District Roundup
Abingdon: Aldersgate UMC had its Easter egg hunt for 100 children on April 10. Pastor Scott Ketron says the annual event attracts community kids as well as church kids. Besides the egg hunt, children were treated to a performance by a clogging group.
Big Stone Gap: For the third year, Big Stone Gap Church & Community Renewal Project is collecting vegetable seeds for three area food pantries. The idea is for needy people to plant their own gardens. Corn and bean seeds are especially needed, "because they're the most expensive," says organizer Nancy Hobbs. Last year, Big Stone Gap churches – and some congregations outside the district – helped collect 6,000 pounds of seeds. The seeds are needed by May 1. Contact Hobbs by e-mail or (276) 523-0417.
Chattanooga: On every Sunday during Lent, children at Jones Memorial UMC collected "fragments" to benefit two ministries. "Fragments are coins and dollars left in everyone's pockets over the week," says Shirley Baugh, communications coordinator. At a special time during worship, the kids collected money in bags. They took in more than $1,000 for Heifer International Project and Lighthouse Children's Center in Estonia.
Cleveland: A year ago, Savannah UMC's building was condemned, and the congregation pulled together to remodel. Several people had been attending the church for years without becoming members, but shortly after renovations were complete, the people who helped lead the construction efforts stepped forward to join the church. On March 14, Savannah's 37 members were joined by 11 new members – three by profession of faith. "They realized how much they were loved and needed," says Pastor Laura Shearer.
Johnson City: Last fall, the Witness Team at Boone's Creek UMC considered having a new logo designed. They approached a graphic designer but were intimidated by the projected cost. The team decided not to spend the money but invited the graphic designer to worship. A few days later, the designer came to church with his family – and he kept coming back. "He called me yesterday to say he had been thinking of a logo design," reports Pastor Jane Taylor. Within days, Boone's Creek was the owner of a new image – unveiled the same day Scott Jenkins and his family were accepted into membership. Jenkins, of Great Scott Design, donated the logo to the church.
Kingsport: First Broad Street UMC was recently recognized as an official "Welcoming Congregation" for the third straight year. Churches receiving the certification have to meet certain Igniting Ministry standards for welcoming guests into the church. "We may think we're doing a good job, but there's always room for improvement," says the Rev. Linda Coffey. First Broad Street is one of 10 congregations in the denomination to receive the honor for three or four straight years. Visit www.ignitingministry.org for more information.
Knoxville: Kodak UMC will have its seventh annual Smoky Mountain Blessing of the Bikes on Sunday, May 2. Motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to the 11 a.m. worship service, followed by hamburgers, hot dogs and music. At 2 p.m., guest minister Douglas Mills will bless riders and their bikes. Call (865) 428-0729.
Maryville: "In keeping with the idea that all mission comes out of worship," Green Meadow UMC used a recent Holy Communion Sunday to build 30 health kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief, Pastor Frank Trexler reports. The kits will be taken to the Sager Brown Depot when Maryville District United Methodist Women travel there for summer mission work. Green Meadow also has started collecting peanut butter on Commuinions Sundays for a local food pantry.
Morristown: Panther Springs UMC recently celebrated a note burning and dedication service. The educational/ offi ce complex was completed in 1997 and the $400,000 debt was retired in January. Now, the church is launching a $600,000 fund-raising campaign to build a new activities building valued at $1.4 million, according to the Rev. Garland James.
Oak Ridge: Tweenagers at Concord UMC recently assembled a "birthday party in a box" for children whose birthdays come while they're staying at a local crisis center. The box contained cake mix, frosting, candles, balloons, paper goods and gifts.
Tazewell: Cedar Bluff UMC recently hosted a turkey calling seminar, featuring champion turkey caller Chris Walls. "He is amazing. He does the calls just using his vocal chords," Cedar Bluff Pastor Jack Jenkins recently told the Richland News-Press. Jenkins, himself a hunter, hoped the seminar would "attract a different spectrum of people" to the church. A crowd attended the March 13 event, in time for the April 10 opening of spring gobbler season in Virginia.
Wytheville: Cecil's Chapel UMC recently combined its annual "Wild Game Dinner" with a Fifth Sunday gathering of sister churches Draper UMC and Glenwood UMC. The meal consisted of fried squirrel "with gravy and all the fixings," wild turkey, rabbit, catfish, and venison, according to church member Barbara Hall. Pastor Frank Clifton says the special dinner started as a community event four years ago. "I'm a hunter and some of our people in the church are hunters," he said. "We share our bounty, an old custom of hunters." Cecil's Chapel was packed with 137 diners.
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