Loading...To the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee:
I'm happy to announce changes in the status of two of our diocesan staff members. The Rev. Robert Hartmans has accepted a call to be Priest in Charge of St. Albans in Hixson, beginning Sunday, January 8. Congratulations Robert and St. Albans!
Effective immediately, I have appointed Beverly Hurley Hill as Canon for Mission and Lay Ministry. Beverly brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role, and we look forward to her leadership as we Episcopalians in East Tennessee move forward in the Jesus Movement. My hope in appointing her to this role is that she will lead us in continuing to show to the church that the lay order is the primary order of ministry in the church. Congratulations and thank you Beverly!
With Epiphany blessings,
George
A note from Beverly Hurley Hill, Canon for Mission and Lay Ministry
2016 was a wonderful experience for me. Over the course of the year, I continued the coordination of a mature and rich program that provides formation and licensing for lay ministers in our diocese. We have trained and intend to support more than 45 individuals as preachers, pastoral care leaders, and catechists for their parish and our diocese. In response to revisions to the Canons of the Episcopal Church, and installation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, we are also discussing a new licensed lay ministry for evangelists in support of our efforts to be the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
In addition to the role of Lay Ministries Coordinator, I was invited to participate in the Living Local: Joining God (LLJG) initiative. LLJG is a guided journey of transformation – learning new ways of being a local church together – learning new ways of being a part of God’s mission. This process (as opposed to a program with prescribed results) invites us to discover new pathways for being God’s people where we are. Participating congregations will learn and practice listening, discerning, experimenting, reflecting, and living into a new future.
Robert Hartmans asked me to join the LLJG Diocesan Team that will observe, assess and reflect on things learned in the participating congregations for the benefit of the diocese. Additionally, Bishop Young provided me with the opportunity to meet with The Missional Network (TMN) consultants and leaders of three additional dioceses participating in the LLJG project. And now that Robert has been called to be Priest in Charge at St Alban’s, Hixson, I am honored to step into the role of Point Person for the project through 2018.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of you at diocesan convention, through the licensed lay ministry program, at Cursillo related events, or through the LLJG project. I look forward to meeting more Episcopalians in East Tennessee and our shared mission and ministry in 2017 and beyond.
