Reflections on the PB Election from the Rt Rev Otis Charles, Retired

Sunday, June 18th, Father's, Day we chose a mother to lead the Church as Presiding Bishop. I cast my ballot for Katharine Schori with hope yet not daring to believe we would elect a woman. Actually, there was a lot of reflective conversation before the election which went like, "I'd vote for Katharine but she can't get elected and I don't want to throw away my vote."

I was almost convinced until I realized not to vote for Katharine would be coming from fear.

As the voting proceeded, we sang hymns, listened to scripture, prayed and quietly received the results of each ballot: 44, 49, 68, 88, 95 (an election!) As we waited to hear that the Deputies had confirmed the election of the first woman to serve as Presiding Bishop, I recalled Phoebe Griswold's words to us Saturday evening, "You can be proud to be Episcopalians" and I thought, "We can be proud to be Utah Episcopalians." We helped prepare the Church for this great day.

Otis+