The Mail

Terry Lawrence, Nashville, TN Three cheers for justice. And also for the best edition of Covenant [16] yet.

Jennie Adams, Franklin, TN Who knew when you and John Gessell had the courageous inspiration and perseverance to launch Covenant that it would eventually serve such a vital role for so many! Thank you for... offering a vehicle for such voices as Lisa Hunt. Her piece is applicable to our country as well as the church -- born of the Spirit and grounded in our struggling humanity. The Episcopal Church has a profound opportunity to speak as a model regarding the climate of fear and hate so pervasive in our society. This issue [Covenant/16] will stand as one of your finest of many.

Judy Grace Nashville, TN The Covenant [16] was the most refreshing piece of journalism I've seen in many months!

John-Julian, OJN, Norwich, CT Got my first COVENANT today, and I want to drop a short note just to complement you guys on the job you do with the paper. And Lane Denson certainly has guts!

I am always a little curious about bishops whose own Holy Orders came through exactly the same canonical process and who are now disowning the Church that ordained them. If they think ECUSA to be so corrupt, why don't they renounce the Orders they received from that corrupt institution? Oh, but that might compromise their pensions, wouldn't it? Tell me about the "courage of conscience"! Hey, and didn't Sewanee educate most of the dissenters? Oh, and Trinity, Ambridge, too. Keep up the good work. I don't think it will be too long before God sorts this all out.

Joel Keys, St Simon's Is, GA The Covenant [16] is a classic -- no, a zenith! Wow!

The Revd Hank Myers, Nashville, TN Just a (continuing) word of thanks for the service you render many of us by circulating especially relevant items... You are also modeling a depth in theological thinking that is so badly needed. How otherwise would I and others hear such good news as you pass on to us from such as Susan Russell and Ted Mollegen?

Newell & Lynne Anderson, Nashville, TN Thanks very much for your very needed work; COV16 is an outstanding example. You keep us on track so well. Please send a copy of the other "less conciliatory" report.

The Revd Giles Lewis, Spartanburg, SC Thank you for your fitting tribute to my longtime friend Bob Tharp [in COV16]... What a serendipity to learn of your admiration for one with whom my life was connected [from childhood]. I am interested in what goes on in the Diocese of Tennessee. In seminary, Bert Herlong was two years behind me... [Please send me a copy] of the "other" response to the Bishop's request. Thanks for your courageous service to the Church.

William Gish, Nashville, TN Outstanding issue of "Covenant." It's reassuring to know that we have more "like-minded" folk in our diocese than is evident in "Cross & Crosier" [DofTN newspaper]. We're continually amazed at the negativity and bigotry of the bishop and some of the clergy. Hope this small donation helps to keep "Covenant" coming.

The Revd Will Holt, Dickson, TN Simply magnificent issue [COV16] in its truth-telling combined with gospel hope. I had heard Lisa [Hunt], of course, but with her hopeful look to the future, I found the books chosen and the reviews to be heartening and life-giving. The new Covenant website really enhances what you have to say. Kudos to the webmaster and whomever chooses the fonts and does layout. And I appreciate "Out of Nowhere" being online. Great job. Well done!

The Revd John Talbott, Old Saybrook, CT Great work on behalf of the Gospel. I wish I was in TN to work with you.

Jim Vickers, Nashville, TN We were deeply impressed by the quality of the writing in Number 16 [COV]. We shall look forward to the next edition as a follow-up to this convention. You are an important voice in this diocese that cannot be silenced!

Barbara Newcomb, Sewanee, TN Thank you again for helping me keep up on who's who, what's what, and other better things. Congratulations. My check is enclosed.

Marge Rogers, Nashville, TN I am the person mentioned on page 5 of the January 2004 Covenant(16). I accused you of arrogance and disrespect (I don't use the word "malice") and of deliberately trying to "intimidate the preacher."

You admit you wanted your presence noted, but you neglected to say... that you and the other "liberal clergy" [Lisa Hunt and Eric Greenwood] sat in the front pew directly in front of the pulpit. I was very angry because of the disrespect you showed, and it was compounded when the three of you were the only ones who remained standing when the celebrant stated, "Let's all kneel in prayer."

You are absolutely right on one point... you didn't intimidate the Revd Ray Kasch. He did a magnificent job!

I spoke to Fr Thomas McKenzie, and he said he has certainly not banned anyone from Saint B's.

(Ed note: Fr McKenzie, locum tenens, St Bartholomew, Nashville, recently banned one of his fellow presbyters from speaking to an Episcopal Church Women meeting at St Bartholomew.)

Ruth Torri, Hendersonville, TN As always, your Covenant was like a breath of fresh air... Lisa Hunt's article was great.

Randy Craig, Franklin, TN The 172d Convention of the Diocese left me feeling very alienated from the church. The holier-than-thou animosity was very distressing. However, this is the diocese that Herlong wants and has packed to reflect both his politics and his theology. There were few faces in the crowd that offered any solace.

The banquet speaker was like a standup comedian. I am not sure what that was supposed to do for us "spiritual" types. Then, again, I have no evidence that the diocese is concerned with spirituality, only with planting. A fellow delegate was right when he said, "Southern Baptists are good folks, but they are not Episcopalians, and when numbers are the priority and you pander to Southern Baptists, you get what the church looks like now."

The current line-in-the-sand mentality is contrary to all my thoughts concerning the teachings of Jesus and the meaning of church. My fear is that the diocese will be in this reactionary vortex indefinitely unless progressives and moderates can elect a bishop who will put a halt to "church planting" and concentrate on servant leadership in a way that plants seeds of hope, instead.

[COVENANT, Number 17, June 2004]