Episcopal Press and News

Collins Won't Run Again as President of House of Deputies

Episcopal News Service. November 8, 1989 [89227]

ATLANTA, Nov. 10 -- When he concludes his second term as president of the House of Deputies in 1991, the Very Rev. David Collins announced that he will not seek reelection to a third term. "The sense that I get from the good Lord is that enough is enough and that it is time to concentrate on the ministry of prayer and writing, teaching and preaching, for which I took what I thought was early retirement in 1984," he told the diocesan council meeting here.

Collins thanked the council for electing him a deputy to General Conventions beginning in 1967, "which enabled me to taste one of life's greatest joys -- the chance to exercise one's spiritual gifts." Collins served as chair of the committee that brought to the house legislation approving the ordination of women to all orders of ministry. "Of all the memories of all the conventions, that momentous responsibility stands out above all the rest," he said.

Pamela Chinnis of Washington, D.C., vice-president of the House of Deputies, said that Dean Collins had been "wonderfully inclusive" to work with. "From the very beginning he included me in the whole process," she said. Chinnis and Collins were both elected at the General Convention in Anaheim and reelected at Detroit General Convention in 1988.

"Although we feel differently about some things, we both have operated from a deep love of the church," Chinnis added. "Our differences have been a matter of personal emphasis. For example, I feel very strongly about the participation of women, both lay and clergy, in the life of the church. And David has always encouraged me to pursue my interests. Our roles have been very complementary -- and I think it has worked out well," she concluded.

When asked if she intended to run as president of the House of Deputies at the Phoenix General Convention in 1991, Chinnis said that was her intention.