Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry delivers a sermon during the Way of Love UP North Revival at the Northern Center on Sunday. Curry, who is known for his dynamic preaching style, spoke at the royal wedding at Britian’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

MARQUETTE — Hundreds of Upper Peninsula residents of all ages and walks of life gathered in the Northern Center Ballroom Sunday for “Revival-The Way of Love UP North,” led by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church.

Curry, who was installed as bishop in 2015, has authored four books and is known for his dynamic preaching style.

The event, held at Northern Michigan University, was organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan in partnership with the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

It began with a welcome from Bradley Nadeau of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and featured charismatic preaching, performances by the Queen City Dancers, the American Choral Directors Association Student Chapter Singers and a story from Hebrew scripture.

Throughout the revival, scripture and faith stories from local leaders Lanni Lantto, mission developer of the UP Wild Church, and Room at the Inn Executive Director Nick Emmendorfer were coupled with hundreds of voices raised in familiar songs like “May the Circle be Unbroken” and “Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees.”

Bishop Curry, who made headlines in the spring of 2018 when he spoke at the royal wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, preached energetically about applying the tenets of religious faith into everyday life.

“The opposite of love is selfishness,” Curry said. “I’m here to tell you that every war that has ever been fought has been fought because of somebody’s selfishness. Every bigotry that has ever been wrought has been wrought because of somebody’s selfishness. Doctrines of discovery promulgated by the church gave license to take the land of indigenous people. What’s interesting, when you read those documents, they avoid Jesus like the plague, because if bigotry is your game Jesus will not be your name.”

Curry closed his sermon with a message of inclusion.

“God love you and bless you, and may God hold us all, no matter who we are, no matter how we vote,” Curry said, “no matter what country we come from, no matter our class or caste, no matter our orientation or our politics, may God hold us all in those almighty hands of love.”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.