Annual Conference Wrap-Up: Shared Love for Africa Triumphs over Divisions

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1 Rev. Sandra Johnson- District Superintendent MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 263 Abingdon, VA Monika Surcey - Administrative Assistant monikahunter@holston.org Jamie Boone - Administrative Assistant tdumcoffice@gmail.com JULY 2018 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 966 W. Main Street, Suite E Abingdon, VA Phone : and Annual Conference Wrap-Up: Shared Love for Africa Triumphs over Divisions By Annette Spence The Holston Annual Conference gathered June with Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor presiding at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, under the theme, Jesus is Good. 1,948 members represented Holston s 877 congregations in east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and north Georgia. The theme was lifted from a photo snapped on a recent mission trip to Uganda where Holston Conference continues its long-term relationship with 36 orphans, pastors and mission staff originally from South Sudan. In the photo, Jesus is Good is handwritten on a mud-cracked church building in Uganda where many South Sudanese refugees have fled from violence, conflict, and food shortages in their homeland. During this 2018 session, the Annual Conference gave a missions offering of $110,191 to continue providing shelter and education for Our South Sudanese Brothers and Sisters in Exile. An additional offering of $61,335 was received for the Change for Children, a fund distributed annually to aid children s ministries in Africa and Holston communities. The annual Hands-on Mission Project concluded as Bishop Taylor blessed four trucks packed with 8,586 kits, collected by local churches, valued at $215,681 and bound for Africa. The food, health, home and school supplies will support children at the Ishe Anesu Project ( in Zimbabwe and United Methodist schools in Liberia. A Service of Unity included an educational presentation by Alice Williams, member of the Commission on a Way Forward, and prayers for delegates to the special General Conference in February While a 60-member volunteer choir sang, Christ has Broken Down the Walls, a wall was dismantled, piece by piece, and rebuilt by the delegation into a table of Holy Communion. The wall-to-table visual was created by the Rev. Sarah Slack. In other actions at Annual Conference: VOTED not to purchase the $5.3 million Connexion property in Sevierville, Tennessee (771 no votes, 348 yes, 2 abstentions). INTRODUCED Holston s 16-member delegation to General Conference the same delegation elected for General Conference 2016, with the Rev. Kim Goddard as leader. APPROVED a substitute motion to the resolution Equality Through Love, instead calling for the Holston delegation to study the upcoming Council of Bishops report and legislation, and set up listening stations prior to General Conference TABLED a resolution, Towards an Inclusive Reading of the Bible, calling for full and unrestricted inclusion of gay and lesbian persons.

2 REFERRED a motion to change current restrictions and guidelines for the New Business session to the Committee on Rules and Order and to the Annual Conference Planning Committee. REFERRED a motion to provide funding for nationwide searches to hire Wesley Foundation directors to the Council on Finance and Administration. APPROVED a $9.25 million budget for 2019, which includes paying 100 percent of Holston s apportionment to the general church. APPROVED the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits report, setting 2019 rates for the local church direct invoice for health insurance at $844 per month. APPROVED the Commission on Equitable Compensation report, setting a 2% increase for minimum salary levels for clergy in CELEBRATED winners of the 5K race to benefit the missions offering for Our South Sudanese Brothers and Sisters Living in Exile : the Rev. Robert Kariuki and the Rev. Nancy Twigg. APPROVED resolutions to close St. Andrews UMC in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Bascom UMC in Lebanon, Virginia. WELCOMED Ken Howle, new executive director of Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, who responded to a request by the 2017 Annual Conference by reading a statement of apology for past racism and segregation at Lake Junaluska. WELCOMED incoming conference staff members: the Rev. Sharon Bowers, UTK Wesley Foundation director; the Rev. Tim Jones, director of communications; the Rev. Susan Groseclose, associate director of connectional ministry for discipleship; and the Rev. Kathy Heustess, executive director of Holston Center for Wellbeing. PRESENTED Denman Evangelism Awards to: Christina Trent, First Rich Creek UMC (New River District) for her work with children in an at-risk trailer park; and to the Rev. Jason McIntosh, pastor at Shady Grove UMC (Mountain View District), for leading 100 new members to the church in the last two years, including 43 by profession of faith. PRESENTED the Francis Asbury Award for higher education to Leanna Robertson Johnson, a member of Cokesbury UMC in Johnson City, Tennessee. LEARNED of a new partnership with Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, a United Methodist initiative expected to help five African-American churches in Holston become more effective in mission and ministry. LEARNED that progress has been made on the Comprehensive Strategic Plan most notably the downsizing of Holston Conference from 12 to nine districts following the plan s adoption by the Annual Conference in RECEIVED recognition for placing in the top 10 of annual conferences in giving to UMCOR. WORSHIPPED with preaching by Bishop Taylor and the Rev. Jeff Wright, Appalachian District Superintendent. WORSHIPPED with Bible teachings by the Rev. Kim Goddard, New River District Superintendent. RECEIVED a report from Del Holley, conference lay leader, and a call to prayer that we will not lose a single person following decisions of General Conference VOTED on a Constitutional Amendment dealing with women s equality, joining with other annual conferences in a denominational re-vote due to a clerical error discovered earlier this year. COMMISSIONED the Rev. Mark Hicks and Heather Hicks to serve as missionaries at the English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Prague, Czech Republic, beginning December COMMISSIONED Minta Blueberry Ray as Holston s sixth Appalachian Trail chaplain and first female chaplain. COMMISSIONED Corrina Sisk-Casson as Deaconess, following her consecration in May during the United Methodist Women s Assembly in Ohio. ORDAINED 12 elders; commissioned 7 provisional elders and 2 provisional deacons; recognized 1 associate member; licensed 15 local pastors; recognized 24 retiring clergy; and memorialized 39 deceased clergy and clergy spouses. Membership stands at 160,563, down 1,725 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 59,357, down 2,482. Church school attendance stands at 26,822, down 303. Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2017: 1,605, down 109 from Adults and young adults in small groups for 2017: 35,162, down 5,415 from July 2018 Page 2

3 DISTRICT PROPERTY FOR SALE Camp Laurel campground near Rocky Gap, Virginia acres Dining Hall, Cabins, Bathhouse, Storage Buildings, Picnic Shelter, Well, Septic, Timber $161,000. Also L-shaped tract across the road with acres and road frontage $22,000. Contact Tazewell Methodist Office at or Mark you calendars for the first ever CLINCH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT CONFERENCE Sunday, September 23, :00 PM More information TBA. TRAIN YOUR LEADER! UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION (UMVIM) TEAM LEADER TRAINING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018 Who Should Attend: UMVIM Team Leaders needing this training, and any persons interested in leading a mission team on a trip. This course provides you with the tools you will need to confidently lead a mission team from your church congregation on a successful mission trip either within the USA or throughout the world. The cost of the course is $26, which is the cost of the Team Leader Handbook you will receive at the UMVIM Team Leader Training. Location: Trinity Outreach Center Fellowship Hall 320 Robertsville Road Please bring a sack lunch. Oak Ridge, TN Please register online soon so that sufficient materials will be available. For questions regarding the event, please contact: Maxine or Bob Schultz, (865) or (865) July 2018 Page 3

4 Clinch Mountain District - Clergy Transitions 2018 Leaving Church Coming New Position Abingdon, Associate Glenn C. Patterson, Jr. Charles L. Leonard (Aldersgate) Barbara Doyle (Anderson St.) Aldersgate-Anderson Street Paul T. Griffith Rod J. Tkach Chilhowie-Seven Mile Ford Dan L. Gray Paul T. Griffith Glade Springs Circuit Donnie Lee Bailey Charge Realignment Lakeview-Grassy Creek Roger A. Carter Timothy S. Hankins Lebanon Memorial Jeffrey L. Tallent Timothy J. Best Madam Russell-Tate s Chapel Lisa Bryant Rebecca Reed Marion East Circuit Faith E. Ramer Ralph M. Kidd Pleasant View Dale M. Gilbert Laura Trent Richlands First Rod J. Tkach Mark McFadden Shady Grove Barbara A. Doyle Roger Carter (charge realignment) Sulphur Springs, Castlewood Patrick Kelly Barbara Doyle (Virginia Avenue) Three Springs-Virginia Avenue J. Steve Patterson Retirement Rebecca A. Reed Marion East Circuit 2019 Clinch Mountain Mission Kits School Kits Goal ruler 1 small calculator These School Kits will go to LIBERIA Helen Roberts-Evans Director, Department of General Education and Ministry, Liberia Conference of the UMC pk. pens (blue or black) 1 coloring book pk. pencils 1 pack erasers sheet pk. notebook paper (wide-ruled) 1 small dictionary (new or used) 1 box crayons or markers (24 ct.) 3 spiral notebooks (70 ct.) 1 pair flip flops (adult M-L size) 1 poncho (adult) This is a great time to purchase these items as stores get in their school supplies. Shop now and save. July 2018 Page 4

5 CAMP IN THE COMMUNITY Camp in the Community (CITC) is underway in the Clinch Mountain District! Elk Garden School Community Ministries hosted 37 children, 21 adult volunteers, and five Junior Counselors at CITC last week. The camp staff enjoyed accommodations at First Honaker and scrumptious dinners at Elk Garden UMC and Honaker UMC members homes. The children enjoyed arts & crafts, morning worship, Bible study, GaGa Ball and water games. We even had special visitors on Wednesday when the Belfast Volunteer Fire Department brought a fire truck for all to enjoy! Reynolds Memorial will be hosting CITC the week of July 16th. Please send us your CITC photos so we can share the blessings of this wonderful ministry! Rev. Brooke Atchley Church and Community Worker Clinch Mountain District Cooperative Ministries Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Global Ministries Missionary CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE at Elk Garden School Community Ministries Tuesdays and Thursdays in July from 10:00 AM 4:00 PM TONS of Christmas decorations, lights, dishes and much, much more at unbelievable prices! Pictures from previous sales. July 2018 Page 5

6 Nominee Name: NOMINATION FORM CLINCH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT AT-LARGE MEMBER 2019 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE - JUNE 9-12, 2019 Address: Home Phone: Work/Cell Phone: Nominee Church: Church Phone: Pastor s Signature: Please list offices/leadership positions in the local church and, if applicable, District and Conference. Information will be included on the ballot or summarized, if necessary. I would be willing to serve as an Usher/Teller at the 2019 Holston Annual Conference. Please return to: Clinch Mountain District Office P.O. Box 263 Abingdon, VA or monikahunter@holston.org Deadline: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 At-Large Members will be elected at the Clinch Mountain District Conference on September 23, The Holston Annual Conference reimburses At-Large Members housing/meal expenses up to a maximum per diem rate of $45. Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate for charitable travel. July 2018 Page 6

7 Clinch Mountain Summer Youth Gathering at Hungry Mother State Park When: Sunday, August 26 th Where: Hungry Mother State Park Fees: Parking 2854 Park Boulevard Marion, Virginia $4/car $25/bus Swimming $3/person Paddleboats / Canoes $8/hour Contact Caroline Hawthorne at caroline_hawthorne@msn.com or (423) for more information July 2018 Page 7

8 Abingdon Addilynn Memorial Aldersgate Anderson Street Beech Grove Bethany Blackwell's Chapel Booher's Chapel Brumley Gap Byars Cobbs Campground Carvosso Charles Wesley Chilhowie Crabtree Damascus Ebenezer Elizabeth Emory First UMC Bristol Grace Greendale Hunt Memorial John Wesley Laurel Springs Lebanon Memorial Lebanon, Chilhowie Lebanon, Glade Madam Russell Mahanaim Mary's Chapel Pastor Donnie Lee Bailey Pastor Steve Castle Pastor Larry Lusk Pastor Barbara Farmer Pastor Caroline Hawthorne 2018 Abingdon District Mission Kits TOTAL Health Kits Special Thank You's go to: Meadowview Mountain View, Abingdon Mountain View, Chilhowie Mt. Carmel, Marion Paperville Pleasant View, Abingdon Quarry Reynolds Memorial Rich Valley Ridgedale Roberts Chapel Seven Mile Ford Shady Grove Sinking Springs South Bristol St. Luke State Street Three Springs Trinity Union Wallace Washington Chapel Washing Springs Weaver Wesley, Saltville Wharf Hill Willis Chapel Wright's Chapel Wyndale Zion Zion Hill District Youth Leon Johnson Wesley Kidd Kathy Trask Sandy Rash Pleasant View UMC for allowing us to use their facility, again. District Superintendent Sandra Johnson also wants to give a special thank you to Monika Surcey and Jamie Boone. July 2018 Page 8

9 HELP US DISTRIBUTE THE DISTRICT NEWS! During this time of transition, we appreciate your help in sharing the news of our Clinch Mountain District. You can help in these ways: 2018 Tazewell District Mission Kits Belfast 11 Goshen 13 Midway 8 Looney's Chapel 40 Alexander 20 Main Street 15 Brown's Chapel 5 Brynes Chapel 2 Trinity 1 Mt. Zion 9 Garden 14 Shady Grove 10 Cedar Bluff 42 Shiloh 10 Ezelle 6 Wesnedonck 10 Goodman's 1 Mt. Hermon 5 Red Oak 5 Steelesburg 20 Zion 7 Narrows First 7 Clearview 15 North Tazewell 9 Dennison 13 Big Stoney 6 Dailey's Chapel 11 Edgewood 4 Burkes Garden 5 Ingram Village 4 Concord 5 Providence 6 Mt. Olivet 3 Pearisburg First 32 Ebenezer 4 Rich Creek First 21 Bailey 3 Richlands First 8 Bear Springs 5 Rocky Gap 36 Eggleston 5 Round Bottom 6 Green Valley 11 New Hope 2 Mountain View 6 Pine Grove 7 Wesley's Chapel 9 Eatons' Chapel 3 Kathleen Memorial 4 Shady Grove 10 Hoanker 13 Sheffey Memorial 10 Elk Garden 10 Virginia Avenue 1 Davis 17 Wright's Valley 5 TOTAL Thank you churches of the former Tazewell District for your generous participation in our Hands On Mission Kit Collection. You contributed 570 school kits to go to children in Liberia Missionary - Helen Roberts-Evans. I wish to say a special thank you to MEFCOR, Bluefield Tazewell Road, who has graciously donated the packing boxes for several years. This has been a big help and savings for the District and Conference. Thank you so much to Charlene Hurt, Kyle Hurt, Greg Deel and families for you generous donations. Also thank you to Rev. Zach Hash, Rev. Anthony Grills, Rev. Manny Elswick and Mr. Danny Coulthard who loaded all the boxes on the truck, and to Rev. Neal Hammons who drove the truck to Pleasant View in Wytheville and unloaded all the boxes. I really appreciate all the help and effort that everyone gave on short notice, due to unforeseen circumstances. You are the best! Blessings, Jamie Boone, Mission Kit Coordinator 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 Monika Surcey at monikahunter@holston.org, or Jamie Boone at tdumcoffice@gmail.com to provide 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 Monika or Jamie. July 2018 Page 9

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