THE RT. REV. BRIAN L COLE
BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN EAST TENNESSEE
Bishop Brian is our chief priest and pastor. His ministry serves, supports and expands the mission of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee which is Reconciling All Things in Christ. Almost every Sunday, he visits a different congregation. Contact Bishop Brian for pastoral care of clergy and families; faith crises; consecrations; blessings; services of confirmation and reception; renewals of ministry.
JESSE ADKINS
MISSIONER FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
Jesse grew up in Atlanta, GA and has been a life-long Episcopalian. He is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a B.A. in Political Science (you will not catch him wearing orange around Knoxville). During his summers in college, he worked on summer staff at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA. He also served as the youth director at both All Saints’ (Warner Robins) and St. Columba’s in the Diocese of Atlanta.
Upon graduating college, Jesse spent two years working in Georgia politics on U.S. Senate campaigns and as a legislative aide for the state legislature. In April of 2022, Jesse set out to pursue his life-long dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. He spent the next 5 months hiking from Georgia to Maine, having a transformative spiritual journey.
After finishing the AT, Jesse moved to the mountains of Colorado to work seasonally at ski resorts. During the summer of 2023, in between ski seasons, Jesse was on summer staff at Duncan Park, an Episcopal adventure camp in the beautiful Indian Peaks region of Colorado. While serving at Duncan Park, he felt the call to do full-time youth and camp ministry.
Jesse joined the Diocese of East Tennessee in April 2024 to serve as the Missioner for Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Summer Program Director at Grace Point. Jesse brings a passion for building intentional, faith-centered community and helping young people navigate the challenges of adolescence. In his free time, Jesse enjoys hiking, climbing, skiing, playing mandolin, and going to shows to see his favorite bluegrass and jam bands.
THE VENERABLE REV. JERRY ASKEW, PHD
ARCHDEACON AND SMALL CONGREGATION CONSULTANT OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF EAST TENNESSEE
The Venerable Rev. Jerry Askew, PhD currently serves Archdeacon and Small Congregation Consultant for the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee as well as deacon at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville. Jerry’s whole life, both in the Church, in higher education, philanthropy, health care, and non-profit leadership has been about identifying, raising up and equipping servant leaders. Contact him for diocesan diaconal initiatives and consulting for small parishes in East Tennessee (ASA 100 or fewer).
CANON CHERYL BULLIS
CANON FOR ADMINISTRATION
cbullis@dioet.org
865-966-2110
Cheryl was born and raised in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and brings a strong foundation in business, communications, and nonprofit leadership to the Diocese of East Tennessee. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Stonehill College. She has also earned certifications in Graduate Accounting, Paralegal Studies, and as a Notary Public, and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success – Sigma Alpha Pi.
Cheryl has a long history of community involvement, including her service on the Board of Directors for Old Colony Habitat for Humanity in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where she also chaired the Fundraising Committee. She also served as volunteer Treasurer for her beloved childhood church, Trinity Episcopal Church in Stoughton, before relocating to Knoxville. Her work in both roles reflects a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and community development.
She joined the Diocese of East Tennessee in January 2025, bringing her strategic insight and passion for faith-based leadership to the organization.
Outside of work, Cheryl is an avid nature lover who has spent the last ten years visiting the Smoky Mountains, where she enjoys hiking and photography. She also loves to bake, read, and paint—activities that reflect her creativity and joy for life.
CANON EMILY BRUNER DOANE
CANON FOR FORMATION AND LAY MINISTRY
ebrunerdoane@dioet.org
(865) 966-2110
After living in many states and being a member of lots of parishes over the last 28 years, Emily was very grateful to return to her hometown here in East Tennessee. Before her work with the diocese, she worked as an ESL program coordinator, developing educational programming for immigrant and refugee students. She has also held lay leadership positions in Christian formation for children and adults. In her free time, she loves being involved with her parish community and doesn’t miss a parish potluck! She also loves tending her garden with her husband Matthew, propagating plants in her greenhouse, and playing a little guitar now and then. She travels to Wisconsin to visit her son Sam, an Episcopal priest, his wife Lauren, and adorable grandson, Woody, every chance she gets.
Contact Emily for:
- Resources for Adult Formation Programming
- Information about Licensed Lay Ministry
- Spiritual Practices and Formation
JON HUMBER
EPISCOPAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
jhumber@dioet.org
865-966-2110
Jon grew up in East Tennessee, splitting time between the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas, and has been a chorister at St. John’s Cathedral since 2000. He also served as a band director in Knox County public schools for 16 years, and he plays trombone for various civic and church functions around town. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Music Education in 2003, but he has a wide variety of career experience from outdoor education and adventure activities to First Responder training and public health emergency response.
Jon and his wife Kathryn live in north Knoxville with their precocious dog and even more precocious son. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, working on their 100-year-old house, tending the yard, arranging (and occasionally composing) music, and riding bikes.
Contact Jon for:
- Scheduling: Appointments with the Bishop or Canon to the Ordinary (please be sure you have consulted with your local clergy and/or lay leadership before requesting)
- Clergy: Letters dimissory, letters of good standing, remarriage petitions, other canonical or churchwide needs
- Discernment: Questions about the discernment process for ordained ministry
- Constitution and Canons: General questions (in consultation with other Diocesan leaders as necessary)
- Convention: Registration questions
THE REV. BRAD JONES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GRACE POINT CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
Contact Brad for summer camp; camp registration; Grace Point facilities; donating funds or furnishings to Grace Point; directions to Grace Point.
Brad moved to East Tennessee after graduating from General Theological Seminary in July 2012. He has been the priest at St. Andrew’s, Harriman since 2016. He has been married to his wife Gale for over 20 years and they have two children, Addison and Parker. Brad and Gale have been involved in youth work and camp ministry since their college years. He enjoys hiking and fishing, spending time with family and friends, and his dogs Kate and Ella. He looks forward to another wonderful summer at Grace Point, and spending time with the youth of our diocese and the incredible summer staff.
EMILY KIRK
PARISH SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Contact Emily for Parish Reporting, Safe Church Safe Communities, and Facility Reservations.
Emily grew up in Knoxville and is a lifelong member of St. Elizabeth’s in Farragut. She attended Grace Point Summer Camp and was active in Diocesan Events throughout her time as a youth.
Before returning home to finish her studies Emily worked in Liverpool, England with the Diocesan Social Justice Team and Food Poverty Program where she managed the Cathedral Food Bank and other special projects. A few highlights of her time in Liverpool include helping with the Triangle of Hope Pilgrimage, traveling to Taizé, and going to Premier League games.
In her time away from work Emily enjoys everything soccer, camping trips, scuba diving, and watching Formula 1 with her family.
BROTHER ANDREW AELRED MOREHEAD
MISSIONER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND EVANGELISM
amorehead@dioet.org
865-966-2110
Andrew is a life professed companion in The Ecumenical Order of Charity. He serves as the Assistant to the Servant Guardian, Admissions Coordinator, and Co-Communications Director.
In his off time, Andrew enjoys reading, knitting, and gaming. He enjoys working and gardening at his cozy home in Maryville alongside Dylan, his partner, and Bentley their Parti-Poodle (who you may meet at the Diocesan House). Andrew also volunteers at Tyson House Episcopal Lutheran Ministry on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He also serves Episcopal and Lutheran communities as a substitute organist and pianist.
He brings great energy and a passion for The Episcopal Church and is gifted in helping us tell the story of following Jesus in an Episcopal context in the 21st century with an emphasis on photography and videography.
Andrew grew up in Lyman, South Carolina, in the Presbyterian USA denomination and moved to Knoxville in 2010. He was confirmed at Church of the Ascension in 2013. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, in sacred music. He holds a master’s degree in music with emphasis in organ performance from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is a member of the Episcopal Communicators (Professional Standards Committee), Association of Anglican Musicians (Lay Professional Advocacy Committee), the Public Relations Society of America (Non-Profit Sector and Volunteer Chapter), and the Professional Photographers of America.
Contact Bro. Andrew for:
- Communications and communications consulting: website, social media, email/print marketing, public relations, photography/videography, bulletins, music copyright
- Evangelism: story sharing through various media, story telling, and advertising/marketing
- IT: networking, databases, productivity/collaboration software setups
- Creation Care: resources for carbon neutrality, improved efficiencies, and Creation Care networking
- Diocesan Archives: historical records, archives consulting, sharing/rehoming liturgical resources
THE REV. CANON JOE WOODFIN
CANON TO THE ORDINARY
jwoodfin@dioet.org
865-966-2110
Joe is a native of East Tennessee, having grown up in South Pittsburg. There he learned a love for church, for the Appalachian Mountains, and for cast iron cookware–all topics which continue to occupy his imagination to the present day.
Joe was ordained in 2015 and served parishes in Middle Tennessee, East Tennessee, and Florida before becoming Canon to the Ordinary. Prior to ordination, Joe attended the School of Theology of the University of the South (Yea, Sewanee’s Right!) where he served as president of the student body. Before seminary, Joe was a partner in his family’s small printing business, which is why he loves paper and ink so much.
No stranger to diocesan service, Joe served as President of the Standing Committee of East Tennessee and Chair of the Board of Examining Chaplains while he was Associate Rector at St. Paul’s, Chattanooga. He has also been honored to serve on the boards of several community and social service nonprofits in the last decade.
In his spare time, Joe enjoys spending time with family and friends, including his wonderful kids and their wonderful mom. He also loves to lift weights, play racquetball, read, recite poetry, cook in cast iron (see above), and dabble in other hobbies.
Contact Joe with questions about:
- Clergy Deployment/Transition Ministry
- Congregational Vitality
- Clergy Life
- Clergy Discipline
- Constitutions, Canons, and Bylaws
JERRY LEE
CANINE TO THE ORDINARY
Contact Jerry Lee for good vibes.
Jerry Lee moved to East Tennessee after his dad got elected bishop in 2017. As “canine to the ordinary,” Jerry Lee is responsible for spreading his furry love throughout the diocese. You can find his two-dimensional form wandering from parish to parish, always ready for a photo. Jerry Lee enjoys visiting his godmother Mary Kay and girlfriend Doris, sitting on the front porch, a good nap, and tasty treats from Jon’s desk.
BENTLEY COOPER
CANINE MISSIONER FOR SNACKS AND GUEST ARRIVAL ALERT
bcooper@dioet.org
(865) 966-2110
Bentley Cooper, Canine Missioner for Snacks and Guest Arrival Alert, assists Bro. Andrew throughout the week by alerting the staff about guest arrivals to the building, cleaning up traces of snacks left behind on the floor, and napping throughout the day on various chairs to ensure their consistent comfort for our guests. He loves peanut treats and walks around the property and believes he knows enough to assist contractors with electrical and plumbing work. Bentley, a proud Standard Parti-Poodle, lives with Bro. Andrew and Dylan at their home in Maryville.