District Roundup
Abingdon: Members at State Street UMC can give to one of five missions via a “missions wreath” hanging in the narthex. Beneath the wreath are five stockings where gifts of money are collected. One stocking is for Crossroads Medical Mission. The other stockings are for Jubilee Project, Camp Ahis- tadi, a district mission trip to Costa Rica, or an agency of choice such as Salvation Army. Last year, members gave a total of $2,855 through the wreath, according to Missions Chair Marianna Harris.
Big Stone Gap: First Jonesville UMC recently collected Christmas gifts for county children whose parents are in prison. The congregation donated $480 and a group of volunteers bought and wrapped clothes and toys for a dozen children ages nine months to 12. The gifts were intended to be from the parent in prison, not the church, says Jonesville parishioner Barbara Richmond. “These children would have nothing without it.”
Chattanooga: This marks the 20th year for Tyner UMC's popular madrigal dinner. This year as in previous years, more than 500 tickets were sold out the first day they became available. Associate Pastor Brian Burch says that Tyner is known throughout the community for the three-night event, always held the first week in December. “There are folks who've been here for all 20 years.”
Cleveland: “He really is very friendly and never spits,” says Kevin Hawkins of his pet camel, Gus. The owner of a bed and breakfast, Hawkins has twiced loaned Gus to Benton UMC for a live nativity. Donkeys, goats, sheep and calves also joined the cast for the Dec. 16 event. Spectators were asked to bring new and gently used baby items for needy mothers in Polk County, according to Benton's Mary Frances Healan.
Johnson City: Sulphur Springs UMC and Gray UMC joined three other churches for “A Hometown Christmas” Dec. 11-14. More than 100 choir members and other participants from the two United Methodist congregations, as well as two local Baptist churches and a Christian church, presented a program including traditional secular music and the Christmas Story. The public was invited to the third annual event.
Kingsport: Every year, Glen Alpine UMC receives a list of needy children from nearby Sullivan Elementary School. Then the congregation sets out to provide clothing, toys, and a food basket for the kids and their families. This year, through an offering of $1,700, the church was able to provide a nice Christmas for eight families including 17 children. Administrative assistant and long-time church member Fay Davis says that sponsoring needy families at Christmas is a Glen Alpine tradition of more than 50 years.
Knoxville: On Sunday, Dec. 21, Ebenezer UMC is holding a Service of the Longest Night. “The service is designed for those persons who are grieving, living through uncertain circumstances, or just in need of tidings of comfort and joy in a dark and gloomy time,” reports the Rev. Rowland Buck. “It's held on the longest night of the year to remind us that God comes during our darkest times.” The service begins at 8 p.m.
Maryville: At Broadway UMC, a group of older adults known as FRINS (Friends, Recreation, Inspiration and Service) gather twice each month. For nearly every holiday, they create a service project benefiting nursing home residents and shut-ins. This Christmas, they decorated Pringles potato chip cans with decoupage and bows, then filled them with stacks of homemade cookies. The cookies had to be no more than two inches in diameter to fit inside the cans. The next service project is set for Valentine's Day.
Morristown: Children at Asbury UMC are collecting small gifts for residents of a nearby nursing home, then delivering them in Christmas bags on Dec. 21. Gripper socks, baby lotion, sugar-free candy and window “suncatch- ers” are among the gifts the kids hope will brighten older persons¡ò holidays, according to Children¡òs Ministry Director Sharon Nash.
Oak Ridge: Beaver Ridge UMC sponsored a “mitten tree” for Morgan-Scott Project. New mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, underclothing and socks were delivered to the mission in early December.
Tazewell: In an effort to support Virginia prison chaplains, Tazewell congregations were encouraged to order special Christmas stocking coin holders. Each stocking holds 16 quarters and goes to support Chaplain Services of the Churches of Virginia. The district also is making a contribution to the agency, reports Administrative Assistant Jamie Boone. Tazewell's own Rev. Paul Griffith is a prison chaplain at Keen Mountain Correctional Center in Oakwood.
Wytheville: A “Christmas mission board” at First Hillsville UMC teaches children in the after-school program about the value of good deeds. “The idea is to get them not to worry about the financial part of Christmas, but to extend themselves by helping others,” says Director Karen Pollard. The kids earned halos on a special bulletin board each time they shoveled snow, carried groceries, helped the pastor or did something nice for someone else.
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