Present and past members of the Standing Commission on Ministry Development (SCMD) and staff at the Office for Ministry Development are stunned and deeply saddened by the death of Bishop James Kelsey. From 2000-2006, Jim worked tirelessly along with fellow members on the Commission to craft canons that reflected the reality and needs of the Episcopal Church across diverse contemporary contexts. During those six years, the subcommittee on canonical revision would often work long into the night at SCMD meetings to draft proposed canons that were clear and workable and reflective especially of the context of the rural church and small congregations. Few people could have kept their good nature still shining after hours of wrangling over legal language, but Jim did.
Jim Kelsey was passionate about the centrality of baptismal ministry and believed that the canons must support and recognize the local ministry context. On the plane ride back to Michigan after SCMD he would continue working on his computer to make sure all the corrections were made to the text without delay. He was the apostle of Title III revision: all of us, including the staff of OMD, rely on the excellent Power Point presentations he created to help explain the changes to the wider church. To garner support in the House of Bishops, Jack Croneberger (retired, Newark) and Jim reviewed the proposals with their colleagues on several occasions. The revised ministry canons are an important part of his large legacy to the Episcopal Church.
Those of us who worked with him will remember his special attributes: tireless energy; clear-minded thinking; an easy smile; a readiness to acknowledge good work done by others; a friend in tough times; an ability to lead us in song at worship; his joy in his family and enjoyment of the blessings of life; his efforts to stay healthy and fit.
I know I speak for SCMD and OMD in saying that we are so grateful to have worked with Jim as colleague and friend. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and the Diocese of Northern Michigan.
