FOLLOWING JESUS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Camp, Pool & Pay It Forward. Happening Highlights. Vision for Lay Ministry. Going Local to Meet God

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1 DioET Connections apr-may 2016 t vol 3, issue 2 FOLLOWING JESUS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD Bishop to Retire in Late 2017 Going Local to Meet God Vision for Lay Ministry Happening Highlights Camp, Pool & Pay It Forward... page 2... page 3... page 6... page 8... page 10 Photo by Matt Harbison

2 FROM DioET Connections THE BISHOP JAN-FEB THE RT REV. GEORGE D. YOUNG, III Following Jesus into the neighborhood MY DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN EAST TENNESSEE, I ll never forget first reading your profile in the spring of 2010 and thinking wow, what a wonderful group of God s people. And I was right you are an incredible people! That began my relationship with you, a relationship that continues to be deep, exciting, intimate, loving, faith-filled, fruitful, and much more. And fun! Thank you, thank you, thank you for every moment of that! We have followed Jesus together, prayed, worshiped, convened, retreated, camped, met, planned, worked, played, celebrated, discerned together and God has blessed us in many, many marvelous ways. I am more grateful to God and to you than I could ever express. I am writing today to share with you that I have decided to retire as your bishop. The next chapter of my life will be focused on my family and our life together. I want you to know that there is no health issue, no crisis I am simply moving into the next season in my life. I will be 62, with almost 30 years of ordained ministry. Bishops, and other clergy for that matter, are serving shorter tenures these days than in the past, and there is much good about that. At this point I do not have a plan for the future beyond enjoying a period of renewing and re-creating retirement. Some of you have memories of this process, and know that it will take just shy of two years before another bishop is in place. So, we have much more time and work and ministry together, to which I passionately look forward. The Standing Committee has already begun its work in this process, and they will be communicating clearly with you in the days, weeks and months ahead. We have a remarkably skilled and faithful diocesan staff who will continue to serve us all in our life together. Thank God for each and every one of them! Your next bishop will come to a vital, exciting, organized, healthy, flexible, spirit-filled diocese, and she or he will be a very fortunate person. Hopefully you will elect that person in August 2017, and she or he will be ordained and settled with you on or around January 2018, after which I will end my time with you as your bishop. The time will come down the road to say goodbyes; that time is not now. We have much good and important work to do, following Jesus together. We will continue to celebrate and focus on our Missional Network initiative: Going Local, on supporting and expanding the ministry of Grace Point, on discernment and formation with those in the ordination process, on baptizing and receiving people into the Body of Christ, on working for justice in our communities, and on furthering the Jesus Movement in this part of God s creation. As I said in my most recent convention address, if my legacy of those seven years with you is that there is a clear missional focus among the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee, I will be eternally grateful. Let s continue working together to make that happen. God bless you! Peace in the risen Christ, A letter from the Standing Committee outlines the Bishop Search and Transition process; see DioET Connections is a publication of: The Episcopal Church in East Tennessee 814 Episcopal School Way Knoxville TN DioET Connections is published six times a year by the Office of Communications of The Episcopal Church in East Tennessee. Publisher The Rt. Rev. George D. Young, III Editor Vikki Myers To submit a story idea, please contact editor@dioet.org. We are building a direct-mail list during 2016, but for now, print copies are being delivered to your church, and you may pick-up a copy there. We are also sharing a copy online for those who prefer to read on their tablet or other mobile device at bit.ly/dioetconnections. editor@ dioet.org if you would like to be included in our direct-mail list. News & Inspiration is our monthly enewsletter, which features events around the diocese or of interest to our folks, news, pictures, and stories of interest in addition to loads of inspiration to be found in the stories of our churches. If you have an item you d like to share in our enews, please send it to Vikki Myers, editor@dioet.org. Sign-up online to receive it each month at

3 Going local to meet God DioET Connections JAN-FEB 2016 God is sending us through baptismal waters across the communion table and into our neighborhoods. Sending us there to encounter the Holy Spirit strange and alive like the burning bush that Moses had to turn to see. On Saturday May 7, we invite you to a workshop that outlines an opportunity of just such an engagement. We will gather at Church of the Ascension in Knoxville with members of the Missional Network to explore a creative initiative of going local to meet God. The workshop will run from 9 am until 2 pm with light breakfast, coffee, and lunch provided. Cost is $10 per participant (pay at the workshop). All are welcome, parishes are encouraged to prioritize by sending four or five lay leaders plus clergy. Join us Saturday May 7 to learn about the Going Local initiative: a call to experimenting in relationship building in our neighborhoods. Watch a video about the event and register online at GOING LOCAL INITIATIVE WORKSHOP Church of the Ascension, Knoxville May 7, 9 am - 3 pm With members of the Missional Network including: Dwight Zscheile is associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, an Episcopal priest, author, and consultant. Alan Roxburgh is a pastor, teacher, writer and consultant with more than 30 years experience in church leadership, consulting and seminary education. Robert Hartmans is our Canon for Congregational Vitality, serves as missioner for Project Canterbury ministry to UTC students, and has instructed DioET lay ministry courses. DioET Connections APR-MAY

4 HAPPENING WEEKEND For those who are considering going to Happening: I strongly encourage you to attend. While it is difficult to place yourself into a place of vulnerability, it is wor th it. You gain a new understanding of God, yourself, others, and how to connect and inter twine all of them together. It is a time of peace, understanding, and fun that is like no other. - Chloe Hasden By Alex Haralson On March 4-8, 37 youth and adults gathered at Grace Point for Happening #71. A spiritual retreat aimed at High Schoolers, and meaningful also to adult participants (youth leaders, clergy, and parents), the weekend program is an exploration of our calls to be apostles in the world. Happening #71 was graced with mostly-sunny weather surrounding an intensely deep faith journey of discussion, music, and worship (and lots of food). Through a series of talks, given mostly by youth, participants were provided a safe space to examine their own experiences of faith, spirituality, and social interaction. Small-group discussions followed each talk, with time for participants to share stories, hopes, and fears. The most important thing I took away from Happening, said Chloe Hasden of St. Martin of Tours, was a new group of friends that I know I can trust and confide in on a level that I cannot experience with others. The Happening weekend is primarily youth-led, and the experience is also impactful for the young people who serve on leadership. When I return to Happening, I know that I'm stepping into a loving environment where I can open myself up to others, said Parker Chadwell of Ascension. It s really helped me to recognize that my problems and insecurities are all meaningless, and because of that I can let them go. As an open community focused on hospitality and servant ministry, the Happening weekend offers transformation to those who participate. I took away a new sense of understanding regarding what it means to be connected, in my own way, to God, and how to share it with others, said Chloe. It is a time of peace, understanding, and fun that is like no other. This ministry of the Diocese of East Tennessee takes place twice a year. Happening #72 will be held in November. More information is available at or

5 Happening #71 Moments Photos by Alex Haralson 1 Chloe Hasden and Maggie Lee of St. Martin of Tours, Chattanooga, during one of the many fun moments at Happening. 2 Church of the Ascension, Knoxville, was well-represented at Happening #71, accompanied by their Director of Youth Ministry, Chelsea Krahulik (second from right). A family group shares their playdough creations. From left: Callaway Burton (St. Luke, Cleveland), Jack Richards (Ascension, Knox- being an apostle in the world. Parker Chadwell of Ascension, Knoxville, talks to the group about 3 ville), Andrew Cwirko (St. Paul, Kingsport), Joy Green (St. Timothy, Signal Mountain.) Savannah Perry (St. Paul, Kingsport), Lala Hilizah (Good The Rev. Jay Mills delivers the homily to the Happening community 5 Samaritan, Knoxville), and Megan Jepson (St. John s Cathedral) share a moment before leaving Happening on during Holy Euhcarist. Sunday. 4 6 DioET Connections APR-MAY

6 DioET Connections JAN-FEB 2016 MEET BEVERLY HURLEY HILL and LEARN WHAT S HAPPENING IN LAY MINISTRY By Beverly Hurley Hill Who am I? am Beverly Hurley Hill, the new I Lay Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of East Tennessee. I live in Signal Mountain, worship at St Timothy, and work part-time from my home, the Diocesan House, and road as needed. My church experience involves various formation experiences, lay ministry, and leadership roles in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama: Education for Ministry (EfM) graduate, Cursillo and Discovery Weekend table leader, Summer Camp counselor, youth (EYC) leader, Reader, Eucharistic Minister and Visitor, Junior and Senior Warden, Commission on Spirituality, and clergy spouse. Professionally, I have worked in software and life insurance product development for 30 years. I am a certified project management professional (PMP), currently working on a certification as a professional facilitator, and my degree is in psychology, guidance & counseling. About licensed lay ministry More than a dozen years ago Rick Govan and others created a program for discerning, training, licensing, and supporting lay people At Right: Beverly Hurley Hill strikes a pose with her husband, the Rev. Derrick Hill, rector of St. Timothy, Signal Mountain 6 for various ministries defined by the Canons of the Episcopal Church. It is exciting to inherit and administer this program that is alive and well, and we are looking for ways to increase support and evolve it. We are currently training eight to be licensed lay Pastoral Leaders, seven to be licensed lay Preachers, and two to be licensed lay Catechists. That is in addition to nearly 40 licensed lay ministers from almost half of our parishes that have come through the program to date. Importance of lay ministry in our churches Now concerning spiritual gifts (persons), brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12:1, 4-7 Our Catechism notes, the ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacon (BCP, p. 855). The Ministry Q. Who are the ministers of the Church? A. The ministers of the Church are laypersons, bishops, priests, and deacons. Q. What is the ministry of the laity? A. The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, continued on page 7

7 and governance of the Church. The various ministries of the church are to be complementary, not mutually exclusive or competitive. We are all called to ministry, but not all are called to be ordained. We can all live into our gifts along with bishops, priests, and deacons. This program provides rich training that increases the number of prepared ministers available to each parish so that clergy have greater capacity for their many ministries or leadership, and so that each parish is better equipped for times of transition. This is one of many ways to engage the laity in the ministry of the church and in relationship with the membership. Vision/hopes for lay ministry We intend to continue to coordinate regional workshops for Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors while also discussing diocesan involvement in training and support of these and other lay ministries that currently falls solely on the parish. We are working with numerous clergy and lay ministers to establish meaningful support for those already licensed a continuing education program, if you will. We ll look for ways to keep lay ministers in practice, in touch with the latest resources, and engaged in sharing with others in like ministries. Additionally, we are looking to expand licensed lay ministries as indicated by The Episcopal Church. We have not yet defined a licensed Evangelist beyond that which is provided by Canon III.4.9 a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church assists with the community s ministry of evangelism in partnership with the DioET Connections JAN-FEB 2016 leader exercising oversight of the congregation Encouragement If you are a member of our laity and interested in licensed lay ministry, please contact your clergy to discuss and discern. If you are a member of our clergy, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss licensed lay ministry and will make myself available to assist you in discerning who in your membership is being called to be a lay preacher, pastoral leader, catechist, or evangelist. I also welcome discussions about, and offer assistance, regarding Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Visitors, Worship Leaders and other lay ministries. Please contact me at bhurleyhill@dioet.org or (205) Pictured L-R are Sister Michael Julian, the Rev. Taylor Dinsmore, Allen Bray and Sister Anna Kathleen students and instructor of the most recent Homiletics Class for lay preachers that just wrapped up in March. The definition of Homiletics is the art of preaching or writing sermons. Prior to the class, all of the students had some previous preaching experience, but all agreed the class was wonderful not only in subject matter and opportunity to learn and practice, but also for the bonds formed in the class. All also agreed that the most difficult assignment given by instructor Dinsmore was the first one to write a funeral sermon for someone they didn t know. It is an honor and responsibility not to be taken lightly, and it s important to have a framework since there is generally not much time to prepare for a funeral, but the essential thing is that it s always about God, always about resurrection, Dinsmore said. Here are a few thoughts about the class the students shared in a conversation in the Memorial Garden at Good Samaritan, Knoxville. A wonderful take-away message is that we are charged as preachers with the responsibility of reminding folks this is Good News we share God and Good News with the people we re preaching to, said Bray. Sister Michael Julian recounted a phrase from a TED talk she had seen that said preaching is not an essay on legs you ve got to break it open and make it real, she said. Sister Anna Kathleen found that One of the wonderful things [she gained] from the class is excitement about preaching and excitement about a new way of listening about preaching. Photo by Vikki Myers DioET Connections APR-MAY2016 7

8 YOU CAN T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT By the Rev. Canon Patricia (Pat) Grace At the heart of the missional approach is a confrontation with something we hold very dear in the Episcopal tradition. That s our reliance on our legacy of establishment as the Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile has called it. For a very long time we have considered our denomination to be on top. We like to brag that more American presidents have been Episcopalians than any other religious persuasion. (That s true, of course. Eleven or twelve have been Episcopalians if you count Jefferson, an Anglican, who later became kind-of an atheist.) We boast of a National Cathedral, a house of prayer for all people. But the people never got together and decided that was something they needed or wanted. We just knew, of course, because we have seen ourselves as the church that calls the shots, the church that everyone should want to belong to. We re the church that believes, if we were to be honest, that Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones were wrong we can always get what we want. We ve become accustomed to thinking that we can always get what we want if we align ourselves with the rich and powerful in our country. We ve become secure in trusting our own agency, our own power to make things as we desire them to be, rather than placing our trust in God s agency and power. Things have changed. No longer does one, overriding authority, have center stage in our culture. Everyone has an opinion that seems to be worth recording, at LEGACY POWER WANT NEED GOD ESTABLISHMENT INFLUENCE GOD RIGHT Anyone who wants POWER to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all. TRUST GOD Mark NEED 9:35 RELATIONSHIP least. Check out Face Book, Twitter and all the other social media that provide pulpits for anyone who can operate a smart phone and type. Facts, social position or a history of influence no longer dictate or persuade. Relationships do. Perhaps this is the reason why Jesus spent so much time just moving around, getting to know people, listening and learning about their lives. Perhaps this is the reason that those individuals and congregations that work that same way are experiencing something new and positive trend in how they live into being the church. These are folks who have learned how to come, not bearing influence or all the answers to people s needs, but with empty, open hands, extending companionship for the journey. They come, not to impose a certain right way of doing things on others, but eager to learn how things go with them. They come, unclear as to the specifics of the future, but with the trust that God will lead and empower them enough to get where they are called to be. They go, understanding that we may no longer always get what we want. But if we try real hard, sometimes, we find, in this new way of doing things, we get what we need. 8

9 PAY IT FORWARD WITH GRACE POINT OUTREACH CAMPS By Jan Lewis Grace Point Camp is both a gift and an opportunity for giving. The Grace Point Outreach Camps enable local congregations to participate in the ministry of our diocesan camp and positively impact their own communities. It is the opportunity for every member of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee to pay it forward. This month, the Grace Point Board of Managers will contact the senior warden and/or a key lay person in every congregation with detailed information about the outreach camping program. The Board is asking each parish to provide an Outreach Scholarship for 2-4 campers, preferably from their community, to attend one of the two Outreach sessions, Camp Jim Muir, June 26-July 1, or Camp Billy Johnson, July Who is eligible for an outreach scholarship? Children, who due to circumstances such as poverty, homelessness, incarcerated parents, or outof-home placement, would not have the opportunity to attend summer camp. Ages: Rising 4th through rising 8th grade. If assistance is needed identifying potential campers, the parish might enlist the assistance of school counselors, Boys and Girls Club, the Y, or other community groups. In the event that a parish is unable to identify campers in their community, sponsorship of previously identified potential campers is available through Grace Point. How much will it cost? Full ($410) or partial scholarship Camp clothes as needed (perhaps a bathing suit, gym shorts, and teeshirt) Transportation to and from camp (provided by a parishioner) *Linens will be furnished by the camp. If interested, contact your rector or call or Brad Jones, Grace Point Executive Director, or bjones@ gracepointcamp.org. At left, happy and proud campers from a prior Grace Point Outreach Camp hold up the very first fish they ve ever caught! SUMMER CAMP NEWS The new pool by the lake is in its finishing stages and the pool pavilion is done campers have a big treat in store for them this year! Turn the page for camp dates and costs. Camps are filling up fast, so don t wait if you have a camper to sign-up. Counselor applications are available on the Grace Point website ( org/ )if you know a counselor-age youth who loves camp and kids! DioET Connections APR-MAY

10 DioET Connections JAN-FEB 2016 Photo by Matt Harbison 10

11 GRACE POINT 2016 DioET Connections JAN-FEB 2016 summer camp calendar FAMILY CAMP May Rising 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades with parent $310 includes 1 child & 1 adult INTERMEDIATE CAMP May Rising 4th-7th grades $415 per camper YOUTH CAMP June 2 7 Rising 7th grade-rising college freshman $415 per camper WORK CAMP June Rising 7th grade-rising college freshman $250 per camper JUNIOR SUMMER SESSION June Rising 4th-7th grades $415 per camper JIM MUIR KAMP 4 KIDS June 26 1 Outreach Camp CAMP BILLY JOHNSON July 6 11 Outreach Camp ADULT CAMP July New camp for adults ages 21 and above $225 per camper YOUTH SUMMER SESSION July Rising 8th grade-rising college freshmen $415 per camper u Bring New Camper(s) and Receive $25 Discount Per Person DioET Connections APR-MAY

12 Do you know that if you send us a picture from the bishop s visit at your church, we ll share it on our Facebook page? We ve had some great pictures we look forward to sharing yours! Send your picture to editor@dioet.org and see it on DioETFB. This is St. Paul, Athens, after a visitation with a baptism! BISHOP S VISITATION AND PRAYER CALENDAR SUN., APRIL 17 GOOD SHEPHERD, LOOKOUT MTN Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain St. Mark s, Aberdeen, SD SUN., APRIL 24 GOOD SAMARITAN, KNOXVILLE Church of the Good Samaritan, Knoxville Trinity, Pierre, SD SUN., MAY 1 ST. PAUL, CHATTANOOGA St. Paul s, Chattanooga St. Andrew s, Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Ministries, Chattanooga (Diocesan Jubilee Ctr) SUN., MAY 8 NO VISITATION St. Thomas, Knoxville Church of the Ascension, Blackfoot, SD St. Thomas Station, On the Tree, SD Emmanuel, White Horse, SD For Joy in God s Creation (BCP, p814) For all Parish Staffs in our Diocese SUN., MAY 15 RESURRECTION, LOUDON Church of the Resurrection, Loudon St. Paul s, Norris, SD Trinity, Mission, SD St. Thomas, Corn Creek, SD SUN., MAY 22 NO VISITATION For Campers and Staff at Grace Point SUN., MAY 29 ST. LUKE, KNOXVILLE St. Luke s, Knoxville SUN., JUNE 5 ASCENSION, KNOXVILLE Church of the Ascension, Knoxville Emmanuel, Rapid City, SD St. Matthew s, Rapid City, SD SUN., JUNE 12 ST. JAMES, KNOXVILLE St. James, Knoxville All Angels, Spearfish, SD St. James Feeding Ministries, Knoxville (Diocesan Jubilee Center) SUN., JUNE 19 ALL SAINTS, MORRISTOWN All Saints, Morristown All Saints Episcopal School, Morristown St. Elizabeth s, Wakpala, SD St. Paul s, Little Eagle, SD St. James, Mobridge, SD St. John s, Bullhead, SD SUN., JUNE 26 ST. ANDREW, MARYVILLE St. Andrew, Maryville Blessed Redeemer, Howe Creek, SD Our Most Merciful Savior, Santee, SD St. Paul s, Vermillion, SD