Diocese of East Tennessee: 20th Convention

January / February 2004


Convention theme, design create tone

By Sharon Rasmussen
Communication Director

The diocese gathered in Johnson City Feb. 6-7 in a spirit of listening and cooperation for the 20th Annual Convention, supported by a convention design set in the context of the Eucharist and a theme of "Unity, Constancy and Peace."

From Friday's prayer following the call to order to the Evensong service at St. John's; from Saturday's opening hymn and prayer to a responsive reading of the Baptismal Covenant and to the Great Thanksgiving, worship flowed around and through the business of the diocese.

Bishop Charles vonRosenberg had communicated his expectations for the convention two weeks prior, setting the tone for the event. He elaborated his view of the convention and vision of our diocesan mission in his annual address, saying in part:

"It seems to me the Diocese of East Tennessee exists in order to accomplish a two-fold mission: to empower the ministries of our congregations and to encourage the spiritual journeys of individual Christians," he said. "In the budget we consider, in the resolutions we debate, in the elections we hold and in our common life for these two days, are we empowering congregational ministries and are we encouraging individual spiritual journeys? If we cannot say 'yes' to at least one of those questions, then we are wasting our time in this diocesan gathering. Further, those two lenses for our diocesan life are the ones through which we may find meaning in all the activities and ministries we accomplish as the Diocese of East Tennessee."

Resolutions

Up to 80 clergy and 140 delegates brought with them concern and pain over the actions of last summer's 74th General Convention. Many of the 14 resolutions received by the Secretary of Convention were largely in response to those actions.

Resolutions Nos. 1-5 and 10-12 were considered by the Convention Committee on General Resolutions, which held two hearings during convention for delegates to voice their views. According to the Rules of Order, the committee then privately discussed whether to recommend each proposed resolution for adoption, for adoption with amendment, for adoption of a substitute resolution drafted by the committee, for rejection or for discharge from further consideration because the subject matter was included in another resolution.

The Constitution and Canons Committee handled four resolutions: No. 6, a change to the constitution to give college chapels convention seat and vote, was ratified by the convention on its second reading; No. 7, a change in the canons that enables Bishop and Council to determine and fill vacancies in that body, also was ratified. No. 13 and No. 14 requested change in representation to convention from worshiping communities and the Youth Action Council, respectively. The committee will address these and report to convention next year.

In addition, convention action on resolution No. 8 ratified Bishop and Council actions on the 2003 budget. Convention also ratified through resolution No. 9 decisions made by Bishop and Council and the Standing Committee concerning diocesan-owned property.

Elections

The convention elected individuals by ballot to the Standing Committee, to Bishop and Council, to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court and as trustee to the University of the South's board. Additional posts were affirmed by acclamation.

Budget and finance

Just as individual pledge reductions placed restrictions on parish budgets, so too did reduced voluntary commitments require diocesan budget adjustments. In order to present this year's balanced diocesan budget of $1,553,521 to convention, most lines were cut by 15 percent, including "mission beyond the diocese," which is funding to nationally based mission. In addition, a prior-year surplus was brought forward, and staff cost-of-living salary increases were funded solely through a restricted pledge.

Bishop vonRosenberg pledged in his address to focus on Grace Point after the "Grow in Mission" campaign yielded less than hoped. "In practice, Grace Point has several wonderful priorities: the Christian nurture of young people, the spiritual growth of adults, and the opportunity to engage in retreat and restoration that will renew us all," he said in part.

One immediate answer to that challenge came from members of the Resource Team for Appalachian Ministries, who launched a scholarship fund during convention to finance Appalachian children at Grace Point's summer camps. It yielded dramatic initial results, with $1,300 raised and another $6,000 pledged by representatives of 34 of the diocese's 49 worshiping communities, plus the Youth Action Council, seminarians and campus ministries.

Exhibits

More than 20 exhibitors drew delegates during breaks and beyond scheduled business sessions. Outreach ministry exhibitors focused on Appalachia, Jubilee centers, refugees, health, peace and justice; the parishioner-support ministries of Episcopal Church Women, Center for Ministry in Small Churches, Integrity, Cursillo, EFM, lay ministry and others staffed exhibit areas. Two bookshops sold wares - St. John's in Johnson City and Chapter & Verse from Diocesan House - and Kanuga, DuBose, St. Mary's and Grace Point retreat centers all were represented, as well as the University of the South. The Youth Action Council's area was the hot spot: Youth both raised funds for diocesan youth ministry by selling imprinted water bottles and sold nearly $450 worth of home-baked goods on behalf of Grace Point.

Workshops

Seven workshops were staged during lunchtime Saturday. Attendance was open to visitors, and participant slots numbered 355 in two sessions. The most popular topics judging by attendance were "Traditional Music and Sacred Music," "Communicating with Angry People about Difficult Matters," and a panel discussion on Islam and Christianity, each of which drew 70 or more participants. Boxed lunches were available, and those not claimed were contributed to the local Haven of Mercy Rescue Mission.

Fellowship

Approximately 270 convention participants and visitors attended the Saturday evening banquet, where they dined by candlelight to the lovely music of a string quartet from Milligan College. Longtime diocesan staffer Carolyn Dicer was surprised after dinner with a "This is Your Life" representation of her ministry on the occasion of her retirement (please see p. 13 for more), and "Heritage," an eight-voice mixed a cappella group also from Milligan, roused the crowd with songs from gospel to doo-wop.

Clergy and volunteers from the Johnson City host church of St. John's had worked long and diligently with diocesan staff to ensure the machinery of the 20th Annual Convention would be well-oiled, and the new two-day format indeed flowed smoothly for the up to 400 clergy, delegates, ex-officio members, staff and visitors. Deserving of special thanks are the convention co-chairs, Gary and Jackie Mabrey and Rick and Linda Gordon; the clergy of St. John, the Rev. Frank Cooper and the Rev. Maggie Zeller.; the convention liturgist, the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett, St. Elizabeth, Farragut; and Patricia Denmark, St. Christopher, Kingsport, who was instrumental in the planning of Evensong.

The diocese is invited to Sevierville for the 21st convention. Its host will be the parish of St. Joseph the Carpenter, and the convention hotel will be the Music Road Inn in Pigeon Forge.