ECW Convocation Held at DuBose

by Lana Hamilton
ECW Correspondent

Ever since the Church in Tennessee first separated into two dioceses and then three, the Episcopal Church Women from all over the state have continued to evidence true unity by continuing to convene each year for the purposes of becoming better informed as laity, of welcoming new women, of renewing and updating longer term relationships, and last but not least of the grilling of the bishops.

All our bishops are gracious enough each year to subject themselves to candidly respond to any questions and concerns the women of the three diocese have. The “Grilling” is a most informative and very lively experience, each bishop being quite frank in his responses and on points of differences. This year’s event dealt with matters ranging from comments on the reasons two priests in the United States presented themselves in Singapore for consecration in that venue by bishops in apostolic succession to serve, as they put it, as missionaries to the U.S., to the more significant matters to be brought before the General Convention in July, 2000 in Denver, Colo.

Bishop Herlong of the Diocese of Tennessee and Bishop vonRosenberg of the Diocese of East Tennessee came to the convocation. Bishop Coleman of West Tennessee could not come this year because of his wife, Carter’s, health. Prayers for the Lord’s sustaining comfort for both of them were offered daily.

The focus of all the workshops was prayer. A pre-weekend began this year with Evening Prayer at St. Mary’s Convent and an address by Sister Lucy, who talked about several types of prayer, including the 911, or Help! variety.

Bishop Herlong also talked about this type of prayer in his homily at the Friday Eucharist.

The keynote address by the Rev. Robert Henderson of Eufala, Ala was entitled “Useless Prayer.”

The Rev. Margaret Mullen, assistant at St. Peter’s, Chattanooga spoke on centering prayer. The Rev. Donna Scott, Henderson and Carol Gardner focused on prayer.

The event is unifying, provides an excellent opportunity to increase knowledge for serving the Lord, and is a great deal of fun. Plans for next year’s convocation for the third weekend of April is already under way.