Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee

09/06/2026

09/03/2026

Did you know ... that St. James the Less Church in Madison began its life in 1958 at the home of George E. (Jack) and Mary Elizabeth Womack? It was decided at this meeting that the proceeds of the sale of St. Peter's Church in North Nashville that had recently closed would be used to purchase a lot for a new church. In the meantime, the church met in rented property in Inglewood. Bishop Vander Horst approved the new mission and named the church St. James the Less. The new church building was built on West Due West Avenue in Madison and dedicated on February 7, 1965.

Bishop Bauerschmidt's visitation to St. James the Less is this Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Photo: St. James the Less, Madison

09/01/2026

Continuing our Dandridge Trust Grant Recipient Series, today we are highlighting Teddy's Closet. The Dandridge Trust is the main outreach of the diocese. This fund supports seniors and those in need, facilitates accessibility, and funds general outreach programs for nonprofit organizations within the boundaries of the Diocese of Tennessee.

Following Jesus’ command to “let the little children come to me,” Teddy’s Closet is a ministry providing resources to families in need in the Donelson area of greater Nashville. Growing out of a partnership between St. Philip’s, Donelson, and St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville, the program provides basics such as diapers, safe furniture and other equipment, and supportive pastoral care to families with or expecting infants. There is a growing need to support families, especially single-parents families, in the area. Teddy’s Closet works on a pastoral referral basis, through parish outreach events, and word of mouth.

The Dandridge Trust supports the ministry of Teddy’s Closet in two ways. First, by helping to stock the shelves. Second, to help fund the renovations to the allocated spaces at St. Philip's to help create a safe, welcoming, and hospitable environment.

To learn more about the Dandridge Trust or its grant process, visit https://edtn.org/our-mission-and-ministries/outreach. The 2027 grant funding applications are due September 30.

09/01/2026

Bishop John made his annual Visitation to St. James’ Church, Sewanee, this week, preaching and celebrating at the mid-morning liturgy. He was greeted by the vicar, the Rev’d David Goodpaster, and then joined the congregation for a celebratory meal after the service. The parish hall has been lovingly and gracefully renovated recently by the congregation. https://edtn.org/proper-17-year-a-st-james-church-sewanee-august-30-2026/

08/27/2026

Did you know ... that St. James Church, Sewanee began in 1935 in a small community named Midway because of its location midway between Sewanee and Monteagle? Dr. Willliam Haskell DuBose, a faculty member at the School of Theology, bought a tract of land that included a three-room clapboard house and began a community program of education and Bible study. During the weekdays the building was used as an elementary school.

Bishop Bauerschmidt visits St. James, Sewanee this Sunday, August 30.

Photo: The Nave of the current St. James Church, Sewanee.

08/26/2026

The Diocese of Tennessee joins those throughout the state, region, and beyond who mourn the passing of Dolly Parton, East Tennessee native and longtime Nashville resident. More than her celebrity, her kindness and generosity are legendary, and no one could ever doubt her love for her home state and its people. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Dear People of East Tennessee,

It is with great sadness that we enter a time of mourning for the death of Dolly Parton, one of our greatest regional figures.

I celebrate and honor the impact she has had on East Tennessee and the world, whether from her music or her philanthropic endeavors. East Tennessee has benefited over many decades from Mrs. Parton’s generous giving. From the economic impact of Dollywood to the Imagination Library, from the My People fund to the newly renamed Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital here in Knoxville, countless lives have been positively impacted by her life, a living expression of the call to selfless giving which we recognize in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I will continue to hold the Parton and Dean family in my prayers, and I ask that we all hold ourselves more gently in the coming days as we mourn this loss to our region, our state, our nation, and the world.

Peace,
Bishop Brian Cole

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

08/26/2026

Summer Series: Bishops of Tennessee

Our final installment in this series is our current bishop, the Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt. He was born September 18, 1959 in Virginia. He is a graduate of Kenyon College and the General Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the diaconate on June 9, 1984 and to the priesthood on June 1, 1985, both by Bishop William Arthur Beckham in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. He also was a chaplain while studying at Oxford University in England, where he earned a doctorate in Christian ethics in 1996. He served at churches in South Carolina, Massachusetts, England, North Carolina, and Louisiana. He was elected as the eleventh bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee on October 28, 2006 and was consecrated in Nashville on January 27, 2007.

Bishop Bauerschmidt and his wife, Caroline, have three adult children. He has a professional interest in theology and an amateur love of history—particularly the history of ideas.

Bishop Bauerschmidt, in his resignation announcement, said, "Serving as your diocesan bishop has been the singular privilege of my ordained ministry, and a personal joy. I am grateful to all of you for your support and encouragement in this work. I am especially grateful to my wife, Caroline, who has accompanied me in this ministry.”

We will miss you, Bishop!

Photo: The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt, D. Phil.

08/25/2026

Today we being our 5-week Dandridge Trust Grant Recipient Series. What is a Dandridge Trust? The Dandridge Trust is the main outreach of the diocese. This fund supports seniors and those in need, facilitates accessibility, and funds general outreach programs for nonprofit organizations within the boundaries of the Diocese of Tennessee.

The Dandridge Trust is proud to support Women of Worth (WOW) - a faith-based sober living organization dedicated to helping women overcome addiction and reclaim their lives.

WOW’s mission is simple but powerful: Every woman has inherent worth and with the support of community, she can overcome addiction, embrace her identity, and confidently define her future. WOW helps women achieve sobriety by using the 12-step recovery model, therapeutic support, and community resources. Most importantly, WOW introduces women to Christ and His unconditional love.

The sober living homes help women heal, grow in faith, and build joyful and meaningful lives by modeling authentic fellowship and accountability. The goal is to empower women to restore their lives, reunite with their families, and move forward with hope and purpose.

This year, the Dandridge Trust’s grant is meeting a critical and immediate need: Providing food and necessities for women transitioning out of incarceration before they receive their first paycheck. Like many nonprofits, WOW has faced significant disruption as federal grants have been reduced or eliminated with little warning, creating sudden gaps in essential funding. The Dandridge Trust’s contribution helps to close that gap, ensuring WOW can continue offering stability and support at a pivotal transition point.

By investing in Women of Worth, the Dandridge Trust is supporting women as they step into freedom, faith, and a future defined by hope and healing.

08/25/2026

Bishop John made his annual Visitation to St. Anselm’s Church, Nashville, this week, celebrating and preaching at the mid-morning liturgy. The church stands at the crossroads of three historic African-American institutions of higher education. The Bishop joined members of the congregation for lunch following the service. He preached on the importance and significance of Jesus founding of the Church. https://edtn.org/proper-16-year-a-st-anselms-church-nashville-august-23-2026/