is the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. A native of Ohio he holds a Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Before entering seminary, he served in the U. S. Navy for six years and as Director of a Community Action Child Development program. He and his wife, Gloria, have two adult sons.
Prior to his election as bishop, Bishop Waggoner served 21 years in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, 12 in parish ministry and nine on the Bishop’s staff as Canon to the Ordinary, Congregational and Community Consultant, and Deployment Officer. James Waggoner
is the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. A native of Ohio he holds a Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Before entering seminary, he served in the U. S. Navy for six years and as Director of a Community Action Child Development program. He and his wife, Gloria, have two adult sons.
Prior to his election as bishop, Bishop Waggoner served 21 years in the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, 12 in parish ministry and nine on the Bishop’s staff as Canon to the Ordinary, Congregational and Community Consultant, and Deployment Officer. Bishop's Notes
Personal presence renews Incarnation
Gloria and I recently returned from visiting family back east. We delighted in being with the generations beginning with our own surviving parents through our sons, their spouses, and our grandchildren, and joyfully celebrated a high school graduation and a birthday.
The time with family was a poignant reminder of how important it is to be [...]
Bishop's Notes
The mighty wind brings us a new day
It is daybreak and I am listening to lively tones as a brisk breeze blows through wind chimes outside my window. The new day is alive; wind upon chimes announces it.
In this Pentecost season wind is a compelling subject. Only a Sunday ago we celebrated how the Spirit came as the sound of a mighty [...]
Bishop's Notes
Seeing differently, seeing the truth
On this page is a poem, “Adagio,” written by Gloria Waggoner, a poem recently published in a distinguished volume of writings honoring motherhood. To say that I am extremely proud of her recently recognized work is an understatement.
Though I have had the privilege of reading and being moved by Gloria’s writings through the years, I [...]
Bishop's Notes
Resurrection: The Way is Open
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the [...]
Bishop's Notes
Jesus leads us in new directions
An increasingly popular item is the GPS (Global Positioning System). Using satellite technology, this instrument tells us where we are on the planet. It’s somewhat like that arrow on signs in malls that points to “You are here.”
A GPS can be a valuable instrument in helping travelers avoid getting lost. As one who travels [...]
Bishop's Notes
Christ’s light shines through us
It was a rather boring meeting until the person seated beside me said, “When I retire, which will be quite soon, I want to study the phenomenon of light.” He continued, saying that this was an entirely new field for him, and that he had become increasingly curious to the point of being captivated [...]
Bishop's Notes
Stories define us and our calling
As an early riser I often start the day singing, humming or whistling without thought or awareness. It just seems natural to offer a melody. Natural, that is, unless, say, someone is not an early riser; someone perhaps like Gloria Waggoner, who occasionally will say as kindly as she can before daybreak, “Please [...]
Bishop's Notes
Convention: A Celebration of Congregations
The 2007 Annual Convention of the Diocese is over, and I am still floating a bit, buoyed by the good spirit and enthusiasm so evident in this year’s gathering. Having taken time to read through evaluations by attendees, I can say that this description is not a singular assessment but an expression of many voices.
With [...]
Bishop's Notes
Convention celebrates our congregations
The 2007 Annual Convention of the Diocese is over, and I am still floating a bit, buoyed by the good spirit and enthusiasm so evident in this year’s gathering. Having taken time to read through evaluations by attendees, I can say that this description is not a singular assessment but an expression of many voices.
With [...]
Bishop's Notes
‘Get into the mix,’ Bishop urges
The character of the Bishop’s Address to Convention is both that of a sermon and of the state of the Diocese. While I welcome the opportunity to speak about the state of the Diocese, the best voice on this subject is already here in the reports that were submitted in detail and in spirit in [...]
