The Right Reverend Brian Lee Cole, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, declared, “We are community,” before an excited congregation Sunday at historic St. Thomas Episcopal Church in “Old Town” Elizabethton.
The Bishop welcomed 20 new members, “old, young, little, big, dressed-up and casual, Spanish and English-speaking, all representing the Great Love and Hope that is Jesus Christ,” according to parish priest, the Reverend Timothy Holder.
Bishop Cole especially thanked all the families, who with children, family friends and neighbors came together to celebrate Holy Baptism, Confirmation, and Honor Pastoral Care and Music Ministries at the growing church.
St. Thomas’ Doe River Ensemble provided music for the service. The Doe River Ensemble heads up “Appalachian Evensong” at St. Thomas, a popular gathering for people from all churches and traditions.
Bishop Cole leads some 16,000 Episcopalians in 45 parishes across East Tennessee, including Northeast Tennessee down to Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Celebrations, bilingual services (English and Spanish) are held at St. Thomas each Sunday at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at noon.