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Presbytery of East Tennessee E-Newsletter
November 2008
In This Issue
November Devotional
PET Calendar
PC(USA) News
Board of Pension News
Interim Pastor Training
Stewardship
November PET meeting at Coker Creek
Hunger Action!
News From John Knox Center
Appalachian Network of LWW
New Vision News
Young Adult Ministry Conference
News and Events Around the Presbytery

A Matter of Vision

By the Rev. Lina R. Hart, Associate Executive for Equipping Congregations

 
My Mom is amazing! Her 4' 9" frame is now quite stooped over, but that rarely keeps her from flashing you one of her full-faced smiles. We've asked her to limit her driving because of her slower reaction times, but that still has not limited her volunteering at CONTACT, Hospice, attending church or taking a casserole to a shut-in. If asked how she is feeling she will probably say, "Well, enough" or something equally cheery, despite the fact that she has arthritis in most every joint. She's had most every bigger joint replaced - knees, hips, shoulders - yet she gets around slowly but surely with the help of a cane. 
          To look at my mother, Carol Robinson, she doesn't look all that much different than most any other 80 year old.  But what I find so amazing about her is her outlook. Mom says it surprises her to look into a mirror and see this older person, for on the inside she sees herself as an energetic 24 year old artist who gets around effortlessly.

To read the rest of the devotional, click here.

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PET Calendar
2008 Presbytery Meetings:
Saturday, November 15 @ 10:00am - Coker Creek Village, Tellico Plains, TN
 

November Mission Team/Committee Meetings:

New Vision Committee - 11/6, 10:00am @ First, Sweetwater
Support Mission Team -
11/6, 3:00pm @ First, Sweetwater
Outdoor Ministries Team- 11/8, 10:00am @ John Knox Center
Committee on Ministry - 11/11, 11:00am @ Mars Hill
Equip Mission Team - 11/13, 10:00am @ Mars Hill 
New Church Development - 11/19, 12:00pm @ First, Sweetwater
Committee on Preparation for Ministry - 11/20, 12:00pm @ TBA
Small Church Ministry Group - 11/20, 10:00am @ First, Sweetwater
 

Events at John Knox Center:

Information on events and activities at John Knox are available on the JKC website.
 
For the latest meeting and events information,
go to the presbytery website: www.presbyteryeasttn.org

and click on the Calendar of Events link.

 
Church Info-Pak Deadlines for 2009:
 
                   Jan. 16
                   Apr. 3
                   July 10
                   Oct. 9
 
These Info-Paks include information for pastors and sessions, notices of churchwide events, resources for church educators, and the presbytery calendar.  Info-Paks are mailed to all churches, affiliated colleges and agencies, at-large and retired ministers, and current members of PET mission teams and committees.
PC(USA) News
Letter to pastors and elders regarding the credit  crisis 
 
To read a letter from GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow, GAC Executive Director Linda Valentine and Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons, click here
Board of Pensions News
Helen Locklear, our regional BOP representative, sends out monthly e-newsletters.
 
To read the October newsletter, click here.  
 
To read the November newsletter, click here.
 
As a supplement to the newsletter, a letter from Mr. Rob Maggs, Board of Pensions President and Chief Executive, speaks to the issue of the Long-Term Expectations for the Balanced Investment Portfolio.  To read the letter, click here.
Interim Pastor Training
Jan. 12-16 2009
 
The Calvin Center in Hampton, GA is sponsoring Interim Pastor Training Level I and Level II, Jan. 12-16, 2009.   For more information, click here.
We Want Your News!
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with the information and support you need to keep in touch and connected with your fellow Presbyterians in East Tennessee. This monthly publication features news and events from around the presbytery, resources to assist you in your ministry, and devotionals authored by our members.
 
We invite you to share your news with us!  All articles and news items must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Send your information to Dana Hendrix, preferably in electronic format.  Her e-mail address is [email protected].
Spread the News!
Don't keep the good news of our presbytery to yourself!  You can easily forward this newsletter to others (friends, family, church members, etc.) by using the convenient "Forward email" link at the bottom of this newsletter.  To help them get on the list to receive our newsletter directly every month, you can tell them to go to our website -- www.presbyteryeasttn.org -- where we have a sign up button right in the middle of our home page.  We appreciate your help!
Stewardship
By Carl Schlich, Interim Executive Presbyter
 
Why should one support the Church when there are so many other options for support: the university, the local hospital, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and a whole gaggle of para-church organizations?

To read more, click here.
November PET Meeting at Coker Creek Village
 
 
Coker Creek VillageThe next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of East Tennessee will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Coker Creek Village and Retreat Center in Tellico Plains.  Eight churches in the Presbytery are hosting the meeting, including the Brown Hill, Center, Epperson, Etowah, Farner, Fork Creek, Madisonville and Wilson Station.  The Connect Mission Team has arranged for fellowship activities on Friday evening for those who wish to come and spend the night. Accommodations will be available at Coker Creek Village, as well as the nearby Tall Pines Lodge and Cabins and the Lodge at Tellico. 
 
For details and information regarding reservations, click here.
Hunger Action!
"Feed My Lambs"  John 21:15

Advent DinnerTina Smith, Director of the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville, will be a guest speaker at this month's Presbytery meeting at Coker Creek Village. Supported by our "middle area" churches, the Good Shepherd Center is a joint venture of area churches (along with individual and business donations) that provides food, clothing, and emergency assistance to those in need in Monroe County.  The Cents-Ability offerings received during the meeting's luncheon will go to this important organization, which originally was the Monroe County Ministerial Benevolence Fund.  

Deborah Phillips, Hunger Action Enabler [email protected]
News from John Knox Center
7th Annual Women's Retreat, November 7-9, 2008 
 
Tired? Need a chance to unwind, be still, and listen to God's voice? Slow down and take time for God and you at the 7th Annual Women's Retreat at the John Knox Center. This weekend is designed to minister to you, a woman in today's world being pulled in a hundred different directions. Jill Murphy, former editor of Knoxville Christian Family and Tennessee Christian Living magazines, is a dynamic keynote speaker with real life experience and stories that you can relate to. Massage therapy, craft and cooking classes, canoeing, hikes, and plenty of time own your own are Sabbath Keeping Options you can choose. Register online at www.johnknoxcenter.org, click on "Calendar of Events". Scholarships for this ministry are available, please contact our office at (865) 376-2236. Don't let this opportunity for fellowship and rest pass you by.
 
Advent DinnerCommunity High Ropes Day at River Ridge
 
Join River Ridge and the John Knox Center for the first Community High Ropes Day on Saturday, November 22, 2008, 2:00pm to 6:00pm.  Grab your friends and family members and come to John Knox Center for food, fun and new friends.  Challenge yourself on our zip line, catwalk and other elements.  Or, just come for the BBQ.  For more information, click here.
 
Annual Advent Dinner at John Knox Center
 
Save the Date!  The Annual Advent Dinner for all church professionals and their families will be held on Friday, Dec. 5th.  For more information, go to the John Knox Center website www.johnknoxcenter.org and click on Calendar of Events.
Appalachian Network of Living Waters for the World
The Appalachian Network of Living Waters for the World invites you to join us on November 7 and 8 to hear about water issues in Appalachia and to celebrate work the Appalachian Network has completed in Buffalo Creek, Tennessee.

Advent Dinner

 The Appalachian Water Conference
November 7 & 8, 2008
Clearfork Community Institute
Eagan, TN
 
For more information about the conference and how to register, click here.
New Vision News

New Vision

BANNERS!   BANNERS!   BANNERS!  
 
Thanks to the Equip Team, each church will receive a 4'x8' or a
3'x6', 15 ounce, heavyweight vinyl outdoor banner personalized for your church FREE OF CHARGE!!  For more information, click here.
PCUSA Young Adult Ministry Conference
Austin Presbyterian Seminary, May 27-30, 2009

The Young Adult Ministry Jam Conference will be held at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, May 27-30, 2009.  GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow and Carol Howard Merit, author of Tribal Church, will be featured speakers.  The goal will be to connect with other ministries and to share ideas and strategies in order that the whole denomination's young adult ministry will be strengthened. 
 
For more information, click here.
News and Events Around the Presbytery
 
Maryville College logoMeet Maryville!
 
Experience how students live, work and play at Maryville College!
 
November 8, 2008 - 8:30am to 2:00pm or January 31, 2009 - 8:30am to 2:00pm.  For more information, click here.

It's a Wonderful Life 

The Erin Stage Company at Erin Presbyterian Church presents:
 
It's a Wonderful Life
by James W. Rodgers
Adapted from the classic Frank Capra movie
Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-6
Directed by: Suzanne Curtis

Erin Presbyterian Seeks Mission Partners
 
We are interested in seeing if other churches would like to partner with us. We have a group that was trained in October at Living Waters for the World, and we would like to send a group to Guatemala in the spring of 2009. Churches who are interested can contact us at [email protected] or the church phone number 865-588-5350.
Quick Links

Mission Team Blogs: 

The Tool Box - Equip

Resources for ministry, conference announcements, grant application forms, etc.
 

Care Cafe - Support

Special events for clergy and their families, area clergy lunches, conference info, link to BOP, etc.