On May 22nd, I stood along with about 20 other Episcopal deacons and priests near the banks of the Savannah River in the center of Savannah, Georgia. There was an embankment in front of us, and we were standing in front of four archways, which led into four unlit chambers – a little smaller than living rooms, that had been cut into the embankment. These chambers are known as the Cluskey Vaults, and their historical purpose in the nineteenth continues
Read MoreA Message from Bishop Brian: Don Johnson Death Penalty Appeal
This letter from Bishop Brian was delivered to Governor Bill Lee’s office on May 9 by the Rev. Charles Fels, lawyer and priest, retired rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Knoxville. May 8, 2019 Governor Bill Lee First Floor Tennessee State Capital Nashville, Tennessee 37243 Dear Governor Lee, I am writing to you to ask you to spare Don Johnson’s life. I am aware that Don has expressed guilt in his role in the murder of his wife and
Read MoreThe Rev. Peter Munson walking 6 Million Steps for Kids visits with Bishop Brian at Tyson House at UTK
Click above for video Peter Munson is on the adventure of a lifetime – 6 Million Steps for Kids! Recently retired South Carolina priest, the Rev. Peter Munson, has embarked on a walking journey from Charleston, South Carolina, to San Francisco, California. The journey is in support of a calling – to walk across the country to raise money for four non-profit organizations that do great work for children. The project is called, “6 Million Steps for Kids,” approximately the
Read MoreJoin Peter Munson in the adventure of a lifetime – 6 Million Steps for Kids
Recently retired South Carolina priest, the Rev. Peter Munson, has embarked on a walking journey from Charleston, South Carolina, to San Francisco, California. The journey is in support of a calling – to walk across the country to raise money for four non-profit organizations that do great work for children. The project is called, “6 Million Steps for Kids,” approximately the number of steps it will take to walk from Charleston to San Francisco. The journey began March 4, and he will
Read MoreNew Executive Director of DuBose Conference Center
From Randy Schulte, president, DuBose Board of Directors Following an extensive national search, the DuBose Conference Center Board of Directors is pleased and excited to announce that the next Executive Director of the DuBose Conference Center will be James Stratt Byars IV. Mr. Byars comes to DuBose from Camp McDowell in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Stratt has extensive experience collaborating with a board of directors. He has successful leadership experience in key managerial roles from development and finances to
Read More‘Don’t leave that light on!’
By the Rev. Jon Hermes, rector, St. Timothy, Kingsport Ever hear a parent say something like, “Don’t leave that light on! Do you want to pay the power bill?” Given the time you heard that, the concern was probably over a 60 or 100-watt light bulb. At St. Timothy’s, we experienced an issue where our emergency heating in our fellowship hall was staying on most of the time. In our case, that was an extra 20,000 watts being used. That
Read More‘Christness’
The Rev. Peter Keese and his wife Helen will soon be moving to Nashville. We thank Peter for his many years of service to this diocese, including his service as Standing Committee president, and as the “vicar” of Christ Church in Rugby. A lifelong Episcopalian and a priest since 1962, Peter was a clinical educator of pastors and pastors-to-be for much of his professional career. We give thanks for all the ways he has served the communities in which he
Read MorePresent in Prayer with Climate-Vulnerable Communities
A Reflection on COP 24 By Andrew R. H. Thompson, environmental ethicist at Sewanee and delegate to the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, December 2-14 “Was it worth it?” I was asked this question, in one form or another, on various occasions after I returned from the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 24) in Katowice, Poland. COP is the United Nations’ annual meeting to negotiate concrete steps and commitments among nations to try to slow climate
Read MorePrayer Shawls Given to Children as Expression of Love
On the third Sunday of Advent at St. James, Knoxville, more than 30 prayer shawls were given to children as an expression of love for them. The shawls were made with the colors of the seasons of the church year. More than 20 of these were made by Mother Mildred Teets. “We pray that, in these somewhat difficult times for children and families, they may feel the love of Christ and St. James surround them, as surely as the shawls
Read MoreOsprey Education Center Soon at Grace Point Camp & Retreat Center
Grace Point Camp & Retreat Center is thrilled to announce it has been awarded the Jane L. Pettway grant! The grant will be used to establish the new Osprey Outdoor Education Center (OEC). Renovations are underway in the old barn to convert the space into a fun and functional learning center. Children and youth will learn environmental stewardship through field trips, workshops, group activities and hands-on experiences with the natural world. The OEC will feature reptiles and animals native to
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