Outta here: NJ bishop, a lifelong Mets fan, gets Amazin' retirement gift at Sunday Mass
Bishop William “Chip” Stokes scored a home run this past weekend ahead of his retirement as leader of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.
The Long Island native and lifelong Mets fan was making his last official visit to Trinity Cathedral in Trenton on Sunday morning when he received a going-away present that was, well, Amazin': a miter, the traditional headgear of a Christian bishop, emblazoned with an orange-and-royal-blue Mets logo and baseball stitching.
“This is fabulous,” said Stokes, 66, marveling at his prize. As he modeled the miter for the crowd, the applause grew, as if Saint Tom Seaver himself were addressing the congregation.
Stokes, who grew up in New York in the 1960s and 1970s, has followed the team for decades, even while serving in Florida. Given his intense schedule, he has attended few games recently, a diocese spokesperson said, but he occasionally cheers on the team via television.
He will soon have more time to watch them live: Stokes is due to retire on June 24, when the Rev. Dr. Sally French will be ordained as the 13th bishop and first female leader in the 238-year history of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.
Founded in 1785, the diocese is headquartered in Trenton. It has about 35,000 baptized members in more than 130 congregations in Central and South Jersey.
The Rev. René John, dean of the cathedral, presented Stokes with the miter near the end of the final official church visitation of Stokes' nearly 10 years as bishop.
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The hat was made by the Rev. Rachel E. Tyler, the new priest-in-charge of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy, whom Stokes ordained to the priesthood on June 1.
Stokes was clearly delighted with his new accessory. He placed the miter atop his head and smiled broadly, turning slowly in place so everyone, including the choir section, could catch a glimpse.
He glanced at his watch and said, “1:40," a reference to the start time for that day's game. "I’ll wear it home.”
The Mets could have used some divine intervention on Sunday. They lost 6-4 to the Blue Jays, who swept the three-game series at Citi Field.
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Before becoming the bishop of New Jersey in 2013, Stokes served as a church leader in Florida and on Long Island. According to his biography on the church website, he is a recognized preacher and Christian educator who has been active in the area of fighting racism and served at many levels of governance in the Episcopal Church.
He is credited with an array of accomplishments during his tenure as bishop, including the creation of the diocese's Reparations Commission and the nurturing of Latino ministries, the fastest-growing segment of the Episcopal Church. Stokes also oversaw the formation of Episcopal Community Services of New Jersey, a nonprofit focusing on providing food and shelter and working against social injustice.
Stokes and his wife, Susan, live in Trenton. They have four grown children and several grandchildren. After his retirement, they plan to live in St. Augustine, Florida.
The ordination and consecration of French will take place at Trinity Cathedral on June 24 at 10 a.m. The public is invited, though advance registration is required. The service will also be carried live on diocesan social media channels — on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter — and the diocesan website at dioceseofnj.org/live.
Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: yellin@northjersey.com
Twitter: @deenayellin
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Bishop William Stokes gets Mets miter as retirement gift
