Designated Giving Resolution

Following is a resolution submitted to the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee by the ad hoc Designated Giving Committee (the resolution explains the origin of the committee). This resolution represents a real best effort, good faith attempt on the part of the committee to recognize one another's concerns and extend charity on every side.

A Resolution to Amend Canon 23 (Sec. 3A)

Resolved, that Canon 23 (Section 3A) of the Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee be amended to read as follows:

It is the duty of each congregation established within the Diocese of Tennessee to contribute its share of the annual budget of the Diocese, including its share of its pledge to the National Church, provided that each congregation be permitted to deduct that portion of its Fair Share designated to the National Church and send it directly to the National Church or other local, national, or international ministries designated by the congregation’s Vestry, and that a report of such contributions to the National Church or other ministries is made to the Bishop & Council. This provision expires no later than the 177th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee.

Explanation:
The 173rd Annual convention of the Diocese of Tennessee passed a resolution amending Canon 23 (3A) and Canon 15 (1) of the Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee as follows:

Canon 23 (3A): It is the duty of each congregation established within the Diocese of Tennessee to contribute its share of the annual budget of the Diocese, including its share of its pledge to the National Church, provided that each congregation be permitted to designate a portion of its Fair Share designated to the National Church to other local, national, and international ministries designated by the Diocese of Tennessee.

Canon 15 (1): “unless otherwise provided in these canons.”

The 173rd Convention further resolved that the Bishop be requested to appoint an ad hoc committee “representing the range of opinion among us to explore this vexing issue during 2005, and present a permanent and more satisfactory solution of this dilemma to the 174th Annual Convention.”

The proposed amendment to the canons is purposefully not permanent, but, it is hoped, might prove to be more satisfactory in the short term. The resolution recognizes that there are many in our diocese who, for the sake of conscience, cannot financially support the budget of the National Church in the wake of the controversial actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. There are also many in the Diocese who, agreeing or disagreeing with the 74th General Convention’s actions, believe that it is a necessity of our Episcopal polity and biblical stewardship obligations to provide such support to the National Church. The proposed resolution is intended to recognize this tension and “make room” for opposing consciences until some greater clarity is made manifest in the life of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, which clarity we may prayerfully hope for by the time of the 177th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee. In this interval, in addition to whatever else the Holy Spirit might work among us, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church will have met and been given opportunity to comply, or not, with the norms enjoined in the Windsor Report, and also the Lambeth Conference of Bishops will have met. Under the proposed canonical amendment, the provision allowing for directed giving will expire as of the 177th Annual Convention, so that, unless that or a subsequent Convention intervene, all congregations of the Diocese will be required to fund their share of the Diocese’ obligation to the National Church. Should the proposed amendment fail, the canons will remain in force as currently written, allowing for congregations to designate the National Church portion of their Fair Share pledge to “other local, national, and international ministries designated by the Diocese of Tennessee.”

Submitted by:
The Rev’d Patrick Allen
St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville

The Rev’d Mickey Richaud
Trinity, Clarksville

The Rev’d James Guill
St. Andrew’s, Nashville

Dr. Richard Light
Advent, Nashville

Ms. Susan Huggins
St. David’s, Nashville

The Hon. Debra Young Maggart
St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville

Mr. Newton Molloy
St. Paul’s, Murfreesboro

Mr. Scott Kammerer
St. Bartholomew’s, Nashville

The Very Rev’d Ken Swanson
Christ Church, Nashville

Dr. Maura Campbell
Holy Cross, Murfreesboro

Mr. Pete Stringer
Christ Church, Nashville