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EAST TENNESSEE: Annual convention revises canon for bishop succession, supports MDGs
Bishop Charles vonRosenberg said during his address that the canon regarding transition in episcopal leadership "is not an announcement of any retirement plans, let me be clear."
Although the $1.7 million budget is balanced according to canonical requirement, both diocesan treasurer Don Sproles and vonRosenberg expressed uncertainty that sufficient income would be forthcoming from parishes to fully fund the budget.
"Based on income, we see a flat budget," Sproles told delegates attending one of two budget hearings. The budget "shows a three percent increase in anticipated income, but we don't know until churches respond what we'll have to work with."
The budget assumes congregations will give only 80 percent of the amount that was requested through application of a formula. "Historically, that number's been as low as 76 percent and as high as 93 percent," he said. At the time of the convention, 18 of the diocese's 45 churches had not notified the diocese of their planned response, and several of the larger churches "came in at less than anticipated," Sproles said.
Responding to questions, Sproles said the proposed budget included a 100 percent response to the wider church. "Only two years have we not met that obligation," he said. The Episcopal Church's asking is "based on our operating income just as ours to parishes is based on their operating income…We feel we should participate fully in the life of the Anglican Communion."
VonRosenberg's address focused on the convention theme, "Caretakers of Creation," noting that its theological basis is the stewardship "of all things by which we are blessed."
The bishop mused on the "consequences of having been the dominant country in the world and of being the church representing that dominant country within the Anglican Communion."
"At this time in history, our country and our Episcopal Church are being called into unfamiliar territory, it seems to me, for I truly believe we are being led into the exercise of humility," he said. "I suggest to you that the faithful exercise of humility in today's world is one way that we may serve as caretakers of creation."
He used the lens of "transitions" in examining the recent past and current state of the church in East Tennessee, and he recognized certain milestones that have occurred during his nine-year tenure.
VonRosenberg noted a transition to a "greater appreciation for gay and lesbian people in the life of the church." He acknowledged "differences of opinion" regarding ordination and blessing of relationships, but he affirmed, "there can be no doubt of the value of the gifts of gay and lesbian people within the community of faith."
The text of vonRosenberg's address is available here. An audio version is available here.
Marie Williams, chair of the diocesan Committee on Constitution and Canons, told the convention that vonRosenberg is "concerned about the future of the diocese," hence the creation of a canon on episcopal elections.
"He is a long-range planner. The purpose is planning ahead and putting a workable procedure in place" should a sitting bishop leave office unexpectedly or call for the election of a successor.
"This seems to be the way the church is going," Williams said. "A vacancy (in a diocese) can occur for any number of reasons."
Convention highlights included a keynote presentation by the Rev. Mike Kinman, executive director of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, on the MDGs and a well-received presentation by the Rev. Paul Sneve, of East Tennessee's companion diocese of South Dakota, on understanding cultural differences. Workshops were held on these topics and on personal debt, world debt and the plight of refugees.
Kinman's PowerPoint presentation is available here.
The Diocese of East Tennessee consists of approximately 17,000 Episcopalians worshipping in 50 parishes and missions.
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