Religious faith continues to be a driving force behind push for civil rights, Episcopal bishop says in West Haven MLK service

From Connecticut- (with video)

Even during a time when it seems as if “all of the progress that we have made” is being stalled, religious faith continues to be a driving force behind the push for civil rights, an Episcopal bishop said Monday in West Haven’s second Martin Luther King Jr. Day tribute in as many days.

“We are living in a contemporary moment where it seems that all the progress that we have made” is facing “it seems like, from the highest offices ... a consistent pattern of derogatory diminishment,” the Right Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, retired bishop of Central Pennsylvania, said at a tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The tribute service, of which Baxter was celebrant, was sponsored and organized by the Union of Black Episcopalians’ Southern Connecticut Chapter.

More here-

http://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Religious-faith-continues-to-be-a-driving-force-12499856.php

Nathan Baxter reflects as he prepares to retire as bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

From Lancaster PA-

As Nathan Baxter prepares to step down as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, he recalls to the beginning of his tenure as a newly minted prelate.

Though he had grown up in the area, and served it as both professor and priest, Baxter, 65, says that when he arrived at the diocesan headquarters in Harrisburg, he still felt the weight of his new responsibilities.

"I remember saying to God: 'Oh God, I don't know if I can do this or not.'"
Wandering to his office window on Front Street, he stared reflectively across the Susquehanna River.

More here-

http://lancasteronline.com/lancaster/news/nathan-baxter-reflects-as-he-prepares-to-retire-as-bishop/article_e05df81c-c0de-11e3-b249-001a4bcf6878.html

Central Pennsylvania bishop to retire due to health reasons

From ENS-

The Rt. Rev. Nathan Baxter, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, has announced his intent to retire due to health issues.

Baxter, who has recently returned from a three-month sabbatical, told members of the diocese that, although his recent health issues are much improved, “it has also become clear to me that my health challenges will not allow me to serve you with the sustained energy and consistency required for the future of this work.”

Baxter noted that he has continued to deal with migraine headaches, vertigo and fatigue and he felt these ailments would interfere with his ability to execute his duties fully. He noted that, by the time his successor is ordained, he will have served as bishop for eight years. Most bishops in the Episcopal Church serve an average of 10 years before retirement.

The bishop informed the diocesan Standing Committee earlier this month and then sent letters to the clergy and to the diocese as a whole. He noted in his letter that the selection process for a new bishop normally takes about 18 months. He pledged to continue to serve until a new bishop is ordained.
Bishop Clay Matthews, head of the Office of Pastoral Development for the Episcopal Church is scheduled to be at a joint meeting of the council of trustees and Standing Committee of the diocese July 9 to help guide the process of selecting a new bishop.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/06/25/central-pennsylvania-bishop-to-retire-due-to-health-reasons/