District Roundup
Abingdon: Addilynn Memorial UMC recently hosted Wesley Putnam, evangelist from the North Texas Conference, for a Day Spring Revival. Addilyn pastor Steve Brown says that Putnam preached in character as Gideon and as James, the brother of Jesus. Putnam also presented a workshop on drama and preaching to the Abingdon, Kingsport, and Johnson City Districts while he was in town.
Big Stone Gap: In March, The Call reported on Clintwood UMC's numerous beauty pageant winners in the congregation. Now, Clintwood has a forensics champion in its midst. LeRae Edwards, also a Conference Council on Youth Ministries member, took first place in the state high school forensics competition in March. "LaRae is very instrumental for the Lord both at her school and our church," says pastor Bill Cahill. "I know she will have the same influence at Emory & Henry College in the fall."
Chattanooga: During a recent Sunday night children's program, members of Dunlap UMC gathered on the lawn and released balloons into the sky. Attached to the balloons were invitations to attend worship and the church's address. Evangelism Chair Melissa Tibbs also hoped that people would drive by, see the balloon launch, and wonder what exciting thing could be happening at the church.
Cleveland: To show troops from McMinn
County that the community supports and prays for
them, Allen Memorial UMC recently offered to hang
special placards from the courthouse trees. Constructed
by church members, the placards are shaped
like praying hands or yellow ribbons and contain
names of soldiers. The mayor and church council
support Allen Memorial, which has hung more than
100 placards so far. Rev. Jeff Wright says he got the
idea from a similar project that happened when he
was pastor in Smyth County, Va., during the Gulf
War. Each soldier is assigned to a
parishioner, who prays for him or
her regularly.
Johnson City: Coalition for Kids recently held a CHAIRitable Auction at Nelson Art Gallery. About 40 old chairs ("mostly wooden, some metal," says the Rev. Randy Hensley) were gathered up, then painted by the kids who benefit from the Coalition as well as some local artists. The auction raised about $5,000 for the Coalition, which helps needy kids through after-school tutoring and summer programs.
Kingsport: Kingsley UMC raised $750 for Buffalo Mountain Camp by selling shirts with the church's name and the messages, "Jesus is Lord," "God is Good," and "All the Time." According to Lay Leader Glen Douglas, "The shirts have not only helped the camp but also serve as a witness."
Knoxville: Bishop Ray Chamberlain and Superintendent Stella Roberts recently participated in a consecration service for Faith UMC's new building. Faith was established with 55 members from Dante UMC, which closed in the 1990s. The conference bought 10 acres in the Sterchi Hills area while the new congregation met in a school followed by an office building. In September 2003, the church moved into the $900,000 first phase of a construction plan. Faith's worship attendance has grown from 80 to 170 within a few years. "The name 'Faith' fits the church so much," says Pastor Bill Akers. "God has really blessed us."
Maryville: Middlesettlements UMC held its third Community Field Day on May 1, offering free barbecue, games and other activities to Blount County at a cost of about $5,000 to the church. Pastor Joe Black says it's a way of reaching out and using the 10-acre "Field of Dreams" purchased by the church a few years ago. "Churches are always asking for something, for money. We just want to show people that we love them and we're here for them." About 60 volunteers from the church worked on the event. Attendance increased from 500 last year to 700-plus this year.
Morristown: After establishing a $1,000 scholarship in memory of retired educator and church member Della Justis, Ottway UMC awarded this scholarship for the fi rst time this year to Susan Goby. But Goby surprised everyone by standing up in worship to say she would share the scholarship with a church friend, Sarah Jones, her competitor for the award. "Everybody had tears in their eyes," says parishioner Sharon Collins. Goby will attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville; Jones, East Tennessee State University.
Oak Ridge: First Oak Ridge UMC took a missions team of 30 on a 10-day trip to Honduras. The team taught Bible school to about 100 children, provided medical services to 1,400 patients, and fi lled 2,600 prescriptions. A construction team got started on the second level of a church.
Tazewell: At Central UMC, children from ages 3 through 17 prepared and served a spaghetti dinner to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day. "The church is putting a lot of emphasis on ministry with children and youth," says the Rev. Doug Hyndrich. "It was exciting for the church to see all the young people."
Wytheville: Draper Circuit hosted a benefit for a former pastor, the Rev. Bill Edmonds, who served Draper from 1984 to 1990 and is now suffering from cancer. With a roast beef dinner and a Fifth Sunday offering, church members raised $3,400 for Edmonds. The circuit includes Cecil's Chapel, Glenwood and Draper UMC.
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