In late October the clergy and several lay persons of the diocese gathered at the cathedral church in Bel Air, MD to pray. That was the entire agenda, just pray. Bishop Northwood called the event a mountaintop prayer gathering and gave no agenda to the prayer, although he did state that it was neither politically driven or topically inspired. The purpose of this gathering was to hear God’s voice and to pray and call upon His name in the year so many have called “A year of foresight” “A year of 20/20 vision”.

Of the gathering Father Michael Pacella of Williamsburg, VA wrote:

 There was great anticipation in the air because we have not been able to meet regularly since the eruption of Covid-19. The Bishop provided great leadership and guidance which enabled the Holy Spirit to flow freely. Truly it was the fire in the fireplace! The worship and preached words were rich and up-lifting. I received a word from the Book of Ezekiel about the dry bones living again and being resurrected into a great people. This can be found in Ezekiel 37. 

Many similar words were given which brought much edification to all.

The fellowship was excellent and fruitful too. We are truly a team and a growing family. The honor of having so many young people among us was also a blessing. I was refreshed spiritually and affirmed by the ministry that the Bishop provided for all who desired prayer. 

God is moving mightily in the Mid-Atlantic Diocese. We are truly blessed to have such a fine and spiritually sensitive leader, as we do in Bishop Rob Northwood.

Father Terry Murphy of Christ the Redeemer in Baltimore:

As we were praying after our lunch, I had a vision of a memory from my past. I was in the backyard on the alley side of our row home in the city. When a saw a familiar sight of a man carrying a bag and wearing a knapsack, with his tools. This man would occasionally come through the neighborhood and ask if anyone wanted their knives sharpened. I then saw Jesus stopping by each church asking if they wanted their “knives” /gifts sharpened. The impression I got was some churches were not interested.

During worship and Fr. Jim singing “Power in the name of Jesus “ I saw the Bishop take his crozier and smash the chain in the center of the link…and the link exploded with force…Bishop Rob asked me to wait after Fr Jim sang “O Come to the Altar” and worship at Jesus feet. The Bishop Rob asked me to share…I did and I said we all have chains…and asked him to break mine…The Bishop asked me to come forward….it was powerful and Bishop Rob prayed over me in proxy for Fr. Rob and Meg….later I saw Bishop Rob use his crozier again breaking another enemy stronghold.

The prayer began on Friday morning and concluded Saturday. Both days it continued well into the late afternoon, with words being given and confirmed, praises being sung, and ministry to many individuals. Praise God for a powerful movement in such a strange hour as this! It was refreshing for all to see and receive a fresh wind from the motion of the Holy Spirit and inspiring to see such fire within the sanctuary and “the fireplace” of apostolic authority.