By Sharon Rasmussen
Editor, East Tennessee Episcopalian

Continuing a format of weaving business into a framework of worship, the 22nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of East Tennessee opened with music and prayer. Over the next two days, approximately 400 delegates and visitors traveled through the liturgy using the theme, "Sowing Seeds, Serving Needs Together."

In between, an observer might have construed the greetings, hugs and conversations sprinkled with laughter to be the reunion of an extended family - as indeed it was. However, much business also was completed, from elections and reports to informational presentations and passage of a budget.

The Bishop's Address

In his eighth address to the diocese in convention, the Rt. Rev. Charles vonRosenberg emphasized the Christian journey, which begins at baptism with the sign of the cross. "Indeed, baptism provides the mark of our identity," he said. "As faithful, baptized Christians, we sow seeds of mission and we serve needs together … the seeds and needs of the mission of Christ in the world. Responses to our baptismal commitments define the journeys of our Christian lives."

He went on to look at ways needs have been addressed historically and recently, particularly through the Episcopal Commission of South East Tennessee, an association of churches in the Chattanooga area that hosted the convention, and through hurricane relief activities.

The bishop posed a metaphor for the past few years, one familiar to all those who travel by air from East Tennessee: "My friends, the Episcopal Church is on a journey, and the issue of human sexuality is our Atlanta airport! Atlanta is not our destination, but we have to go through it on our way. And the church is experiencing familiar complication, aggravation and challenge, as we try to get out of Atlanta and get on with the journey!"

He emphasized the value of every individual to the journey: "Involved in this frustration of travel are gay Episcopalians and straight Episcopalians, conservative Episcopalians and liberal Episcopalians ... all of us. We are experiencing the frustrations of the airport in Atlanta together ... all of us. I am not suggesting that we leave anyone behind as we try to get out of Atlanta. Indeed, to add another analogy, I want to be very clear about our commitment to a 'No Child Left Behind' program ... and I mean that we intend that no child of God will be left in Atlanta because of our current complications on the journey."

And he observed that our diocesan camp and retreat center, Grace Point, can serve as a means to travel on together: "The next leg of our diocesan journey - the connecting flight that God has provided for us - is Grace Point. Grace Point means three things for us, at least: a symbol of identity, an opportunity for unity and a means for mission outreach."

Budget

The 2006 diocesan budget shone a spotlight on diocesan emphases, bringing the part-time youth coordinator on full time; introducing a 0.7 percent commitment to global mission and the Millennium Development Goals, in response to a resolution approved by delegates two years ago; allowing the diocesan newspaper to add one issue in 2006 and convert three of its issues to "wraps" of Episcopal Life in a marked expansion of General Convention coverage; increasing staff salaries five percent in a ongoing process to reach average Province IV levels; and responding, as is customary, to the diocese's Episcopal Church commitment at 100 percent.

Treasurer Don Sproles presented the 2006 proposed budget in two hearings that together drew fewer than 10 delegates. He pointed out that the finance committee is required by canon to present a balanced budget. Parish commitments came in at 81 percent of what the diocese asked. In order to achieve an 85 percent budget, the committee carried forward part of a 2005 surplus and a commitment that had been received after the 2005 books were closed.

When the 2006 budget was presented for adoption on the floor of the convention, it was approved by acclamation and without discussion.

Presentations

In presentations, delegates and visitors heard about opportunities to participate in the Brother of St. Andrew, the Stewardship Commission, the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and the National Cathedral Association. They received thanks from Episcopal Relief and Development representative the Rev. Kedron Jarvis for donating nearly $270,000 in 2005 to assist victims of the Southeast Asia tsunami, Pakistan earthquake, U.S. hurricanes and other disasters. They learned of Hosanna House, a local organization that allows people who have disabilities to live independently; and of Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services, which assists refugees to start new lives in East Tennessee.

One presentation recalled the impact of a similar one a few years ago. Ann Bright, member of the Appalachian Ministries Resource Team, reminded delegates that their predecessors had supported a fledgling plan to give a summer camp experience to Appalachian youth. "Mountain to Mountain" for the past two years has paired Jellico Mountain youth with young people from Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, at a special Grace Point summer camp.

Bright said this year, her parish is dreaming bigger: They want to take the older Jellico youth on a trip to the nation's capitol, and their plan requires $300 for each of 30 young people. Another $100 per youth would purchase clothing and good walking shoes, she added. Then came the question: "Will you help?" Hands shot up, and within a few minutes, pledges came in to fund the trip for all 30 children - and one rector challenged the others to also fund the needed clothing for their sponsored child.

Resolutions

One resolution was brought to the Committee on General Resolutions, and after a hearing and light editing, it was presented to the delegates. The convention passed the resolution by acclamation and without discussion.

The resolution establishes a fund to subsidize youth ministers' salaries in parishes, as two-year grants to supplement amounts provided through parish budgets. A "minimum annual donation" will be requested of individuals across the diocese to fund the account. The Youth Action Council and the Bishop and Council will consider and recommend applications, and parish rectors will decide whether to hire an applicant.

Diocesan Youth Coordinator Alex Haralson later explained how YAC members will follow through on the resolution. "The fund raising will begin with articles in newsletters and the East Tennessee Episcopalian. There also will be individual mailings sent out with pledge cards/envelopes, and YAC members will schedule face time in the parishes to promote the fund," he said. "The asking, to start, will be approximately $20 per individual per year in the diocese. We certainly won't refuse pledges of higher amounts, but the aim is that everyone gives a little instead of a few giving a lot."

Two additional resolutions were passed. One ratified the actions of Bishop and Council in adjusting expenditures during 2005 while restricting disbursements to an amount less than that approved by the previous convention. The other ratified actions by the Standing Committee in regard to property of the diocese and its congregations.

Recognition and participation

At the convention's start, the Hon. Ron Littlefield, mayor of Chattanooga, warmly welcomed everyone to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Trade and Convention Center. Mayor Littlefield made brief remarks and presented to Bishop vonRosenberg a proclamation declaring Friday, Feb. 3, as "Diocese of East Tennessee Day."

Bishop vonRosenberg recognized special guests from the Diocese of South Dakota, East Tennessee's companion diocese: the Rt. Rev Creighton Robertson and his wife, Ann Robertson, and the Rev. Marion Rectenwald, chairwoman of South Dakota's companion diocese committee.

The Rev. Canon Stephen Askew received special recognition when he was formally instituted as Canon to the Ordinary, a role he took on in September of last year. And the Rev. Hugh Jones, longtime chairman of the Camp and Retreat Center Board of Managers whose term ended this year, was recognized with gifts celebrating his service and leadership.

East Tennessee churches were honored for their participation in a new churchwide program, "We Will Stand with You," which links hurricane-stricken Gulf Coast congregations with those who can assist them in recovery. St. Paul, Chattanooga, and Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, are the first two parishes churchwide to step up; and St. James, Greeneville, also has been matched to a Gulf Coast parish. St. Andrew, Maryville, and Good Shepherd, Knoxville, have applied to the program and are awaiting matches. In honoring these congregations, Bishop vonRosenberg also recognized the quick response and ongoing ministries of so many East Tennessee parishes and schools in assisting southern neighbors.

The convention greeted a new worshiping community, St. Paul in Seymour, Tenn., and welcomed clergy transferred into the diocese, newly ordained priests and deacons, seminarians and postulants to the vocational diaconate. In a notable annual event, Annie vonRosenberg hosted a breakfast for the spouses of clergy, held this year at the Chattanoogan.

Delegates approved by acclamation Bishop vonRosenberg's nominees to serve on the Commission on Ministry, the Camp and Retreat Center Board of Managers and the Episcopal Endowment Corp. They were among 36 individuals elected as diocesan officers and as members of the Standing Committee, the Bishop and Council, the Ecclesiastical Trial Court and as trustee for the University of the South.

Five churches - St. James, Knoxville; Good Samaritan, Knoxville; St. Elizabeth, Farragut; St. Francis of Assisi, Ooltewah; and St. Andrew, Maryville - responded to last year's resolution that lowered delegate age to 16, electing four young delegates and two alternates as members of their parish delegations. Members of the Youth Action Council also were present on the floor of convention and staffed their popular bake sale as a fund-raiser for youth ministries.

Youth from across the diocese participated in an audiovisual "Prayers of the People." In the weeks prior to convention, young people wrote and read petitions on camera while standing before a landmark near their parish. The DVD was played for the convention, and copies were made available to parishes for their later use.

During one worship segment, area children asperged the delegates from a font that had been placed in the center of the convention floor as an ever-present reminder of baptism. A choir of children from three area parishes, a cantor, two pianists and the parish band Zammerin offered musical inspiration. An area gospel choir called Rejoice and a dance band named Love, Peace and Happiness delivered energetic performances during evening festivities.

More than 100 volunteers contributed to the success of the convention, led by convention co-chairwomen Katie Piper and the Rev. Lou Parsons. Volunteers greeted, registered, arranged for choirs and entertainment, assisted on the convention floor and in elections, handled audio and video needs, took photographs, reported on activities, ran errands and assisted vendors. Nearly 30 exhibits shared information about ministry opportunities and organizations, schools and retreat centers as well as sold books and gifts.

The convention closed with Holy Eucharist at individual tables, an episcopal blessing and a sending hymn. An offering of $2,217 will support the ministries of ECSET and Episcopal Relief and Development.

Resolutions