District Roundup:
News from the Holston Conference's 12 Districts:
Abingdon:
A new mobile medical unit was consecrated by Bishop Ray Chamberlain at State Street UMC on Feb. 10. Staffed by two family physicians who have left their practices to serve the needy, the medical unit provides health care to the uninsured in upper east Tennessee and southwest Virginia. An Advance Special number is available. Visit www.crossroadsmedicalmission.org for more information.
Big Stone Gap:
Trinity UMC recently joined with nine area churches to open Big Stone Gap Food Bank. Now housed in a 1930s grocery building, the new location brings under one roof the two food banks that have been operating separately at Trinity and First Christian Church. Community and church volunteers spent months cleaning and renovating the building, reports Trinity Pastor Ronnie Mutter.
Chattanooga:
The district held its "Day of Discipleship Training" at two locations: Sulphur Springs UMC on Feb. 3 and Christ UMC on Feb. 10. Among the workshops offered: "Pastor-Parish Relations Committee Training," presented by Al Bowles, district superintendent; "Helping Children Cope with Grief, Loss and Change," by Claudia Howard, Holston coordinator of children's ministries; and "Now That I'm a Lay Speaker É Help!" by John Goode, Chattanooga director of lay speaking.
Cleveland:
When Spring City UMC replaced its 45-year-old roof last fall, they found a strip of copper that begged to be recycled. Secretary Judith Barger suggested heirloom Christmas ornaments, and the youth were off and running. With the help of Youth Director Randy Schmittendorf, 20 young people handcrafted the copper into the shapes of angels, stars and churches. Parishioners snatched them up at $5 each. The total profit was $1460 – $700 was used for the new roof fund, the rest helped pay for Resurrection 2002.
Johnson City:
"Fanning the Flame," the district's leadership training event, recorded an attendance of 120 on Jan. 27. "We hoped to get more young church leaders to attend by including activities for the whole family," reports Administrative Assistant Betty Barton. They ended up with 12 elementary-age children in a structured program, four pre-schoolers in the nursery, and about 30 teens in a youth rally. The event started with a worship service, then participants broke out into nine different workshops.
Kingsport:
Elm Springs UMC took in 14 new members during a praise service shortly before Thanksgiving 2001. Two were baptized infants, one transferred from another denomination, two transferred from another United Methodist church, and the rest were professions of faith. According to the Rev. Billy Gillespie, the windfall is the result of members inviting friends and family to worship. "Three years ago, there were two children in the church." Now there's 20 young people on the roll, "and we're as proud of them as we can be."
Knoxville:
Church Street UMC is participating in "Refreshment and Renewal During Lent," a time for fellowship and worship among Knoxville's five downtown churches and community. The series begins on Feb. 20 (with worship at 12:10 p.m. followed by soup and sandwiches) and continues every Wednesday through March 20. For more information, call Teresa Williams at (865) 524-3048.
Maryville:
Broadway UMC will host Mary and Herbert Zigbuou, Liberian missionaries, as special speakers for its Wednesday fellowship supper on Feb. 20.
Morristown:
When First Morristown UMC began planning its Sesquicentennial Celebration this year, the planning committee turned to the Children's Ministry to design the logo. The winning design came from the Elementary II class and epitomized the anniversary theme of "Joining Hearts and Hands to Celebrate Our Past and Future." The year-long celebration, which kicked off Feb. 3, includes Lenten Renewal Services with Bishop Richard Looney March 3-5 and a Homecoming on Sept. 20 with Bishop Ray Chamberlain.
Oak Ridge:
First Farragut UMC held its groundbreaking on Feb. 3 with Bishop Ray Chamberlain officiating. The congregation recently purchased 17 acres two miles west of its current site to the tune of about $7 million. Phase one, projected to be complete in 2003, will produce a 38,000-square-foot building.
Tazewell:
Flood recovery continues in Bishop, Va., although volunteer efforts have helped 13 families return to their homes. Nine families have received complete sets of new appliances, and five families received new heating systems. Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church's first floor was completely remodeled. Bishop's community playground has also been returned to usable condition after having three to four feet of mud settle in the area. Volunteers are still needed. Contact disaster response coordinator Kenny Fields at (276) 979-1443 or email kgfields@hotmail.com to schedule a work time.
Wytheville:
Grove UMC has a new mission: the "Quarter Bucket Project." Each quarter church members collect and then give loose-change offerings for one of four mission projects: Red Bird Mission (Feb. 26), Heifer Project (May 26), Potato Project (Aug. 25), and Emory & Henry College student aid (Nov. 24). "Quarter buckets" are provided by the church office.
back to The Call home
|
