District Roundup
Abingdon:
Mountain View UMC and Chilhowie UMC are joining 13 churches to organize a food pantry. "Smyth County has been hit by a pitiful economic situation," says Mountain View's Rev. John Graham. Lost jobs caused by plant closings prompted the churches to form Loaves and Fishes Pantry. Town council voted to allow the old rescue squad building to be used. The pantry opens two days a month starting Oct. 10.
Big Stone Gap:
Six people from Midway Memorial were recently baptized at nearby Copper Creek. The ceremony was nearly over when a woman who had attended worship for years but was never baptized stepped forward. "She said, ÔI want to be a Christian, too,' and came down in the water in her good Sunday clothes," the Rev. Don Large said. Of seven baptisms that day, four included professions of faith.
Chattanooga:
Stanley UMC is renovating a house on its property to be used as a "penal after-care empowerment agency." The building provides a place, phones and computers where exprisoners can locate housing, employment, and family members after being released. First-Centenary is participating in the ministry, scheduled to kick off in spring 2003. Donations for W.S. Hight Community Outreach may be made through Advance Special #362, according to the Rev. Donald Swift.
Cleveland:
A district revival, themed "Affirming Our Connection," was held three consecutive nights in late August. The Rev. Charles Lippse preached each night, with music provided by hosting congregations, Trinity Athens, First Dayton and First Cleveland. "Those that heard [Lippse] were blessed," said the Rev. Dindy Taylor, district superintendent.
Johnson City:
Rev. Terry Cloyd wanted to "put a little fire" under his parishioners to invite people to church. So he promised to shave his head if 75 people attended "Friendship Sunday" at Embreeville UMC. On Aug. 4, the church that averages 45 in worship had 113 in attendance. After worship, Cloyd bravely let the church kids take turns clipping his hair. "They were pretty rough," Cloyd said.
Kingsport:
On Sept. 8, Fall Branch UMC honored three generations of volunteer firefighters from one family. The grandfather, Zane Lemar Dawson, is a Fall Branch church member. His son, James Dawson, and grandson, Jared Dawson, brought 15 other firefighters to the special service, according to the Rev. Donald Brummett.
Knoxville:
One hundred youth representing seven Knoxvillearea churches recently walked their way to earning $8,689 for Wesley House. The first-ever "Youth 4 Youth" walkathon had kids hoofing three miles along the Tennessee River on a 95-degree day. Participating churches: Christ, Church Street, Cokesbury, First Farragut, Middlebrook Pike, New Life, Pleasant Hill.
Maryville:
Pigeon Forge UMC members were thrilled when a guest sent this appreciative letter from Palm Harbor, Fla.: "We certainly felt welcome at your church when we were in Pigeon Forge this summer," the letter read. "Right after the service we had lunch in the Old Mill Restaurant. A member of your congregation approached us and said she had seen us in church É We were very touched by her friendship." The Rev. Keith Knight printed the letter in the church newsletter, encouraging parishioners to "keep up the good work."
Morristown:
In 1998 the Rev. David Vaughn noticed that it was difficult to walk or get up from a chair. His son noticed that he "lacked expression" in his preaching and his voice was "weak." Medical tests revealed that Vaughn suffered from Parkinson's Disease. Recently, the 53-old-pastor of Trinity Morristown UMC was asked to become state representative for the Young Onset Parkinson's Association.
Oak Ridge:
Clinton Memorial UMC built a temporary covered porch in the courtyard for "Open House Month." Every Sunday, guests and church members were invited to stop by the porch for coffee and doughnuts. After September, the porch will be removed and transformed into a puppet stage.
Tazewell:
The district is proud of the Habitat for Humanity house that church members built in six days. "Blitz Week" began on Aug. 19 and culminated with a dedication on Aug. 24. To complete the house, volunteers worked every day from 6 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. The house is located in Tazewell on route 61.
Wytheville:
Every year during the warm-weather months, Savannah UMC hosts the community for monthly gospel singings. The Highlanders, a local bluegrass group, played at the church on Sept. 21, the last concert of the season. The Rev. Larry Rye says the singings are a way to "get the doors open" to the town.
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