Transcript Hi, this is Bishop Brian. And for this Reconciling Thought, I’d like to reflect some on what it means to be lost and to be found. Last Wednesday, and this is true every Wednesday, the staff and others are invited to join with us on a Wednesday morning prayer that we do together. And if you have interest in that, at the end of this video we’ll let you know how to reach out to join us for
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: God is the All, November 4, 2020
In this edition of Reconciling Thoughts, Bishop Brian offers a reflection on a passage from Ecclesiasticus from the readings at morning prayer that speaks to our particular time at the end of both the calendar and liturgical year. Transcript A reading from Ecclesiasticus 43:23-33: By his plan, he stilled the deep and planted islands in it. Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers, and we marvel at what we hear. In it are strange and marvelous creatures, all kinds of
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: Prayers for an Election October 21, 2020
A transcript is available below. Holding Onto Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness The National Cathedral is hosting Holding Onto Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness on Sunday, November 1, 2020, at 4:00 pm. You can watch on their Facebook Page here or online here. The event will be led by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and will feature: The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church The Rev. James Martin, bestselling author
Read MoreBecoming Beloved Community Survey
The Becoming Beloved Community Task Force is asking that all parishes take a brief survey about the work of your parish around economic and racial justice initiatives, community partnerships, and story sharing. The survey is only 13 questions. Click on the button below to take the survey. Example of Completed Survey
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: Friendship for All
– Hello. I’m Bishop Brian and I’m speaking to you in early October, right around the time that the church celebrates Saint Francis. In the Episcopal church, we take great joy in celebrating Saint Francis by blessing of the animals. This past Friday, October second, I was at Episcopal School of Knoxville and blessed animals early in the morning in a car line with other clergy from our Diocese. And on Sunday, at Saint Francis in Ooltewah, Tennessee, took
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: A Long, Long Way September 23, 2020
– Hi, I’m Bishop Brian. Earlier this year, the Tennessee Layman’s Conference gathered, not at DuBose Conference Center in person, but they gathered virtually, as they have for many, many decades. One of the speakers to the Tennessee Layman’s Conference this past August was Greg Garrett. Greg teaches English at Baylor University and is also the theologian in residence at the American Cathedral in Paris, France. Greg was well received by the folks who participated on the layman’s conference
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: Connecting Communities in Christ, September 9, 2020
Transcript Hi. This is Bishop Brian. In a few moments it will be quite evident that the artwork I will be sharing with you, I did all by myself. I want to talk to you today about how as Episcopalians, we connect communities in Christ. Now, in a place like Tennessee, I’ve often heard it said that even the Catholics are Baptist. What that saying is trying to convey is the idea that in a place like Tennessee, that
Read MoreThe Rt. Rev. Brian Cole Appoints New Archdeacon
The Right Rev. Brian Cole has announced the new appointment of The Rev. Jerry Askew as Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. Askew will continue to serve as Deacon at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville and is following The Venerable Chris Harpster, who has been serving as Archdeacon. Bishop Cole said, “I am grateful for the good work that Chris has done as Archdeacon and I am grateful for his willingness to focus even more deeply in his pastoral
Read MoreReconciling Thoughts: The World’s Greatest Sign Board
Hi, I’m Bishop Brian. Over these last past few days, I had been home in Missouri and Arkansas to be with my mom as she died and to participate in her funeral. That trip back to Missouri and to Arkansas also included some time in Memphis, Tennessee with my eldest brother and his wife, looking over family photos, looking at old letters and essays my father had written and various attempts at poetry and correspondence between my mother and
Read MoreEast Tennessee Episcopalian receives special full-ride scholarship to Bexley Seabury Seminary
Deborah Austin, an East Tennessee Episcopalian and lover of justice, has received the last annual award of a special full-ride scholarship to Bexley Seabury Seminary. Backed by an anonymous donor for a limited period of three years, the St. Marina scholarship is awarded to only one incoming seminarian who is out publicly as LGBTQ+, demonstrates a commitment to justice ministry, has a good GPA, and plans to study full-time. The scholarship will support Austin in her studies with funds for
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