Note: The following address was delivered to the 15th Annual Convention of the Diocese of East Tennessee. At the time, Bishop vonRosenberg was Bishop-Elect. This address was delivered on the eve of his consecration and Ordination as the third Bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee.

My wife Annie and I spent some time in the Diocese of East Tennessee last December. However, we only moved here two brief months ago. And, I need to say, there is a lot to know about this new position I'm taking on! Nevertheless, as I told Annie the other day, I'm trainable. In addition, I have learned several things in this brief period of time...some new learnings that I'd like to share with you today.

First of all, for at least some of the time that I'm bishop, I will have a very unusual hat to wear. And, I've noticed something about that hat, sometimes called a mitre. If I put the hat on backwards, I won't be able to see! There are tabs down the back of the hat. And if the hat is on backwards, those tabs will cover my eyes.

I am certain that I'll make mistakes as bishop. I may even put on my hat backwards. But if I do, that will represent the best kind of mistakes - the ones that are immediately recognizable... and, easily correctable.

In the past two months, I have learned that it will be impossible to meet everybody's expectations - or to please everyone - or to avoid mistakes. And therefore, as your bishop-elect, I am only able to make this pledge to you, in terms of my responsibilities: I will be as faithful as I possibly can be to our Lord, as committed as I reasonably can be to our diocese, and as responsive as is healthy to be to each one of you. But please remember that I have my limits. And remember, too, that I will make mistakes. When I do, I trust that you will have the grace to tell me and that I will have the sense to turn the hat around.

A second learning that I have realized is this. I have come to a new sense of thankfulness. In fact, I have become aware of a gratitude whose depth and breadth exceeds anything in my previous experience. I am grateful beyond words for the gracious welcome that Annie and I have received from Bob and Ann Tharp. Your kindness and hospitality far surpasses anything we could have hoped for. The staff at Diocesan House, the clergy and spouses of East Tennessee, and, indeed, all the Episcopalians we know have combined to give us a royal welcome and to make us feel at home immediately. And I want to offer a special thanks to the Consecration Committee for your hard work in preparation for tomorrow's service and all its related demands. Thank you, one and all!

My third learning really confirms something I have known for some time - but the significance of this learning has been greatly emphasized for me since my election. In what I have read recently about the role and duty of bishops, in what I have observed upon considerable recent reflection on that role, and in what I understand about the promises I will make tomorrow and the charges addressed to me, over and over again one word shouts forth as the bishop's responsibility. And that one word is unity...the unity of the Church of our Lord. The bishop is both symbol and means for unity.

We will see this unity in action tomorrow - or, actually you will see it more readily than I will. Other bishops will lay hands on my head...the hands of unity through time and space. Unity in time, because that action unifies us with the church of the apostles some 2000 years ago. And unity in space, because the bishops' hands come from various dioceses around the country, this national Church of ours. Indeed, therefore, the bishop is called to be a symbol and an example of unity to the Church and for the Church.

My final learning emerges from that symbol of unity and that responsibility for unity. It is this: the bishop has the unique opportunity and calling to express a vision for the diocese in order to unify the diocese.

I will admit to you that this learning was somewhat more difficult than the others for me. I am accustomed to a leadership style that calls forth the gifts of others, that works in partnership within the community of faith, and that trusts the community to formulate its own vision. And I still believe in that style. However, I have learned that the bishop has a special responsibility to encourage and enable others in the exercise of their gifts...to put forth a vision which encourages the exercise of ministry by the people of the diocese. That responsibility, therefore, involves communicating a vision which offers the hope of unity.

I am grateful to three individuals or groups for helping me come to this learning and formulate the particular vision I want to express. First, the Mission Strategy Task Force provided an exciting environment which encouraged and challenged me on the quest of a vision. Secondly, the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne expressed a vision which has made a remarkable difference in the life of the Diocese of Texas, and his vision has informed my own. Thirdly and most importantly, our Lord himself gave us the Great Commandment and the Great Commission which together form the core of this vision statement.

And here it is:

The Diocese of East Tennessee is one Church.
We are called to love in the name of Jesus Christ
         and to grow in people and in resources for
         ministry and for mission.
We anticipate miracles, as God works through us.

What you do with that statement of vision is up to you. However, I take the liberty now to suggest that you print it in your newsletters and your church bulletins, and display it prominently in your parish halls. I encourage you to consider it and to discuss it and to claim it as your own. And I invite you to pray this statement of vision with me, beginning right now. Please bow your heads as you remain seated. Let us pray:

Gracious God, grant us the vision to perceive the Diocese of East Tennessee as one Church. Grant us the strength to respond to your call to love in the name of Jesus Christ and to grow in people and in resources for ministry and for mission. And, finally, grant us the faith to anticipate miracles, for you are faithful in working through us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.