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EAST TENNESSEE: Bishop Charles vonRosenberg announces plans to retire
VonRosenberg, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as bishop of the diocese in 2009, will be 63 and will have served as bishop for more than 12 years by the time he leaves office.
"The Standing Committee is unanimous in expressing its appreciation for Bishop vonRosenberg's service to the diocese, and for what a great diocese this is and how much he contributed to that -- especially during the last five–six years. He's served with integrity, carefully keeping everyone at the table," said Standing Committee chairman, the Rev. Cal Calhoun.
Spending time with his wife Annie, children and grandchildren rank highest on the bishop's list of things to do after he retires, as well as pursuing some leisure activities for which he's rarely had time during his tenure as bishop, but vonRosenberg also wants "to find some kind of ministry which is more personal than institutional." The bishop said he has an interest in perhaps volunteering as a chaplain in a hospital or nursing home. "I've had plenty of occasions to recognize the need for pastoral support in those institutions," he said.
An English teacher prior to entering seminary, vonRosenberg said he might want to involve himself in literacy work of some sort as he has had a longstanding interest in the area. "I've also been asked to become involved once again in a ministry in Haiti," he said. "I was directly involved there for 10 years, some 20 years ago, and I look forward to renewing that involvement."
During the next year and a half, vonRosenberg will continue to place a priority on "pastoral sensitivity and responsiveness to the particular challenges of clergy and their families and churches." The bishop will also provide support and encouragement for churches to participate fully in a new "asking" formula instituted in the diocese following the 76th General Convention. The diocese will be asking far less from churches beginning in 2010 in hopes that more money will be available for local parish mission work. Focus on the ministry and transitions of Grace Point, the diocesan camp and retreat center, is also in the bishop's list of priorities. A search for a new executive director of the camp and retreat center is currently in process.
VonRosenberg was consecrated a bishop in 1999. He serves in the House of Bishops and also serves as president of the board of governors of Episcopal Appalachian Ministries. As bishop of one of the University of the South's 28 owning dioceses, he is ex officio on its board of trustees; he also was elected to the university's board of regents. He previously served as president of the church-wide Jubilee Advisory Board, on the Benefits Research Advisory Committee of the Church Pension Fund, as well as on the Legislative Committee of the Church Pension Fund for several General Conventions.
The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee encompasses an area of approximately 14,350 square miles. The diocese is comprised of 45 congregations and five worshiping communities servicing nearly 16,000 active members.
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