To the Clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I am writing to you in advance of your receiving an invitation to the Ordination to the Priesthood of the Rev. Bill Hesse, in Bishop Seabury Church, Groton, on Saturday, May 12, by the Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven, who will be acting for the Bishop of Pittsburgh.

Also, on Trinity Sunday, June 3, I will make a canonical Episcopal Visitation in Bishop Seabury Church. I will preside and preach as Bishop of the Diocese at the regular services of the parish that morning.

To prepare for these events, members of the Vestry and I will meet on Tuesday evening, April 24. On Thursday evening of the next week, May 2, all members of Bishop Seabury Church have been invited to an open meeting with me. Our time together will include worship and discussion modeled on the two conversations I have had with the members of the Church of Christ and the Epiphany, East Haven.

I am very grateful to the Youth Group of Saint Peter's Church, Hebron, and to the parish of Christ Church,Tashua, for changing commitments we had made, in order to make these arrangements possible.

As with every ordination in the Diocese, I encourage our clergy to be present, and to hold Bill Hesse in your prayers as he approaches May 12.

These plans have come together over these past weeks in an atmosphere of hope and respect. I am deeply heartened and grateful for the talks I have had with Father Gauss and Deacon Hesse as we have prepared for the four events. May the grace of Christ continue to flow abundantly. I ask you to hold our whole diocese in your prayers as we enter and explore a new day.

Yours in Christ,