The 11th Annual ADOTS Synod and Conference took place in-person November 11th – 13th, 2021. It was a beautiful weekend filled with worship, ordinations, fellowship, teaching, and a little business, too. Here is a roundup of info from these wonderful 3 days together:
Thursday, November 11: Deacon’s Day
The newest deacons in our diocese
At 1:00 PM, ADOTS deacons began to arrive and gather for a Deacons’ Day with Archdeacon Sandi Harding and at the same time, we had Mission Roundtable with Canon George Ivey, as well as some other activities and small groups before rehearsing for the ordination service that evening.
The Ordination service was beautiful, and nine new deacons were ordained into ministry within our diocese.
Friday, November 12
The day began at 10:00 AM, and sounds of happy reunions filled the lobby at Holy Cross Cathedral as clergy and
lay delegates arrived for check-in. The clergy gathered in the sanctuary with Archibishop Foley for a meeting and time of questions, and Clergy wives gathered outside in the tent for brunch. The Clergy Wives Brunch was hosted by Carol Wilson & Laura Haltom, and was such a sweet time of prayer and getting to know each other.
After Midday Prayer and lunch, Deanery meetings and a Lay Ministry Roundtable took place before the business meeting.
Business Meeting Summary
The Annual Synod Business meeting began at 3:00 PM with 148 clergy and 61 lay delegates in attendance. Archbishop Foley Beach called the meeting to order and began with the first item on the agenda, receiving and welcoming the newest congregations in our diocese; Church of the Resurrection in Clarksville, Tennessee, Good Samaritan in Buford, Georgia, and The Table in Springfield, Missouri.
The next order of business was Diocesan Elections. The positions and results are as follows:
Standing Committee
Elected – Brad Wilson, Chase Campbell
Affirmed – John Bangert, Grant Henley
Finance Committee
Elected – Brad Acton
Nominating Committee
Elected – Ben Williams (Clergy), Victoria Dreyton (Lay)
Ecclesiastical Trial Court
Elected – Eric Stout, Billy Wint
Affirmed – Austin Goggans
Constitution & Canons
Elected – Everett Byrd
Affirmed – Daniel Logan
Provincial Assembly Delegate
Affirmed – Allison Goggans
Bishop’s Address
Archbishop Foley opened his address by expressing his thankfulness that we were able to meet together in person again. “God designed us for community, for fellowship. It’s been difficult for a lot of us not to have that.”
After thanking everyone for their prayers for himself and his family, Archbishop Foley shared that he hopes to hand off his GAFCON chair to another primate when they gather in Rwanda in May of 2023, and then hopes to hand off the office of Archbishop to another bishop in June of 2024. God willing, he will have a 3-month sabbatical, and then return to serve as Bishop of ADOTS full time.
AB Foley reflected on the first meetings 12 years ago where the decision was made to form a new diocese. “My how things have changed in our diocese!”, he said, noting the cultural landscape and the challenges that it has presented. Still, our diocese is in a good place:
- In 2010, we had 25 member and partner congregations. Today we have 53 member and partner congregations
- In 2010, we had an average Sunday attendance of just at 2,000. Before COVID, when we could gather without restrictions, our average was 4,431. In this past year, our average attendance has gone up to 4,679
- Last year during COVID we baptized 81 persons and confirmed 55
- We currently have 231 clergy, 2 bishops, 3 licensed bishops, 118 presbyters, 57 deacons, 15 licensed clergy, 27 retired clergy, and 9 inactive clergy
- This year, we ordained 19 deacons
- We ordained 4 presbyters
- We’ve had 2 clergy deaths
- One clergyman retired
- 5 new clergy were transferred into our diocese, two new rectors were installed, and we have two new installations coming up
- We’ve closed one congregation this year
- We have 4 rector searches underway, and currently have 9 church plants in some phase of church planting
AB Foley continued his report by highlighting our diocesan team; with many thanks to Bishop Frank Lyons, Bishops David Bryan, Terrell Glenn, and David Anderson, our diocesan Administrator, Candace Champness, and Canon Sean George who began serving as Canon to the Ordinary this year. Ivy Swann, from Knoxville, TN, began serving as a part-time Communications Associate, and Chris Johnson began serving as a part-time Financial Administrator. Chris Sorensen continues to serve in the ever-growing role of Canon of Church Planting. AB Foley expressed his thankfulness for this team, as well as the many volunteer positions that belong to dedicated, wonderful people.
The Archbishop concluded his report with an encouraging word: “Sisters and brothers, forward. Everywhere forward, always forward. We have work to do. We have a lot of work to do. Share Jesus with this suffering and hurting world in which we live. In a time when people are asking questions about death and dying, we have the words of eternal life. Forward, always forward, everywhere forward.”
2021 Bishop’s Cross Award
The 2021 Bishop’s Cross was presented next. The recipient was unable to attend this year, so a video of the presentation was played. This award is given each year to a layperson “who has served ADOTS with dedication and overflowing commitment to Jesus Christ”. John Kuehnel from Redeemer Chattanooga has poured hours of service in walking alongside churches as they go through the long process of searching for a new rector. Fr. Phil Hanner drove John to Loganville a couple of weeks beforehand to surprise him. “It’s been so easy to do what I did. This whole process really highlights what we need to be doing at all times. We are to pray and discern who God wants to be the next rector. For that,” John said, looking to Fr. Hanner, “I have to just look to my right and see the gift that God brought to Redeemer.” He stated his thankfulness for the award, and his hope to be able to assist many more rector searches in the future.
Bishop Frank’s Address
Bishop Frank noted the growth we’ve seen over the past year, “We’ve had an influx of people coming into our churches trying to find a place where the word is preached and the truth of the Lord is proclaimed. So the Archbishop and I are totally thrilled with your continued dedication to the Lord, the congregations’ dedication to their community and the Lord as well, and the great participation that we’ve seen. It’s been a very difficult but rewarding year.” He stated that they’ve confirmed 20-30 people at some congregations this year, and credited online involvement in helping to keep that process going. “I just think we need to praise the Lord for his goodness toward us and the success that we’ve had in preaching the gospel.”
Treasurer’s Report
Our Treasurer, Chuck Lewis, was excited to share that the diocese is in great shape financially. We currently have $96,000 in excess income in our checking account. “We passed a resolution some years ago that we would keep two months of our operational expenses in our checking account, we now have four months. So if we should have a shortcoming, we have sufficient funds that can get us through that.”
The 2022 budget was passed with a show of hands.
That evening, we celebrated the Eucharist together, where Bishop Frank was presented with a sweet surprise – a cake in honor of 21 years of episcopal ministry, as well as a pectoral cross.
Saturday, November 13
After gathering for morning prayer, Archbishop Foley delivered his plenary speech, which can still be viewed and listened to here: ADOTS Synod 2021 Plenary Session with Archbishop Foley
In 2022, the 12th Annual ADOTS Synod & Conference will take place November 4 – 5.
By Ivy Swann
ADOTS Communications Associate
news@adots.org