As one of his last official acts as our diocesan bishop, Bishop Brewer set today as a feast day in honor of the Reverence Canon Nelson Pinder, who died a year ago tomorrow. As far as I know, we have no other such designations in the history of our diocese. I expect Canon Pinder will eventually be designated as a saint by the Episcopal Church. That says a lot, and there is a lot to say.

We met when he interviewed me in the approval process for ordination. Soon after I was ordained a few years later, we served together on the Commission on Ministry, the committee that helps the bishop oversee that ordination process. Nelson and I served together on it for eight years, seven of which I was the chair. That’s relevant here because for seven years, whenever I’d see him at a meeting or a diocesan function, he’d hail me in a very loud and booming voice “Mr. Chairman.” And he’d call me when he wanted to discuss a candidate.

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Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” This imparts the agency relationship Jesus has with his Father and which he extends to his disciples. Agency means you operate directly in line with your agency interests.

The most famous secret agent ever is, of course, James Bond.  You may know that the author of the James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, was a real British Naval Intelligence officer and spy in World War II. Few will have heard of Bill Stephenson, one of the key spies who inspired Fleming.

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I’m happy to report that we had a great week at Camp Wingmann. I look forward to it every year for a few reasons. First is the opportunity to be with the campers. There are joys with each age group, elementary, middle and high school kids. I’ve chosen the elementary camp the last few years in the hope that my being there will help Good Shepherd kids and their parents choose to go.

For most of our kids, it’s their first time to be away from home for five nights. That’s a big deal. It’s a big deal when they make the decision to go to camp, and it’s a big deal once they get there. I cannot tell you how many kids got homesick at least once during the week, usually in the evening and they are tired from a busy day. Their eyes look at you, wide as saucers, a little wet. You know the dam is about to burst. And it’s not just being away from home. The kids are in a cabin with a bunch of other kids. Some of those kids are annoying, or maybe they all seem annoying.

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