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 St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and School.
Rev. Bunting’s Letter to St. Peter’s
Dear Friends,
What an honor it is to be selected to serve as Priest–in–Charge of St. Peter’s! I am deeply grateful to the Vestry for their leadership in the search process, Canon Jerry Askew for his faithful work coordinating with them, and Bishop Cole for supporting the call. I am humbled by this opportunity, and so excited to join you in Christ’s ministry at St. Peter’s.
I am coming to you from Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church in St. Elmo, where I am concluding a one-year appointment as vicar. Prior to that I served as interim rector of St. Paul’s, Athens, TN, and before that chaplain of St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, where I graduated in 1993. I have also served parishes and schools in Miami, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
My partner throughout these ministries has been my wife, the Rev. April Berends. April is now rector of Grace Church, Chattanooga, and it was her work there that brought us from Sewanee to Chattanooga. Together we have two amazing children, Eddie (11) and Elijah (13), and a three-year-old Goldendoodle named Ginny. I look forward to you having the chance to meet them.
By way of introduction, here are a few more details about me. I am a lifelong musician, starting with elementary school choruses and continuing today as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and banjo player. I have written and recorded three albums of children’s music and two for adults, and was a member of Monstrance (the finest all-clergy rock band ever to emerge from the Diocese of Milwaukee). I also love camping, fishing, science fiction, and attempting to fix things that I probably broke myself.
In my conversations with the Vestry, I got the sense that St. Peter’s is ready for what’s next. People shared their hopes about the church expanding its ministries, continuing the thriving relationship between church and school, and growing the congregation. I share those hopes. Ministry development is a passion of mine, and I have seen many times how quickly the Holy Spirit can reveal the places where the world’s needs and a community’s gifts come together. I am also a great believer in the gift of Episcopal schools. I attended one, and I have served two as a chaplain, teacher, and administrator (including one that shared a campus with its founding parish). And I have confidence that St. Peter’s is well-positioned to grow. The world today needs caring, welcoming, and faith-filled communities as much as it ever has, and I am excited to see how God calls us to meet that need together.
I will begin my work with you on August 12th, and my first Sunday will be August 18th. Until then, please know that I will hold St. Peter’s in my prayers, and that I look forward to getting to know you all.
In Christ,
The Rev. Drew Bunting