Holston Welcomes 4

By Annette Bender

The conference welcomes four new staff members this summer -- three in the Knoxville office and one on the University of Tennessee campus.

The Rev. Grady Winegar, former Kingsport District superintendent, joined the staff as full-time director of clergy concerns and conference secretary on June 25.

In part-time positions are two recent clergy retirees. The Rev. Doug Smith assumed his new role as director of clergy concerns on July 1, one year after retirement. The Rev. Bill Kilday, after retiring at Annual Conference in June, will serve as director of stewardship/new church development beginning Aug. 16.

At the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, the Rev. David Jackson began as fulltime director of the Wesley Foundation on June 25. Jackson is former associate pastor at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City District.

Bishop Ray Chamberlain praised Winegar, Smith, and Kilday, who have offices in Knoxville-based Cokesbury Center and will serve on the cabinet.

Winegar, age 62, is "one of those rare individuals who is at once a fine theologian and competent administrator," Chamberlain said recently.

In addition to leading the Kingsport District, Winegar has served as Wytheville District superintendent. He also served as pastor at Bearden UMC and Central UMC in Knoxville District and Wesley Memorial UMC in Cleveland District. Winegar follows the Rev. Dennie Humphreys, who in June was appointed senior pastor at Brainerd UMC, Chattanooga District.

"As director of clergy services, I want to assist candidates for ordained ministry through the process and to help district superintendents and the Board of Ordained Ministry to better serve clergy candidates," Winegar said.

"As conference secretary, I hope to build on the tradition of those who have preceded me in bringing excellence to the Journal and our other publications."

Calling Smith a "dearly loved elder in this conference," Chamberlain said that he was "personally pleased" that the former First Morristown UMC pastor is assuming the work of steward of clergy concerns.VV Smith, age 64, follows the Rev. James Green, who returned to retirement in June after four years in the position.

"I'm honored to have been asked to be a part of the clergy support team," Smith said. "I look forward to working with pastors and families in helpful ways. I see this role as being supportive of every pastor, along with the bishop."

Smith has also served as Maryville District superintendent and pastor at Middlebrook Pike UMC in Knoxville District. He plans to maintain office hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

When Kilday officially joins the conference staff next month, he will assume duties performed by former director of new church development, John Ripley, who returned to retirement in June 2003. Kilday also will assume new responsibilities as the conference's first director of stewardship.

"A year ago the conference voted to make stewardship a major emphasis," Chamberlain said. "Bill will help us with stewardship issues -- it is a passion for him ... He is a proven leader in this conference."

Kilday, age 63, also has served as pastor at Fountain City UMC and Bearden UMC, both of Knoxville District. He plans to maintain office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. ?One of my hopes is to help people erase the line between finances and spirituality,? Kilday said. "People don't like to think of money and giving as a very important part of the church, but it is."

Jackson, age 33, joins the conference staff as one of five Wesley Foundation directors. He follows the Rev. Lauri Jo Cranford, who in June was appointed associate pastor at Munsey Memorial UMC, Johnson City District.

Anne Travis, director of connectional ministries, said she is "very excited" about welcoming Jackson to the conference staff.

"He is very interested in working with his board and the supporting districts and superintendents to strengthen the ministry," Travis said. "He's been working hard this summer, making plans for the fall, which include exciting new ways to worship and ideas for small-group experiences at the Wesley Foundation."

Jackson, who also has served St. Paul UMC, said that he is "looking forward" to working with students in college ministry. "It's an important constituency for us."VV "Go Vols," he added.


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