Message from the Chair
Diocesan Press Service. June 12, 1974 [74175]
John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop
I greet you with thanksgiving and gratitude on this occasion.
I am grateful for the loving support my family and I have received from the mem- hers of this Council and staff. I am grateful for the opportunity we have been given to serve together in this new relationship. In your good company I look forward to the ad- venture. Without " forgetting those things which are behind, let us reach forth unto those things which are before, and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. " (Phil. 3:13b-14).
Since October 4th the pace has been consistently steady for me and a great many miles have been traveled. In addition to several extra round trips between Mississippi and New York, my days of preparation have included journeys to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to address the Convention of the Diocese of Eau Claire, and preach at the 75th Anniversary of Christ Church, LaCrosse; to Atlanta for a meeting of the Union of Black Episcopalians; to Tempe, Arizona, for a meeting of the NCIW; to Little Rock to address the Convention of my native diocese; to Atlanta for a meeting of the Bishops of Province IV ; to Monroe, Louisiana, for Lenten preaching in my former parish of Grace; to Mexico City with Bishop Scott Field Bailey to scout out the next meeting place for the House of Bishops ; to Sewanee to address the Alumni Council; to Christ Church, Little Rock, to preach on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; to London for visits with Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop John Howe, tea with the Archbishop of Canterbury, a visit with Church House officers and an appointment with the Ecclesiastical Appointments Secretary of the Prime Minister at # 10 Downing Street; to Rome for the Convocation of our American Churches in Europe ; to Geneva for a visit to the offices of the World Council of Churches; to Pittsburgh for an address to the Annual Meeting of the Association of Episcopal Colleges and a sermon in Trinity Cathedral; to Kalamazoo for a centennial sermon to the Diocese of Western Michigan; to Dallas for a meeting of the Associated Parishes; to New York for the Episcopal Church Foundation Dinner honoring Bishop Hines; to Sewanee for Regents, Trustees and graduation.
Meanwhile, I was filling out my days as Bishop of Mississippi, solemnizing the marriage of our eldest daughter, ordaining a priest and three deacons, presiding at my last Annual Council as the Diocesan, and two special Councils to elect a successor, and serving as a co-consecrator at his ordination.
In my spare time I wrote letters, attended meetings, received visitors and helped pack.
On the evening of my last day as Bishop of Mississippi I was at Evening Prayer with the three soon-to-be-ordained deacons, concluding a "quiet day" together, when suddenly in the first Lesson, from the 22nd Chapter of II Samuel (34) I heard the startling words: "lie maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places." Great Heavens!
I remembered then, and I am mindful now, of the great strides a certain Hines' feet have taken and what great footprints blaze my trail. I must wear my own shoes, and will be more than stretched by the stride, but the direction of the trail is clear.
I am personally grateful, and share your appreciation for John Hines, his talents, his faith, his courage, his integrity and his friendship. At this moment I am especially mindful of the literary gems he polished for his Messages From the Chair. I am afraid you are in for some rocky mining in the future. For now, however, let me suggest that one of you who turns a nice phrase prepare a greeting from all of us here to John and Helen as they return to the peace of the Highlands.
And now to our work. We are all aware that much must be done by our September meeting. Thus far, it seems to me, the transition period has been both fairly smooth and normal. I am grateful to all of the continuing staff, and especially to the Lady Margaret Lockwood, for the tremendous help in getting me into harness. (That figure seems reasonably appropriate if a Presiding Bishop is officially recognized by being placed in a stall.
Some few changes have occurred. There will be others, as a matter of course. I do hope we can have logical changes in due course without the necessity of another major overhaul of structure.
The committee system of this Council appears to be effective enough. I have received one or two requests for membership changes. There may be others. If so, please let it he known. There is some time during this meeting for committee work and planning. With the new watch reporting, we will do well to check the course.
With reference to the new watch, I am greatly cheered to have Bishop Wood with us as the new Deputy for Administration and Chairman of the Executive Circle. We welcome Bishop Browning aboard as Deputy for Jurisdictions.
I am in serious conversation with two possible prospects for the posts of Deputy for Ministries and Deputy for Program. This is a process in which I have been engaged for some time now and believe that with the good staff we have it is best to be approached without haste and without rest.
I would like to make a change in titles. Let us designate the Management Team the Executive Circle and substitute the title Executive for instead of Deputy for and Vice President for. I would also suggest we change the title of Deputy for Jurisdictions to Executive for Mission.
The Vice President of the Executive Council is the President of the House of Deputies.
For legal and administrative conveniences may I nominate Bishop Wood to be Vice President of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the PECUSA.
I would also like to request the Council to elect Betty Louise Acton to serve as Acting Secretary of the Council for the remainder of this year and Margaret Lockwood Assistant Secretary.
I conclude as I began, with thanksgiving. This Executive Council is the equivalent of as excellent, dedicated and talented a Board of Directors as any organization could have. 'The professional staff of our National Church Center is equally dedicated and talented and fully capable of serving you and the Church throughout this country and world. Together, as a community of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to serve. Ours is a common vocation to serve the Lord and grow in the community of the Holy Spirit. By His Grace we can he faithful.