Bishop Charles vonRosenberg's address

Madame President, lay and clergy delegates, and distinguished guests and visitors among us, I welcome you to this 24th Annual Convention of the Diocese of East Tennessee. I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I address you near the conclusion of my ninth year as your bishop. And, I want to express to you my thanks – among many other things – for your prayers, week by week, in corporate worship. This liturgical direction – praying for the bishop – really does provide a source of support and strength, and I am grateful indeed for your faithfulness in those prayers.

On behalf of the people assembled here, I want to extend thanks also to our convention co-chairs – John Bellamy and Jean Peace – to the entire Convention Planning Committee and to the congregations of St. Paul, Kingsport, and St. Christopher, Kingsport. Thank you for your efforts in preparing for this occasion, and thank you for serving as hosts to this convention. I invite the convention to join me now in expressing our thanks to these people for the good work accomplished on behalf of us all.

Diocesan Staff

As is my custom, I want to recognize and to thank the diocesan staff members early in my address. They work hard in preparation for convention, and in fact, I suspect there may be party plans for late tomorrow afternoon. However, our diocesan staff does outstanding work all year long, on my behalf and on your behalf as well. Therefore, thanks in particular to Lynn Lazlo, receptionist and administrative assistant; to Alex Haralson, youth ministries coordinator; to Rosemary Davenport, insurance administrator and administrative assistant; to Christopher Turner, Grace Point executive director; to Sharon Rasmussen, communications director; to Rick Govan, ministry development facilitator; to Mary Berl, diocesan administrator; to Laura Nichols, bishop's executive assistant; and to Stephen Askew, canon to the ordinary. Also, I want to thank Beth Anderson, former bookshop manager; Peter Keese, chaplain to retired clergy and surviving spouses; and Herb Berl and Paige Buchholz, our stewardship officers. Please join me in expressing our appreciation for the fine efforts and important ministries of these dedicated people!

Convention Theme and Speakers

As I hope you know by now, the theme of convention this year is "Caretakers of Creation." Of course, in theological terms, the matter before us is stewardship – not just the stewardship of money but of all things by which we are blessed. That is, we are called to be stewards, caretakers, of all creation, for we have the responsibility, as stewards, for what has been entrusted to us by God. Thus, the Convention Planning Committee and I encourage this special self-awareness for the next two days – the realization that we are indeed "caretakers of creation."

We are blessed to be joined by very special guests who have agreed to share with us their particular perspectives on the convention theme. First, we are delighted to welcome a representative of our companion diocese, the Rev. Paul Sneve, whose relatives have a long and respected history as Lakota Sioux and members of the Rosebud Reservation. The Rt. Rev. Creighton Robertson is unable to be with us this year; however, we are happy that the Rev. Mr. Sneve is with us, on behalf of the Diocese of South Dakota. As I have learned from personal encounters, our Native American brothers and sisters have much to teach the rest of us about the care and stewardship of creation. Then, secondly, we are excited to have the Rev. Mike Kinman with us also. The Rev. Mr. Kinman serves as executive director of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, and he is the primary Episcopal spokesperson for the Millennium Development Goals – the MDGs. He will provide us with another view of our responsibilities as caretakers of creation. This year we also see the return of workshops to our agenda. Our hope is that these opportunities will help us to look more deeply at our caretaking role. In addition to sessions led by local educators, the Rev. John Denaro of the Episcopal Church Center earns our thanks for traveling to discuss with us the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Welcome, to each of you. We look forward, with great anticipation, to all of your presentations. Also, as a way to give thanks for your presence with us, we have made donations to Episcopal Relief and Development, to honor each one of you, and the work you do.

Caretakers in times of transition

As I anticipate the beginning of my 10th year as bishop of East Tennessee, it occurs to me that some special reflections are in order at this point on our journey together. After all, at such milestones as one's 10th year in a position, it does us well to reflect on events and circumstances we have experienced along the way, as well as on other ones that may lie ahead. And so, let me think out loud with you on the general subject of transitions & and, in particular, as that subject relates to our serving as caretakers – stewards – of this part of God's creation.

One observation that we could make about life itself is that it always, always, involves transition. Indeed, it is only by dying that a living thing can avoid further transitions. And, of course, that observation is fruitless as well, for death itself is the biggest transition of all. As individuals, as the church, as a society, and as the world, we are constantly adjusting to some transition that has happened, or we are in the midst of another transition, or we are preparing for one yet to come & and sometimes, we engage all these realities simultaneously. Thus, we must observe, first of all, that transition is a fact of life.

Specifically, as I began to prepare for this address, I reflected a bit on my nine years as bishop. In that initial reflection, the first thing that I realized was that the General Convention, 2003, occurred at the mid-way point  precisely four and a half years ago. That event, of course, certainly represents one of those important milestones on our journey as the Episcopal Church & a watershed moment. All kinds of transitions since then relate to General Convention, 2003, and I will mention several of them in this address. In fact, though, the awareness of that watershed moment at the mid-point of my episcopacy thus far led me to seek out other points of reference, as well.

In that regard, as further preparation for this occasion, I briefly examined some former addresses that I have given – a humbling exercise, to say the least. In the annual address of 2001 – two years into my ministry as bishop and six months prior to 9/11 – I shared with this body a self-revelation of sorts. I observed that, given my experiences in the church and my gifts for ministry, it seemed to me that I was called as your bishop to be "a catalyst for change and growth." One should be very careful about making such claims!

The world itself changed on 9/11, and then, less than two years later, the church changed in significant ways, for many people. Thus, the need for a bishop to initiate and encourage change did not seem so appropriate any longer. Indeed, the call to be a catalyst for change and growth – the call as a builder and an initiator – that call itself seemed unresponsive to current realities as I perceived them. Therefore, I sensed that a transition had occurred, in terms of the needs for episcopal leadership – the ministry as bishop. Gifts that were needed at that point, as I discerned them, included the calls to be a pastor, a listener and a reconciler ... the call to consolidate, more than to initiate further changes.

To use an analogy that I have found helpful, instead of building new structures, we have been called to the work of renovation. Both tasks represent important work; each task requires some skills needed for the other as well; and both are necessary for a community's good health. But, as anyone who has renovated an old house knows, there are more surprises, greater risks and less apparent progress in the work of renovation than in building from scratch. And, I would maintain, that has been a primary work for the church during the past four and a half years – renovation.

Other examples of transitions

There are many other specific transitions that I could mention ... transitions that require our taking care of parts of creation ... past transitions to which we are adjusting or others in which we currently find ourselves or still others for which we are preparing. I do have several examples in particular to share with you at this time – some of which are related to each other and some that are not. There is no particular order to this listing, in terms of importance, by the way.

For The Episcopal Church and, indeed, for our country, it seems to me that we are experiencing significant transition, in terms of our position in the world. Frankly, we are suffering the consequences of having been the dominant country in the world and of being the church representing that dominant country within the Anglican Communion. The ways that we deal with these consequences will have long-term effects ... and our responses have everything to do with being stewards and caretakers of our church and of the world in the future. For instance, 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 that we are being led into the exercise of humility. This call presents us with the opportunity to engage in a worthwhile spiritual discipline. However, the discipline of humility frankly represents a new practice, both for Episcopalians and for Americans in general. For the most part, we are not personally well acquainted with humility. Nevertheless, 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.

Another transition that has occurred in recent years is a greater appreciation for gay and lesbian people in the life of the church. As a church in this regard, we continue to hold and to express differences of opinion on the subjects of ordination and of the blessing of relationships. However, there can be no doubt of the value of the gifts of gay and lesbian people within the community of faith. Together we are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus ... beloved children of God. And this perspective represents a clear and welcomed transition in the life of the church ... a perspective that differs in significant ways from ones held by many people not long ago.

The Anglican Communion itself is in the midst of multiple transitions at this time. This is one of those environments of change that does not provide a clear indication at this point of what the future will bring. Indeed, there is much uncertainty in the life of the world-wide Anglican Communion today. However, it is important for me to repeat what I believe in this regard – a belief and intention shared by most people in this diocese, as best I can tell – that we will remain faithful to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church and, at the same time, that we will stay connected to our brothers and sisters in the world-wide Anglican Communion. To those ends, Annie and I plan to attend the Lambeth Conference next summer, the once-a-decade gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world, brought together by invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. While I am not as excited about Lambeth as I would have anticipated some years ago, nevertheless I plan to be present, representing the Diocese of East Tennessee, as a bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Transitions of personnel happen in any organization, and such is also the case in the life of our diocesan staff. As I mentioned earlier, Beth Anderson is no longer the bookshop manager, and we miss her. However, as we have lived into the reality of declining revenues in such businesses as our bookshop, we felt compelled to make changes in our operations. These transitions seem to be moving us away from offering a varied and extensive inventory as a full-time bookshop, and moving toward more of a part-time center for resources, providing particular services and support for churches and individuals. This is another transition, though, whose destination remains unclear at this point.

Changes in diocesan staff positions through my years as bishop have intended to facilitate and enhance the support of parish ministries. Actually, we currently have as small a number of paid positions as at any point in my episcopate, but, at the same time, several enhancements have taken place during these years. For instance, we established the position of ministry development facilitator; we expanded the youth coordinator and communications director to full-time positions; and we created the position of executive director at Grace Point. Again, our hope and intention have been to support local, parish ministries with each of these changes. In terms of the last role mentioned, Christopher Turner has taken over the helm from Bo Lewis, and we are indebted to each of these for their fine efforts, on behalf of that wonderful place that we call "Grace Point."

Grace Point itself is undergoing something of a transition, as we try to serve as good caretakers of that part of God's creation with which we are indeed blessed. That is, we are moving – very gradually – from being primarily a summertime camp operation for youth to a concentration on year-round facilities and programs for adults and young people alike. This transition takes a significant amount of time, for we need to be certain of appropriate direction in response to need and of consequences involving expenses. We look forward, especially, to the St. Paul's Chapel, made possible by a generous gift of St. Paul's Church, Chattanooga. The construction of that chapel has taken longer than we anticipated, but we are moving ahead now, with deliberate speed, in hopes of completion during this calendar year. This building will greatly enhance program opportunities for groups at Grace Point, and of course, a chapel will distinguish our property in appropriate ways.

Another transition that lies ahead at some point in the future will be a change of bishops. This is not an announcement of any retirement plans, let me be clear. During this convention, though, we will hear a proposal for a new diocesan canon that deals with the transition in episcopal leadership. Thus, we are invited to engage the subject responsibly at a time that immediate action is not pressing on us. Therefore, please heed this call to be "caretakers," stewards, for the sake of those who will follow us in East Tennessee. I want to mention, in particular, my thanks to the Committee on Constitution and Canons and to the Standing Committee for their leadership in placing this matter before us.

A final transition that occurs to me, in terms of our convention theme, involves issues of conservation and of climate change. Such topics need to engage us as a community of faith, seeking to be true to our call as caretakers of creation. As caretakers, we need to enhance our own involvement and participation within the global context. Indeed, as caretakers of creation, we need to understand ourselves and our responsibilities less in terms of being consumers and more, as conservationists. We could – and should – engage in study and substantial conversation about the association of the concepts and roles of caretaker, steward and conservationist, as people of faith today. The church needs to be at the forefront of that study and conversation.

A note about things that do not change

These, then, are some of the transitions, among many others, that characterize the life of our world and our church in the early 21st century. However, even as we consider such subjects today, I need to add another word, so as not to be misunderstood. There are realities, beliefs and matters of faith that most assuredly do not change, in spite of claims to the contrary by detractors and nay-sayers in our time.

At every ordination of a deacon, a priest and a bishop in the Episcopal Church, that candidate makes a public statement of affirmation – and then publicly signs that statement – that we "do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation" (BCP, pp. 513, 526 and 538). The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds of the historic church continue to be affirmed regularly in public worship, as statements of our faith today. The Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – continues to be worshiped, in three persons, as creator, redeemer and sanctifier, as God has been worshiped through time. The Gospel we preach conveys the faith once received by means of the life and witness of the blessed apostles, saints and martyrs in ages past. And, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, this is not a new Gospel.

The times are new, every day. The transitions that confront us – in these new times – in the world and in the church, continue to challenge us ... and sometimes, to perplex us. But make no mistake about this: The Gospel we preach is not a new Gospel. By means of this Gospel, we continue to be caretakers, stewards, of the faith which is in Jesus Christ. And, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews affirms, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (13:8).

Conclusion

Thus, here we are – "Caretakers of Creation" – stewards, for God's sake, on behalf of God's world. Our journey through various transitions – as individual Christians, as a church and as a nation – may have taken us places that have surprised us, and for which we have had no roadmap. We may have done some things we had not planned to do. We may have seen some things we had not anticipated ... and, perhaps, wished we never had seen. We even may not be who or what we thought we would be, at this point along the way. But, by God s grace, we are who we are. Be clear and certain about this, my friends. God has not abandoned us on our journey through these and other transitions. And the presence of God Almighty – in the person of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit – that presence of God is the greatest and the most valuable gift that we can ever imagine or hope for. Therefore, may we live into that which we are – and may we grow more fully into that which we are called to be – "Caretakers of Creation"!

The Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee
Delivered Jan. 25, 2008, at the 24th Diocesan Convention, Park Vista Hotel, Gatlinburg

Copyright © 2008 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee