Saturday, February 10, 2001
Morning Session

Bishop vonRosenberg called the morning session to order at 8 a.m.

Report of Credentials Committee

The Rev. Allan Cole, Chair of the Credentials Committee, reported the following registration: 68 clergy, 126 lay delegates, for a total of 194 delegates. There were 20 alternates and 48 visitors for a total of 262 in attendance.

Special Order of Business

The Bishop welcomed Victor Ashe, Mayor of Knoxville, who briefly addressed the convention.

Report of Committees

Bishop vonRosenberg called upon the Hon. Marie Williams, Chair of the Constitution and Canons Committee to report on the committee's work since last convention. The text of her report is found in the Reports to Convention section of this Journal. The Rev. John Talbird, Chair of the General Resolutions Committee, reported four general resolutions had been filed with the convention secretary. He announced the time and location of the general resolutions hearings.

Mr. Richard Govan, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, reported on the work of the COM. His report is found in the Reports to Convention section of this Journal.

The Bishop noted that the Reports of Officers, Boards, Commissions, and Committees will be conveyed to the delegates through inclusion in the Journal of the Proceedings of this Convention.

Treasurer's Report

The Bishop recognized the Assistant Treasurer of the Diocese, Robert Newman, who moved the adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolution #15 to Ratify Bishop and Council Actions Regarding Canon 10

Be it resolved, that all actions of the Bishop and Council taken under the provision of Canon 10 and reported to this Convention affecting title to and property of The Diocese of East Tennessee or its constituent congregations be approved and ratified and made the action of this Convention.

Motion carried
Resolution adopted

Resolution #16 To Ratify Bishop and Council Actions Regarding 2000 Budget

Whereas, by its action the Sixteenth Annual Convention of The Diocese of East Tennessee convened at Meadowview Convention Center, Kingsport on Saturday, February 12, 2000 and approved a budget for The Diocese; and

Whereas, in the wisdom of the Bishop and Council, certain items of the Budget were exceeded but the total expenditures were less than the budgeted total; and

Whereas, by Canon 2, Sec. 2(a), it is necessary for the Convention to approve budgets;
and

Whereas, the budget as approved in its February 2000 Convention was $1,491,049.00; and

Whereas, the actual disbursements were $1,407,889.00; and

Whereas, the Treasurer's Financial Statements reflect all detailed records of disbursements over and under the budget recited herein by reference, reflect the best judgment and good offices of the Bishop and Council and Treasurer in performing under said budget;

Now therefore be it resolved, that all of the acts and actions of the Bishop and Council in authorizing disbursements in excess of line items in the 2000 budget as approved by their various actions during 2000, be and are hereby ratified by this Convention as authorized and approved.

Presentation of 2001 Budget

The Bishop called upon Ms. Ann Lamb, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Bishop and Council, to report on the proposed 2001 budget. Ms. Lamb presented a budget for the year 2001 of $1,737,128, an increase of about $240,000 over the 2000 budget. The proposed 2001 figures were based on receipt of 100 percent of the voluntary asking of the parishes and missions and income from the Episcopal Endowment Corporation, several trust funds and other miscellaneous income. Included in the figures were a 5 percent salary increase for mission clergy and an increase to the Camp and Conference Center Task Force. Ms. Lamb reported that a survey of Province IV diocesan staff salaries showed that the salaries of Diocese of East Tennessee's staff were substantially below the Province IV average for comparable positions. As a result, diocesan staff salaries were increased to the Province IV average. Ms. Lamb reported that the New Start Fund was a new line item in the budget and would be an ongoing fund for the start of new missions in the diocese. Ms. Lamb reported that money was budgeted for Companion Diocese in anticipation that the diocese will enter into a new companion diocese relationship this year. Ms. Lamb announced the time and location of the budget hearing. The Bishop thanked Ms. Lamb for her report.

Introduction of Seminarians

Bishop vonRosenberg introduced the seminarians who had not been introduced on Friday night: Wendie Jekabsons, Jim Sharp and Bo Townsend.

Point of Personal Privilege

The Bishop called upon the Rev. Thom Rasnick, who thanked the following people for their roles in planning and preparing the convention: Tami Dyke, Alice Clayton, Mary Berl, Greg Hall, Frank Snodgrass, Courtney Huster, Lori Cutler and the Rev. Chris Chase, who planned the worship.

The Bishop recognized Isaac Doty of the Youth Action Council. Mr. Doty reported that the Youth Action Council had prepared a booklet of directions to all the churches of the diocese as a gift from the youth to the diocese. YAC members distributed the booklets to each delegate. Bishop vonRosenberg expressed his gratitude to the youth for this project.

Final Call for Resolutions and Nominations

Bishop vonRosenberg made the final call for resolutions and nominations.

Recess

Being the appointed time for the break, the Bishop called the convention into recess until 9:30 a.m.

Nominations

Chancellor Overbey put into nomination the following names for clergy members of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court: the Rev. David Bateman, St. Thaddaeus, Chattanooga, the Rev. Peter Keese, St. John's Cathedral and the Rev. Martha Sterne, St. Andrew's, Maryville.

Address of the Bishop

The Rev. Patricia Templeton, President of the Standing Committee, took the chair of the convention while Bishop vonRosenberg gave his annual address, which is included in the Journal of these of these proceedings. [Bishop's Address]

Special Order of Business

The Bishop called for a Special Order of Business to Report on Capital Funds Needs. He invited Claire Keene and Lou Parsons, second year seminarians, to report on the need for support of seminarians. Following their presentation, the Bishop called on the Rev. A.D. Lewis and Mrs. Norma Mills to report on the needs of the camp and conference center committee. Mr. Lewis pointed out the need for a place where people can be in touch with God's creation. He added that a camp and conference center would provide the opportunity to "evangelize our own children." Ms. Mills introduced a video on the camp and conference center site. The Bishop called on the Ven. Michael Doty, Archdeacon for Mission, to make a presentation on mission development.

Point of Personal Privilege

The Bishop called on Liz Lee of the Youth Action Council. Ms. Lee spoke of the importance of having youth and young adults involved in all levels of the church and the goal of the YAC to have young adults represent their churches at future diocesan conventions.

Bishop vonRosenberg recognized the Rev. Chris Chase, representing the Area Mission Teams, who drew the delegates' attention to the tote bags containing notepads and wrist-slappers, which were gifts from the Area Mission Teams inviting the delegates to "take a risk…anticipate miracles."

Announcements

The Bishop called on Carolyn Dicer, Deputy for Program, who directed the delegates to the workshops.

Recess

The Bishop called the convention into recess until 2:30 p.m.