Dear Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee,

On behalf of your Board of Directors, I bid you all a happy and healthy 2021 as we move out of an eventful first month of the new year.

I am very thankful to work alongside this board; they are an outstanding group of men leading our organization.  They care deeply about growing the fellowship experience of gathering on the mountain each year, and about preserving it for generations to come.  We weathered an unprecedented fully virtual conference last year.  And through the board’s strong stewardship, we are on sound financial footing as we look ahead not knowing exactly when full in-person gatherings will be allowed again.

The board had an excellent virtual meeting just this past weekend.  While exact plans for the 75th Annual Laymen’s Conference, set for August 20-22, 2021, are still being developed, there is a great deal of enthusiasm for gathering together on the mountain.  It is looking more and more that we will be able to offer an in-person meeting experience at DuBose Conference Center, while maintaining a virtual offering for those who cannot, or choose not to, gather in person.  I will keep you all posted as plans come into greater focus, but please go ahead and hold August 20-22 on your calendars.

As I shared with you at the end of last year, the conference theme for 2021 will be “Life After…a look at the Christian perspective on dealing with life transitions and how we approach, embrace, and thrive after them”.  The Scripture basis for the conference theme is taken from Romans 8:28, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  Details about speakers and specific conference activities will be forthcoming over the next few months.

Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers for the ECT and for the DuBose Conference Center.  We are all hopeful that the conference center will be able to begin the process of returning to full operation this spring.  As you can imagine, they are struggling financially during this difficult time.  If you would like to donate to help support DuBose you may do so here:  https://www.duboseconferencecenter.org/donate

Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, the Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee.  I look forward to sharing more details of our Semisesquicentennial Conference with you in the near future.

Until then, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any comments, suggestions or question.

Yours Faithfully,

Rob Clark, President
Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee