District Roundup
Abingdon: Faith Explosion, the annual youth event sponsored by the Abingdon District, happens at 4 p.m., Sept. 7, at State Street UMC. The Christian musical duo, Lost & Found, will play. Youth from all districts are invited. The concert is free, but a love offering will be taken.
Big Stone Gap: The 193rd Annual Jonesville Camp Meeting was held Aug. 3-7. The Rev. E. Lee Ellis, general evangelist of the Western North Carolina Conference, served as preacher. Music was provided by the Mt. Zion Singers, Sons of Grace, Bacon Sisters, and Kings Messengers.
Chattanooga: For 10 years, St. Luke UMC has invited the community to participate in a drama project. Leap of Faith Drama Ministries involves about 90 people, including cast, musicians and crew. Half is from Hands Across the River Parish (including St. Luke, Hurst, St. Marks, and Wiley UMC). The other half is non-members. This summer, “Fiddler on the Roof” played for eight nights, to about 100 spectators per showing. “We look at this as a minis- try,” says the Rev. Sherry Boles. “Not necessarily the best singer or actor gets the part, but it¡òs who demon- strates the fruit of the spirit.”
Cleveland: Todd Kingrea, associate pastor at Wesley Memorial UMC, recently wrote an edito- rial in the church newsletter about his conversation with a former youth member. The teenager said that his new church (not Wesley) was really involved in youth ministry. “In contrast, this youth said that Wesley tended to put youth in a corner, and most of the church didn't have any connection with them,” Kingrea wrote. The youth asked, “How are we supposed to learn about our faith when we're not around the adults to see the faith lived out?” Kingrea's edict to his congregation: “It's time to dig into the Book of Acts and into Paul's letters and see how we should be doing things.”
Johnson City: Marvin's Chapel UMC recently sent a team of 42 in mission to Beech Creek community in the Redbird Missionary Conference. The team made paint, siding and sheetrock repairs to the parsonage, church, kitchen, and fellowship hall. Youth installed a new children's playground. Seniors cooked and provided new clothing for area children. Average worship attendance at Marvin's Chapel: 95.
Kingsport: First Broad Street UMC is hosting its fourth “Festival of Flowers” on Sept. 11, 12 and 13. The weekend includes floral design and wreath seminars presented by a Biltmore Estate decorator on Saturday, Sept. 12. On Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., the church will have an Evensong Service in a flower-filled sanctuary. “Our invitation to all in our community is to come, feel welcome, and experience worship in a new way,” says Coordinator Beth Geno. For more information, contact Geno at (423) 245-3790 or by email.
Knoxville: Mascot and Hopewell UMC recently provided 64 rolls of toilet tissue and 56 rolls of paper towels for Jubilee Project in Sneedville, Tenn. Dave Henderson is pastor at both churches.
Maryville: A severe thunderstorm recently sent a tree through the roof of Walnut Grove UMC and took down several other trees on the property. The congregation was in worship at the time and “it is surely a miracle of God that no one was seriously injured,” reports District Superintendent Ron Matthews. The church immediately began cleanup and repair, meeting in Vonore Com- munity Center during the interim. Walnut Grove's pastor is James Haggard.
Morristown: Every Saturday throughout the summer, Beth-Car and Watkins Chapel UMC has a table at a massive flea market off Interstate 40's exit 8. The Rev. Fred Lehrer and his parishioners hand out ice water and church pamphlets, inviting shoppers to Sunday worship.
Oak Ridge: For three and a half years, First Farragut UMC has shared their building with a funeral home while the growing congregation prepares for relocation. Concord UMC, located two miles away, offered its facilities to First Farragut whenever extra space was needed. This summer the two large churches combined for a mega vacation Bible school. “We had over 450 people here each day,” reports Concord's Rev. Bill Kilday. Cooperation was “phenomenal,” he added. First Farragut is sched- uled to be at the new site in October.
Tazewell: The district held its fifth Annual Brush Arbor Day Aug. 10 on the farm of James and Ruth Payne. All ages enjoyed hayrides, a magician, dinner on the grounds (“with pizza for the children”), and music by First Richlands Chancel Choir, Tazewell Assembly Youth, and other groups. The Rev. Dennie Humphreys preached at the closing worship service. “A wonderful time was had by all, with the exception that the weather was not as cooperative as it might have been,” reports District Superintendent Gene Lovell.
Wytheville: On Aug. 31, Dublin UMC will honor Alecia Apperson Stanley, who is retiring after nearly 40 years as music director. Stanley started in 1958 “when she was just out of high school.” She took off a few years to raise her family. “Her Christian witness will always be the most endearing quality that we cherish about her,” according to the church newsletter.
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