The Rt. Rev. Brian Lee Cole
The Rt. Rev. Brian Lee Cole was ordained and consecrated fifth bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee on December 2, 2017. He was elected bishop onJuly 28, 2017, during the electing portion of the 33rd Annual Convention of the diocese.
Bishop Cole has under his pastoral and administrative care 47 parishes and worshiping communities in East Tennessee and North Georgia. The bishop visits each of these parishes and worshiping communities, where he preaches, confirms and receives persons into the Episcopal Church, and celebrates the Eucharist.
As bishop, he ordains priests and deacons and joins in the ordination of other bishops. In these rites, through the laying on of hands, the continuity with the early church of the apostles is demonstrated.
Bishop Cole presides over the annual diocesan convention and has administrative responsibility over diocesan activities.
A southeast Missouri native, Bishop Cole graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1989. In 1992, he earned a Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional studies in Anglican Church History at The University of the South School of Theology, Sewanee, in 2001.
In 1998 he married Susan Weatherford, a poet, musician, avid gardener, and graduate of Berea College and University of Kentucky. They have one son, Jess.
Upcoming Programs by The Rt. Rev. Brian Lee Cole
Weekend Centering Prayer Retreat - Program
Also With The Rev. Margaret Caldwell
Centering Prayer Weekend Retreat Check in begins at 3pm central, dinner on the first night. Program concludes by 11am on the last day after lunch. This retreat will be lead by seasoned and trained centering prayer facilitators. Participants will have the opportunity to join multiple centering prayer sits throughout the day, Meditation in Motion gentle […]