A Strange Vocation: Independent Bishops Tell Their Stories

This is a book of vocational stories— stories of the lives and ministries of bishops in the independent sacramental movement.

Even in our great diversity, one of the things we Bishops in the Independent Sacramental Movement have in com- mon is the belief that we have been called by God to our various ministries—and varied and amazing ministries they are, too! But whether, for example, through +River’s street-level needle exchange, or the hospitality charism followed by Bishop Liz Stuart in imitation of St. Brigid of Kildare, or the Franciscan charism as lived by Archbishop Ron Langham, all of us in our several ways try to meet Christ in others, and be Christ to others, as best we can.

Whether you, the reader, are a member of the Independ- ent Sacramental Movement (ISM) or whether you are a member of another Christian family, or indeed a curious non-Christian, this little book is a gift from the heart of the “Indie” movement to you and we hope that in some way, you will find it edifying.