Copyright © 2003 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

By Gary McGhee
Vice President for East Tennessee,
Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee

The 57th Annual Episcopal Churchmen Conference is now history, and the 569 men attending the event August 15-17 at DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tenn., likely have a clearer understanding of this year’s theme: GRACE HAPPENS!

It was a weekend of food – both spiritual and earthly manna – fun, sporting events and a strong dose of fellowship.

Three outstanding speakers – the Rev. Tom Ehrich, the Rev. Dr. Dan Matthews Sr., and the retired Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George L. Carey, each provided points of view pertaining to God’s Grace. Ehrich gave better insight into the relationship between God and man. Matthews told how his relationship with God enabled him to travel step by step through the events of the horrific World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Carey offered examples of the impact of God’s grace beginning with his London boyhood. Each presentation was moving, and each kept participant glued to their seats.

Carey spoke at the Saturday evening conference session, and he also held a question-and-answer session on Saturday afternoon for well over an hour. Preaching at the Sunday Eucharist, he called upon the men to be “volunteers” in church life to aid in the growth of the kingdom.

The Diocese of East Tennessee carried home three of the seven award buckets given this year: Church of the Nativity in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., won one for the highest percentage attending from a single parish (It has won 5 buckets in the past 3 years.). St. Martin of Tours in Chattanooga sent six first-timers to the conference and won its first bucket for that milestone, and St. Joseph the Carpenter in Sevierville won – again – for having the highest number of attendees for a mission with eight. These last honors were given by Bishop vonRosenberg as part of the new “Bishop’s Bucket” award.

There were 113 men who attended the conference for the first time.

In addition to gathering for the Eucharist on Saturday and Sunday, many groups large and small exchanged information and personal views. Some group discussions centered around actions of General Convention. The Bishops of the three dioceses in Tennessee were honest and open during these break-out sessions. I can say without any question that Bishop vonRosenberg voted what was in this heart! I was never more pleased with my Bishop than at this time.

The final hymn at the Sunday Eucharist – “Lift High the Cross” – seemed to be a great summary of the weekend’s activities and to give direction to the coming year.

Elected officers of Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee for 2004 from the Diocese of East Tennessee include Charles Nagy from St. John, Johnson City, as Vice President-Elect Upper East; Shawn Spall from St. Thaddaeus, Chattanooga, as VP-Elect Lower East; and Charles Craven of St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville, as VP-Elect Middle East. The current VP of East Tennessee, Gary McGhee of the Church of the Nativity, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., was elected president for 2005.

The officers of the Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee in the East Tennessee Diocese thank all parishes who sent men to the conference and urge them to form delegations for the next Laymen’s Conference, which is scheduled August 13-15, 2004.

Related stories in this issue:

• Retired archbishop preaches at St. Paul, Chattanooga, anniversary event