About the Diocese

Bishop & Council manages the business and administrative aspects of the diocese between conventions. Made up of lay and clergy members representing the four convocations and including at-large members, this council meets several times a year.

• The Rev’d Deacon Bonnie Lloyd-Downs, SWMC (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
• The Rev’d Antoinette “T.J.” Azar, NEMC (2024), St. Michael’s Church, Cookeville
• The Rev’d Caroline Osborne, NWMC (2024), St. Philip’s Church, Nashville
• The Rev’d Robert Rhea, SEMC (2024), All Saints’ Church, Smyrna
• The Rev’d Michael Blaess, At-Large (2024), Redeemer, Shelbyville
• The Rev’d Jacob Bottom, At-Large (2024), Church of Our Saviour, Gallatin
• Lawson Patten, NEMC (2025), St. James the Less Church, Madison
• Anita Strange-Rebecchi, NWMC (2025), St. Anselm’s Church, Nashville
• Janice Butner, SEMC (2025), Trinity Church, Winchester
• George Bishop, SWMC (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
• Debra Maggart, At-Large (2025), St. Joseph of Arimathea Church, Hendersonville
• Lucy Hovious, At-Large (2025), St. David’s Church, Nashville
• Jim Weatherly, Chancellor, Ex Officio, Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
• Gareth Aden, Chancellor Emeritus, Ex Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
• David Herbert, Chancellor Emeritus, Ex Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
• Wendy Longmire, Vice Chancellor, Ex Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
• Jim Ramsey, Assistant Treasurer, Ex Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
• Pete Stringer, Treasurer, Ex Officio, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
• The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt, Diocese of Tennessee, Nashville

The Standing Committee acts as advisor to the bishop to equip the churches in the diocese to fulfill their missions. This committee meets monthly.

• The Rev’d Canon Chad Jones, chair, (2025), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin
• The Rev’d Lissa Smith (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
• Ed LeBlanc (2024), St. Barnabas’ Church, Tullahoma
• The Rev’d Deacon Burns Rogers (2025), St. David’s Church, Nashville
• Dr. Beverly Mahan (2025), St. Bartholomew’s Church, Nashville
• The Rev’d David Barr, (2026), St. George’s Church, Nashville
• John Harvey (2026), Grace Church, Spring Hill

The Deputies to the 81st General Convention to be held in July 2024 were elected at the 191st Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee, held at St. David’s Church, Nashville on January 20-21, 2023. The deputies are:

Clergy

• The Rev’d Canon Jody Howard
  Canon to the Ordinary
• The Very Rev’d Timothy Kimbrough
  Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
• The Rev’d Dr. Kristine Blaess
  Rector, St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
• The Rev’d Vicki Burgess
  Retired, Nashville
• The Rev’d Robert Osborne
  Rector, St. Joseph of Arimathea Church, Hendersonville (1st Alternate)

Lay

• Mrs. Susan Huggins
  St. David’s Church, Nashville
• Mr. Pete Stringer
  Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
• Mr. Jim Weatherly
  Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
• Ms. Christy Beesley
  St. Augustine’s Chapel, Nashville
• Mr. Scott Kammerer
  St. Philip’s Church, Nashville (1st Alternate)

Architectual Committee
The Rev’d John Runkle (2025), Sewanee
Mrs. Fletch Coke (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

Board of Examining Chaplains
The Rev’d Vicki Burgess (2024), Nashville
The Rev’d Jody Howard (2024), Diocese of Tennessee, Nashville
The Very Rev’d Timothy Kimbrough (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

Cathedral Chapter
The Rt. Rev’d John Bauerschmidt, Diocese of Tennessee, Nashville
The Very Rev’d Timothy Kimbrough, Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Tyler Yarbro, Sr. Warden, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
John Whitaker, Jr. Warden, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Caroline Rossini, Clerk, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Christina Isbell, Vestry, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Donald McKenzie, Vestry, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
The Rev’d Natalie Van Kirk (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
Candida Bannister (2024), Church of the Advent, Nashville
The Rev’d Robert Osborne (2025), appointed, St. Joseph of Arimathea Church, Hendersonville
Eddie Latimer (2025), appointed, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Nashville

Chaplain to Clergy Spouses
The Rev’d Vicki Burgess (2025), Nashville

Chaplain To Retired Clergy
The Rev’d Roger Senechal (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Diana Senechal (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Canon Sandy Herrmann (2025), Nashville
Ginger Herrmann (2025), Nashville

Christian Formation Committee
The Rev’d Jacob Bottom (2025), Church of Our Saviour, Gallatin
The Rev’d Dr. Kristine Blaess (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro

Church Attorney for Title IV
Jason Callen (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville

Church Pension Fund, Standing Committee
The Rev’d Bob Abstein (2025), Nashville
The Rev’d Vicki Burgess (2025), Nashville
L. Jarod Pearson (2024), St. Agnes’ Church, Cowan
Ken Vickers (2024), Church of the Messiah, Pulaski

Commission on Ministry
Ed Arning, Chair, (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
The Rev’d Jacob Bottom (2024), Church of Our Saviour, Gallatin
Gayle Happell (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
The Ven. Roger Saterstrom (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Mendy Richards (2025), St. Michael’s Church, Cookeville
The Rev’d Cynthia Seifert (2025), Church of the Epiphany, Lebanon
Scott Johnson (2025), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin
Scott Kammerer (2026), St. Philip’s Church, Nashville
Shelley Sircy (2026), Church of St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville
The Rev’d Margery Kennelly (2026), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Vicki Burgess (2026), Nashville

Commission on Stewardship
Catherine Beemer, chair, (2025), St. George’s, Nashville
The Rev’d Rob Lamborn, (2024), The Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul, Sewanee
The Rev’d Michael Whitnah (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
The Rev’d Robert Osborne (2025), St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville
Seawell Brandau (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Mike Wesson (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Constitution and Canons, Standing Committee
Joe Brown, Chair, (2025), St. David’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Michael Blaess (2024), St. Michael’s Church, Cookeville
The Rev’d T.J. Azar (2024), St. Michael’s Church, Cookeville
Thor Urness (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Anthony McFarland (2025), Church of St. James the Less, Madison
The Rev’d Colin Ambrose (2026), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Brian McVey (2026), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Jim Weatherly, Chancellor, Ex-officio, Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
Wendy Longmire, Vice Chancellor, Ex-Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
Gareth Aden, Chancellor Emeritus, Ex-Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville
David Herbert, Chancellor Emeritus, Ex-Officio, St. George’s Church, Nashville

Continuing Work in the Diocese of Litoral
George Kurz, chair, (2024), St. Philip’s Church, Nashville
Paul Whooley (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood

Cursillo Commission
Jo Goldasich (2024), St. Mary Magdalene Church, Fayetteville
Pat Woolard (2024), Church of the Messiah, Pulaski
Lisa Walsh (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
Anne Ridens  (2025),  Church of the Good Shepherd
Don Clayton, Treasurer & Registrar, (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
Mary-Clyde Sparks, Palanca Coordinator, (2025), Church of the Advent, Nashville
The Rev’d Bill Dennler, Special Clergy Advisor, (2025), Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
The Rev’d Jo Ann Barker, (2025), Sewanee
The Rev’d Deacon Betty Carpenter (2025), The Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul, Sewanee
Kris McCusker, (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
Michael Magnant, Communications, St. James the Less, Madison
David Rowe, Emeritus, St Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro

Dandridge Trust Board
Sam Bessey, chair, (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
The Rev’d Michael Whitnah, treasurer, (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
The Rev’d Brian McVey (2025), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Dr. Agatha Nolen, secretary, (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Charlie McClain (2026), St. Matthew’s, McMinnville

Daughters of the King
Rita Sue Warner, President, St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
Mishelle Phillips, St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
Mary Jackson, Treasurer, St. George’s Church, Nashville
Pace Pope, Secretary, Church of the Epiphany, Lebanon
Gayle Happell, Advisor to the Board, Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood

Disciplinary Board
The Rev’d Colin Ambrose, President, (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Vicki Burgess (2024),  Nashville
The Rev’d Fred Schmidt (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
Paul Babb (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
Sam Bessey (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
The Rev’d Joe Davis (2025), Grace Church, Spring Hill
The  Rev’d Dr. Amy Bentley Lamborn (2025), Southeastern Tennessee Ministries
Robyn Smith (2025), St. Ann’s Church, Nashville

DuBose Conference Center Diocesan Representative
Caroline Rossini (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Libby Sullivan (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Ecumenical Officers
The Rev’d Michael Whitnah (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
The Rev’d Sarah Puryear, assistant officer, (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville

Education for Ministry
Jean Larson (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Episcopal Church Women
Cathy Link, President, Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
Pamela Bradley-Smith, Vice-President, Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
Brenda Hubbard, Treasurer, Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
Diann Schnieder, Recording Secretary, Grace Church, Spring Hill
Judy Dudley, Corresponding Secretary, Church of the Advent, Nashville

Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee
(Includes members from the Dioceses of East Tennessee, Tennessee, and West Tennessee)
President – Tom DiNella (2022), Advent, Nashville
President-Elect – David Thomas (2022), St. Paul’s, Seymour
Diocese of West Tennessee
Vice President – Stephen Anderson (2022), St. Andrews, Collierville
Vice President-Elect – Bill Haltom (2022), Calvary, Memphis
Diocese of Tennessee
Vice President – Nat Howry (2022), St. David’s, Nashville
Vice President-Elect – Ken Love (2022), St. Ann’s, Nashville
Diocese of East Tennessee
Vice President-Lower – Stephen Davis (2022), St. Luke’s, Cleveland
Vice President-Upper – Bruce Blohm (2022), St. Paul’s, Chattanooga
Secretary – Charles Craven (2022), St. John’s, Knoxville
Treasurer – Ken Halliburton (2022), St. Paul’s, Murfreesboro
Registrar – Bill Archer (2022), St. John’s, Johnson City
Vice President of Worship – Chris Smith (2022), Trinity, Clarksville
Webmaster – Peter Abell (2022), Annunciation, Cordova
Communications – Gregg Conroy (2022), Advent, Nashville
Director of Music – Morris Hamby (2022), St. Paul’s, Murfreesboro
Sound Engineer – John Trieber (2022), St. Peter’s, Chattanooga
Vice President of Barbecue – Eric Haralson (2022), St. John’s, Knoxville
Social Media – Mark Hunter (2022), Trinity, Clarksville
Immediate Past President – Rob Clark (2022), Grace-St. Luke’s, Memphis
Embracing Loss Instructor – Gordon Davis (2022)
Past President & Special Advisor – Shelton Clark, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Past President & Special Advisor – Greg Champion, St. Martin’s, Chattanooga
Past President & Special Advisor – Sean Root, St. Bartholomew’s Nashville

Episcopal Endowment Corporation
Frank Puryear (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Trey Talley (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Miles Kirkland (2026), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Pete Stringer (2026), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

Episcopal Relief & Development
Paul Deepan (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Episcopal School of Nashville
The Rev’d Canon Jody Howard (2025), Diocese of Tennessee

Evangelism and Congregational Development Commission/Small Church Alliance
The Rev’d Canon Chad Jones, Chair, (2026), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin
Jarod Pearson (2024), St. Agnes Church, Cowan
Susan Shuster (2024), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin
The Rev’s Jacob Bottom (2025), Church of Our Saviour, Gallatin
The Rev’d Robert Osborne (2025). St. Joseph of Arimathea Church, Hendersonville
The  Rev’d Cynthia Seifert (2025), Church of the Epiphany, Lebanon

Finance and Property Committee
Pete Stringer, Chair, (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Gareth Aden (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
The Rev’d Carolyn Coleman (2024), St. David’s Church, Nashville
Paul Eggers (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
David Herbert (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Calvin Lewis (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Wendy Longmire (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
James Ramsey (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Jim Weatherly (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashville

Health Care/Hospitalization Committee
The Rev’d Rusty McCown, Chair, (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
Gregg Conroy (2024), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Alice Essary (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Steve Thompson (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Intake Officer for Title IV
The Rev’d Dr. Kristine Blaess (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro

Safeguarding God’s People
The Ven. Roger Saterstrom (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

Beloved Community:  Racial Reconciliation Task Force
The Rev’d Rick Britton, Clergy Advisor, (2025), Nashville
The Rev’d Monna Mayhall (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
The Rev’d Richard Wineland (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Dr. Billy Ballard (2024), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Blair Glenn (2024), St. Mary Magdalene Church, Fayetteville
Pam Bradley Smith (2024), Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
Nancy Cason (2025), St. Bartholomew’s Church, Nashville
Dr. Bill Gittens, Co-Chair, (2025), St. Anselm’s Church, Nashville
Kate Keese (2025), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Jean Larson (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
Harold Nevels (2025), St. Anselm’s Church, Nashville
Johniene Thomas (2025), St. Anselm’s Church, Nashville
Sally Carlson-Bancroft (2025), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin

University of the South Diocesan Trustees
Pete Stringer (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Ed Miller (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
The Rev’d Rusty McCown (2026), St. Paul’s, Franklin

Vocational Diaconate Committee
The Ven. Roger Saterstrom, Chair, (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
The Rev’d Deacon Betty Carpenter (2025), The Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul and All Saints Chapel, Sewanee
The Rev’d Bill Dennler (2025), Church of the Holy Trinity, Nashville
The Rev’d Deacon Suzie Johnston (2025), Franklin
The Rev’d Jacob Bottom (2024), Church of Our Saviour, Gallatin
The Rev’d Canon Jody Howard, Bishop’s Liaison, (2024), Diocese of Tennessee, Nashville
Mendy Richards (2024), St. Michael’s Church, Cookeville
Susan Standbrook (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

Youth Steering Committee
Christy Beesley, chair, (2024), St. Augustine’s Chapel, Nashville
The Rev’d Molly Short (2024), St. Andrews-Sewanee School
The Rev’d Brian McVey (2024), Church of the Advent, Nashville
Jeannie Babb (2024), The Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul, Sewanee
George Baldwin (2024), Church of the Resurrection, Franklin
Allison Bocking (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Suzanne DiPiazza (2024), St. David’s Church, Nashville
Jamie Dougherty (2024), Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood
Daniel Huff (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
Alysha Moroni (2024), St. Bartholomew’s Church, Nashville
Nic Parmer (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

St. John’s Ashwood Board
John W. Finney, President, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Lucia Vining, Vice President, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
W. Louis Davis, Corporate Secretary, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Ralph G. Maddux, Treasurer, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
The Rev’d Christopher A. Bowhay (2024), St. Peter’s, Columbia
Brian D. Holmes, Cemetery Committe Chair, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Gary Michael Redding, Grounds Committe Chair, (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Andrew D. Crichton, Jr. (2024), First Presbyterian Church, Columbia
Wilks Halliday (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Samuel Delk Kennedy III (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Gale Courtney Moore (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Robert G. Thompson III (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
The Rev’d John Runkle (2024), Sewanee
Blair Wilson (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Henry Clay Yeatman III (2024), The Parish of St. Paul & St. Mark, Sewanee

Members of the Honorary Board to be confirmed are as follows:
Grady O’Neil Clark (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Andrew D. Crichton, Sr. (2024), First Presbyterian Church, Columbia
The Very Rev’d Robert A. Dedmon (2024), St. Bede’s Church, Manchester
Dawson Gray (2024), St Peter’s Church, Columbia
John H. Henderson (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin
Dr. Robert G. Thompson (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia
Thomas M. Trabue (2024), All Saints’ Chapel, Sewanee: University of the South
Thomas C. Webster (2024), St. Peter’s Church, Columbia

St. Mary’s Sewanee Diocesan Representatives
Morgan Merrill (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
Rob Barrick (2025), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

The Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons is composed of four priests and three lay persons (at least one of whom is an attorney) appointed by the bishop, and the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor(s) who are ex-officio.

Following General Convention, they must ascertain whether changes have been made in the General Church Canons and must report to the next succeeding Annual Convention of the diocese whether any changes are required in the Canons of the Diocese in order to confirm to the Canons of the General Church.

Additionally, all proposed amendments to the Canons of the Diocese shall be submitted to the Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons for its recommendations before the same are considered at Annual Convention.

You may download the current Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee here.

A list of the current Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons may be found under the Standing Committee heading above.

Convention Memo 1

Congregations are highly encouraged to select and approve their delegates for the 2023 Annual Convention at their October or November Vestry/Mission Council meetings.

The number of delegates for each congregation is based on their average Sunday attendance (ASA). For the 191st Annual Convention on January 20 – 21, 2023 use your ASA as reported on your 2019 Parochial Report. For the 192nd Annual Convention in January 2024 all congregations will be expected to use the average attendance from their most current Parochial Report.

How many do we elect …

• Missions with ASA less than 20 shall be entitled to one delegate.
• Missions with 20 to 49 ASA shall be entitled to two delegates
• Missions with 50 or more ASA shall be entitled to three delegates.
• Parishes with less than 50 ASA shall be entitled to two delegates.
• Parishes with 50 to 149 ASA shall be entitled to three delegates.
• Parishes with 150 to 299 ASA shall be entitled to four delegates.       
• Parishes with 300 to 499 ASA shall be entitled to five delegates.
• Parishes with 500 or more ASA shall be entitled to six delegates.

REGISTER NOW. The deadline for delegate registration is December 9.

• Download the 2023 Summary of Elections here.
• Download the 2023 Nomination Form here.
• Submit Resolutions here.