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…

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…

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…

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…

(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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

    (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…

Editor’s note: Bishop-Elect Phoebe Roaf was in Knoxville in March. She was the guest speaker at a Celebration of The Blessed Absalom Jones that was at the Episcopal School of Knoxville and…

OP-ED COMMENTARY By Merdies Hayes, NNPA Weekly News Editor The little girl was guilty of nothing more than hunger. When she was denied sustenance, she made the fatal mistake of demonstrating insolence,…