District Roundup
Abingdon:
Trinity UMC in Bristol recently received the "Volunteer Literacy Award" from the Reading Council for Southwest Virginia. According to the Rev. Amy Yeary Holmes, Trinity was so honored for volunteer work at nearby Stonewall Jackson Elementary. About 15 to 20 church members tutor students at least one hour each week.
Big Stone Gap:
Jackie Gilliam, age 73, is a member of Pound UMC and operator of Pound Food Bank, a ministry begun and supported by the church. She's also the new mayor in Pound, an office she won in July after years of community work. The same month Gilliam was elected, the town opened a new park that was spearheaded by the former schoolteacher. "I don't do this by myself," she insists. "A lot of good people in Pound helped."
Chattanooga:
St. John UMC recently collected more than 100 pairs of new socks for the needy, handing them out on Oct. 26 at a local community kitchen. Parishioners quickly learned that the homeless people preferred white socks to dyed ones, says Youth Director Kathy Schmidt. Since homeless people tend to wear their socks for long periods through wet conditions, the dyes in colored socks can irritate their feet, Schmidt said.
Cleveland:
Trinity UMC in Athens recently had "Undee Sunday," collecting new underwear and socks for McMinn Ministries. Trinity Program Director Carolyn Whitaker says the countywide organization has regular clothing drives to benefit needy children.
Johnson City:
To date, members at Cherokee UMC have pledged more than $557,000 to help pay for the site where the church will relocate in 2004. The new building, a former retail space, is five times bigger than Cherokee's current facility and rests on 18 1/2 acres of land. A $157,000 grant from Holston Conference, along with the sale of the existing building, will help Cherokee pay the $1.6 million note, according to the Rev. David Woody. In addition to Cherokee's plans for expanded ministry, Cokesbury Bookstores is considering a new store on the site.
Kingsport:
First Broad Street UMC recently held its annual "Over 70 Luncheon." Staff members pitched in to act as waiters, serving turkey and dressing to 230 esteemed parishioners. A highlight, church members said, was seeing the Rev. Jack Edwards in an apron and bow tie.
Knoxville:
The pastors of Pleasant Hill and Piney Grove UMC are working together to put on "Lifewrx." Mealtime begins at 5 p.m., followed by praise and celebration at 5:45 every Sunday night at Helma's Restaurant on Asheville Highway. The music varies from bluegrass to contemporary, according to the Rev. Bill Beard. Average attendance: 25 to 30, a mix of adults and children.
Maryville:
Olav Parnamets, superintendent of the Estonian Methodist Church, was guest speaker at Broadway UMC on Oct. 27. The congregation gave an offering of about $1,150 to support the salaries of two Estonian pastors, each of whom lives on the equivalent of $95 monthly.
Morristown:
In October, an article in The Call asked churches to help fulfill the Christmas wishes of more than 200 children at Holston Home. Since then, "the phone hasn't stopped ringing" with congregations offering to help, says Betty Cook. Holston Home now hopes for donations to buy last-minute gifts for children arriving between now and Christmas. Send checks to Holston Home, Christmas Wish List, P.O. Box 188, Greeneville, TN 37744.
Oak Ridge:
Tommy Peak isn't a member at Central Lenoir City UMC, but he often played golf with church members. When Peak was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, his wish was to play golf again with his Central friends. On Oct. 19, a golf tournament raised $5,000 for Peak, who's in his late 40s. Peak wasn't well enough to play, says Central's Floyd Morton, but he enjoyed the fellowship.
Tazewell:
The Rev. Rick Franco, Pearisburg Circuit pastor, recently baptized 10 people at Big Walker Creek in Giles County. Franco was assisted by Frank Brown and the Rev. Tom Martin.
Wytheville:
"Does God answer prayers when we take out the trash?" The Rev. Curt McKee says he does. For more than four years, the Central Radford pastor prayed each time he made a trip to the dumpster. McKee asked God to make the back lot available to the church. Earlier this year, the lot's owners offered the land to Central UMC before listing it with a real-estate agent. "God has provided land which we will need and can develop for years to come," says McKee.
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