The Hope of the World

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 26384 Knoxville, TN 37912 APRIL 2019 PHYSICAL ADDRESS 5121 Camelia Road Knoxville, TN 37912 Phone : 865.470.7005 and 865.482.3209 The Hope of the World I miss being in the local church during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter for purely selfish reasons. As I studied for sermons, I cared for my own faith journey the call to repentance., the propensity of disciples (myself) to misunderstand, the courage of Jesus in contrast to the disciples (my) lack of courage confession forgiveness injustice of the systems blindness of people (myself), fickleness of people (myself). And the ultimate victory of life over death. Oh how I love those Easter morning images: Empty Tomb, Risen Lord, Go and Tell! It was not instantaneous, but happened gradually, the reclaiming of Easter hope after Good Friday hopelessness. Just as the early followers of Jesus gradually began to realize that the Risen Christ is with us, and that changes EVERYTHING, our individual hearts and our congregations need that realization. Legislative meetings are not the hope of the world. Clergy changes are not the hope of the world. Our own opinions are not the hope of the world. Jesus is the hope of the world the Risen Lord forgiving, redeeming, healing, meeting us in unexpected times and places, showing us that we are loved, showing us how to love. I need the confession and pardon of Holy Week. I need the message of Easter and I earnestly believe our churches and communities need the good news brought out of the dark tomb. What if we told people about our latest experiences of Jesus instead of how little money we have or how attendance is dropping or how bad things are since General Conference. Jesus told Mary to go and tell what you have seen and heard. She had seen the Risen Lord. She had heard Him call her name. Now that s worth talking about! Easter Blessings, Brenda

News for Tennessee Valley District Clergy MARK YOUR CALENDARS! For our next District Clergy Gathering THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 10:00am - LUNCH FOUNTAIN CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LUNCH WILL BE INCLUDED MENU TBA Please makes plans to attend to welcome incoming District Superintendent Ann Robins and to say farewell to our colleagues moving from the district. Please RSVP to lorihopper@holston.org or by calling the district office at 865-470-7005 or 865-482-3209 SEXUAL ETHICS & BOUNDARIES SEMINARS ATTENTION: ALL CLERGY UNDER APPOINTMENT! Don t forget to sign-up for one of the mandatory sexual ethics and boundaries seminars. Please note the dates and locations below. You will receive 0.5 CEU s for attendance. Tuesday, April 30 - Ootlewah UMC 9:30am-4:00pm Thursday, May 2 - First Farragut UMC FULL 9:30am-4:00pm Saturday, May 4 - Colonial Heights UMC (Kingsport) 10:30am-5:00pm Monday, May 6 - State Street UMC (Bristol) 9:30am-4:00pm Wednesday, May 8 - St. Paul UMC (Wytheville) 9:30am-4:00pm Register at: https://holston.org/events/2019/apr/30/sexual-ethics-and -boundaries-seminar/ 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. http://jubilation.holston.org 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 CEU NEWS For the latest continuing education news and from the Wesley Leadership Institute, please visit: https://app.robly.com/archive? id=75af9cd7197f87b92367743ffeb92d9a Email: sueweber@holston.org Phone: 865-293-4135 Website: Wesley Leadership Institute April 2019 Page 2

May 2019 Tennessee Valley District s Lay Servant/Lay Speaker Training Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church 7234 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, Tennessee 37909-1159 Please check the course you desire and return the form with your check prior to the deadline. Registration Fee: $ 40.00 Registration Deadline: April 22, 2019 Basic Course: Instructor: Book/Author: Lay Servant Basic Course Rev. John Justice Lay Servant Ministries/ Jackson Advanced Courses: Instructor: Book/Author: Preaching Rev. Don Thomas From Pew to Pulpit, Clifton F. Guthrie Spiritual Gifts Rev. Doug Jennings Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, William C. Carter Improving Your Rev. Bruce Galyon Clip In: Risking Hospitality in Your Church Church s Hospitality Fiona Haworth, Jim Ozier (This class is for anyone interested in Hospitality at Church or for 3 year recertification for Certified Lay Servant or Certified Lay Speaker. (It does not count toward Certified Lay Speaker Required Courses) *The registration fee includes a lunch on Saturday, snacks, books and instructor expenses. Please indicate any special needs: Name: Address: Phone: E-Mail: Select your choice of course above and return this form with your check made to: Tennessee Valley District for $ 40.00 Mail to: Bobby Stair 2511 Ancient Oak Lane Church/Charge: Knoxville, TN 37931 Questions: Contact Bobby Stair, District Lay Servant Director bsstair@comcast.net or 865-776-0580 April 2019 Page 3

Tennessee Valley District Certified Lay Minister Training 2019 Dates: May 4, 2019, May 18, 2019, June 1, 2019, & June 15, 2019 (if needed) ALL Training Dates will begin at 9:00 a.m. Saturday May 4 th will be about 6 hours of class. All other dates will be about 4 hours. The training will be held at: Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church 7234 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37909 To become a Certified Lay Minister, you need to complete the following requirements: 1. Be certified as a lay servant, lay missioner (or equivalent as defined by your central conference). 2. Obtain written recommendation from the pastor and the church council or charge conference of the local church in which you hold membership. 3. Complete a track of study relevant to your assignment as defined by Discipleship Ministries or the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry in collaboration with Discipleship Ministries and the conference committee on lay servant ministries or equivalent structure. 4. Receive a letter of recommendation from your district superintendent. 5. Have all requirements for certification, including appropriate screening and assessment, as defined by the annual conference, reviewed by the conference committee on lay servant ministries, or equivalent structure, for referral to the district committee on ordained ministry for examination of persons who have applied in writing to be certified lay ministers and to make recommendation for certification (see 666.10 of Book of Discipline). After the district committee on ordained ministry interviews you, the district committee on ordained ministry will make a recommendation to the conference committee on lay servant ministries for final certification by that committee. Please pray about your interest in becoming a Certified Lay Minister. Consider what your area of ministry and mission might be. Please discuss this when you have your meeting with your pastor. Please contact Bobby Stair for more information: bsstair@comcast.net or 865-776-0580 We will have a meeting of all attendees the week after Easter. April 2019 Page 4

HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE June 9-12, 2019 Lake Junaluska, NC ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2019 UPDATE AC offering will tackle opioid crisis This year's Annual Conference mission offering will be used to address the opioid crisis in our region. The 2019 Holston Annual Conference theme is "Healing Hands." Watch AC offering video. Annual Conference Choir You are invited to participate in an Annual Conference Choir composed of lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference. The choir will sing on Sunday evening, June 9, 2019 during the opening worship service beginning at 7:55 p.m. and again during the memorial service on June 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Spouses who are in attendance for the Annual Conference are also welcomed to participate. Choir rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 9, at 5:45 p.m. on the Stuart Auditorium stage and then again on Monday afternoon, June 10, at 1:15 p.m. on the Stuart Auditorium stage. The anthems will be sent to you when they are available. Please indicate your willingness to participate and the e-mail address that you would like the anthem recordings sent to by responding to Lori Sluder at LoriSluder@holston.org no later than Friday, There is no need to pre-register for Annual Conference. Pastors: If your Local Church Lay Member has changed, please notify the district office. Clergy and Lay Members to Annual Conference: Please make sure the district office has your correct contact information. Mission Offering and Change for Children Envelopes for the Annual Conference Mission Offering and Change for Children will be mailed to pastors this week. Pentecost Sunday The first day of Annual Conference, June 9, is Pentecost Sunday. Make plans to wear red or orange when you arrive at Lake Junaluska. Registration will begin at 2:00pm at the Foundation for Evangelism Communion Servers Lay members and clergy members of the Annual Conference are invited to volunteer to serve communion during the opening worship service or during one of the morning Bible studies during conference. If you would like to participate please respond to Lori Sluder at LoriSluder@holston.org no later than Friday, May 10, 5:00 p.m. Please include your name, church, district, and e-mail address, cell phone number, and if you are clergy or lay. You will receive an e-mail before annual conference to let you know when your rehearsal time will be and what service or Bible study you will be participating in. -- - Childcare Thanks to the generosity of donors to camping ministry, this year, childcare will be free of charge. Childcare will be divided into two age group categories: 6 months to 4 years, and 4-13 years old. All of our staff will be Safe Sanctuary trained. Registration deadline: June 1, 2019 Space is limited, so be sure to register today. Register at ac.holston.org April 2019 Page 5

DROP-OFF: FOOD BUCKETS WILL BE COLLECTED ON ONE DATE ONLY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE SHIPPING COST: $5 per kit. Bring one check from the church payable to "Tennessee Valley District" for total amount. (ie: 20 kits x $5/kit =$100) PLEASE DO NOT PUT MONEY OR CHECKS IN THE BUCKETS. April 2019 Page 6

TRAIN YOUR LEADER! UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING WILL BE OF- FERED IN HOLSTON CONFERENCE SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 Time:10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Price: $26 Who Should Attend: UMVIM Team Leaders needing this training and any persons interested in leading a mission team on a trip. Please bring a sack lunch. This course provides you 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 which you will receive at the UMVIM Team Leader Training. Please register so that sufficient materials will be available that day. For questions regarding the event, please contact: Maxine or Bob Schultz, 865-719-4304 or 865-719-3230 JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS St. Mark UMC in Clinton seeks a part-time Children s Director to provide guidance, discipleship, and programming for children through grade 5. Hours required: up to 12 per week. Preference is for candidates to be 21 or older. Email resume and cover letter to: st_mark@comcast.net or mail to: St. Mark UMC, Attn: SPRC, 252 N. Main Street, Clinton, TN 37716 Positions available at Partners for Children located at Cedar Lane UMC. Teachers and substitutes are needed. Partners for Children is currently hiring a Toddler lead teacher and a 3 year old lead teacher. Must have had at least one college course in child development or equivalent and have had 1 year experience in a group setting. Pay is based on education and experience. Contact Cindy Dalton at 865-689-9516. PFC website is http://www.partnersforchildren-knoxville.org/ for information about this 3-Star Child Development Center CONVERSATIONS ON RACE INVITES YOU TO MEET THE AUTHOR Sunday, April 28, 5 7:00 p.m. Conversations on Race is pleased to welcome the Rev. Robert W. Lee as our speaker on Sunday, April 28 at 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall at Church Street UMC. He is the great-great-great-great grandnephew of General Robert E. Lee and has written a new book called A Sin by Any Other Name: Reckoning with Racism and the Heritage of the South. Longtime friends with Rev. Lee, Rev. Palmer Cantler was instrumental in arranging for him to speak at Church Street. Rev. Lee graduated from Duke Divinity School and after graduation began his ministry at Bethany United Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Realizing that this relative whom he had idolized had become an idol of white supremacy an idol of nationalism and of bigotry and of hate and of racism, Rev. Lee began to speak out. After the events of Charlottesville, he spoke at an MTV award show, denouncing white supremacy and racism. He found that using his voice was unacceptable to some and dangerous for himself. His church, unaccustomed to such attention, asked him to resign. He is currently teaching at Appalachian State and has been interviewed on NPR s All Things Considered and been a guest on ABC s The View. His memoir tells of growing up in the South (as a Lee) and his front-row seat in the world of the white Christian majority. Rev. Lee shares how he comes to terms with his own awakening and understanding of racism and how power, privilege and position are all defined by the color of our skin. He will address how white Christians today continue to be complicit in a culture of racism and injustice. The book has been called a love letter to the South, from the South, by a Lee but one that points the way toward change and renewal. As we work to dismantle institutionalized racism in our world and in our churches, it is both crucial and helpful to learn from others on this road. We encourage you to join us on April 28 and to invite friends and others who will be interested in hearing Rev. Lee s journey. All are welcome. April 2019 Page 7

16th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Giving kids the chance to experience the wonders of church camp! Monday, April 29, 2019 Egwani Farms Golf Course Morning and afternoon tee times available. For information and registration, please visit: https://www.campwesleywoods.com/golf-tournament-2019.html 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 Summer Youth Events at Lake Junaluska Mark your calendars for these upcoming Wesley House events! 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. 865.524.5494 www.wesleyhouse.com 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 www.lakejunaluska.com/summeryouth. Dates: Event 1: June 15-19 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 20-23 Rev. Juan Huertas with Abbye West Pates and a talent show Event 3: June 23-27 Guest speaker Stephanie Caro with Abbye West Pates and a talent show and outdoor movie Event 4: June 27-30 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 10-14 Rev. Kevin Wright with Jimmy Atkins and the Light Em Ups and a talent show and comedian April 2019 Page 8

DISTRICT YOUTH ELECT CCYM REPRESENTATIVES Tennessee Valley District Youth met on March 30 at Kern Memorial UMC in Oak Ridge. The band Shine Effect led an evening of worship. Congratulations to elected CCYM Representatives: Catelee Crow, Meri Grant, and Carter Rejman (alternate). DENMAN EVANGELISM AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE MAY 1 Each year, Holston Conference seeks to honor one clergy person, one lay person, and one youth whose lives exemplify the spirit and dedication of Harry Denman with the Denman Evangelism Award. Love for the Lord and his fellow human beings was the keynote of Harry Denman s life. His leadership in evangelism was unique as was his personal life and witness. Nominations Deadline is May 1 Information and Nomination Form can be found at: https://holston.org/ministries/connectional-ministries/ evangelism-witness/programs/denman/ Saturday, May 18, 2019 9:00am Victor Ashe Park Your support of Tillery's Hustle for Hope 5k helps fund Lighthouse Family Retreats serving families living through a childhood cancer diagnosis. Tillery is the daughter of Joe and Alana Phillips. Joe is the pastor of Norwood UMC in the Tennessee Valley District. Tillery and family have been living with childhood cancer since Tillery was 15 months old. Register today! (Registration fee goes up on April 18). There s something for everyone at Tillery s Hustle for Hope - 5k, virtual 5k, 1 mile, and a nice pavilion to sit and support! Join us May 18 to run, walk, cheer, sit, stand, or whatever you do best! Register at: http://hustleforhope5k.com Tennessee Valley District United Methodist Women 2019 Calendar of Events May 17-19 June 9-12 July 19-20 August 10 September 13-15 (Note New Date!) September 13 October 5 November 9 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 Spiritual Enrichment/Annual Meeting/District Officer Training, Meadowview Conference Center, Kingsport, TN Treasurer Officer Training, Meadowview Conference Center, Kingsport, TN Mujeres en Accion (Women in Action) Event, Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA District Annual Meeting, TBA April 2019 Page 9

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE APRIL 2019 11 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON SUPERINTENDENCY, 6:30pm, District Office 19 GOOD FRIDAY, Conference and District Office Closed 21 EASTER SUNDAY. HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! 25 DISTRICT BOARD ON CHURCH LOCATION & BUILDING, 6:30pm, St. Luke UMC 28 CONVERSATIONS ON RACE, 5:00pm, Church Street UMC 29 16th ANNUAL CAMP WESLEY WOODS GOLF TOURNAMENT, Egwani Farms Golf Course APRIL 30 MAY 8 SEXUAL ETHICS & BOUNDARIES SEMINARS IN HOLSTON CONFERENCE (See Page 2 of this newsletter) MAY 2019 1 NOMINATIONS FOR THE DENMAN EVANGELISM AWARD DUE 4 LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES TRAINING, 8:30am-5:00pm, Middlebrook Pike UMC 4 UMVIM TRAIN YOUR LEADER, 10:00am-3:00pm, First UMC, Oak Ridge 6-8 JUBILATION, Holston Conference Retreat for Adults 50+, MainStay Suites, Pigeon Forge, TN 9 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON ORDAINED MINISTRY, 10:00am, District Office 16 DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING & LUNCHEON, 10:00am, Fountain City UMC 17-19 RISE UP AND SERVE, Holston Conference UMW Mission Event, Pigeon Forge, TN 18 TILLERY S HUSTLE FOR HOPE, 9:00am, Victor Ashe Park, Knoxville, TN 27 MEMORIAL DAY, Conference and District Office Closed JUNE 2019 5 HANDS-ON MISSION KIT COLLECTION, District Office 9-12 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Lake Junaluska, NC 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 email distribution list, please contact Lori Hopper (lorihopper@holston.org) or Mary Hawkins (maryhawkins@holston.org) providing a name and email 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 April 2019 Page 10