Maine's first openly gay Episcopal Bishop says his priorities include getting to know people and hearing about their stories and needs from the church.
The Rev. Thomas James Brown says he looks to engage with church elders while tackling youth issues. He said the he also intends to build trust in the church around local issues.
"We are going to work together to make sure there is housing for the folk who are coming here,” he says. “We're going to make sure that there's housing for the people who served in Armed Forces on behalf of our country. We're going to make sure that the homeless of our cities are cared for. we do that work together. I think that right now is a pressing concern and a beautiful invitation to walk the walk."
Brown will be consecrated the 10th Bishop of Maine Saturday. He was elected after three rounds of voting earlier this year.
The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal church, Michael Curry, will oversee the consecration. Last year Curry gave a rousing sermon at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding and presided over George W Bush's funeral. He applauded the election of Rev. Brown to the Bishophood.
"What that reflected on a deeper level is a living out of what Jesus has called us to be, which is a real community of Gospel inclusivity," says Curry.
Updated 4:37 p.m. June 21, 2019