On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the House of Bishops, after a lively service of Holy Eucharist in many languages, filed out of the convention center and proceeded to Christ Church Cathedral. After one round of voting and a brief lunch, the House of Bishops elected the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as the next Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Presiding Bishop-elect Rowe has served both dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania. A graduate of Grove City College (B.A.
Read MoreCivility for Our Souls: Having Civil Conversations in Trying Times
Our nation is in the midst of trying times. No doubt the 2024 election campaigns are weighing upon our communities and families. Your diocesan Evangelism Working Group took up the task of reviewing courses and offerings from various sources to encourage our communities to begin developing the capacity for civil discourse not only before and during the election, but afterwards. No matter your political background, we can all point to the need for increased capacity to hold civil conversations across
Read MoreThe Rev. Ashton Sims next Priest-in-Charge at St. Martin’s, Chattanooga
The Diocese of East Tennessee is excited to announce that the Rev. Ashton Sims has been called as the next priest-in-charge at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, Chattanooga. There he will serve both the parish and pre-school. Rev. Sims previously served as a curate at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Oak Ridge. We are excited for the future of Rev. Sims’ ministry at St. Martin’s. Rev. Sims’ Letter to St. Martin’s Grace and peace
Read MoreThe Rev. Drew Bunting next Priest-in-Charge at St. Peter’s, Chattanooga
The Diocese of East Tennessee is pleased to announce that the Rev. Drew Bunting has been called as the next priest-in-charge at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Chattanooga. There he will serve both the parish and St. Peter’s Episcopal School. Rev. Bunting arrives at St. Peter’s after serving Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, as their Vicar. Previously, Rev. Bunting served other East Tennessee parishes, notably St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Athens. We are excited for the future of Rev. Bunting’s ministry at
Read MoreThe Body of Christ: A Sermon by The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole
Bishop Brian Cole offered this sermon at Church of the Ascension, Knoxville, on Sunday, June 9, during his annual visitation to the parish. The Third Sunday after Pentecost 2024 The Church of the Ascension 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 The Right Rev. Brian L. Cole St. Paul has a word for us. That is no surprise. Paul often has a word. In the New Testament, Paul has many things to say to us. Though, a few weeks ago, we did read where
Read MoreA Conversation with Bishop Given Gaula
As part of Bishop Given Gaula’s travels across the United States, he and Bishop Brian Cole sat down for a brief conversation about the unity of the global church, communion across difference, and ministry in context all while giving thanks for the continued support and prayers for each other. Make sure to subscribe to the diocesan newsletter and check our dedicated Kondoa page for updates on the 2025 Kondoa pilgrimage. Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music License code: TAYOUV689QYSKISM Transcript Bishop Brian Cole: Hi,
Read MoreModeling a New Way of Being the Body of Christ: Sermon from Province IV Synod, The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf
Bishop Brian Cole commends the following sermon by the Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf, Bishop of West Tennessee, from the Province IV synod gathering at Kanuga this year. Remarks at 2024 Province IV Synod, Kanuga Conference Center – May 8, 2024 Lessons for Julian of Norwich: Isaiah 46:3-5; Hebrews 10:19-24; Psalm 27:5-11; John 4:23-26 May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Today we celebrate
Read MoreBishop Gaula Visits Good Samaritan, Reinvigorates Friendship
On Sunday, May 5, Bishop Given Gaula and his wife, Mother Lilian, visited Church of the Good Samaritan on their tour of East Tennessee, part of a larger, sweeping visit to dioceses throughout the United States. A presentation, which will also be presented this coming Sunday at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, was made during the Sunday School hour featuring slides and videos about Kondoa ending with a broad invitation for all to visit. The service that followed
Read MoreBishop Cole Preaches at California Ordination of Bishop Coadjutor
On Saturday, May 4, Bishop Brian Cole preached at the ordination of the Rev. Austin Rios as the bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of California. You may watch the service here. Included on that page is the video, bulletin, and transcription into Spanish. The reading of the Gospel and the Sermon begin at 1:29:43. Sermon Text Diocese of California Bishop Consecration of Austin K. Rios Grace Cathedral, San Francisco May 4th, 2024 First Corinthians 12:12-31 John 21:1-19
Read MoreDiocese of East Tennessee Announces Curacies for Recently Ordained Clergy
Photo: Bishop Brian Cole (top center) stands surrounded by recent ordinands (from left to right) Rev. William Simerly, Rev. Sean McEwen, Rev. Sarah Hess, and Rev. Brian Austin, PhD On the crisp Saturday morning of January 13th at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Signal Mountain, the Rt. Rev. Brian Cole and four East Tennessee seminarians gathered with members of their communities to celebrate their ordination to the transitional diaconate, the next step in their formation as priests. In the intervening
Read More