally.

Welcoming the Presiding Bishop

When all had taken their places, a delegation moved to the west entrance to welcome the new presiding bishop. The moment of expectant silence was pierced by a loud knock at the portal. Bishop Ron Haines of Washington opened the doors and members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Chicago introduced the new Presiding Bishop to the church "with pride, affection and gratitude for his ministry with us."

Former Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning and House of Deputies President Pamela Chinnis asked the Presiding Bishop to affirm his commitment to his new ministry. When Bishop Browning asked the congregation if they would "do all in your power to support and uphold Frank in this ministry," they thundered in response, "We will." Bishop Haines extended the hospitality of the diocese and Dean Nathan Baxter invited Bishop Griswold "as our chief pastor to preside in this Eucharistic Assembly."

In one of the most poignant moments of the liturgy, Bishop Browning presented the primatial staff to Bishop Griswold, a symbol of the role of Presiding Bishop, asking that he "lead us in witness to the world that genuine authority and true joy come only through walking the way of the cross with Christ, our Saviour and Lord."

When Bishop Browning presented his successor to the congregation, the cathedral erupted in sustained applause. Presiding Bishop Griswold then moved to his chair behind the altar and led the congregation in prayer.

Homily emphasises community

In his homily, Presiding Bishop Griswold related an experience he had at Assisi, at the foot of a crucifix that "spoke to St. Francis," in the church where Francis prayed at the beginning of his conversion.

As he sat in the dark chapel, Presiding Bishop Griswold said that he was "drawn to the cross as though it were a magnet" and soon moved "from observer to participant," reciting a prayer written by Francis at the foot of the cross. "In the silence of the chapel, the prayer spoke to me," Presiding Bishop Griswold said. He discovered that God's call to Francis was a clear one--"go rebuild my church," a call that soon took hold of him. With it came the realisation that the task was not his alone, that God was saying that "it belongs to everyone who has been baptised into my death and resurrection. You are all called to rebuild my church." (for full text of the sermon see ENS online)

Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant

In what he called "the ground of today's liturgy," Presiding Bishop Griswold and a group of assisting bishops moved to a large baptismal font in the middle of the nave and led the congregation in a renewal of their Baptismal Covenant. After filling bowls of water from the font, the party moved throughout the cathedral sprinkling the entire congregational with the water.

Led by the new Presiding Bishop, the liturgy moved into the Eucharist, with communion stations scattered at key points throughout the cathedral. At the end of the communion, the dean and the bishop of Washington escorted the Presiding Bishop to the stall in the Great Choir reserved for his use.

After blessing the congregation, the new Presiding Bishop moved slowly down the aisle, pausing at the baptismal font, where he was joined by his wife Phoebe and his family. Drawing on a common theme of his ministry-- accessibility and availability--he greeted the hundreds who pressed forward with words of welcome and encouragement.