Letter From Bishop vonRosenberg

Our annual diocesan convention – scheduled for February 8 – 10, in Knoxville – represents many things for us in East Tennessee. From one perspective, convention means reunion, when delegates and clergy renew acquaintances and friendships, and form new ones. Surely this aspect of fellowship provides a significant and fundamental reason for our gathering. In addition, we have diocesan business to address. As we elect people to represent us, consider resolutions, and pass a budget, we help empower the program, ministry, and mission of our diocese for the year to come. Finally, we enrich our lives as Episcopal Christians when we experience the larger church beyond our local manifestations. As Episcopalians, our lives in Christ center on the worship, work, and fellowship of individual congregations, but we also claim a heritage that stretches the boundaries of our lives in the faith and that embraces the perspectives and experiences of other churches in our diocese and beyond.

Therefore, we will gather in convention for worship, for fellowship, for business, and for the sake of the church beyond our local congregations. I encourage your participation in this annual gathering of Episcopalians in East Tennessee – by your attendance as delegates or as guests, in your prayers on behalf of our diocese, and through your interest in the life of the greater church of which we all are part by virtue of our identity as Episcopalians.

The theme for this year’s convention is “To grow in people and in resources for ministry and mission.” I am grateful to the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett, chair, and to his Convention Committee for their good work in preparation for this important occasion. In addition, I am confident that we will be hosted with efficiency and with grace.

Several aspects of our Lord’s call to mission will present themselves to us at convention. Of course, as a diocese we will consider our mission congregations. One part of that consideration will be the possibility of eliminating the canonical distinction of churches into “parishes” and “missions.” That distinction is purely an economic one, for parishes are financially self-supporting, while missions are not. However, it is extremely important that all our churches understand themselves to be communities and outposts for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

Also, we will consider a new way to enhance and empower the various works of mission at local and regional levels. Following the recommendations of our “Mission Strategy Task Force” three years ago, the diocese was organized by local areas to respond to the call to mission and to encourage church missionary efforts at local levels. However, the groups created to accomplish this work have questioned whether such additional structures enhance or impede local mission. Therefore, we hope to reformat diocesan involvement in mission so that we may empower local task forces to respond to particular needs, rather than spend so much time and energy worrying about structures.

In addition, we plan to have a representative from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America address us, as an embodiment of the “Call to Common Mission” adopted by both our churches. Another representative who plans to be present will come from the Diocese of South Dakota, which may soon become our official Companion Diocese – in response to our Lord’s call to mission beyond our local and diocesan boundaries.

Finally, our diocesan capital funds’ campaign will be kicked off officially at convention. We will be emphasizing mission in each area of concentration within the campaign. Indeed, the empowerment of our church’s mission will provide the reason and the drive for the campaign itself. In building a camp and retreat center, in supporting the ministries of our diocese on college campuses, and in endowing a fund to support seminarians, we will aid and support our diocesan mission, in response to our Lord’s call. Notice, please, that these particular areas of attention are not the mission of the diocese – but, rather, that they will empower diocesan mission.

Therefore, for many reasons, I am looking forward to our diocesan convention. May it be for East Tennessee a time of faithful prayer, fellowship, business, and missionary emphasis, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

January 30, 2002 at St. Paul's in Chattanooga
February 27, 2002 at St. Paul's in Kingsport
April 24, 2002 at St. Paul's in Chattanooga

To schedule an appointment on one of these dates, contact Tami Dyke by eMail (tmac@etdiocese.net) or phone (865.521.2900).