Features of most any religious nature and upcoming or coverage of events.
OAK RIDGE, TENN. (May 10, 2022) – Spurgeon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church is celebrating the 1st year of its Pastor Rev. Erica N. Haigler on May 15th. All are welcome to attend the celebration at the church at 100 S. Benedict Avenue in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Rev. Haigler made history in June 2021,…
There is much to do and many activities for center-city residents who live in the pockets of like-minded disconnected East Tennesseans in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Maryville, and the Johnson City, Morristown areas. All are within an hours drive of Knoxville. The East Tennessee Enlightener is excited to share family activities, adult events, and more happenings…
Knoxville students and their families have experienced a tumultuous start to the new year. Within the first few months of 2021, the lives of five black high school students attending the same school were murdered. This tragic set of circumstances brought national media attention to the Scruffy City of Knoxville, as well as concerns and…
HEALTH & HAPPINESS/That’s Gospel A brief Sunday morning ‘Word to Grow By’ at Battlefield Farm and Gardens in East Knoxville Join Chris Battle in cultivating Shalom and hear a ‘Word to Grow By.’ The brief gathering is from 9-10 am Sunday mornings at Battlefield Farm and Gardens, 3624 Boyd’s Bridge Pike, Knoxville. Bring a…
“Uniting the World in Faith” is the theme of Jehovah’s Witness Virtual Global Event in 240 Lands and, in more than 500 Languages KNOXVILLE, TN (June 24, 2021) – Since the late-1990s, the Tri-Cities Freedom Hall in Johnson City has hosted the Jehovah’s Witness annual convention. Hotels, restaurants, attractions, and venues in the Smokies, Oak…
(Oak Ridge, Tenn.) – The Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 100 S Benedict Ave Oak Ridge, TN 37830, will hold a Praise on the Lawn event this Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 6 p.m. at Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E.Zion Church, 100 Benedict Avenue. This is the first of many events planned to unify the community. Water…
Five Austin-East High school students have been murdered this year (from January through April 2021). All of them happened while students were headed home at the end of their day, with one inside of the school. The community is in fear of the lives of black children. Law enforcement has provided limited information to only…
In November 2020, five NBA players were part of a delegation that sat down with Pope Francis at the Vatican to talk social justice. The NBPA said the players spoke about their “individual and collective efforts addressing social and economic injustice and inequality occurring in their communities.” Last fall, Atlanta unveiled a jersey that honors civil…
Knoxville, TN (August 23, 2020) – The light rains on Sunday morning, nor the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic deterred area pastors from holding their annual Prayer Walk at area schools. On Friday Deacon Otis Littlejohn sent out a call to area pastors and prayer warriors to join him at Austin-East High School at 10…
When you loose a loved one, you gain an angel. Min. Pat Benn, ETE Contributor May 10, 2020 – Once again I was awakened from my restless sleep by pain. My sleep was riddled with memories of her last days. Memories of her eyes wide and words so clear. “I’m scared, wee wee.” My sister and…
(April 26, 2020) – In recent years I remember looking at people in China wearing masks and it felt so odd, so strange. I recall thinking how sad it must be to live in a country that didn’t protect its citizens. As I gazed upon their pictures I felt a sense of sorrow for them…
Republished from 2019 ETE archives. The cloudy weather did not dampen Easter celebrations over the weekend. That includes the egg drop by helicopter at Harriet Tubman Park in East Knoxville. Although it was postponed from Saturday to Easter Sunday afternoon for flying safety, approximately 1,500 participants were present. The event was spearheaded by Pastor Daryl…
By Patricia Williams, Pat Benn contributor KNOXVILLE, TN (April 2020) – A change in established norms is expected to come with challenges. For the first time in recent history assembling in a church or house of worship is being challenged. In the midst of COVID-19, a world-wide health pandemic, authorities have ordered “citizens to shutter…
By Pat Mebane Benn (March 29, 2020) As we toil through another week of enduring the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m beginning to see people pulling together. The media is showcasing acts of kindness, of the better side of Americans; if you will. We are being shown pictures of families outside of nursing homes celebrating birthdays, videos…
By Pat Benn KNOXVILLE, TN (March 19, 2020) – Today as I arose my heart sank. News dress on social media, newspaper headlines, Facebook, Instagram, and the list continues, all focused on the coronavirus. Pastors, theologians, teachers, preachers, apostles, deacons, all focused on the coronavirus. There are theories leaning towards the apocalypse, conspiracy, political propaganda,…
Join Pastors Gerard and Charlesetta Branch and the Faith Believers family this Sunday for the word. The focus of the message will be “Making Room.” Apostle Branch and Prophetess Charlesetta would love to have you come out and join us this Sunday, March 15, 2020. Sunday services start at 12:30 pm, at 7033 Middlebrook Pike,…
The Rev. Stephanie Spellers is an Episcopal Church leading thinker and consultant of 21st century ministry and mission, and is Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism and Reconciliation. Knoxville, TN (February 2020) – A community-wide annual worship service celebrating Blessed Absalom Jones and Black History Month will be at 5 p.m. on Sunday,…
Despite the turmoil reported many times a day by more news outlets than can be followed, people loving and embracing people, God’s children, continues to rise above the fray. KNOXVILLE, TN (January 2020) – From Pastor Barbara Jackson, “I went to the Knox County Clerk’s office today to get my passport renewed. I signed in…
On short notice, Kanye West stepped-in to replace John Crist after the comedian was “removed due to a moral failure” first revealed in early November. Looking for a replacement for Crist, Strength to Stand Student Bible Conference leader Scott Dawson said he was stunned when the “Jesus Is King” rapper picked up his calls. …
A crowd of relatives, boys club members, school teachers, childhood Scarboro friends, and community members recently packet Spurgeon Chapel Church, to welcome one of their own. Oak Ridge native and percussionist Bruce White was in town on a recent Sunday and performed two free concerts. The first was at Oak Valley Bapt. Church and an…
OAK RIDGE, TN (Oct, 2019) – Oak Ridge native and xylophone artist Bruce Edward White is returning home to perform two concerts in Oak Ridge this Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. White is accomplished on a rarely featured instrument – the xylophone. The performance will include a health presentation, music, and vocals. He will be performing,…
Liberian’s Independance Day Celebration in East Tennessee start on Friday, July 26-28, and is open to the community. The diverse cultures of East Tennessee have another festival to enjoy. In addition to the Greek, Asian, African, Latin, Native Indian, and White heritage festivals, the Liberian Association of Knoxville is opening-up its Independence Celebration to the community….
(KNOXVILLE, TN) This dynamic Watoto Children’s Choir has performed for presidents and royalty in the White House, Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant in the UK, the United Nations, and is featured on Chris Tomlin’s album, “Hello, Love.” The choir of 17 orphans from Uganda will continue its six-month U.S. tour in the Knoxville area on…