The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer (center, L) passes the diocesan crozier to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb (center, R) as the Rev. Canon Ellis Brust (center), the Rev. John Motis (far R) and co-consecrating bishops observe. | Photo Credit: Calvary Orlando
Gospel proclamation. An array of nations, peoples and tongues. Glorious prayer and praise to God in word and song. The celebration of holy Eucharist. All of these elements combined to give the nearly 2,000 people who attended the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, 49, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida a glimpse of the glories of heaven.
Holcomb was elected on Jan. 14 at a special diocesan convention. Prior to his consecration, he served as canon for vocations for the diocese since 2013. He was ordained deacon and priest in 2006 in the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, formerly known as the Episcopal Church of Sudan. He is married to Lindsey Holcomb, and together they have two daughters, Sophia and Zoe.
‘Real Diversity’
Held on Saturday, June 10, at Calvary Assembly, Orlando, the entire service displayed the true diversity for which the diocese has become known. “We weren’t putting on a show to make everyone feel good about themselves,” said the Rev. Dr. José Rodríguez, rector of sister churches Christ the King and Jesús de Nazaret, both in Orlando. “The diversity is real, not performative.
Bishop-elect Dr. Justin S. Holcomb (R) responds to examination questions from the co-consecrating bishops. | Photo Credit: David Lewis
“All of us who were serving, we looked to our left and right and noticed the diversity,” he added. “But all of these people already knew each other because we are all serving within the diocese. That’s real diversity.”
Mrs. Carrie A. Brown of St. John the Baptist, Orlando, who has a long history in leadership with the Union of Black Episcopalians, also pointed to the diversity of both the consecration and the diocese. “This has been a very enriching and spiritual day for the Diocese of Central Florida,” she said. “Bishop Holcomb’s consecration provides a broad perspective of the diocese that really is very diverse, not just with African Americans but Haitians, Caribbeans and those from other backgrounds.”
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry within The Episcopal Church, served as chief consecrator in the absence of the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop, due to medical restrictions. Co-consecrators were the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, bishop of Honduras; the Rt. Rev. Dr. John C. Bauerschmidt, bishop of Tennessee; the Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, fourth bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida; the Rt. Rev. Griselda Delgado del Carpio, bishop of Cuba, retired; the Rt. Rev. Matthew Riegel, bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and the Rt. Rev. Dr. George Sumner, bishop of Dallas.
Message and Music
The Most Rev. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon preaches the consecration sermon. | Photo Credit: Calvary Orlando
The service featured a consecration sermon from the Most Rev. Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, bishop-in-residence, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Houston, Texas; former secretary-general of the Anglican Communion and former archbishop of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, The Church of Nigeria. Idowu-Fearon discussed the six qualities of a bishop or elder as given by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3: passionate desire, godly character, teaching ability, family leadership, maturity and reputation, applying each one to Holcomb’s episcopacy.
Idowu-Fearon also reminded others present of their responsibilities to the new bishop. “Because of the prominence, the leadership role of our bishop, Paul, in that passage, is calling on all of us to pray for him and his family. … Brother Justin, you have nothing to be afraid of. Just remember: The Lord is with you. And for all of us, we have a responsibility to pray for this, our brother, and his family, that the Lord will equip him, support him and lead us to higher grounds. Amen.”
Dr. Carl MaultsBy, director of music and organist at St. Richard’s, Winter Park, planned and directed the music for the service, which offered worship from a gospel ensemble, a Haitian choir, a youth ensemble and other musicians from churches throughout the diocese. The music included an original setting of Psalm 100, “Jubilate Deo,” composed by MaultsBy for Holcomb’s consecration and dedicated to him; “Mwen tande yon vwa kap rele’m” (“I heard a voice calling me”) sung in Haitian Creole by the Haitian Choir, Church of the Messiah, Winter Garden; a trilingual rendering (English, Haitian Creole and Spanish) of “Amazing Grace” and more.
Participants and attendees stand during worship, with music directed by Dr. Carl MaultsBy (center, behind co-consecrating bishops and table). | Photo Credit: Calvary Orlando
“The joy I got to experience and the people I got to work with spoke to the power of music in bringing people together, every people and tribe and language,” said Ama Brown-Fenton of St. John the Baptist, Orlando, who sang in the combined gospel choir. Aiden Rodrigues, 9, soloist from All Saints, Winter Park, was equally excited about the opportunity to sing for the consecration, explaining that he made his own copy of the music so he could easily identify his part.
But the excitement over the consecration extended well beyond the music. “Besides it being a momentous event in the life of the church and our diocese, it was also an event of the senses,” said Mrs. Leslie Jones of Grace, Ocala, banner procession coordinator and member of the Transition Committee. Jones pointed to the music as well as the amenities of the host church, the visiting bishops’ multicolored copes and miters, the priests in scarlet and white, and the stunning display of banners from 50 churches.
“Consecrations don’t happen very often,” said Dianne Casson of Holy Trinity, Fruitland Park. “It’s a blessing to be able to come and welcome our new bishop.” Sarah Freeman of Holy Cross, Sanford, also expressed her thoughts about witnessing this rare event: “I have never been to a bishop consecration; I’m so excited. I think that [Holcomb] is just the ticket for us. … I know God put him right where he’s supposed to be.”
Following the completion of Holcomb’s vows of consecration and passing of the peace, he celebrated the Eucharist, assisted by priests and deacons from throughout the diocese. The service concluded with more music, leading up to the final hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” and an organ postlude. A reception in Holcomb’s honor followed at All Saints, Winter Park.
Seating and Statement
Holcomb was formally seated on June 11, the day after the consecration, at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, where a representative of City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer read a proclamation congratulating Holcomb and thanking him for his service to the community, making special note of his “leadership, compassion, concern and care” and recognizing his focus on safe church initiatives. As bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, Holcomb now leads over 30,000 Floridians in 81 churches serving 15 counties.
“The first thing I want to say in this role: The deepest message of the Bible is the ministry of Jesus to sinners and sufferers,” he reminded those in attendance. “It is not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of Christ on whom you rely. … I have one job as a bishop: to point to the Good Shepherd. To say over and over again, ‘Our Savior is strong. Our Savior is patient. Our Savior is compassionate … And he is completely trustworthy.'”
Miss Sophia Holcomb (far L) exchanges a celebratory fist bump with her father, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb (far R) as Miss Zoe Holcomb (near L) and Mrs. Lindsey Holcomb (near R) look on. | Photo Credit: Calvary Orlando
In his official statement after the consecration, Holcomb also shared his heart with the people of the diocese and beyond:
“On behalf of Lindsey, Sophia and Zoe, thank you. We have felt very loved, cared for and supported by so many people. Our hearts are full and overflowing with gratitude.
“Going through this process has graciously caused me to rely more deeply on God’s kindness, my wife and daughters, family, friends and the many lay leaders and clergy in our diocese.
“I have experienced the reality that God is more faithful than I know or can imagine, and this gives me confidence as we move forward as a diocese.
“I am excited about the opportunities for our diocese. It is my great privilege and joy to be chosen to serve in this role and to serve with such a gifted group of lay leaders and clergy in the diocese and my colleagues in the House of Bishops.
“Thank you all for trusting me in this role and for your encouragement, prayers and support.”