“To love and serve Jesus with sincere devotion all the days of our lives and to proclaim the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ for the Kingdom of God.”
Inviting the children up for the blessing of the water
St. Joseph of Arimathea is a community of Christians in the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee committed to loving and serving Jesus in all people and in every area of our lives. We are here to worship and honor Christ in loving obedience to his commands in our families, our work, and all our relationships; by serving him in all those “who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity,” and by calling all people into his saving embrace.
- Who we are
St. Joseph of Arimathea was founded in 1963 as the Chapel of Our Savior, and was a joint mission with the Church of Our Savior in Gallatin, Tennessee. In 1967 the Chapel was received into the Diocese of Tennessee as an independent mission with the name St. Joseph of Arimathea. The congregation became self-supporting (in the Episcopal Church this is called reaching parish status) in 1975. Over the years many things have changed at St. Joe's, but the congregation has been constant in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, caring for one another and reaching out to the community.
- What we believe
Archbishop Cranmer, architect of the Prayer Book
Anglicans (The Christian tradition to which Episcopalians belong) are creedal Christians, believing the three great creeds of Christendom–the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian–to be sufficient statements of Christian belief and we understand what we believe to be best expressed through our worship and liturgy in the form of the Book of Common Prayer.
- Our Ministries
There are many opportunities to get involved in the ministries of St. Joseph of Arimathea. Whether you're interested in the worship ministries of Lector, Acolyte, Eucharistic Minister, Usher or Altar Guild, or getting involved with the quarterly meal St. Joseph's provides and hosts for Room in the Inn in Nashville, there is something for everyone.
There are many active groups such as the Daughters of the King, devoted to prayer, evangelism and service, the Men of the Church, or Choir. Many have also enjoyed volunteering with the new Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program we are establishing for 3-6 year olds, or as an instructor for Living the Good News, the curriculum that serves as the basis for our Sunday School for older children (1st-3rd & 4th-6th grades).