District Roundup
Abingdon:
Laura Blair Wyke is a student at Wesley Theological Seminary and executive administrator of the Henry Luce III Center for Arts and Religion in Washington, D.C. She's also from Abingdon UMC and an Emory & Henry graduate. In a recent edition of "Homiletics," a sermon and worship resource, Wyke was interviewed for an article on "Preaching and the Arts." That's "quite an honor," says District Superintendent Brenda Carroll.
Big Stone Gap:
For three years, a group from Trinity UMC has been popping in at Mountain Empire Community College to serve popcorn and other treats. The Pop 'N' for Jesus Team has become a familiar sight to students who look forward to their visits every third Wednesday of the month, says Patsy Mutter. "Any time you feed people, you've made a hit."
Chattanooga:
Christ UMC was recently cited as one of the denomination's fastest growing churches by the General Board of Discipleship. For the third year in a row, the church will gain more than 300 new members in 2002 (they've got 270 so far). On Oct. 6, Christ kicked off its third worship service with Bethlehem Center's Willie Kitchens Jr. as worship leader. Stay tuned.
Cleveland:
Spring City UMC members are praying for 12 of their own children and grandchildren in the military. "Their whereabouts can't be released because of national security," says Administrative Assistant Judith Barger, but parishioners realize that some are in the Middle East. A prayer group meets every week to pray for the men and women, and their names are listed in each newsletter.
Johnson City:
On Sept. 11, Hunter UMC hosted Slagles, Watauga Point, St. Paul, and Valley Forge UMC at a community worship service. The Carter County churches get together on a quarterly basis, says Hunter's Rev. Joe Manis: "It's important to keep our connections as United Methodists because we're family." Also participating in the service: Rev. Dennis Milligan and Rev. Paul Humphrey.
Kingsport:
Averaging 975 in worship attendance, First Broad Street UMC is hurting for parking in downtown Kingsport. The congregation tried to strike a deal with neighbor First Christian Church to buy its building and property. However, a $2.25 million final offer was rejected last summer, according to Business Administrator Mike McIntire. For now, First Broad Street is buying up bits and pieces of nearby property. The plan is to add 40 to 50 parking spaces to the existing 190 by winter. Total cost per parking space after tearing down buildings, grading and paving: between $3,000 and $8,000.
Knoxville:
Fountain City UMC has a complex prayer network, implemented after eight members attended a Terry Tekyl seminar in October 2001. The ministry includes prayer studies, a prayer room, and a congregation-wide prayer focus listed in each newsletter. A special team is phoning every person on the roll to let them know they are specifically being prayed for. The latest step is to add prayer boxes in high-traffic areas where people can leave requests.
Maryville:
Meadow UMC celebrated its 50th anniversary in the present building on Sept. 22. The celebration included singing by a "clergy quintet" – with current pastor Gaye King and former pastors Steve Tuck, Ken Tucker, Dwight Cagle and Walter Barton. King teased the others, saying she was a "rose among thorns."
Morristown:
Holston Home for Children is collecting Christmas wish lists from 230 children and rounding up donors to fill them. Groups and individuals may contribute $150 to sponsor a child's Christmas or do the shopping themselves. Only 30 donors have stepped up so far and the goal is to make sure every child's list is accounted for by Oct. 18. Call Betty Cook at (423) 638-4171.
Oak Ridge:
The children's committee at Central UMC in Lenoir City sponsored a Fall Festival with games, a cakewalk and dunking machine on Sept. 22. Many of the 70 kids attending were from Central, although parishioners were touched when a homeless family came by, looking for food. The family dined on free hot dogs, chips and drinks, according to church member Jodi Moody.
Tazewell:
First Honaker UMC celebrated the birthday of their oldest member, 100-year-old Margie Sword, as part of homecoming on Sept. 29. "She still plays her harmonica and is just a joy," says the Rev. Michael Ward. The worship service included special music and stories followed by dinner in the fellowship hall.
Wytheville:
Fries UMC celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 15, with the Rev. Alan Ashworth preaching. A couple of weeks later, Fries pastor Tim Worgan added another important date to his calendar: the birth of his second child, Annalise Noel, on Oct. 2.
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