Bishop Kelsey To Receive Honors

Bishop James Kelsey (Photograph by Chuck Kleber)

The Right Reverend James Kelsey, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, will receive an honorary doctorate degree during commencement ceremonies at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Thursday, May 17.

Bishop Kelsey is "an advocate for collaborative ministry, a nonhierarchal form of leadership, which includes locally ordained priests and a team of personas who share ministry support responsibilities," said The Right Reverend Steven Charleston, the divinity school's president.

The school, he said, "recognizes Bishop James Kelsey and the Diocese of Northern Michigan for their prophetic leadership in supporting the baptismal ministry of all Episcopalians and for their work in helping to transform congregations from being communities gathered around a minister to ministering communities."

Episcopal Divinity School was formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School (founded in 1857) and Episcopal Theological School (founded in 1867) and offers doctor of ministry and master's degrees, as well as certificates in theological studies.

Bishop Kelsey will preside at services at Trinity Episcopal Church on Mackinac Island Sunday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m.