Dear Friends,

As I write this, summer certainly is in full swing. By the way, I didn’t think it got this hot in the hills of East Tennessee! Nevertheless, the time has arrived for reflection and taking stock, as well as for planning. In fact, as I have told some of you, my plan for the spring was to keep my head down, to say “yes” as often as I could, and to do as much as possible, as a way to become acquainted with a new place, new people, and new responsibilities. Then, in the summertime, the plan included time to think about the experience of my first four months as bishop and to set some priorities for the future.

In considering life since the consecration, my first reaction is gratitude. Indeed, so many of you have been welcoming and have helped Annie and me feel so much at home. We are grateful to all of you, and we remain delighted to have been called to this part of God’s Kingdom. Secondly, I continue to feel a great sense of honor. It is a privilege to serve you and with you as bishop. That feeling of honor really cannot be adequately expressed – and yet, it is quite real to me each and every day. Thirdly, I sense a wonderful and hopeful expectation in anticipating the future. There are great things to be done here, in God’s name and by God’s grace. To the extent that we give our best efforts to the tasks before us, say our prayers, and work together in Christian love, If really do believe that great possibilities lie ahead for the cause of Christ in East Tennessee!

On a more personal note, I have discovered – in my vast experience of four months – that I have been called and consecrated to an impossible job. One of my colleagues has resigned recently because he cannot be satisfied with doing “only sixty percent of the work.” For a new kid on this block, that’s a bit troubling and scary. I feel called and drawn and encouraged to be away from the office in Knoxville and among the churches and people and clergy of this diocese … and yet, whenever I leave that office, the administrative load becomes exponentially heavier, and a significant burden awaits me. Now, this is not new – either in my job or in others. But, the extent of it is new to me.

Therefore, one learning for me in this time of summer reflection is that I must pick from among worthwhile obligations. I must delegate responsibilities when appropriate. I must be diligent in prioritizing tasks. And I must – absolutely – pay more attention to claiming times for reflection, study, and prayer.

I want you to know that I’m having fun being your bishop. Please don’t misunderstand my comments in that regard. My times with you and serving on your behalf are fulfilling and uplifting and enjoyable in ways that seem so very right to me. However, as I do my honest reflecting this summer, I know that I need to be aware of areas for growth and attention so that the future will continue to be fulfilling and uplifting and enjoyable for us all.

I conclude this letter as I have several others in the past. I request your prayers for me, and I assure you of my prayers for you. After all, as we journey together on this uncertain road, I believe with all my heart that the leadership of Christ and the prayerful community of faith will provide us the strength and the sustenance we need!

Faithfully yours, in Christ,