Vicksburg has been the place to visit for high-ranking clergy recently.

Just two weeks ago, the Rt. Rev. Brian Seage, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, visited Christ Episcopal Church. While in Vicksburg, Seage spoke with those at Christ Episcopal about his recent two-week visit to Uganda.

Seage said his time in Uganda gave him a fresh, new, joy-filled look at Christianity. He also welcomed all people into the church by saying the Episcopal Church of Mississippi is open to everyone.

After Seage spoke at both Sunday morning services at Christ Episcopal, the congregation hosted a potluck meal to spend more time with Seage and to get to know him better. Seage plans to visit The Church of the Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in May.

In June, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the first African American presiding bishop in the Episcopal Church, will visit Vicksburg. He is scheduled to preach an 11 a.m. worship and Eucharist service Sunday, June 12, at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

This will be Curry’s first visit to Mississippi as bishop, and he will make two stops— one in Jackson and one in Vicksburg.

This visit is a rather big deal. As presiding bishop, Curry is almost like the president— if you will— of the Episcopal Church because he presides over churches across the entire United States.

Several people I have talked to note Curry’s charisma in his speaking. Episcopalians and those of other faiths have said his sermons are stirring and revitalizing because of his words and his energetic movement in the pulpit.

I heard often times he speaks of reconciliation and coming together as well as evangelism and promotion of the spread of the gospel. He has written two books, “Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus,” and “Songs My Grandma Sang.”

Curry became the bishop in 2015 and was asked around that time to preach at a joint service in Jackson at St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral in honor of Medgar Evers. To the congregation’s surprise, Curry accepted the invitation and somewhere along the line the Vicksburg stop was added to the trip. The Vicksburg service will be in honor of James Chaney. Chaney was one of three civil rights workers who were murdered in 1964 in Philadelphia, Miss.

The local service will be held at the convention center in anticipation of large crowds. The worship service is open all, and the Eucharist is open to those baptized in any denomination. After the service there will be a reception at The Bluff, 1509 Washington St.

The hype is getting intense over a month before his visit, and I am intrigued to witness the service myself. Vicksburg is a special place, and I’m glad a couple of special people are getting to visit.

Alana Norris is a staff writer at The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at alana.norris@vicksburgpost.com. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.