The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, leader of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and 15 other countries, will visit the Diocese of Kentucky May 16-18 with several public appearances scheduled to introduce her to Episcopalians in the diocese and the community at large. She is the first woman elected as presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and the first woman “primate” of a province in the Anglican Communion.

Her first public appearance will be at a forum, “A Conversation with the Presiding Bishop,” which will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, 330 N. Hubbards Lane. The event is free but tickets are required.  To obtain ticket, call the diocesan office at 502-584-7148 or St. Mathew’s Church at 502-895-3485.  After her address, the presiding bishop will answer questions submitted from the audience and  the church in advance.

Four other events are also planned during the weekend and will be held in Louisville, Leitchfield and Paducah:

•    The “Tenting Meeting Episcopal Style,” a service of Holy Eucharist, baptisms and confirmations at All Saints’ Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield, will begin at noon (CDT) Saturday, May 17.

•    Evensong and a community forum at Grace Episcopal Church, 820 Broadway, Paducah, will begin at 6:15 p.m. (CDT) Saturday, May 17.

•    A worship service and dedication of the new altar at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, 421 S. Second St., Louisville will begin at 10 a.m. (EDT) Sunday, May 18.

•    A worship service at Resurrection Episcopal Church, 4100 Southern Parkway, Louisville, will begin at noon (EDT) Sunday, May 18.*

    *Because of space considerations, the worship service at Resurrection Church, both in Louisville, also requires a ticket. For information about the availability of tickets, contact 502-368-1146.

Jefferts Schori, who became the bishop of Nevada in 2001, was elected the 26th presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church during the 2006 General Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Her installation took place on Nov. 1, 2006. Before becoming a priest in 1994, she was an oceanographer.

The Diocese of Kentucky, which covers the western half of Kentucky, has 10,000 members who worship in 36 congregations.