WEST TENNESSEE: Anniversary celebration continues at convention
Episcopal News Service. February 23, 2007 [022307-07]
Christi Shaw, The Diocese of West Tennessee's communications director
Delegates and clergy from 34 parishes and missions in the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee came together February 15-17 at Saint John's Church in Memphis for the 26th Annual Convention, themed "Like a Mighty River."
North Carolina Bishop Michael B. Curry preached the sermon at the opening Eucharist and served as chaplain throughout the three-day convention.
West Tennessee Bishop Don E. Johnson described "the purposeful journey" for West Tennessee Episcopalians in his convention address.
"It is not enough to uncritically accept the faith of our fathers and mothers without engaging with our heart, mind and strength the faith journey we choose and make its claims our own," Johnson said. "We are called in the purposeful journey to have accepted for ourselves the faith in Christ we have been offered by God's grace."
Johnson outlined diocesan priorities for congregations as continuing faith formation, engaging passionate people in ministry opportunities and formulating imaginative responses to ministry needs in West Tennessee.
One example of imaginative ministry is the Freewill Shelter in Humboldt, Tennessee. The shelter was the dream of local restaurant owner Essie Barnes. Her grassroots ministry provides services to recently released prisoners, predominately women who are first-time felons, to help them reenter the community. During the diocesan convention, Johnson presented the 2007 Bishop's Cross, an annual award for service, to Dorothy Farner, a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Humboldt, for her passionate volunteer work with the Freewill Shelter.
The convention approved a $1.3 million budget, amounting to a 6 percent increase over last year's budget.
Two resolutions were adopted. One, in support of Resolution A040 of the 75th General Convention, encourages inclusion of young adults, ages 18-30, on diocesan committees and boards. Resolution A040 was proposed to the General Convention but action on it was not completed, according to page 12 of the summary of General Convention actions, available here.
The second resolution authorized the formation of a voluntary, non-budgetary task force on the stewardship of creation "to work with numerous others in our region in the care and preservation of creation."
The convention was the main event in the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of West Tennessee. During the opening Eucharist, an engraved 25th anniversary chalice and paten were dedicated by Johnson, who also ordained William S. Murray IV and Terry Street to the priesthood during the service "as a sign of the diocese's commitment to going forward into the future."
The Diocese of West Tennessee comprises approximately 9,500 Episcopalians worshipping in 32 congregations.