Copyright © 2004 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

By Cherrie Roberts
ECW Communications Chairman

Three bishops, an inspiring missionary and the beautiful spring colors across Monteagle Mountain combined to make the 2004 ECW Spring Conference one of the most enjoyable ever.

“Nothing is more special than the time spent together in praise and worship,” said Elizabeth Bishop, a communicant of St. Andrew Church in Waverly, Tenn. “And our bishops and speaker did a lot more than share information with us, they spoke from their hearts.”

The annual “Conversation with the Bishops,” is a favorite time for many conference participants, a time when the three bishops in Tennessee field questions on a variety of topics and share their wisdom, wit, joys and concerns with an audience eager to hear their views. Conference Chairman Nancy Tanner of St. John’s Cathedral served as emcee and helped keep the event entertaining and informative.

The first set of questions involved General Convention and consent to the election of the Rev. V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, as bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire.

Bishop Charles vonRosenberg of East Tennessee said there are a number of ways to answer those outside the Episcopal Church who ridicule the actions of the church. “One is: ‘Get in line … your turn is coming!’” he said. “I say that jokingly, but it’s the truth. ... We just happen to be out there right now, but other denominations will be dealing with this in their way in their own time.”

Bishop Don Johnson of West Tennessee expressed hope that the Episco-pal Church is a ‘container’ large enough to find a way to honor different points of view. “It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “We are trying to ... get back to the most important thing, which is to stay focused on the ministry and mission of the church.”

When asked if there can be a common ground between the groups who disagree, Bishop Bertram Herlong of the Diocese of Tennessee observed that the controversy has unleashed an incredible amount of energy and interest in the laity and what their core beliefs really are. “When bishops are consecrated, they promise to guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church, and I think those things are listed in order of priority,” he said. “And if we don’t agree on what we believe, there is no unity — and discipline is irrelevant. … But if we can harness this energy in another way, and as Bishop Johnson said, target it on the mission of the church — that’s our job. The job hasn’t changed.”

Some participants questioned how the church reacts to phenomena in popular culture related to faith, including the best-selling book, “The DaVinci Code” and the recent movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” Bishop Herlong’s response was that the movie has opened up a wonderful opportunity to talk about our faith.

Each bishop was asked about high points in their lives. All agreed their marriages came first with nothing else even a close second.

Bishop Johnson said special moments are hard to quantify, but he especially treasures rare friendships along the way and “the surprising way God prepares us for ministries and opportunities we weren’t expecting.”

When asked about their favorite words of Jesus, Bishop Johnson responded, “I will not leave you comfortless.” Bishop Herlong said, “Pick up your cross and follow me.” And Bishop vonRosenberg said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Saturday morning, Dr. Diana Frade presented an inspirational keynote address. Her message was one of challenge and response to a need with courage and conviction that mission is the work of the church, and traditionally and historically the ECW is all about working with and supporting missions.

When the need is before us, there are no excuses for a lack of response, no matter how small the beginnings may be, she said. Frade founded Our Little Roses, a home for abandoned, abused and orphaned girls in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, after touring a boys’ home and wondering why there was no comparable facility for girls.

Despite a lack of resources and the fear she might prove inadequate to the task, she said God used her to begin a home for girls, a school, a clinic and a housing project for indigent single women who have been evicted from their homes. She estimates as much as three-quarters of her time is spent in fund raising to maintain these ministries.

United Thank Offering grants have paid nearly 40 percent of construction costs for buildings of this ministry.

The Diocese of East Tennessee has a special connection to Our Little Roses because Annie vonRosenberg, wife of Bishop vonRosenberg, is a member of its board of directors.

Diocesan ECW President Cathy Varner, 423-581-2506.