The Rt. Rev. Brian L Cole
Bishop of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee
bcole@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 113
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.
The Venerable Jerry Askew
Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in East Tennessee
The Venerable Jerry Askew currently serves as deacon at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville, and as the president of the Alliance for Better Nonprofits. 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.
Alvin Blount
Diocesan Archivist
ablount@dioet.org
865-966-2110 ext. 121
Alvin assisted in our archives in the spring of 2021 for his practicum during his library studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
A native of Augusta, GA, Alvin R. Blount received the BA, BMus, and MMus degrees from Tuskegee University, Mercer University, and UTK, where he studied organ with the late Robert Parris and John Brock, respectively. He returned to UTK in 2020 and recently obtained the MSIS degree in Information Sciences (Librarianship). He is a member of the Society of American Archivists. He also serves as Organist and Choirmaster at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Knoxville, and as a board member of the Sewanee Church Music Conference.
The Rev. Canon Michelle Warriner Bolt
Canon to the Ordinary
mwbolt@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 111
Michelle is our Canon to the Ordinary, Deployment Officer and Diocesan Liturgist. Contact her for our parish search process; updating clergy and lay professional resumes and OTM profiles; the “Emmaus Road” program for clergy in transition; annual convention planning.
Mary Embler
Diocesan Administrator
membler@dioet.org
865-966-2110, ext. 116
Contact Mary if you need a resource for your parish treasurer; about parish voluntary commitments; grants, and parochial reports; and healthcare and benefits concerns.
Mary is a Knoxville native and has been a member of Good Samaritan in Knoxville for 36 years. Connection in the community is important to Mary and pretty much everywhere she goes, she knows someone.
She is a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Accounting and Management. She’s worked in the accounting field, with the last 26 years spent at Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. in various accounting/management roles, serving as Chief Financial Officer for the last 14 years.
Mary and her husband Doug have hearts for animals and rescued “Bug the Dog”. Mary says that actually Bug rescued them and although she’s a mess, they love her. Mary also loves her “grandfurs” and “grandchickens.”
Canon Beverly Hurley Hill
Canon for Mission and Lay Ministry
bhurleyhill@dioet.org
205-213-6640
Contact Beverly about Licensed Lay Ministries, Missional Practices, Christian Formation, Spiritual Direction, and Diocesan Annual Convention.
Beverly moved to Signal Mountain, TN in 2015 after more than 50 years in Birmingham, AL. Before her work with the diocese, she was an executive project manager for an insurance company, held several roles in software development, provided technical recruiting, and spent most of her free time in lay leadership for episcopal churches in AL. She enjoys flat-water kayaking; walking the neighborhood; spirituality retreats; music festivals; and time with her husband Derrick.
Jon Humber
Episcopal Engagement Specialist
jhumber@dioet.org
865-966-2110 ext. 113
Contact Jon for appointments with the Bishop, changes to contact information/canonical residency, new staff background checks, or facility reservations.
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.
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
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. She is currently working towards her bachelor’s in Strategic Leadership through Lipscomb University.
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, ext. 115
Andrew is a first-year professed in The Ecumenical Order of Charity, a religious community whose members are called to be the living embodiment of three particular charisms: Charity, Availability, and Ecumenism.
In his off time, Andrew enjoys reading and studying in The Ecumenical Order of Charity. He enjoys working and gardening at his new home in Maryville. Andrew also volunteers at Tyson House Episcopal Lutheran Ministry on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and at the Delaney Project in Knoxville.
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.
Andrew grew up in Lyman, South Carolina 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 and organ performance from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is active in the American Guild of Organists (AGO), most recently serving as district convener of the State of Tennessee.
Caroline Wood
Missioner for Youth and Young Adults
cwood@dioet.org
865-966-2110 ext. 119
Caroline moved to Knoxville after growing up in Alpharetta, GA, and attending Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. During her college summers, Caroline worked at Grace Point Summer camp. Some of her favorite memories from her four years on Summer Staff are painting in the art barn, the Magnolia Leaf Ceremony, and beating Jody in a long and very competitive game of Marker Ninja. Caroline is currently pursuing her master’s in Geospatial Information Sciences and Technology through North Carolina State University.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with Auggie the Doggie, playing piano, and knitting. One of her goals for 2021 is to learn how to make samosas!
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.