Episcopal Press and News
People
Episcopal News Service. May 14, 1993 [93095M]
The Rev. James Jelinek was elected bishop of Minnesota on the sixth ballot on May 1. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. Robert Anderson, who will retire on August 31 to pursue other areas of ministry after 15 years as diocesan bishop. Jelinek was a parish priest for 22 years, serving parishes in Tennessee and Southern Ohio before becoming rector at St. Aidan's in San Francisco in 1985. Supporters cited Jelinek's command of several languages, his experience in ministering in multiracial communities and with gay and lesbian people, and his interest in American Indian ministry and culture as qualities that will help him serve the diverse constituents of the Diocese of Minnesota. Jelinek will begin work on September 1 and will be consecrated on October 29.
Mary Louise Sharp became the national president of the Church Periodical Club (CPC) upon the death of Julia Ann Godsey on March 13, 1993. Sharp was president of Province VI CPC 1981-85, CPC representative to the 1985 Episcopal Church Women Triennial meeting and CPC national secretary 1984-91. She was elected vice-president at the CPC triennial meeting in Phoenix in 1991. Sharp, who visited Godsey shortly before her death, said, "Julia touched many lives, including mine. My tribute to her will be to take up the tasks she undertook as CPC president and complete them for her."
Thomas K. Chu has been appointed staff officer for young adult and higher education ministries at the Episcopal Church Center. In this position, Chu will respond to the needs and concerns of young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 both in and out of university settings. The Rev. Giles Asbury, Episcopal chaplain at UCLA and former president of the Episcopal Society for Ministry in Higher Education, praised Chu's ability to "listen to people whose perspectives and outlooks are different from his. He is well-known and respected by various chaplains around the country." A 1989 graduate of Columbia University, Chu was assistant for congregational development at the Episcopal Church Center and was co-chair on the planning committees for four national Asian youth and young-adult events prior to his appointment. Chu fills a position left vacant by the Rev. Nathaniel Porter, who was appointed partnership officer for Africa in January 1992.
Bishop David Alavarez of Puerto Rico has agreed to become interim bishop of Cuba for one year beginning on July 1. Alvarez accepted an invitation from the Metropolitan Council of the Anglican Church of Cuba after an unsuccessful attempt to elect a successor to Bishop Emilio Hernandez last November. Alvarez will administer both dioceses and oversee the process of electing a new bishop next spring. Hernandez, a 67-year-old native of Cuba, has been bishop for 11 years and will retire at the end of June.