Happy Birthday, Tennessee Valley District!

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1 Rev. Brenda Carroll - District Superintendent brendacarroll@holston.org Mary Hawkins - Administrative Assistant maryhawkins@holston.org Lori Hopper - Administrative Assistant, Editor lorihopper@holston.org MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box Knoxville, TN FEBRUARY 2019 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 5121 Camelia Road Knoxville, TN Phone : and Happy Birthday, Tennessee Valley District! Yes, we are now 1 year old! It is still new to us. Some of us are new to each other. But we are beginning to develop an identity. We are not there yet but we are on our way. It has been a challenging year, but a good year. I hope year number two will be even better. It is a challenging time in the United Methodist Church these days. I find myself wanting to claim part of that slogan often seen during December, slightly revised. Jesus is the Reason for the Church. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We have been a people called to be known by the way we love each other. And the love we have for each other is really what we have to offer the world, Christ s name. Jesus is the reason! We know that His love is not in us if we cannot love each other. What does such love look like? What is the outcome of such love in your congregation? In the Tennessee Valley District? In the denomination? I invite you to consider in all your meetings, We exist for those not here yet. So often we make decisions based on keeping us happy, rather than making decisions based on being relevant to those not here yet. I invite us to ask: How could we grow young? How could we grow diverse? How could we be church in new places for new people? How is Jesus asking us to make a difference in our community? If we spend time in conversations like these, I believe we will see the second year of the Tennessee Valley District finish with amazing stories of transformation. I am honored to journey with you! Brenda

2 News for Tennessee Valley District Clergy DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019 CONCORD UNITED METHODIST Roane Drive, Knoxville 9:00am Gather and Fellowship 9:30am Announcements 10:00am-Noon "Growing Young" Based on the book: Growing Young: Six Essential Strategies to Help Young People Discover and Love Your Church SEXUAL ETHICS TRAINING The Holston Annual Conference will be hosting a series of Sexual Ethics and Boundaries Seminars taught by United Methodist Pastor Dr. Karen McClintock. Dr. McClintock comes to us after conducting similar seminars in other annual conferences. Please note the dates and locations below. You will receive 0.5 CEU s for attendance. ATTENDANCE AT ONE OF THESE TRAININGS IS MANDATORY. Continuing Ed Available: Attend full two hours CEU's Read the book and write a paragraph response CEU's (a total of 0.5 CEU's) CONVOCATION 2019 February 18-20, 2019 Music Road Resort, Pigeon Forge REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE FEBRUARY 8! This year's theme is "The Pain & Power of Community." The current period in history seems fraught with conflict and uncertainty on all fronts, whether spiritual, social or political. As a denominational community we are not immune. The pain of dealing with a challenging environment combined with the potential power and support we can receive from our relationship with Christ, our colleagues and our congregations are the focus of this year's event. Register today at: CONVOCATION.HOLSTON.ORG Tuesday, April 30 - Ootlewah UMC 9:30am-4:00pm Thursday, May 2 - First Farragut UMC 9:30am-4:00pm Saturday, May 4 - Colonial Heights UMC (Kingsport) 10:00am-5:00pm Monday, May 6 - State Street UMC (Bristol) 9:30am-4:00pm Wednesday, May 8 - St. Paul UMC (Wytheville) 9:30am-4:00pm Online registration will be available soon. CEU NEWS For the latest continuing education news and from the Wesley Leadership Institute, please visit: id=ca0f68db1806d14fc837d5d29114f52c sueweber@holston.org Phone: Website: Wesley Leadership Institute February 2019 Page 2

3 Mark your calendars to attend! Tennessee Valley District Special General Conference Debriefing Powell United Methodist Church 323 W. Emory Road, Powell Join the District on Sunday, March 3 at 3:00pm for a time of worship and a debriefing following the Special Session of General Conference. SPECIAL SESSION OF GENERAL CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 23-26, 2019 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI Sixteen people will represent Holston Conference at a highly anticipated meeting of United Methodist leaders in February Elected at our Annual Conference 2015, the Holston Conference delegation will join other delegates participating in a Special Session of General Confer ence, to be held February in St. Louis, Missouri. The total number of delegates participating in the Special Session from all over the world -- is 864. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, typically meeting every four years. At the request of General Conference 2016, the Council of Bishops set a plan for addressing the overwhelming number of proposals related to same-sex marriage, the ordination of gay clergy, and related topics. The bishops subsequently created the Commission on a Way Forward and set a Special Session of General Conference in Contact the Delegation As we approach General Conference, our delegates are eager to hear from you. If you have a specific question, not answered in the FAQ's, or would like to make a comment, please them at delegation@holston.org. HOLSTON GC FAQ's Do you have questions about what is going on? Click here our most frequently asked questions about General Conference: resource/gc_2019_faqs2019_01_21.pdf Sign up to receive General Conference News HOLSTON.ORG/GC2019 February 2019 Page 3

4 ALL MEN IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY DISTRICT ARE INVITED! JUBILATION 2019 May 6-8, 2019 MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge Register today for Jubilation - A retreat for adults (50+) who desire to explore and enhance their relationship with Christ. We all have been richly blessed! Join us at Jubilation 2019 as we explore ways that we are more than our memories. Bishop Ken Carder will share ways to understand persons with dementia and as a congregation, to care for those persons and their families. We will also enjoy entertainment from Rev. Brad Hyde (aka Forrest Gump) and Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier Band as well as optional workshops on gardening, financial planning, mental aerobics, and music. You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2 For a complete schedule and registration information, please visit: Jubilation.holston.org LAY SERVANT TRAININGS ACROSS HOLSTON Lay Servant Trainings are scheduled in the THREE RIVERS DISTRICT & CLINCH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT in March. A Certified Lay Minister class is forming in Morristown beginning with a February 23 orientation. Information on all these courses is available from the Tennessee Valley District Office. CLINCH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT LAY SERVANT TRAINING Saturday, March 16, :00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Pleasant View UMC Abingdon, VA THREE RIVERS DISTRICT LAY SERVANT TRAINING Saturday, March 9, :30 a.m. 4:30pm Gray United Methodist Gray, TN CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER TRAINING MOUNTAIN VIEW DISTRICT Trinity United Methodist Church Morristown, TN Orientation (no fee come explore): February 23, 9 am to noon Planned classes; one course module per class: March 2 & 16 and April 6 & am - noon February 2019 Page 4

5 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 9-12, 2019 Lake Junaluska, NC NOMINATIONS FOR DELEGATES TO GENERAL AND JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE 2020 One of the main items of business during the 2019 annual conference session will be the election of delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences Laypersons who desire to be nominees for election to the General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation should complete the on-line nomination form on the Holston Conference website ( about/annual-conference/) so that their biographical information can be printed in the Book of Reports. The deadline for completing the on-line nomination process is February 15. The nomination webpage includes information regarding eligibility for election, the nomination process, and time and financial commitments for members of the delegation. If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Conference Lay Leader Del Holley or your District Lay Leader. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 UPDATE Pre-registration for Annual Conference has been eliminated. Local Church Lay Members and At-Large Members to Annual Conference, please make sure your address, phone # and are updated at the District Office to avoid delays. Housing The housing lottery for reservations at Lake Junaluska is open February 4 through March 1. You can enter the lottery by following the link provided on ac.holston.org. If you require a paper copy for housing lottery you must contact Lake Junaluska at before March 1. Book of Reports Deadline to order the 2019 Book of Reports is April 1, To order a printed copy of the Book of Reports for $15.00, click here. A free downloadable version of the Book of Reports will be available in May. Childcare Camp in the Community will be in charge of childcare during this year s Annual Conference. A link will be provided at ac.holston.org to register children. If you need a paper copy, please contact the conference office to have one mailed to you. Resolutions and petitions should be in the hands of the conference secretary in written form, signed by the author(s), with contact information, by March 1, Change for Children Grant Applications Due February 15, 2019 For information and application, visit Date & Location for delivering this year s Hands-On Mission Kits TBA (projected first week of June) February 2019 Page 5

6 MORGAN SCOTT PROJECT NAMES A NEW DIRECTOR Morgan Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns has named a new director with the retirement of Ella Smith. We are thankful for the compassion and dedication Ella brought to the mission during her tenure as director and honored that she will continue to be a part of Morgan Scott as a volunteer. Crystal Tompkins has been named the newest executive director of Morgan Scott Project. Crystal has a bachelor s degree in Multi- Disciplinary Studies. She lives in Deer Lodge, only a few miles from the office, with her husband Bobby. They have two children Jessie and Justin, both of whom are in college. Crystal is no stranger to Morgan Scott Project as she has been a part of the mission for many years in several different roles. Crystal has been a volunteer, support staff in summers, and the assistant director. She is looking forward to helping those in need in Morgan and Scott counties. JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS St. Mark UMC in Clinton seeks part-time Youth Director to provide guidance, discipleship, and programming for grades Hours required: up to 15 per week. Preference is for candidates to be 23 or older. resume and cover letter to st_mark@comcast.net or mail to: St. Mark UMC, Attn: SPRC, 252 N. Main Street, Clinton, TN Bearden United Methodist Church seeks a Director of DHS licensed Christian childcare center. Must have childcare experience, ideally 3+ years as a director and have a good working knowledge of Tennessee DHS licensing laws. We off an early enrichment program for infants through pre-k children, as well as an after school program for elementary school children. Education- Associate Degree or higher. License F endorsement preferred. Please send resume and references to: info@beardenumc.org. Morgan Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns is a non-profit serving needs of elderly, disabled, and unemployed of Scott and Morgan Counties, Tennessee. FOUNTAIN CITY UMC PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION 2019/20 FCUMC Preschool will register for the school year 2019/20 beginning February 25. FCUMC members are guaranteed a place in the program if they register this week! If you would like to enroll your child (ages 6 months pre-k), please come to the Preschool office during office hours Monday- Friday (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). The registration fee is $50 ($80 if you need to purchase a rest mat). If you have questions, please contact Susan Todd at (865) or by at susan.todd@fountaincityumc.org. February 2019 Page 6

7 Mark your calendars for these upcoming Wesley House events! TABLESCAPES Saturday, March 30 Cokesbury UMC North Campus Doors Open at 10:30 a.m. Table Sponsorship: $335 or $125 Individual Tickets: $30 Wesley House Golf Tournament Saturday, April 6 (Rain Date: April 27) Egwani Farms Golf Course Shotgun Start at 8:30 a.m. $100 per player (4 person teams) Wesley House Friends and Donors Breakfast Friday, July 19 Location: TBA Doors Open at 6:45 a.m. Free to all guests. UnMask the Future Masquerade Ball Friday, September 13 The Mill and Mine 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. VIP Tables (10 Guests): $400 Individual Tickets: $ Summer Youth Events at Lake Junaluska Bring your youth group to Lake Junaluska this summer for worship, spiritual growth and adventure in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Every event includes energized worship with great speakers and bands, small groups, vespers and workshops. Youth also can choose to participate in mission projects and recreational activities such as rafting, ziplining or swimming. Find more information at Dates: Event 1: June Rev. Andy Lambert with Jimmy Atkins and the Light Em Ups and a talent show, outdoor movie and Sunday morning worship in Stuart Auditorium Event 2: June Rev. Juan Huertas with Abbye West Pates and a talent show Event 3: June Guest speaker Stephanie Caro with Abbye West Pates and a talent show and outdoor movie Event 4: June Rev. Janjay Innis with Zachariah Suggs and illusionist Josh Lozoff Event 5: June 30-July 3 Rev. Jeremy Steele with Zachariah Suggs and illusionist Josh Lozoff Event 6: July Rev. Kevin Wright with Jimmy Atkins and the Light Em Ups and a talent show and comedian February 2019 Page 7

8 SMOKY MOUNTAIN EMMAUS COMMUNITY Since 1993, the Smoky Mountain Emmaus Community has been conducting three-day retreats for men, women, and teens to offer today's believers an opportunity to rediscover Christ's presence in their lives. They also provide a fresh understanding of God's transforming grace, and help form friendships that foster faith and support spiritual maturity. The retreat for adults is called a Walk to Emmaus and gets its name from the story in Luke 24:13-35, which provides the central image for the three-day experience. In the story, the two disciples' sadness and hopelessness blinded them from seeing God's redemptive purpose in things that had happened to Jesus. After explaining to them the meaning of all the scriptures concerning his ministry, Jesus shared a meal with them, which opened their eyes to the risen Lord. Within the hour, the two disciples left Emmaus and returned immediately to their friends in Jerusalem to describe their encounter with him. Where are you on your faith journey? Would you recognize Jesus on the path you are on? The Walk to Emmaus will give you a new perspective on your spiritual life. You will discover that Christianity is about loving relationships and you will experience God s grace and love through other believers. Talks by clergy and laity along with singing, praying, worshipping, and reflection will restore and renew your faith and put you on the path toward becoming a true disciple of our Lord Jesus. The youth version of the Walk to Emmaus is called Chrysalis for those aged 15 to 18. Chrysalis is the growth stage between caterpillars and butterflies and the name symbolizes the growth of faith in the lives of youth, the spiritual growth that is necessary between adolescence and adulthood. It is a crucial time in a maturing faith for discipleship. The focus of Chrysalis is commitment to Jesus Christ through the local church. The talks focus on the needs of maturing youth and offer the message of the Gospel and the friendship and example of Jesus. Through talks, discussion, and reflection, participants will explore how this friendship with Jesus can help them live their faith with family, friends, and community. We need participants for the Emmaus walk and for the Chrysalis flight this year. If you are a Christian and attend a local church of any denomination, you may apply. The schedule for the events in 2019 are: Chrysalis flight: February 16th 18 th Men s spring Emmaus walk: March 14 th 17 th Women s spring Emmaus walk: April 25 th - 28 th Men s fall Emmaus walk: September 12 th 15 th Women s fall Emmaus walk: November 7 th 10 th If you would like to apply, want more information or are willing to be a sponsor visit our website at -Submitted by Todd Fisher Holston Conference Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation July 14-19, 2019 Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia God with Us: Age to Age Loving and Praying Through All of Our Days For registration and more information, click here: Academy for Spiritual Formation February 2019 Page 8

9 LAY SERVANT TRAINING Three Rivers District March 9 - Gray, TN Three Rivers District Office 110 Mary St., Johnson City, TN Tel. (423) The Three Rivers District lay servant training event for spring 2019 will be held at Gray United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. If this is your first formal training, please enroll in the basic course. Current requirements for lay servants/ certified lay speakers are on back. Mail Registration Fee of $25.00 (not including cost of textbooks, if any) to address above by Monday, February 25 (if later, please call before mailing) Make check to Three Rivers District UMC (NOTE Lay Servant Training ); Lunch will NOT be provided; several off-site restaurants nearby Textbooks may be ordered online directly from Cokesbury.com Tel. (800) a.m. 6p.m. for an additional $3.95 shipping charge some, not all, may ship free or from Bookstore.UpperRoom.org For e-book availability, i.e. Nook, Kindle check Amazon.com or Nook.com YOU are responsible for securing needed text be sure to order early!! Lay Servant Ministries The Basic Course: Teacher: Emily Harding; Text: Lay Servant Ministries: Basic Course Participants Guide ISBN Cokesbury $7.48 United Methodist Heritage: Teacher: Randall Wright; Text: Kenneth L. Carder, Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way ISBN Cokesbury $9.10 Spiritual Gifts: Teacher: Michael Vaughn; Text: Bill Carter, Each One a Minister ISBN Cokesbury $14.00 or Amazon.com $12.85 Conflict Resolution in the Local Congregation: (Advanced refresher course does not count toward lay speaker certification) Teacher: Scott Brady -- Text: Regina Allen The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation, DR $25.00 Sermon Construction and Presentation Strategies (Advanced refresher course does not count toward lay speaker certification) Teacher: Amy Blumberg -- Text: Tony Franks and David Carroll, Delivering an Effective Sermon, DR $ Detach Here Name Church District Address Home Tel. Mobile/Work Tel. (if ok to call) Course desired February 2019 Page 9

10 UMW MEET & GREET Sunday, February 10 TIME: 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. WHERE: Beaver Ridge UMC 7753 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville Do you have a question about UMW or our new district? Do you wonder what other units are doing? Come together on Feb. 10 to ask questions and exchange ideas. Even if your church does not have an active UMW unit, WE INVITE YOU TO CONNECT WITH US! Tennessee Valley District United Methodist Women 2019 Calendar of Events February 10 March 12 March 23 April 13 May June 9-12 July August 10 September 20 September October 5 November 9 District Meet & Greet, Beaver Ridge UMC, Knoxville, 3-5 p.m. Call to Prayer and Self Denial, Church Street UMC, 11 a.m., all are invited 150th Anniversary Celebration TBA Time Apart, Location TBA, 9 a.m.-noon RISE Conference Mission Event, MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge Holston Annual Conference, Lake Junaluska, NC Holston Conference Mission u, Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA Social Action Workshop, Location TBA Treasurer Officer Training, Location TBA Spiritual Enrichment/Annual Meeting/District Officer Training, Location TBA Mujeres en Accion (Women in Action) Event, Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA District Annual Meeting, TBA FAITH HOPE LOVE in ACTION HELP US DISTRIBUTE THE DISTRICT NEWS! You can help share the news from the Tennessee Valley in these ways: Please forward, print, share and distribute this issue of the District News with members and friends of your congregations. If you know anyone who would like to be added to our newsletter distribution list, please contact Lori Hopper (lorihopper@holston.org) or Mary Hawkins (maryhawkins@holston.org) providing a name and address. If you would like to submit an article or have an event you would like published in the district newsletter, please submit to: lorihopper@holston.org February 2019 Page 10