12 Churches to Watch
Part Eleven in a Series

Taylor Memorial UMC
Johnson City District

Superintendent's comments: "Sarah Wells' commitment to reach out to people in need is embodied in the Taylor Memorial congregation. They have embraced Jesus' call to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and welcome the stranger. As a result, members are actively involved in numerous community and district missions. There is no doubt why Taylor received 16 people by profession of faith last year and why they continue to grow."

The story: When Elizabeth Ricard relocated to Johnson City from Georgia, she and her husband spent months visiting churches."They were doing all the right things, but the love wasn't there."

When she visited Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church eight months ago, Ricard finally felt as if she was home. "We felt that spirit, and we felt that love." The magic, she says, is in "a willingness to take people in and accept them, no matter their race or financial situation."

Call it love, call it acceptance, but something interesting is happening at Taylor Memorial.

In 2005, the congregation reported 42 percent growth with 10 new members. In 2006, 16 new members joined, bringing membership to 82.

In 2004, worship attendance was 20. On a Sunday in January, the congregation numbered 82.

For the last two years, Taylor Memorial has had a goal to be one of the first churches in Holston Conference to pay its entire Fair Share apportionment for the year. Last month, the conference treasurer's office had already received 100 percent of Taylor's 2007 payment: $5,096. Two-thirds of the congregation is retired.

"They are so eager," says the proud pastor, the Rev. Sarah Wells. "They can't wait to give to the Lord. They're very proud of their church and heritage, and in giving, they know that's how we support missions and the United Methodist Church."

The church is 114 years old and led by a 52-year-old, part-time, local licensed pastor who is also executive director of Good Samaritan Ministries of Johnson City. It's no accident that 14 church members are regular volunteers at Good Samaritan's homeless shelter and other ministries throughout the week.

"They wanted to have more outreach," explains Wells, so she provided opportunities. After helping and "loving on" people served by Good Samaritan all week, it's easy for parishioners to invite them back to their church on Sunday morning. Members go out of their way to pick up newcomers for worship and to make them feel welcome. The congregation is also involved in Kairos Prison Ministry at Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tenn., providing meals twice annually for inmates involved in a weekend spiritual encounter. "With sirloin tips, baked potatoes, and cobblers provided by our ladies, who wouldn't give their lives over to the Lord?" Wells jokes.

Besides participating in the Johnson City District's partnership with the Czech Republic, Taylor Memorial is also beginning a Hispanic ministry with a few new Spanish-speaking members who have come to the church. On a recent Sunday morning, the Rev. Mack Houston, a retired Holston clergy member whose home is Taylor Memorial, bragged that new hymnals in Spanish had already arrived.

"Sarah is tremendously strong in working with ethnic and underprivileged people," said Houston, age 82. "She really cares about people's needs and she makes herself available to them." A few years ago, Kyle Birchfield considered leaving Taylor for a church with more offerings for youth. He decided to stay and help Wells build the youth program. Last month, Taylor Memorial sent 14 to Resurrection in Gatlinburg.

"I'm putting the word out to my friends who don't have churches that we're small, but that's OK," says Birchfield, age 14, "because everybody knows everybody, and there's a lot of love here."

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