Ministries

Commission for Christian Formation - helping parishes discover, implement or revitalize current Christian Ed needs. For more information, contact Perry Happell. Click the links for their directory, mission statement and a list of the Christian Formation Programs available.

Cursillo - Spanish meaning "short course", in this case, a short course in Christian living. Held twice a year, these retreats run Thursday evenings through Sunday afternoons. For more information, contact Spiritual Director the Rev. Randy Dunnavant.

Daughters of the King - a lay order for women in the Episcopal church with more than 25 chapters in the Diocese of Tennessee. Their objective is to bring women and girls into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through his Church.

Dandridge Trust - a diocesan endowment fund for the benefit of seniors, the needy, accessibility, and programs not normally covered in congregational budgets. The Dandridge Trust is again accepting grant requests through the Diocese of Tennessee. The guidelines for the 2012 application are stated below. Please share these with those who might be interested in and qualify for program grants.

The deadline for receiving applications is October 3, 2011. Please send your application by email to info@episcopaldiocese-tn.org, with Dandridge Trust and your organization’s name in the subject line, or send eight copies of your application to the Diocesan office to the attention of Riffi OBrien.

The Dandridge Trust gives preference to programs that address the needs of the aged and the poor. Please know that any member of the Dandridge Trust would be glad to talk with you prior to the October 3, 2011 deadline. Do not hesitate to contact us for additional information.

Since its founding in 1986 the Dandridge Trust has made grants totaling in excess of $2,000,000. Given the current economic climate we will be limited in our distribution but we plan to continue to respond to the needs of the congregations of this Diocese and their work throughout Middle Tennessee in a faithful and prudent manner.

Note to 2011 Grant Award Recipients: The Dandridge Board requires a report at the end of the year showing how the Dandridge Trust money was used and an update on the progress of your project.

Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt, info@episcopaldiocese-tn.org
Dave Goetz, dave.goetz@optum.com
The Rev. Eric S. Greenwood, Jr., esgreenwoodjr@aol.com
The Rev. Randy Hoover-Dempsey, randyhd@comcast.net
Judy Homan, tnhoman@bellsouth.net
Riffi OBrien, Chair, riffilee@gmail.com
The Rev. Cynthia Seifert, Secretary, cynthiaseifert@gmail.com
Jan Pate, jan.pate@epsicopaldiocese-tn.org, staff

Episcopal Church Women - women of the Episcopal Church rooted in our past and growing into God's Future through local congregations, existing to support all women in their Mission and Ministry in the world by becoming a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking and healing part of the Church and aspiring to be a Godspark, shining and sharing the love of Christ. For further information, contact Rebecca Markert.

Episcopal Relief and Development - responding to human suffering around the world, Episcopal Relief and Development provides emergency assistance after disasters, rebuilds communities, and helps children and families climb out of poverty. For information contact the Diocese of Tennessee Episcopal Relief and Development coordinator, Susan Cowperthwaite.

The Evangelism and Congregational Development Committee seeks to strengthen Episcopalians and parishes in their work of evangelism and congregational development. As part of this, the committee calls together anyone who is interested to Evangelism Leadership Forum meetings several times a year for encouragement, networking and new ideas. Contact committee chair, the Rev. Cynthia Seifert for more information.

Gifts and Talents - the summer workshops will be held at St. George's Church Nashville. The Registration Brochure is available here.

Living in Creation - the diocesan environmental ministry commissioned to engage the Body of Christ in transforming our relationship with God’s Creation.

Planned Giving - an opportunity to create a legacy for future generations through supporting the endowments of churches and organizations you love. For more information, contact Seawell Brandau.

Stewardship - read the Stewardship Statement adopted by the Bishop and Council of the Diocese of Tennessee.

FLOOD RELIEF: Those desiring to support Recovery Work by financial gifts through the Diocese of Tennessee are encouraged to give in these ways:
1. A gift to Episcopal Relief and Development, which is committed to supporting recovery work sponsored by the Diocese of Tennessee.
2. A gift to St Luke’s Community House, which is actively engaged in recovery work in its heavily impacted neighborhood.
3. A gift to the Dandridge Trust, which will support recovery work through its own grant funding process. All gifts so designated will be disbursed for short and long term flood recovery in Middle Tennessee.