First Rector Installed at St. Joseph the Carpenter

Bishop vonRosenberg formally installed the Rev. Rob Henley, as the first rector of St. Joseph the Carpenter, Sevierville on Saturday, April 20.

The service began with a bagpipe procession into the church. Several area pastors were in attendance including the Rev. Don Grady of the Sevierville Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Bob Ely from Ft. Sanders Sevier Hospital and former interim priest for St. Joseph’s, the Rev. Robert Rizner.

The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Melvin, professor emeritus of Mars Hill College, N.C., preached the sermon at the celebration of a new ministry. Melvin was Henley’s religion professor when he attended Mars Hill College.

St. Joseph the Carpenter, along with all other missions in the diocese, gained parish status at the 18th Annual Diocesan Convention held last February. The convention voted to change the diocesan canons to abolish designation of mission congregations.

Other Clergy News

The Rev. Jack F. Wilcox has accepted the call to be rector of St. James’, Greeneville. He began his work there April7.

The Rev. David Dearman, Headmaster of All Saints Episcopal School, Morristown, has accepted a call to be Head of School at Trinity Episcopal School, Galveston, Texas. His employment begins July 1.

Bishop vonRosenberg has called the Rev. Chris Chase, St. Francis Church, Norris, to become the diocesan Canon for Ministry to Higher Education. Father Chase will have responsibility as Episcopal Chaplain at UT-Knoxville. In addition, he will support and coordinate other campus ministries in the Diocese of East Tennessee - at ETSU, at UT-Chattanooga and at Chattanooga State, as well as investigating ministries at other institutions of higher education in East Tennessee.

During the first part of June, the Rev. Martha Sterne, rector of St. Andrew’s, Maryville, will exchange churches and homes with the Rev. John Hayton, assistant vicar of St. Michael’s in St. Albans, England.
The congregation of St. Andrew’s will be introducing the English vicar and his wife to the amenities of East Tennessee while their rector preaches and celebrates in a parish where Christians have been worshipping since 948 CE.

St. Raphael’s Sponsors Medical Mission to Belize

Twelve volunteers are preparing for a one-week mission of medical care and health education from June l6-24 in Placencia, Belize.

This group was organized by mishioners in the Diocese of East Tennessee with two additional volunteers from Arkansas and New Hampshire under the auspices of the Episcopal Medical Foundation.

Participating in the mission are the Rev. Margaret Marshall, Robert Marshall, M.D., Julie Johnson and Krista Seckinger of St. Peter’s Church, Chattanooga; Richard Cox and Marilyn Hammond of St. Andrew”s Church, Maryville; Richard Updegraff, M.D. and Virginia Updegraff, M.D. of St.Raphael’s Church, Crossville (the primary sponsor church); Dana Downes-Hall of Wye Mountain, Arkansas and Karla Seckinger of Merrimack, New Hampshire complete the group.

The team will be working in close coordination with the Rev. Jerry Jones and his congregation in Placencia. Team members offer a special thank the members of St. Raphael's for their generous help in providing various supplies and financial assistance.

They earnestly request the prayers of all in the diocese who share a concern for mission.

Camp Gailor-Maxon 2002 Sessions Announced

There are still some camper spaces available for Camp Gailor-Maxon 2002 at DuBose Conference Center! Come join campers from all over the state of Tennessee for a summer of fun and a season of growth! See Details on the DuBose Website or contact Michael Elliott, Director of Programs and Marketing at michaele@blomand.net for more information.

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