The University of the South Sewanee has announced that the Rt. Rev. Brian Lee Cole, bishop of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee will be presented with an honorary doctor of divinity degree at the university’s winter convocation January 19, 2019. A southeast Missouri native, Bishop Cole graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1989. In 1992, he earned a Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
Read MoreSt. Martin of Tours Raises New Jesus Statue by Artist Who Carved Original
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 24, 2018) | by Thad Oliver — Tom Swearingen, internationally acclaimed woodcarver and sculptor based in Cohutta, Georgia, has reproduced a statue of Jesus on the Cross which he originally crafted from 1987 to 1988. The sculpture will replace HIS ORIGINAL crucifix in front of St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church on East Brainerd Road. The new 28-foot tall sculpture will be installed on Monday, October 29th, Between 9:00 and 10:00 AM on the church lawn. The
Read MoreGood News – Mystifying Word or Just a Pile of Rocks?
Sermon given at Sewanee School of Theology Ephesians 3:4-12 | Luke 12:39-48 Recently, I traveled with Robert Childers, a priest in the Diocese of East Tennessee, to Coventry, England. We were there to attend a conference on reconciliation and peacemaking at the Cathedral. If you do not know the history of Coventry Cathedral and its ministry of reconciliation, let me briefly tell you. In November, 1940, the city of Coventry was brutally bombed by the Germans. Hundreds of citizens of Coventry
Read MoreJesus Still Calls Us
Sermon Given at St. Francis, Norris, on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost 2018 Mark 10:35-45 I cannot recall a time in my life when I did not know about the Bible. It has always been there, like air and water and sleep and food. One of the first songs I remember learning as a child was a song about the Bible. “The B-i-b-l-e, that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-i-b-l-e.” You then
Read MoreUpdate from Across the Pond – The Rev. Susanna Metz, Rural Vicar, Cow Cuddler, Panto Performer
I hope all y’all can feel the big hug I’m sending across the pond to the great folks in the Diocese of East Tennessee!! Maybe it was a slow news story day, but I was invited to send an update on my life across the pond – the life of a rural vicar in the wilds of North Devon where most other folks in the county of Devon believe the inhabitants of my beloved new home are “wild, hairy savages”!
Read MoreDioET Bishops Out of Hurricane Michael’s Direct Path
As Hurricane Michael wreaks its path of devastation across the Florida panhandle and into Georgia, we wanted to let you know that we’ve heard from Bishop George in Pensacola and Bishop vonRosenberg in Charleston. We give thanks that both are well and safe. Bishop George said he and his family stayed in Pensacola as the worst of the storm, or the “bad stuff” as Bishop George said, was to the east of them, and all are good tonight. Bishop vonRosenberg
Read MoreBishop Brian at International Gathering of the Community of the Cross of Nails
Bishop Brian is in Coventry, England, at the invitation of the Rev. Robert Childers, for the Community of the Cross of Nails International Members’ Gathering, “Growing Together in Hope.” They are joining 70-80 CCN members who are meeting at Coventry Cathedral Sept. 26 to Sept. 30. Childers, who has been appointed to the board of directors of the Community of the Cross of Nails, North America, had his first experience of Coventry Cathedral when, at 20-years-old, he traveled from a
Read MoreWe will find our people
Sermon Given at St. Alban’s, Hixson on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2018 Proverbs 31:1-31 | Mark 9:30-37 I recently made a trip to Arkansas, to a small town in the northeast corner of the state. I went with my eldest brother for a long overdue trip to see my father’s grave. Once we arrived at the old Methodist churchyard, we parked the car on the edge of the property and began walking to his grave. Though it had been years
Read MoreThe Rev. Claire Brown Ordination Sermon
Sermon given at the ordination of the Rev. Claire Brown to the priesthood, Sept. 8, 2018 Rev. Allyn Maxfield-Steele, Co-Executive Director Highlander Research & Education Center INTRO This passage is part of John’s last recorded appearance of the resurrected Jesus to the disciples. It is among the last breaths of John’s Gospel, which the author wrote “so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life
Read MoreBishop Cole Appoints Chris Harpster Archdeacon
The Right Rev. Brian Cole has appointed the Venerable Chris Harpster as Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee. The Venerable Harpster will continue in his duties at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kingsport and at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with this new appointment. Bishop Cole said, “Chris’ new role as Archdeacon will focus on providing administrative oversight and support of deacons in the Diocese. The classical definition of anArchdeacon is a senior clergy person who provides some kind of administrative or leadership
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