The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

A letter from the bishop ... [full text]

Haitian Immigrants Living in Bahamas Hit Hard by Hurricane Floyd

Coastal residents along Hurricane Floyd’s path in the United States received their share of suffering. So did the 2,000 people left homeless in the Bahamas. The monstrous hurricane reached the Bahamas packing 150-mph winds—just short of Category 5 status. And as evacuated residents return, a war zone of flattened ruins, twisted utility poles, and flooded streets confronts them. ... [full text]

Bishop vonRosenberg appeals for assistance to Bahamas [full text]

Bishop & Council
Adopts New Formula for
Voluntary Asking

by Canon Alice Clayton

In an effort to provide a more equitable method for funding the annual diocesan budget, the Bishop and Council adopted a new formula for figuring voluntary asking at its Sept. 10 meeting in Knoxville. ... [full text]

by Emily McDonald

Men who are deeply committed to making a change in their lives have a refuge in Chattanooga where they can work toward accomplishing their goals, thanks to a unique partnership between the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain and Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church, Chattanooga. ... [full text]

by David Smart

“There needs to be a place where people can go [to get food] so that their kids don’t have to go hungry!” proclaimed Diane Roberts to a visiting group of Episcopalians. Roberts, volunteer director of Food/Life Services in LaFollette, was describing why felt the program had to exist. ... [full text]

by Lana Hamilton

The annual event, held September 14 at St. John’s Cathedral, Knoxville, was attended by 100 churchwomen and 25 this year. Our diocesan ECW is well supported by our clergy. For this we offer many thanks and pledge our support, as ever, in grateful response. ... [full text]

by Patricia Tanzer Raynolds

I arrived at Camp Carson just in time Saturday night to find a chair, fluff my pillow, grab a handful of gumdrops, and settle in to watch Patch Adams with the group. It was thought that the activity might put some to sleep and so was scheduled last on the agenda, but not so with this lively group of diocesan senior highers and adult youth directors. At midnight we were all in our sleeping areas, but the sharing lasted way into the morning hours. ... [full text]

Also: ECSET youth, looking back at EYE

by the Rev. Phil Wogaman

The welfare reform act of 1996 observed its third birthday this summer. It replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) with stringent work requirements, eligibility standards, time limits and diminished federal responsibility. The AFDC and related welfare programs had not been supported with much enthusiasm, but the welfare reform act was highly controversial — praised by many as an end to welfare dependency, condemned by many as a heartless renunciation of public responsibility for the poor. ... [full text]

In the diocese

St. James’ Knoxville — 75 Years of Feeding God’s Sheep: St. James’ Knoxville kicked off its 75th anniversary observance on July 25, the Feast of St. James. The guest preacher at both Sunday morning services was the Rev. Michael Doty, Rector of St. Paul’s, Athens. His homily recounted St. James’ tradition of outreach ministries from its roots at the Church of the Epiphany to the present. [full text]

Opportunities: Workshop by the Center for Ministry in Small Churches and "Unplug the Christmas Machine" workshop

by the Rev. George Glazier
A sermon on prayer – what could be more predictable, what could be more dull? But there it is, the topic is staring right at us from the pages of scripture this morning. God appears to Solomon in a dream and what Solomon prays for, his petition, is not for more money, more power or long life but for a wise and discerning heart. God grants his request and also gives him the things he did not ask for – more wealth, more power and a long life. That was some effective prayer. ... [full text]