Frequently Asked Questions: Ordination and Consecration of Bishop-elect Karin MacPhail

Published 15th April 2026

Filed under: Bishop Search 2025

We are delighted to announce that Public Registration for the Ordination and Consecration of Bishop-Elect Karin MacPhail is NOW OPEN!

All must register in advance to attend the worship service and the reception following. One registration = one person; to register multiple people, complete the form for each individual.

Registration guarantees a place at St. John’s. Upon arrival, registered people will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis, starting in the Nave, and then moving to overflow seating in the Parish Hall and Chapel. The committee is working to ensure that those seated beyond the Nave will be fully included in our worship, will receive communion, and will be accompanied by members of the choir. Following the Ordination and Consecration, all present are invited to celebrate by joining the reception on the grounds of St. John’s!

Registration Questions

Where do I go to register? There are two registration forms. Members of the public may register beginning April 29, 2026 using this form:

Public Registration Form

The Clergy of the Diocese, guests of the Bishop-elect, banner-bearers, guest clergy from other denominations and traditions, and visiting Bishops are invited to register using this form:

Service Participant Registration Form

If you are unsure, please contact [email protected] or the Diocesan Office.
What if I register but my plans change and I am unable to attend? If you register and then your plans change at any point, please contact the Transitions Committee ([email protected]) so that we can release your spot for someone else.
What is a banner bearer? The Transition Committee invites one designee from each Parish to carry their Parish Banner in the ordination procession. We hope to have a lay representative from all our churches participate. In order to participate, banner bearers need to be able to arrive at St. John’s Roanoke with the banner by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. We are asking clergy and parish leaders to designate this person and share their information with the Transition Committee so that they can register. This person will be sent a link to register separate from the public registration; please share your banner-bearer using this form. The Committee will reach out to Banner Bearers and invite them to register for the ordination using the service participant form above.
Is there a diocesan choir? How do I participate? The service will include a diocesan choir. Information about participating in the choir will be sent to each parish on Monday, May 4. Choir registration will then open on Monday, May 11. If you wish to attend the service regardless of whether or not you sing in the choir, we encourage you to go ahead and register using the public registration link. If you later register as a member of the choir, we will transfer your registration and open your public spot up for another guest to attend.

If I can’t come to Roanoke, can I watch from home? Yes! The ordination will be livestreamed and more information will be shared closer to the event.

Event Details

When and where is the Ordination?
The Ordination and Consecration begins at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Roanoke. The prelude will start approximately thirty minutes beforehand. More information and a schedule for the day will be shared with the Diocese in the coming weeks – stay tuned!
Where do I stay? We have secured two hotel blocks at the Hotel Roanoke and Springhill Suites for those who’d like to stay in Roanoke before or after the ordination. More information can be found and the links can be found here.

Is there food? We are planning a reception for all in-person attendees gathered at St. John’s immediately following the Ordination. We will have food and music to enjoy as we celebrate with guests from around the church and our entire diocesan family. Please pray for beautiful weather that weekend!

What should I wear? Laity are invited to wear your Sunday best as you would at your local church! Deacons & Priests attending are asked to wear Cassock/surplice or alb and red stole. Attending Bishops are invited to wear Rochet, chimere, and tippet. For Ecumenical guests who plan to process, we ask you to wear the vestments appropriate from your tradition for an ordination or similar occasion. If you have the same vestments listed above, wonderful! If you have questions, please contact the committee and we can do our best to assist.

Do people bring gifts or cards? The Diocese & the Transition Committee have coordinated the traditional gifts such as vestments, a pectoral cross, and a ring for Bishop-elect Karin to receive and use on her ordination day and during her ministry among us. If you would like to make a contribution to that effort, we invite you to do so at this link. Because these items are custom made and used throughout her ministry, we ask that those who wish to offer a gift do so through this channel. Cards are welcome either by mail to the Diocesan Office, or at the event; we will have baskets to collect any greeting cards for Bishop-elect Karin at the ordination.

Can I show up if I do not register? Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate guests who do not pre-register. We will share with those who register more information about checking in upon arrival in the coming weeks. If you would like to attend, please register using the information above, and we will communicate if we run out of in-person seats.

Where can I park? Information regarding parking options, including accessibility parking, will be shared with invited guests closer to the date. Please consult the parking map once it is made available.

Is the church accessible for people with disabilities? Yes, St. John’s Episcopal Church has accessible entrances and elevators. If you require specific accommodations, please indicate this when you RSVP or reach out to the committee.

If we did not answer your question above, please contact the Transitions Committee ([email protected]) and we will do our best to assist you!