From the bishop ...

The first phase of our diocesan “Grow in Mission” capital campaign is almost complete. A summary of our response – in terms of pledges – will appear in the next “Episcopalian.” Many churches and many more Episcopalians have caught the vision and have participated. That’s the good news. The not-so-good-news is that we’re only about halfway to our campaign monetary goal.

However, the diocesan goals identified by Grow in Mission continue to be valid and important for the life of the Diocese of East Tennessee. The needs are quite real. Therefore, we will continue to seek additional support. At this time, I am enlisting members of an advisory group who will assist me in taking the next steps in responding to our needs.

In order to refresh your memory and to summarize our goals, I want to review several matters with you. As we proceed with our efforts, we will continue to focus on the future of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee, with special emphasis on our youth.

As we develop Grace Point Camp and Retreat Center, we will provide a special place for the Christian education and nourishment of our young people. Grace Point is becoming a church “home away from home” for the youth of our diocese – a gathering spot for them to experience the Episcopal Church beyond parochial boundaries, a place many of them have already begun to claim as their own and an environment that encourages the development of lifelong friends. (Of course, many East Tennessee adults have discovered Grace Point, too, as a place for nurture, community and feeling young again!)

In addition, as we support our campus ministries, we commit ourselves to being present with our young people in the next steps of their life journeys. We offer an accepting community for appropriate late-adolescent questioning in the midst of the secular collegiate setting. By means of campus ministry, we say to our young people – and to their friends – that we continue to care as the Episcopal Church.

Finally, as we provide support for seminary students – targeting especially the younger ones – we do our part in providing excellent ordained leadership for the church of the future. Our goal is to help our seminarians graduate with as little debt as possible, so that they may pursue God’s call, wherever that takes them.

You see, these needs will not go away. And so it is important for us to continue our efforts. Thank you to those who have already pledged to Grow in Mission. Please be as generous as you possibly can be. For others who have not yet participated, please pray about becoming a part of supporting these goals for the church in days to come. We need many more pledges – and we need some big ones, too – if we are to realize our hopes. Please be in touch with me at the diocesan office in order to take part. The church of the future – and the youth of the present – are depending on you!

Faithfully yours,

Charlie

Related stories in this issue:
Grow in Mission beneficiaries:

• Grace Point Camp and Conference Center
  attracting guest variety, volume
• UT-Knoxville chaplain participates
  in ordination of new Lutheran partner

For more information about Grow in Mission:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Pledge Card