School of Christian Mission

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1 School of Christian Mission Holston Conference United Methodist Women July 26 28, 2012 Information Inside: Mission Studies 2-3 Study Leaders 4-6 Music Leaders 7 Schools of 8 Christian Mission Schedule 9 Registration That All May Have Life In John 10:10, Jesus proclaims I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly (NRSV). Fullness of life for all is possible when we as people of Christ challenge and change systems that oppress and impede; welcome and fully embrace the stranger, the immigrant, the marginalized; advocate for the least and the lost, and partner with others to restore and rebuild lives and communities. School of Christian Mission State Street UMC 300 W. Valley Dr. Bristol, VA Phone: (276) Wheelchair accessible I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. ~ John 10:10 Because of God s love and grace, Jesus came to earth to give each of us a life of unimaginable abundance if we choose to accept it. The artwork above symbolizes that gift by overlapping the tree of life with the cross and crown of thorns. ~ Lynne W. Griffey, 2012 As people of Christ, let us change what needs to be changed, say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done and love as Christ would have us love so that all may have life and have it more abundantly. The School of Christian Mission is for everyone -- women, men, youth, children, laity, clergy -- You! SOCM is where persons of all ages come together to grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context through study, fellowship, worship and fun. SCHOOL OFFERS 1.5 CEU S TO CLERGY, AND CERTIFICATION FOR ADVANCED LAY SPEAKERS. Registration deadline is July 12, No on-site registrations. If pre-registered, childcare is available for ages up to 5 years of age.

2 Page 2 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Mission Studies Haiti: Challenges and Hope taught by Gail Beisiegel This repeat study offers an overview of the cultures that shaped Haiti s past and the ongoing legacy of colonialism, along with glimpses into the heart and soul of Haiti s people. The mission study also includes the impact of the devastating January 12th earthquake in Although most of the study focuses on the avenues available for those wishing to help the people of Haiti rebuild, its approach and perspective go well beyond the immediate need of recovery from the earthquake. The author lays out the need for developing a theology of liberation for Haiti. Central to Rev. Dr. Pierre s thesis is his insistence that mission must be aligned with the concept of partnership, stating The primary purpose of this endeavor is to encourage on-going exchanges of cultural understanding, mutual respect, and mission partnership between the people of the United Methodist Church and the people of God in Haiti. Most significantly, while the mission study never minimizes the impact of colonialism or the earthquake, it offers readers hope for Haiti s future. Cultural understanding, mutual respect and mission partnership Immigration and the Bible taught by Gordon Goodgame, James Dougherty, Mike Eastridge, Arturo Reyna This study shares the story of the Bible as a narrative of immigrants and migration. Exploring the Biblical and theological understandings of immigration, immigrants, and migrants, this study seeks to enable the participants to examine what it is to be a sojourner and to live into the Biblical mandate of hospitality for the stranger and aliens in our midst. The study seeks to equip participants to see the Bible as the ultimate immigration handbook in responding to the immigrants. The Bible was written by, for, and about migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. It gives directions for responding to sisters and brothers, from around the world, who come to a land seeking safety, sanctuary, and sustenance. It is also the book many of our ancestors used to help them survive the stress and strain of integrating into a new country. The Bible offers guidance and direction for persons who migrate or immigrate by choice and for persons who flee because of devastation and destruction through violence or natural disasters. The study engages participants in the on-going ministries of the United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church and encourages development of emerging ministries with the sojourners of today. Key examples of ministries are lifted up including the service and advocacy work of the United Methodist Women with the immigrants and Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) developed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. In the contemporary context of immigration and migration, the study raises once again the question of Luke 10:29, Who is my neighbor?

3 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Page 3 Poverty taught by Randy Frye and Nancy Hobbs Our Christian faith invites each of us and our faith communities to become agents of God s compassion and healing in a wounded world. Poverty is a human rights issue with grave impact on women and children. This mission study on poverty is designed to help participants recognize and claim for themselves the connections between Scripture, church tradition, compassion for the poor, social outreach, and social justice. As cited by Dr. Pamela Couture, biblical passages have reminded Christians of their responsibility for poverty; the Wesleyan movement embraced this concern by creating community centers where destitute people could access education, medical care or employment. Members of United Methodist Women and its predecessor organizations have continued this heritage and have documented poverty and responded to the poor where they exist. Stories of those living in poverty and multiple and diverse examples of encounters between middle-class Christians and the poor are woven throughout the study. Participants in the study will engage in deepening their understanding of the realities of poverty and be invited to commit to solidarity with the poor through accompaniment and advocacy. Children s Study on Poverty Study taught by: Nancy Hickman-Bollinger The children's study parallels adult studies to create an intergeneration program. The study is titled "The Girl Under the Bridge: Stories of Poverty and Hope for Children." Study is for children ages If pre-registered, childcare is available for ages up to 5 years of age

4 Page 4 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Our Study Leaders Nancy Hobbs is a retired Commissioned Missionary, Big Stone Gap District. She holds a BS and MS from Virginia Tech and has completed Foundation Studies with the United Theological Seminary. She has held various positions within the Lee County, Virginia School Systems to include Social Worker, Home Economics Teacher and Head Start Teacher. Nancy and husband Larry, who retired after 30 years of teaching marketing, live near Pennington Gap. Their son, Lucas, is an attorney in Bristol, Virginia. Nancy has been active in United Methodist Women for nearly 40 years and before ordination, she held offices on both the local and district level. Randy Frye is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee (Bachelor of Science 1978), Asbury Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity 1981), and Drew University (Doctor of Ministry 1989). He was ordained as an Elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1983 and has served churches in Virginia and Tennessee since In June 2005 Randy was appointed as the District Superintendent of the Johnson City District where he now oversees the work of 66 United Methodist Churches in Washington, Carter, and Unicoi counties as well as parts of Sullivan and Greene Counties. In addition to his pastoral work, Randy is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary in Tallinn, Estonia, Camp Wesley in Latvia, and Remember the Children in Oradea, Romania. He has produced 28 video projects for missions around the world and led Volunteer in Mission Teams to countries in Europe, Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Randy has also been a delegate to two General Conferences of the United Methodist Church and to three of the UMC s Southeast Jurisdictional Conferences. Since the beginning of the Johnson City-Czech Republic partnership, Randy has led eight mission teams to that area. Randy is married to Vicki, a Physical Therapist Assistant, and they have two children: Erin, a 2007 graduate of the University of Tennessee who currently works in Charlotte, NC; and Will, a 2009 graduate of Milligan College and currently a graduate student at Auburn University. Gail Beiseigler, having been called into mission as a teenager, has spent her life in training through a BA in music and two Master's Degrees, an MA in musicology and an M.Ed. in math and science. Teaching public school for 35 years, she directed choral groups for ten years and taught elementary and middle school science for the remainder of her career. She taught in a hands-on math-science center and served as a curriculum coordinator for adults. Upon her retirement God's call re-surfaced. Along with her husband, Al, they have been in mission to Haiti for nine years. During this time, Gail and a friend were awarded a $10,000 grant for educational materials in order to train and equip teachers at Lekol sen Trinite, a school for the poorest, in Jacmel, Haiti. They spent six weeks instructing and working with the teachers. Al and Gail lived in Haiti during They taught English as a Second Language. Learning Kreyol, she also taught elementary hands-on science and directed choral groups. Gail and her Kreyol teacher translated thirteen science experiments into Kreyol. Al prepared booklets for the faculty and staff. In 2010 they became earthquake survivors as a seven story building collapsed on them. God is good, and has taken care of them every step of the way as well as their family of a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren!

5 Page 5 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Our Study Leaders Continued James Dougherty was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Fulton High School, Emory and Henry College, and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Emory University, concentrating in the Theology of Mission. James retired from Holston Conference in 2004 after serving 40 years as a pastor in the New York and Holston Conferences. He has led short-term volunteer mission teams to Mexico for 34 years. This past March, Dr. Paul Brown, Rev. Marta Cogburn, and Jim led another mission team to a medical clinic serving indigenous peoples in the northern mountains of the state of Puebla, Mexico. Presently he is chair of the Holston Conference Hispanic/Latino Ministries Team. Jim and his wife, Betty, attend Fountain City United Methodist Church in Knoxville, where they teach Sunday School and Disciple Bible Studies. The Reverend Dr. Gordon Goodgame is a retired member of Holston Conference having served churches in Knoxville, Kingston, Pulaski (VA), Oak Ridge and Chattanooga and as Director of the Holston Conference Council on Ministries. He retired as Executive Director of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Administrative Council and has since been interim pastor in six Holston churches. A graduate of UTK and Emory University, he holds masters and doctoral degrees from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Gordon has taught in over 20 conference and regional schools of Christian mission, was a Director of the General Board of Global Ministries (member of Women s Division and Finance chair of the World Division) and the General Council on Ministries where he was vice-chair of THE ADVANCE. He has served as a Short Term Volunteer and Mission Advocate in Haiti, Belize, Russia, and Sweden. Gordon was elected a Delegate to six General and eight Jurisdictional conferences. Dianne, a retired guidance counselor, and Gordon celebrated their 50 th anniversary last July and are parents of three children and 5 grandchildren. Residents of Lake Junaluska, they are active in church and community where Gordon has chaired the County Walk to End Alzheimer s, is a director of Givens Estates (United Methodist retirement center), as well as in Rotary, United Way and other serving groups. Mike Eastridge received undergraduate degrees from Emory University in Atlanta, a Master of Science degree from The University of Tennessee and previously practiced law in the Tri-Cities area after earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in In 2003, Eastridge attended The Hague Academy of International Law in The Netherlands and is a member of L Association des Auditeurs et Anciens Auditerus de l Academie de droit International de La Haye as well as the International Law Section of the American Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia and is admitted to the Sixth and Fourth Circuits of the United States Courts of Appeal and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Eastridge is also the founder and director of The International Interfaith Accompaniment Program, a non-profit organization engaged in international transitional justice initiatives in African states emerging from prolonged conflict. Mr. Eastridge began his association with Hunter, Smith & Davis after having recently practiced in the Atlanta office of a large Los Angeles-based law firm with a strong immigration practice. Eastridge worked in the firm s Immigration Department where he focused on the preparation of employer-based non-immigrant visas for its national and multinational corporate clients.

6 Page 6 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Our Study Leaders Continued PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE Arturo Reyna was born and raised in Mexico until the age of nine years. He moved to the United States at nine with his parents; became a U.S. citizen in 1998, and entered into the United Methodist Church at the age of 26. After serving two years as Lay Leader at West Galax United Methodist Church, he was called to work as a full time Hispanic pastor for the Hispanic ministry there. He was the first Hispanic pastor in Holston Conference to work with the first Hispanic ministry in Holston Conference. Arturo served in this church for ten years before the conference moved him to Morristown, Tennessee. When Arturo and his family moved to Morristown, Tennessee, they did so to establish a new Hispanic church and currently pastor its congregation of 60 people. They also pioneered a second Hispanic ministry in Greenville, Tennessee, where they now have 40 people in attendance. Arturo is the Director of Hispanic Ministries in Holston Conference and the pastor of two growing churches. To God be the Glory for ever, he says. Nancy Hickman-Bollinger received her B.A. from King College, M.A. and Ed.D. from East Tennessee State University. She is retired from the Bristol, Tennessee School System where she served in the office of Administration for 27 years. Later, she taught in the graduate program at ETSU and continued consultant work for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for 5 years. In recent years, Nancy served as Vice President of Holston Conference United Methodist Women, and as Social Action Coordinator and President of the Kingsport District United Methodist Women. She is currently a volunteer for Hospice and has served in many outreach programs of the local church. Nancy is a member of the Cassidy United Methodist Church where she serves as Lay Leader. A converted Baptist, she has been a member of the United Methodist Church since Nancy, a newly wed (February 18, 2012) to Lawrence A. Bollinger, retired engineer, says, I truly believe in the work of United Methodist Women and shout its many missions at every opportunity. I m excited that I will have an opportunity to work with children at the School of Christian Mission as we explore poverty s role and effect on children throughout the world and seek ways we as children of God can minister to those who need our help. State Street United Methodist Church Bristol, Virginia Celebrating the faith, strengthening the family, serving the community in the name of Christ!

7 Page 7 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Our Music Leaders Judith Bays earned her bachelor s degree in music education with a major in vocal performance at East Tennessee State University and her Master of Music and Master of Educational Leadership and Supervision from the University of Florida. She has served as a Director of Music at Wesley United Methodist Church in Greeneville, Tennessee, Youth Director and Hand Bell Director at Eustis United Methodist Church in Eustis, Florida, and for the past 12 years as Director of Music at Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church in Bristol, Tennessee. Mrs. Bays has worked as a recording studio musician, guest soloist, Opera principal and a member of The Voices of Liberty ensemble at Walt Disney World. She has been employed as an adjunct instructor at various colleges throughout the South and is currently serving her 24 th year teaching music in the public schools. Judith has been active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for various denominational and civic organizations. She has also been an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, MENC, and the National Association of Church Musicians. Married 32 years, Judith has two daughters. Deata Trent Reed serves as Adjunct Instructor in the Music Department at the University of Virginia s College at Wise, accompanying choral, vocal, and instrumental classes and is currently the pianist/accompanist at Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church in Bristol, TN. She has performed with the Kingsport Symphony and in the orchestras of the musicals Secret Garden and Into the Woods. She has taught private piano lessons for the past 27 years and has been playing the piano in church since she was 10. Deata attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from the University of Virginia s College at Wise (but she is still an avid Wildcat fan!). She is married to the Rev. Tom Reed and is the mother of Natalie McConnell of Abingdon and Charles McConnell of Wise.

8 Page 8 School of Christian Mission, 2012 State Street UMC Bristol, VA SCHOOLS OF CHRISTIAN MISSION Schools of Christian Mission provide opportunities for persons to grow in understanding of the mission of the church in the current world context as well as initiate opportunities for spiritual and educational experiences. The time is spent in worship and in-depth study with music, prayer, sharing, exploring and much food for the body and the soul. It is a time-away for families, adults, youth and children of all ages. Participation is especially recommended for Pastors, United Methodist Men and Women, Lay Speakers, as well as members of Mission and Nurture, Outreach and Witness Committees. Dean of the School: Nyoka Holder 130 Beryl Blevins Road Elizabethton, TN nokiholder@yahoo.com Assistant Dean: Teddy Stevens 337 Kings Road Piney Flats, TN teddystevens@charter.net

9 Page 9 School of Christian Mission, 2012 Tentative Schedule 2012 School of Christian Mission S C H E D U L E, July 26 28, 2012 THURSDAY LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 12:30 PM Plenary I Practice 1:00 1:45 PM Registration 1:00 1:40 PM Prayer Room/Program Resources 1:15 1:45 PM FIRST TIMER S Orientation 1:45 2:00 PM Song Fest 2:00 3:15 PM PLENARY I 3:30 5:30 PM FIRST CLASS SESSION 5:30 6:30 PM DINNER 6:30 7:30 PM Program Resources Open Plenary II & III Practice Mission Set-Up BREAKFAST ON YOUR OWN FRIDAY 9:00 9:15 AM Song Fest 9:30 12:00 NOON II CLASS SESSION 12:00 1:00 PM LUNCH 1:00 1:15 PM Song Fest 1:15 2:15 PM PLENARY II 2:30 5:15 PM III CLASS SESSION 5:15 6:15 PM DINNER 6:20 7:15 PM Mission Project Representative from Henderson Settlement 7:30 PM Evaluation Meeting Study Leaders/Committee BREAKFAST ON YOUR OWN SATURDAY 9:00 11:00 AM IV CLASS SESSION 11:15 11:30 AM Song Fest 11:30 AM PLENARY III

10 Holston Conference School of Christian Mission - July 26 28, 2012 LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS RESERVATION REQUEST FORM Participants may make room reservations with Holston Conference United Methodist Women, at group rates at the following facility: The Comfort Inn Bristol, 2368 Lee Highway, Bristol Virginia Room rates are $84.36 single, $42.18 double, $28.12 triple, and $ quadruple. Cost includes tax. Your payment must accompany this request in the form of a check sorry, no credit cards. Roommates may pay separately; please mail forms/payments together if possible. Reservations will be accepted until July 12th or until rooms run out, whichever occurs first. You may contact Karen Adair, Conference Treasurer, at , or her at karahiker@gmail.com if you have questions about room reservations. Please make a copy of this form for your records. Name: Phone: Address: Address: Street City State Zip Are you a District Officer? Yes No Are you a Conference Officer? Yes No If yes, which District and Office? I will make my own arrangements and will commute. Please reserve my room at the Comfort Inn Thursday Night Friday Night Please assign a roommate my roommate will be: She/he/they will or will not register as a SOCM participant. Total Payment enclosed: $ The Comfort Inn Bristol is located on I-81, at Exit 5. Each room has two double beds (sleeps up to four), with the following amenities: free hot breakfast, iron/iron boards, in-room coffee service, seasonal outdoor pool, wireless high speed internet access, in-room hair dryer/safe box, and in-room refrigerators/microwaves.

11 Holston Conference School of Christian Mission July 26-28, 2012 State Street United Methodist Church, Bristol, Virginia There will be no on-site registrations Name: Phone: First Time Attendee? Yes No Address: Street City State Zip I Am A Conference Officer: Yes No I Am A District Officer: Yes No Church: District: Clergy Lay Address: Clergy Only Yes, I want CEU credit (1.5 CEU s if all classes are attended). Lay Speakers Only Yes, I want certification/re-certification Lay Speaker Credit. Special Needs (wheel chair, difficulty walking, etc.) Please indicate: Dietary Needs: Diabetic Gluten Vegetarian Other In case of emergency, please contact: Phone: Names/ages of children, ages two to five years, attending with you for whom you need childcare : Spiritual Growth Immigration and the Bible Gordon Goodgame James Dougherty Mike Eastridge/Arturo Reyna Geographic Haiti: Challenge and Hope Gayle Beiseigler Social Issue Poverty: Nancy Hobbs and Randy Frye Children s Study: Poverty Nancy Hickman-Bollinger Names/ages of children attending the Children s Study: Names of persons who need to be assigned to the same class (registrations must be mailed in the same envelope) Register Early to get the course of study you most desire courses are assigned in the order they are received. First come, first served. Please select your course by indicating (1) for first choice, (2) for second choice, and (3) for third choice. Early Registration is important. If your registration is postmarked on or before July 12th, the preregistration fee is $45.00 for each adult and $25.00 for each child (ages 6 to 12) attending the children s study. There will be no on-site registrations. Late registrations received by the registrar after July 12th, but prior to July 19th will be accepted but must pay the late registration fee of $50.00 for each adult. If the registration fee for a child is postmarked after July 12th, prior to July 19th, the registration fee will be $ Childcare is provided for up to 5 years of age only if your child is pre-registered. Make checks payable to Holston Conference United Methodist Women. Mail completed form with payment to: Glenda Eastridge, Registrar, 1722 Ramsay Street, Alcoa, TN

12 Holston Conference United Methodist Women SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION 310 Gilley Avenue E. Big Stone Gap, VA Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Jefferson City, TN Permit No School of Christian Mission 2012 State Street United Methodist Church, 300 Valley Drive, Bristol, Virginia DRIVING DIRECTIONS From Kingsport, TN Take Interstate 81 north to Virginia Exit 5. Turn right onto Hwy 11 (also called Lee Highway) heading south into Bristol. Travel about one mile to the first traffic signal which is Valley Drive. Turn right onto West Valley Drive. You will quickly be able to see State Street United Methodist Church straight ahead. You can turn right at Long Crescent Drive to access the large rear parking lot. From Johnson City, TN Take Highway 19/11E into Bristol, which becomes the Volunteer Parkway once in the city limits. Continue on the Volunteer Parkway, cross over State Street and into the Virginia side of Bristol. The road becomes Commonwealth Avenue. Continue on to the next traffic signal which will be Euclid Avenue. Turn right onto Euclid Avenue, a divided street. Proceed to the next traffic signal, which will be Piedmont Ave. Take a left on Piedmont, and continue straight at the 4-way stop, at which point the road becomes West Valley Drive. Continue down the hill and around the bend, and State Street United Methodist Church will appear on your left. Virginia High School will be on your right. You can turn left at Long Crescent Drive to access the large rear parking lot. From Abingdon, VA... Take Interstate 81 south to Exit 5. Turn left onto Highway 11 (also called Lee Highway) heading south into Bristol. Travel about one mile until you come to a traffic signal, which is Valley Drive. Turn right onto West Valley Drive. State Street United Methodist Church will be immediately ahead of you. You can turn right at Long Crescent Drive to enter the large rear parking lot.