Licensed Lay Ministry in East Tennessee All baptized Christians are called to ministry. The Episcopal parish and its surrounding community are stocked full of opportunities to answer those calls. Some of you, however, are called to be more deeply formed for specific ministries and licensed for more confidence and credibility in the practice in your parish. The Episcopal Church in East Tennessee has dedicated staff and other resources to the discernment, formation, support, and licensing of lay ministers for more than two
Read MoreSecularization of St. Barnabas Episcopal-Lutheran Worshipping Community
Both Bishop Brian Cole, Episcopal Bishop of East Tennessee, and Bishop Kevin Stickland, Bishop of the Southeastern Synod ELCA, along with the Rev. Bob Miller, Rev. Smokey Oats, and other clergy, walked with the people of St. Barnabas Episcopal-Lutheran Worshipping Community as they secularized the building and ended the formal ministry of the community on Wednesday, July 12. Please keep the people of St. Barnabas in your prayers. Thank you to Canon Michelle Bolt for taking the photos.
Read MoreOrdination of Kat Chappell to the Priesthood
On Saturday, July 15, Bishop Brian Cole and the people of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Signal Mountain and East Tennessee celebrated the ordination of the Rev. Kat Chappell to the priesthood.
Read MoreShow Off Your Volunteer Spirit! Volunteers Needed for 81st General Convention
Were you aware that the General Convention of the Episcopal Church is the largest legislative body outside of our National Government in DC? The one-year countdown to the 81st General Convention and the 51st Triennial Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women, taking place in the Diocese of Kentucky, begins on June 23rd! Alongside the important work towards reconciliation and equality, the convention is set to be filled with exciting events, starting with a revival hosted by Presiding Bishop Michael
Read MoreBBC Storytelling Interview with Elliott Wiggers
In the latest Becoming Beloved Community Storytelling Initiative Interview, Mr. Alvin Blount, Diocesan Archivist, interview Mr. Elliott Wiggers, an ETNyouth who journeyed on the Trail of Tears Pilgrimage this year. Transcript – [Alvin] Well, good afternoon. – [Elliott] Good afternoon. – We are so happy to have the wonderful Mr. Elliott Wiggers in the house here, at the Diocese, in the house. And we had a chance to interact with each other a lot during the Trail of Tears
Read MoreBBC Children’s Resources July 2023
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Children, July 2023 by Alvin R. Blount Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee Bodies Are Cool -Tyler Feder, author, and illustrator -Kindle, $8.99 -hardcover, $16.99 -paperback, $13.07 -32 pages -Rocky Pond Books -2021 -description: This joyful picture book is a celebration of all human bodies, highlighting various skin tones, hair textures, and body shapes with illustrations appropriate for ages 3-5. Feder, T. (2021). Bodies Are Cool. Rocky Pond Books. Repeat After Me: Big
Read MoreBBC Youth Resources July 2023
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Youth, July 2023 Black Girl, White School: Thriving, Surviving and No, You Can’t Touch My Hail. An Anthology -Olivia V. G. Clarke, editor -Kindle $3.99 -paperback $9.99 -122 pages -2020 -description: Black girls experience wonderful opportunities and many challenging experiences when attending predominantly White institutions. The short stories in this collection seek to provide help for those in these situations with discussions regarding hair, dating, friendship, racism, and much more. Clarke, O. V.
Read MoreBBC Adult Resources July 2023
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Adults, July 2023 prepared by Alvin R. Blount Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee Ebony & Ivy: Race, Slavery, and the Troubled History of America’s Universities -Craig Steven Wilder -paperback $16.99 -Kindle $9.99 -hardcover $22.00 -432 pages -Bloomsbury Press -2013 -description: A scholar on race in America, Craig S. Wilder, a professor of American history at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and former professor at Williams and Dartmouth colleges, respectively, presents the uncomfortable truths regarding
Read MoreEmbracing Evangelism Course for Parishes
Drew Jeske-Polyak, a licensed lay evangelist facilitator in the Diocese of East Tennessee, is offering a six-session Embracing Evangelism course to any of our East Tennessee communities either in-person or online. He will travel to your community to lead the series. To learn more, email him at jeskepolyak@gmail.com or call the diocesan office at 865-966-2110. Script Evangelism is a term that is often used in Christian circles, but what does it mean? The word “evangelism” comes from the Greek
Read MoreDiocesan Announcement: Congratulations, Alvin Blount!
We have a special announcement about Alvin Blount’s ministry with us in East Tennessee. If you would like to donate in honor of Alvin’s work with us, please donate to the Becoming Beloved Community fund. Transcript Alvin Blount: Greetings, my East Tennessee diocesan family. With a heavy heart, I come to you with news of my future. I will be leaving my post as your diocesan archivist and head of becoming beloved community initiatives to return to Georgia.
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