(Photo by Todd Franson, Metro Weekly)
Distinguished Service Award to the Right Reverend John Bryson Chane
Presented by GLAA President Mitch Wood
GLAA 40th Anniversary ReceptionWashington Plaza Hotel
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Our first honoree is both a man of faith and a doctor of divinity. The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane has been Bishop of Washington since 2002. His diocese is one of the most diverse in the Episcopal Church, with Spanish-speaking congregations and communities with African heritage among 91 parishes and 23 church related schools. His flock encompasses 45,000 souls in the District and Maryland’s Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles and Saint Mary’s Counties.
A leader in interfaith dialogue and study, Bishop Chane has traveled to Iran and developed partnerships with the Anglican Province of Southern Africa and the Diocese of Jerusalem. He has spoken on Islam and geopolitical issues at the National Defense University and the State Department. He is a member of The Episcopal Church’s Committee on National and International Concerns.
He speaks and writes on issues of faith, politics and religion. He co-founded the Episcopal Church’s “Bishops Working for a Just World” that seeks solutions to domestic and global poverty, universal health care and the environmental crisis. He is an advocate for the homeless, the aged, and those discriminated against because of sexual orientation or immigrant status.
His writings in The Washington Post have included “A Gospel of Intolerance” in 2006 criticizing Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola’s support for a law criminalizing homosexuality; and “A Christian case for same-sex marriage” in the “On Faith” blog in November 2009. He has supported available and affordable medical services and spiritual care for people with HIV, both in Southern Africa and in the Washington, DC region through the Episcopal Caring Response to AIDS and Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington.
In 2009, the Diocese became a community partner of Capital Pride, and the Bishop and his wife Karen--who we are pleased is with us this evening--regularly accompanied the continent of Episcopal parishes in the Capital Pride parade. Bishop Chane was a signatory to the statement of DC ministers supporting marriage equality. As the law took effect, he gave authorization and issued guidelines for Episcopal clergy officiating at weddings for gay or lesbian couples.
Many here may not know this--but the Bishop is also a quite a musical talent. During the Sixties, prior to his ordination, John Chane toured as a professional drummer in the United States and Canada with several rock and roll bands. He continues to play charity events around the country with some of his old band mates in a group called “The Chane Gang.” In 2005 the band recorded a CD entitled “A Bishop, His Band and the Blues.”
As he retires this year, we take this moment to honor Bishop Chane for his service and leadership. It is my profound pleasure to present GLAA’s Distinguished Service Award to the Right Reverend John Bryson Chane.
