March 12, 2020 Dear East Tennessee Friends, When St. Paul wrote to the Christian community in Philippi, he did so with thanks even as he was imprisoned. I write to you today with thanks even in the midst of the storm of the COVID-19 outbreak in our country and across the globe. As the facts on the ground have changed daily and hourly, I write to you now, hoping that this letter will remain helpful to you in uncertain
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This past Sunday, the new Goulding & Wood pipe organ was dedicated and blessed at St. John’s Cathedral. I preached at the service, reflecting on Jesus’ healing of the deaf and mute man. In healing the man who could not hear, Jesus began with touch. When we gather to worship, we work with symbols and signs, we work with images and instruments, we work with things both longstanding and solid, with things ephemeral and unseen. Our desire is to worship
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Compassion Across Tennessee: A Statement from the Bishops of The Dioceses of East Tennessee and West Tennessee Regarding the Tornadoes in Central Tennessee Dear Clergy and People of the Dioceses of East Tennessee and West Tennessee, We are watching with heavy hearts the destruction, injury and loss of life left behind by the tornadoes that swept through central Tennessee last night. We have been in contact with Bishop Bauerschmidt in the Diocese of Tennessee to let him know that all
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A Statement from the Bishops of The Episcopal Church in Tennessee Dear Clergy and People of the Dioceses of East Tennessee, West Tennessee, and Tennessee, We understand the news of the spread of the COVID19 virus (Coronavirus), on top of an already difficult flu season, raises concerns and anxieties. Our respective Dioceses are working together to stay informed and supportive of our faith communities across the state. As new information which may be helpful arises, we will post it on
Read MoreMorning Prayer Demo This demo is to accompany morning prayer on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 9:30 am. Some rubrics and wordings have been adapted for virtual worship. At the Diocesan House, there is a custom (but not strict) of reading the New Testament and Gospel Lessons. If a reflection is offered after the Gospel, the canticle is foregone. Opening Sentence Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful,
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Sermon of The Renewal of Ordination Vows and the Chrism Mass 2020 Church of the Resurrection, Loudon, TN The Right Rev Brian L. Cole John 10:11-18 Words. We work with words. First, there is the Word, like in the beginning was the Word. Also, the words of the scriptures are central to our work. And liturgy, the words of the Book of Common Prayer and the prayers of the Church, both ancient and contemporary, along with hymns and sacred songs,
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Sermon at Diocesan Convention/Bishop’s Address Matthew 18:15-20 St. Paul’s Chattanooga TN February 7, 2020 The Rt. Rev. Brian L. Cole Two weeks ago, I was in Rome. Italy, not Georgia. Someday, I hope to visit Rome, Georgia. I was in Rome, Italy, as a guest of my friend, Austin Rios, who is the Rector of St. Paul’s Within the Walls Episcopal Church. It is the center of all Episcopal work in Rome. Along with a parish church and all
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Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39 Psalm 121 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:11-16 The Rev. Leyla King, Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. This morning, we come together to celebrate the life of our brother Gene. It is my honor and privilege to help us celebrate that life since Gene has been a friend of my heart for many years – as I know he was for all of you.
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I Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 St Paul’s Within the Walls, Rome January 26, 2020 The Right Rev Brian Cole Now that I’m a bishop, my sympathy for the Apostle Paul grows daily. Much of his ministry appears to involve dealing with church communities in crisis. These communities are spread out far from him and each other geographically. He tries to help mediate these conflicts by writing letters to them. Apparently, some of the letters Paul received in response included the
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“The unity of the Church of God is a perpetual fact; our task is not to create it but to exhibit it.” Archbishop William Temple of Canterbury 1942-44 I write to you all at the conclusion of a Consultation on When Churches Disagree. The consultation was held at Virginia Theological Seminary(VTS) and hosted by the Center for Anglican Communion Studies, which is housed at VTS. For two days, a small group of Episcopalians and Anglicans from across the globe gave
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