.: Bishop Search of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee :.

The Rev. Canon Anne Stevenson
Dr. David L. Rowe
Episcopate Committee
Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee

After several months of intense prayer and discernment, I have concluded that I must withdraw as a candidate for bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
Admittedly, this has not been an easy decision to make, but it is the correct one for me, your Diocese, and my parish.

Since I was invited into the discernment process, the major questions on my heart were as follows: (1) Was I truly called to be a bishop at this time? (2) Do I have the right gifts that are needed to be an effective Bishop of the Diocese? (3) Have I finished my work at St. Paul’s, Daphne, Alabama? (4) What’s in my family’s best interest? In my discernment, I never received a clear answer to the first and second questions. The idea of being a bishop was not a consideration of mine at the time I was notified that I had been nominated. Consequently, as part of my discernment, I had to shift my focus and consider things that I had never considered before. I also had to consider my strengths and weaknesses as a person and a priest with regard to what I perceive are the most critical needs of the Diocese. In the final analysis, I came to the conclusion that this was not the time for me to be a Bishop in God’s Church.

However, this process did confirm that I am called to be a priest and pastor, and that I still have work to do at St. Paul’s. I have a passion for ministry and love being able to serve such a wonderful and faithful community. My family is also relieved by my decision to withdraw because they know I have not discerned a clear sense that this is what God was calling me to do.

Again, this has not been an easy decision for me. I have been honored and humbled by being a part of this mutual discernment process. Your confidence in me andmy abilities has been both affirming and gratifying. It has also been an interesting journey, causing me to engage in some serious self-examination and to seek the counsel of spiritual friends and mentors. Finally, it was a rewarding experience as well because I got to meet you and the other members of the Episcopate Committee.

You still have an exceptional and faithful slate of candidates. Any one of the candidates would make a fine bishop. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will help you to identify the right one to lead your Diocese at this critical time in the Church. Thank you for this opportunity and God’s blessings to you and the Diocese of Tennessee.

A Statement from the Episcopate Committee

The Episcopate Committee has received two letters of withdrawal from the process, from the Rev. Russell Levenson and the Rev. Thack Dyson. We are disappointed they could not continue with us, their statements explain their reasons very well. As we all know, calling of a Bishop, like a rector, is a discernment process that requires both the caller and the respective nominees to search for God's will.

God does not act according to our expectations or desires, but we know that God always serves our greatest good. We believe that is as true today as it was when we first announced our slate of nominees. Both Rev. Levenson and Dyson assure us of their regard for the diocese and the work of the Episcopate Committee, and we very much appreciate their faithfulness in pursing God's will.

Two nominees withdrew in our last process, though that was before the public announcement of the slate, so this truly is the way the process proceeds. Our attention now focuses on the three outstanding priests who continue with us, knowing that among these three is the next Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. Please continue to pray for them, for the electing delegates, and for our church in what is truly an exciting time in our church life.

The Rev. Canon Anne Stevenson
Dr. David L. Rowe
Co-Chairs.

The Rev. Thack H. Dyson The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

The Rev. Thack H. Dyson
The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast