A Letter from the Standing Committee

Dear Diocese of West Tennessee,

Our Bishop, the Right Reverend Don E. Johnson, has faithfully served our Diocese for over ten years and has served in ordained ministry in the various dioceses of Tennessee for over 35 years. In that long and varied ministry among us, he has never taken a sabbatical from ordained ministry. We, the Standing Committee and the 30th Annual Diocesan Convention, strongly and unanimously support our Bishop in taking this much needed time to rest from his many labors.

Beginning in January through Easter 2012, the Bishop and Jeannie will take time to rest and renew themselves. Our hope is to find a wide variety of ways to support them in this quiet and restful time. We are working with the Bishop and the Diocesan staff to ensure that the work of the Diocese continues during that period. We'll also work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee to cover the costs of a supply Bishop for visitations.

Our greatest concern is to find ways to insure that the Bishop and Jeannie have the financial means to enjoy this sabbatical. Their goal is to spend some time in Tuscany, Italy, in reflection and retreat. To help them, we have created a purse and are inviting everyone in our Diocese to support them. Please consider giving in honor of their ten years of extraordinary service to us as a Diocese. Make checks payable to:

Bishop Johnson Sabbatical Purse
c/o The Diocese of West Tennessee
692 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105

Please keep Bishop Johnson and Jeannie in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for this sacred time of rest and renewal.

Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Bill Murray, President of the Standing Committee