Retirement of Bp. Timothy Cravens

God has blessed the Independent Catholic Christian Church with 19 years of service by Bishop Timothy W. Cravens. He has been our Bishop, our guide, our co-worker in Christ, our counselor, our teacher, our friend. With joy and sadness we mark and celebrate the ending of his ministry with us and his retirement beginning July 1, 2021. He has set the church on a strong foundation, helped us to mark our direction, and encouraged us on our way. Together we have served the Lord and his Church in common devotion to the Gospel. Sharing in our joys and sorrows, he has been important to us in our life together in the Church of Jesus Christ. As he has been a blessing to us, may he go forth to be a blessing to others. With gratitude and hope, our prayers and blessings go with him also.
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Bp. Timothy Cravens, Presiding Bishop Emeritus, holds a BA in Judaic Studies from Emory University and a Master of Divinity from Harvard University. In the summer of 2004, he officiated at a number of same-sex weddings in New Paltz, NY as part of the New Paltz Equality Initiative organized to continue the courageous work of Mayor Jason West. He co-founded the Independent Catholic Christian Church in 2002 and served as pastor at St. Mary of Grace Parish for 16 years.