January 11, 2022 Dear East Tennessee Friends, I write to you with news regarding our plans for the Committal of Ashes for The Right Rev. William Sanders. After hearing from the Sanders family, we all came to a mutual decision to postpone plans for a January 22nd public liturgy at St. John’s Cathedral. A large public liturgy with people traveling to Knoxville from all across the Southeast while Covid Omicron numbers surge is not wise right now. Once the
Read MoreMetagem Offers Spiritual Director Formation
Spiritual Direction is a spiritual practice involving intentional conversations for the purpose of cultivating greater depths of relationship with the Divine, other people, all of creation, and the self. Learn how to receive and hold the sacred stories of our daily lives. Watch an informative video here. This two-year program includes six themed intensives: Integrative Practices I, The Practice of Spiritual Direction I, Sacred Story, Integrative Practices Part II, The Practice of Spiritual Direction Part II, and Co-Creativity with God. In addition, the
Read MoreWinter Weather Day: January 7, 2022
In following the Episcopal School of Knoxville’s winter weather closures, the Diocesan office is closed today, Friday, January 7, due to winter weather. You may call the office at 865-966-2110 to leave a voicemail. Staff email addresses and phone extensions are available at www.dioet.org/office-of-the-bishop-staff. We pray for your safety and warmth!
Read MoreReconciling Thought: New Year, New Habits
Transcript Hi, I’m Bishop Brian, I want to tell you a story about my seventh grade Christmas break. So, seventh grade Christmas break, wonderful, time, time with family time where we traveled. Came back to school. Seventh grade locker. Completely forgot my combination. First time in my life where I realized there was something I did every day, but then I stopped doing it for a couple of weeks and I was stunned. I could not get my locker open.
Read MoreSnow Day January 3 2022
The Diocesan office is closed today, January 3, 2022, due to winter weather. You may call the office at 865-966-2110 to leave a voicemail in the general box or a specific staff member’s box. Staff email addresses and phone extensions are available here.
Read MoreGod is Present, God is With Us: A Christmas Message from Bishop Brian Cole
Bishop Brian Cole reminds us that God is always present and with us, and wishes all a Merry Christmas. Transcript – Hi, I’m Bishop Brian. Today I want to read to you a very brief portion of the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke. “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around
Read MoreHelping and Praying for Our Neighbors
How might we help and pray for those affected by the recent tornadoes? In this message, Bishop Brian Cole offers ways in which East Tennessee Episcopalians can help the recovery efforts through donations to the Diocese of Kentucky and Episcopal Relief and Development. Transcript – Hi, I’m Bishop Brian. I want to speak to you today about an appeal I’m making on behalf of those neighbors impacted to the west of us recently with these horrific tornadoes
Read MoreSt. Paul’s, Athens, Welcomes New Rector and Celebrates Robust Ministry
ATHENS, December 9, 2021 – With a full choir and a full church, The people of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church welcomed The Rev. Claire Brown as their new Rector and celebrated their robust ministry in the Athens community. The Right Rev. Brian L. Cole, Bishop of East Tennessee, celebrated the service with The Rev. Joe Woodfin preaching. “We are here to celebrate that you have found someone who is a partner and a leader in ministry.” the Rev. Woodfin noted.
Read MoreReconciling Thought: Help Us Be Honest, Humble, Hopeful
In his latest Reconciling Thought, Bishop Brian Cole explores the theme for the upcoming 38th Annual Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee: Help Us Be Honest, Humble, Hopeful. For more information on Diocesan Convention, visit www.dioceseconvention.org. Transcript Hello. I’m Bishop Brian. Today, I want to share with you the theme for our upcoming Diocesan Convention, scheduled for this coming February. Your Bishop and Council, after much prayer and reflection, invites you and me to engage the theme, Help
Read MoreReconciling Thought: Advent, A Time of Hope and Renewal
Bishop Brian invites you into the coming season of Advent, a time of hope and renewal. The diocese is offering a free course with Ginger Huebner in a series called, “Create + Connect Circles.” Each session meets on the four Sundays of Advent, November 28, December 5, 12, and 19 at 6:00 pm Eastern on Zoom. You can attend all or some of the sessions. More information about the Create + Connect Circles offering is available here. Transcript –
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