Bishop's Forum

Greetings Friends!

It is my desire to communicate with you throughout the diocese on a regular basis as your bishop and friend. To that end we have redesigned and formatted our diocesan website to contain an easy to find location for what we'll call the Bishop's Forum.

This section of our site will be a place where I will be able to make available thoughts, devotionals, letters, information that I feel is beneficial to our life and ministry, and maybe even some humor interjected now and then!

Please select from any of the following topics that may be of interest to you; and check back often for new postings!

Faithfully Yours,

+John C. Bauerschmidt

Sermons

Proper 21, Year A (RCL), September 28, 2008, St. Michael’s Church Cookeville

Welcome to the world of the “Second Chance”! If we can imagine it as a town, as a place, there’s not likely to be a clock, and if there is one, it’s probably broken. It’s... more

Proper 20, Year A (BCP), September 21, 2008, St. Andrew’s Church Nashville

“And the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jon. 4:4). Poor Jonah! God commands him to go to the great pagan city of Nineveh, to proclaim God’s judgment and... more

Holy Cross Day, September 14, 2008, Church of the Holy Cross Murfreesboro

“Now is the judgment of this world… "(Jo. 12:31). A crisis can be clarifying; it can bring things into focus and make clear the course ahead. One example at a safe remove in... more

Proper 18, Year A, 2008 (BCP), September 7, 2008, Church of the Messiah Pulaski

“Truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among... more

Proper 17, Year A, 2008 (RCL), August 31, 2008, St. Anselm’s Church Nashville

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection” (Rom. 12:9-10). Long ago, in the time before paper currency, people used... more

Proper 16, Year A, 2008, August 24, 2008, St James' Church, Dickson & Calvary Church, Cumberland Furnace

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” . (Matt. 16:15). When you sit down to take a test in school, the experience is something like this: there’s usually... more

Proper 8, Year A, 2008, June 29, 2008, St. Paul’s Church Murfreesboro

“The prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD” (Jer. 28:5). In the movie Local... more

Proper 7, Year A, 2008, June 22, 2008, St. James’ Church Sewanee & Christ Church Tracy City

“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4b). For years I have read Garry Trudeau’s comic strip... more

Proper 6, Year A, 2008, June 15, 2008, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

“The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, `Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:13-14). Strange... more

Proper 5, Year A, 2008, June 8, 2008, St. Ann’s Church Nashville

“The Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you” (Gen. 12:1). God is not always helpful with directions... more

Proper 4, Year A, 2008, June 1, 2008, St. James the Less Church Madison (morning)

“There is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:22-23). There’s a great scene in the 1967 movie, Cool Hand Luke, where the Paul Newman... more

Proper 4, Year A, 2008, June 1, 2008, St. Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville (evening)

“He said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, you know.’” (Ez. 37:3). The Human Genome Project aims to determine the sequence of... more

The Visitation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, May 31, 2008, St Mary’s Convent, Sewanee

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col. 3:14). It’s a great celebration today, for this religious community of St... more

Proper 3, Year A, 2008, May 25, 2008, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Fayetteville

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” (Matt. 6:25). Charles Schulz’s cartoon character Charlie Brown was a great worry-wart. “On Tuesdays I worry... more

Trinity Sunday, Year A, 2008, May 18, 2008, Trinity Church, Clarksville

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). In December, 1968, the crew of the Apollo 8 mission became the first men to travel to and orbit the Moon. They took... more

The Day of Pentecost, Year A, 2008, May 11, 2008, St. George’s Church Nashville

“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). If you live in South Louisiana, or in... more

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, April 27, 2008, St. Philip’s Church Nashville

“Because I live, you also will live” (Jo. 14:19). Everybody knows someone who seems totally wrapped up in his or her job. So the day comes for mandatory retirement, or perhaps there... more

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, April 20, 2008, St Augustine’s Chapel Nashville

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jo. 14:6). A work of art can change the way you look at things... more

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, April 13, 2008, Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood (morning)

“Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts…” (Acts 2:46). Folks in Louisiana have the... more

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, April 13, 2008, Church of the Good Samaritan Franklin West (evening)

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jo. 10:10). It’s the “grand opening” of the Church of the Good Samaritan today, an Episcopal community of... more

The Third Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, April 6, 2008, Otey Memorial Parish Sewanee

“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him…” (Lk. 24:31). In J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, the wizard Gandalf, “Gandalf the... more

The Second Sunday of Easter, Year A, 2008, March 30, 2008, Church of Our Saviour Gallatin

“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe’" (Jo. 20:27). Doubt is sometimes seen... more

Easter Day, Year A, 2008, March 23, 2008, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43). In the 1983 movie Tender Mercies, Robert Duvall... more

Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows & Consecration of Chrism, March 20, 2008, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over” (Ps. 23:5). God’s Long Summer, by... more

The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 2, 2008, Grace Chapel Rossview & St. Luke’s Church Springfield

“The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7). No one wants to be superficial. To be superficial is to... more

The Third Sunday in Lent, Year A, February 24, 2008, Grace Church Spring Hill & St. Peter’s Church Columbia

“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give... more

The First Sunday in Lent, Year A, February 10, 2008, Christ Church Alto

“Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all” (Rom. 5:18). To trespass is to cross a... more

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 3, 2008, St. Matthew’s Church McMinnville

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead&rdquo... more

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 27, 2008, Church of the Resurrection Franklin

“Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him” (Matt. 4:22). There’s a great episode of the T.V. show MASH that I remember from years ago. The cynical and... more

The Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 2008, Diocesan Convention, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

“So that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith” (Acts 26:18). Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, a celebration which... more

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 20, 2008, Holy Trinity Church, Nashville

“The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me” (Is. 49:1). We like to have “freedom of choice”. We want to choose our own way... more

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 13, 2008, St Paul’s Church Franklin

“And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17). Sometime during my freshman year in college, British Rock Band... more

Epiphany, January 6, 2008, Church of the Epiphany Lebanon

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem" (Matt. 2:1). People travel for different reasons. Go down to the... more

Archive - Sermons 2007

Bishop Bauerschmidt's Sermons from 2007 are archived. more

Theological Essays

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Remarks at Wycliffe College, Toronto

Agreeing Together: Reflections on Ecclesiology and Theological Method “What are parties given for in London but that enemies may meet?” says the Duchess in Henry James’ novel... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Commencement Address, May 11, 2007, The School of Theology, The University of the South Sewanee

It’s a pleasure and honor to be here, to receive this degree and to preach at this Eucharist. It is unusual, in my experience, to be preaching to a congregation with such a high proportion... more

Other

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Third Letter from Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, August 3rd The Lambeth Conference concluded on Sunday, with a final plenary session and a third presidential address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and worship in Canterbury... more

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: concluding address to the Lambeth Conference

Many bishops came to this gathering in fear and trembling, expecting either a distasteful encounter between those of vastly different opinions, or the cold shoulder from those who disagree. The... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: concluding presidential address to the Lambeth Conference

I began the second of these plenary addresses with a reminder of the question, 'What is Lambeth '08 going to say?' And I suggested that we also needed to ask 'Where are we going to speak from?' I hope... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: second presidential address to the Lambeth Conference

'What is Lambeth '08 going to say?' is the question looming larger all the time as this final week unfolds. But before trying out any thoughts on that, I want to touch on the prior question, a... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Second Letter from Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, July 26th Following our time of retreat and the opening of the Conference with worship in Canterbury Cathedral and an initial Plenary session, the daily schedule at the... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: Presidential Address to the Lambeth Conference

As we begin our work together, we're bound to be very much aware of people's eyes upon us. There are expectations among our own people -- both hopes and fears. There are expectations among the... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Letter From Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, July 19th Greetings to members of the Diocese of Tennessee from the Lambeth Conference, held in Canterbury from mid-July until early August. This gathering of bishops... more

Ordination of John Bender to the Diaconate, February 23, 2008 , St. Philip’s Church Nashville

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." (Lk. 22:27) “Service” is the... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

It seems difficult for me to believe that a year has passed since January, 2007, and the great events of the Convention Weekend and the Consecration service. The past year has been a quick race for me... more

The Rev. Dr. George Sumner: Sermon for Holy Eucharist During Annual Convention, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

My daughter was 13 and we were walking down University Avenue at the heart of our home city of Toronto. The sun was shining and I was quite happy, maybe humming to myself.. until I noticed that she... more

The Rev. Dr. George Sumner: Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

It is a delight to be with you for your diocesan convention, and I as the principal bring you greetings from Wycliffe College, a theologically traditional Anglican seminary, Canada’s largest... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Statement on Resignation of The Rev. F.J. Richardson and The Rev. William Midgett

On Monday, January 7th, I received letters of resignation from the Rev’d Frederick Richardson, Jr as Vicar of Holy Cross Church, Murfreesboro, and from the Rev’d William Midgett, as Rector... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Summary of House of Bishops Meeting, September 2007, New Orleans

I am grateful to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Tennessee for your prayers and other support during the recent meeting of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. I have... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Reflections on Communion Matters, September 1, 2007

Process In the Spring of this year, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church published a study document, Communion Matters, to guide Episcopalians across the country in considering and... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Funeral Service for Laurie Hamner, March 20, 2007, St Martin’s in the Fields Church Atlanta

My sermon today is less like a sermon and more like a series of unresolved points. So here it is: First, here’s what I remember. I remember meeting Laurie Roberts Hamner on a... more