Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

Dear Friends,

In this issue of our newspaper, you will find rather extensive coverage of our area forums, the AAC meeting in Dallas and the Primates’ meeting in London – all in response to General Convention last summer. We certainly understand it to be our responsibility to keep East Tennessee Episcopalians informed about events such as these. I commend your attention to the articles, therefore, and I hope they will provide you with helpful information about current events in the life of our church.

I call your attention to the Pastoral Letter I issued on October 29, on the subject and work of reconciliation, also found elsewhere in this publication. It is important for us to begin – once again – to concentrate our energy and attention on the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is part of that work. Indeed, it is central to our calling as Christian people.

In a larger sense, we need to focus on the mission and ministry of Christ. I have heard it said by many people that if we could convert the negative energy expended in the last three months into positive directions, we could go a long way toward saving the world for Jesus! Now, please understand me. We need to spend time communicating and listening, in response to General Convention. We need to consider seriously appropriate reactions at this time in our corporate history. We need to be prayerful about the future. However, we dare not neglect our call to serve the world in the name of Jesus Christ!

Therefore, even as we educate ourselves in appropriate ways, we need also to claim our part in doing the work we are called to do as Christian people. Among other prayers, may we remember to pray – and to act on – the Prayer for the Mission of the Church:

“Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” BCP, p. 816

Faithfully,
Charlie