About the Diocese of East Tennessee
The vision statement for the diocese is “The Diocese of East Tennessee is one church. We are called to love in the name of Jesus Christ and to grow in people and in resources for ministry and mission. We anticipate miracles, as God works through us.”
The current and fourth bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee is the Right Reverend George Dibrell Young III, who was consecrated in June 2011.
The Diocese of Tennessee was formed in 1820. As it grew, the Diocese of East Tennessee was formed in 1985 with the Right Reverend William Sanders serving as the first bishop followed by the election of the Right Reverend Robert Tharp in 1991. The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg served as bishop from 1999 until 2011.
The ministries of the diocese are numerous and diverse including the Appalachian Ministries Resource Team and ten Jubilee Centers. Three campus ministries are located at UT Knoxville, East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, and UT Chattanooga. The companion diocese is the Diocese of South Dakota. Grace Point is the camp and retreat center which was purchased in 2001 and is gradually being developed.
The diocese consists of 45 parishes and five worshiping communities within the geographic area of east Tennessee and north Georgia. These churches serve 16,000 active members and 12,600 confirmed communicants in good standing. 150 clergy, including 75 priests serve the congregations with 25 vocational deacons and 50 nonparochial and retired priests and deacons.
Visit the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee's website
Read more about Grace Point Camp & Retreat Center