ORDINATION and CONSECRATION The Rev. Dr. Prince Singh

As the Eighth Bishop of Rochester

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding

May 31, 2008, at 11:00 AM

Doors Open at 10:30 AM

The Eastman Theater of the University of Rochester

NEWS

See BELOW for

PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

DIRECTIONS: MAPS and PARKING

HOUSING SUGGESTIONS

As these become available

PARTICIPATE!

DOWNLOAD FORM:  Call for volunteers

Choral Singers throughout the diocese are invited to lend their voices to the festive celebration of Bishop Singh's consecration. The Transition Committee and Dr. Carl Johengen, Music Coordinator, sincerely hope that each parish will be represented by choir members, directors, and other experienced singers.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

First rehearsals (singers may attend EITHER or BOTH:

Saturday 5/10, 10am-noon, St. Thomas' Church, BATH

OR- Sunday 5/11, 6:30-8:30, St. Thomas' Church, ROCHESTER

MANDATORY Massed rehearsal: Sunday 5/18, 6:00-8:00 PM, St. John's Church, Canandaigua

EVENT: Eastman Theatre, 5/31: 8:45 - arrival; 9:00-10:00 - warm-up onstage; 10:30 - prelude music begins; 11:00 - liturgy begins.

Singers wishing to take part in this diocesan choir are asked to respond via e-mail

BY APRIL 15th to Dr. Carl Johengen, at concerts@stthomasbath.org.

Please put "Consecration Choir" in the “subject” line of your message.

Choir directors may wish to collect names of those committed to participating, and submit them as a group using this form. If submitting via email, include NAME, VOICE PART, E-MAIL ADDRESS, and PARISH NAME AND LOCATION.

Those without access to e-mail may call the parish office of St. Thomas' Bath at (607) 776-4503, M-F 9:00-12:00. Your response is a commitment to participate; music will be purchased for you, and we hope to send it to your parish ahead of the first rehearsal. Singers who do not respond prior to April 15th are still invited to come to one of the first rehearsals.

Other Participation Opportunities

This Letter was sent out April 2nd.  If you are interested contact your parish  leadership.  Note Deadline: April 25th

Dear Clergy and Wardens of the Diocese:

As the date for the ordination/consecration of our new bishop approaches, the Transition Committee asks your assistance in filling the various roles in the service. It is our hope that each parish will not only have members in attendance, but also be represented by volunteers assisting with the liturgical and hospitality duties. Your parish may also have the opportunity to lend a chalice to be used during the Eucharist.

Attached is a list of the roles that need to be filled. It is important that you promptly communicate these needs to individuals in your parish and submit a list of volunteers standing by to serve. Please appoint one person (not necessarily the clergy in charge) to be the contact responsible for returning this information to the Transition Committee. That person will then act as the liaison with participants in your parish.

The deadline for submitting names is April 25th

Our goal for participation is to involve representatives from each and every parish; however, not everyone who volunteers will be needed. Please submit the names of those who wish to volunteer for the various roles; once the Transition Committee receives all the lists, we will determine who will serve, and will notify your parish volunteers through your appointed contact person.

We look forward to the participation of our diocesan youth. We encourage you to seek out mature youth to fill some of these roles.

We would also like to encourage you to seek out those in your parish willing to offer rides to others; you may wish to rent a bus for your parish, as parking will be limited. With the Presiding Bishop present and preaching, we anticipate a large turnout. The Eastman Theatre seats 3,000 so we feel tickets will not be necessary. Seating will be reserved for those with specific roles in the consecration.

[Note: this letter and accompanying form(s) may be found on the diocesan web site (www.rochesterepiscopaldiocese.org) under “Consecration” as a WORD doc.]

Mail forms to: Consecration Planning, 110 Robie St. Bath, NY 14810 no later than April 25

PARISH: _________________ CONTACT PERSON: ______________

PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY:DEADLINE: APRIL 25

Volunteer Opportunities for the Consecration on Saturday,

May 31, 2008, Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY

Parish Banner (one is desired from each parish) We invite every parish to bring a banner (and accompanying stand) to the theatre for display. It does not have to have your parish name on it.  Please indicate the person responsible for your parish banner:

Banners may be any size but preferably not larger than 4 feet wide and 6 feet in length. Every parish must provide its own banner pole and stand. Banners must be removed promptly after the ceremony.

Chalices    We will need 36 chalices and purificators for the ceremony.  Please let us know if your chalice and purificator is available and plan to bring it early on the day of the consecration. Please place a label discretely beneath the base for identification.

Outdoor Guides  to help guide people from parking garage(s) to the theatre and into the proper doors. Following the ceremony some of these same people would guide the crowds to the location of the reception across the street. Some Guides may help at the shuttle bus locations for VIPs arriving.

Vergers  to precede the processions and guide them down appropriate aisles. Other verger-like duties may be assigned. Individuals must be available for a brief rehearsal the morning of the consecration.

Ushers  to help seat people in all levels of the theatre, passing out worship booklets and to assist, as directed, with moving people to and from communion.

Eucharistic Ministers  to be chalice bearers during communion. These should be licensed and experienced Eucharistic ministers.

Telescoping Kite Pole(s)  to precede the processions. We are in need of both flexible telescoping kite poles and persons who have experience in carrying and waving them. Attendance at a rehearsal will be necessary. We will provide red streamers or doves.

Crucifer and Acolyte Team  (5 teams total will be needed)  A crucifer (with cross) and two acolytes to carry candles in the various processionals.  Individuals must be available for a brief rehearsal the morning of the consecration. Cross must be provided by the parish. Cross and torch teams will be selected to represent the various districts of the diocese.

EASTMAN THEATER

60 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY

Directions

Traveling by car from the west: Take Interstate 90 to Exit 47, then Interstate 490 East to Rochester. As you approach downtown, follow the Inner Loop ramp to the left. Exit at Scio Street, and turn right. Proceed to the second light and turn right on Main Street. The School is one block down on your left. However, cross over Main Street to park in the East End garage, and then walk one block to Gibbs Street. The Eastman Theatre entrance is on the corner. The main entrance to the School is at 26 Gibbs Street. Sibley Music Library is on the opposite side, at 27 Gibbs Street. The Student Living Center is at 100 Gibbs Street, just across Main Street.

Traveling by car from the east: Take Interstate 90 to Exit 45, then Interstate 490 West into downtown Rochester. Exit at Clinton Ave. (Exit 16). At the first light, turn right onto Woodbury Blvd. At the next light, turn left on Chestnut Street. Stay on Chestnut Street (about 200 yards) to East Ave. Turn right onto East Ave. then take first left onto Gibbs Street. The School is half a block up on your right; the Sibley Music Library is on your left at 27 Gibbs Street. The Eastman Theatre (which is housed in the same building as the School) is at the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets. The Eastman Student Living Center is on the right about 50 yards past Main Street at 100 Gibbs Street. Parking is available at the East End Garage on Main Street, one block to the right of the School and Theatre.

From the airport: The Rochester International Airport is located southwest of the downtown area. Incoming participants often take a taxi to the Eastman School located at 26 Gibbs Street. (Anticipate a fare of approximately $15.) If renting a car at the airport, take Interstate 390 North to Interstate 490 East, and follow the directions above, "By car from the west."

From the bus station: The Rochester bus terminal (Greyhound and Trailways) is located 2 blocks from the School and 3 blocks from the Student Living Center. It is a short walk, although it can seem long in the Winter.

From the train station: The Amtrak station is a short cab ride from the School. (Fare is approximately $10.)

IMPORTANT  INFORMATION

RSVP’s due no later than May 16.

RSVP  is requested from the Bishops, Clergy, Lay Leaders and any other participants in this celebration so that we may be sure of seating in the theater.

ALL clergy canonically resident in Rochester and licensed clergy serving Rochester congregations will receive an invitation.

Representatives from other adjudagatories, Faith Communities and Public Officials

will receive invitations.

ALL OTHER INVITED GUESTS (Bishops, Clergy, Lay Leaders) must respond, via response card.  Please indicate on your card what events you will be attending.  Reservations must be made by May 16th.

ALL guests are invited to a Reception at Max of Eastman Place (across the street from the theater) following the consecration.

There will be seating areas for the hearing-impaired (with sign language interpretation provided) and for people using wheelchairs or walkers.  These will be clearly marked.

DOORS WILL OPEN FOR SEATING AT  10:00 am

Limited metered parking is available on streets surrounding the theater and there is FREE parking at the East End Garage on Main Street (adjacent to the Eastman Theater).  Car pooling is encouraged!

All guests arrange for their own accommodations.  A limited number of hotel rooms are reserved at the Hyatt Regency Rochester (125 East Main Street, 800.233.1234) under “Episcopal Diocese of Rochester”.  Rooms will be held at our special rate of $119/night until May 16th.  The Hyatt provides a complimentary airport shuttle service. Rochester has many good hotels in the downtown area in all price ranges.  A useful web site for accommodations is rochesternytourism.com