SALT LAKE CITY -- The Rev. Canon Scott B. Hayashi has special ties to Ogden, and his good feelings toward the city are a big part of why he was interested in what will be his new job.
Hayashi will be installed Saturday as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
Hayashi served as the rector for the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden from 1989 to 1998.
"I really enjoyed being in Ogden," he said. "It was such a wonderful period in my life to be the rector."
He described Ogden as "a big city you could get your arms around," and he named a number of government officials and families with whom he made friends while he was the Good Shepherd rector.
"These were just solid sorts of individuals," he said of his friends while living in Ogden. "There was a whole group of people that were solid."
The father of three said his youngest child was born while he served in Ogden.
Hayashi said Saturday's festivities will be a bit rare for Utahns to see. There have been only 10 such events in the Utah diocese's history since 1867.
Officials said the event will be full of "pomp and circumstance."
"It really is quite an event," Hayashi said. "Consecrations are really exciting. We really do it up right."
The two-hour service will begin with a procession of banners, as bishops from around the country march in with American Indians and clergy from multiple faiths.
The presiding bishop of the 14 countries that make up the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, previously Bishop of Nevada, will be the chief consecrator.
"It's a time for celebration for the entire diocese," said Hayashi, who is returning to Utah from his most recent assignment with the Chicago diocese.
The 10th Bishop of Utah, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, is retiring and will turn over her ceremonial crosier, a staff resembling a shepherd's crook, to the new bishop as part of the service.
Hayashi said the church makes retirement mandatory at 72, but many retire earlier.
At 56, the soon-to-be bishop said he plans to serve Utah for at least 10 years.
"One wants to do the job well," he said. "If there comes a point when one cannot manage to do the job well, you don't serve anyone to stay in that job."
His goal as bishop is to grow the diocese, which currently has about 5,400 members.
"The Episcopal Church welcomes all people," he said. "We're asking people to just be themselves."
Hayashi also plans to support current missions to feed the hungry and support those in society who need help, such as immigrants and American Indians.
"We are reaching out to those who have no voice in society," he said.
Hayashi said he plans to serve with humility.
"The last thing you want is a bishop with a big head," he said. "It's important to remember it's about being called to serve."
Hayashi said he hopes to set in place a vision for where the diocese will go.
"It's important to build a vision that is shared by all," he said. "Episcopalians are known for thinking for themselves. It has to be a collective affair."
He said pronouncements made of his own accord would not be effective.
"We value the whole process and of collaborating, and come to a common understanding," he said.
Hayashi said he would like to extend a greeting to the people of Ogden to attend his installation.
"Everyone is invited," he said. "You don't need a ticket or anything like that."
Those who attend are asked to dress in their Sunday attire. The ceremonies are being held at the Grand America because there is not an Episcopal Church in Utah big enough to hold the anticipated crowd.
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