C-Mail
The recent move of the Holston offices to Alcoa further belies the name, "conference center." If Bulls Gap, as I have been told, is the geographic center of Holston, then for those who live in the northern regions, the new location simply puts it even more "off center." "Holston Headquarters" would at least designate what is now located in Alcoa while acknowledging that for the majority of folks in Holston the location of the new site is anything but central. Several districts find themselves closer to the conference centers of at least two other annual conferences than to their own in Holston.
Rev. Harry Hight
Retired pastor
Meadowview, Va.
I was dismayed by the lead article in April 20 edition ("You Called?"). Though our church was not checked out by a secret shopper in preparation for Easter services, I believe there are better uses of the conference newspaper than reporting on church answering services. I was particularly offended by the negative portrayal of Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville - the most authentically Christian congregation I have ever encountered. Cokesbury faithfully stood with me through personal crisis, guided my transition to Methodism, cared for my wife and me through cancer treatments, and nurtured my re-entry into ministry. They gave me back my life. Even the insinuation that this church is not focused on "callers" is both unnecessary and inaccurate. Two other brief observations: (1) I am still waiting on a conference staff member to return a call from 2005, and (2) somebody must have given good directions to Cokesbury for Easter. They had 5,670 in attendance!
Rev. Kenneth L. Faught
Pleasant Hill UMC
Knoxville District
I'm sorry, but I just can't take too seriously the large article, "You Called?" I just tried to call the conference office to get a number for a conference agency. I was greeted with an answering machine and told to dial the extension of the person I wanted to reach. Since I wasn't sure of the person I needed, I went to the directory by dialing 5. I was told to dial the "first three letters of the last name of the person I wanted to reach." I tried five different persons in the conference office, and I got five answering machines. I tried another person and was told the letters I dialed were not the first three letters of anyone's name in the office. I then tried the Maryville District office, and lo-and-behold, no one was there.
I don't know where everyone had gone, but I think the Holston Conference should have someone available to answer the phone at all times.
Martha C. McFarland
Broadway UMC
Maryville District
Bishop James Swanson responds I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused anyone. I appreciate your willingness to bring this to our attention, and we receive this as constructive criticism. It is only when we inform others of their failures that we can improve. We believe that this correction will help us to serve the needs of our congregations and ministries as we work together to "make disciples for Jesus Christ." We receive this as a bold gift, and we will passionately and joyfully work to improve our ability to communicate with our congregations and ministries - and they with us.
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To send a letter to the editor of The Call, write: C-Mail, The Call, P.O. Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701-0850, fax (865) 690-3162, or thecall@holston.org. Printed letters are limited to 150 words.
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