News from Presbytery of East Tennessee

UTK Campus Ministry Fundraiser

The Presbyterian Center UTK Campus Ministry is holding a fundraiser for our Guatemala mission trip! "La Baila en el Rio!"

When: February 20th, 6:45-9pm
Where: Volunteer Princess Yacht (at Volunteer Landing next to Ruth's Chris)
What: Dinner, live music, silent auction, dessert auction, fellowship, friends, great cause!
Cost: $30 per person

You can purchase tickets by sending a check to: Presbyterian Center, 1831 Melrose Ave. Knoxville, TN 37916. Make checks out to "Presbyterian Center" and include in the memo that you are buying tickets for the fundraiser!

Leaders Academy

It's not too late to register for the Leaders Academy scheduled for Saturday, February 21st at Highland Presbyterian Church, Maryville, from 8:30 am - Lunch. The registration fee is $7/ person (includes lunch, snacks and child care, if requested) for which you can participate in 2 workshops on such topics as Polity 101 (Carl Schlich), Marketing Your Church (Donna Hoppestad), Keeping Them in the Loop (Mike Chamberlain) and Spiritual Gifts, Personalities and the Ministry of the Church (Jason Haas). Space is limited, so sign us soon. You can access the flier with more information and the registration form by clicking here.

Free Financial Counseling Seminar

West Knoxville's Parkway Presbyterian Church and the ORNL Federal Credit Union are offering a free seminar to help families better manage their finances in an increasingly difficult economic climate.

The Financial Assessment Counseling Seminar (FACS) will help participants:

1. Assess their financial situations and develop financial plans.
2. Learn to use credit wisely, understand their credit reports, and identify ways to improve their credit scores.
3. Deal with the stress that results from financial issues and the current economic crisis.

The two-part seminar will be offered on Saturday, February 21, and Saturday, February 28, from 9 AM-noon at Parkway Presbyterian Church. For more information, click here.

Maryville College Hosts Annual February Meetings

The Rev. Otis Moss III, pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, will be the speaker for Maryville College's 2009 February Meetings, scheduled for Feb. 24.

Moss, who heads the largest UCC church in the nation and whose parishioners once included president-elect Barack Obama and his family, will give two addresses - one at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. - that will center on a theme entitled "Revive Us Again: Coming Together to Move Forward." The meetings will be held in the College's Alumni Gymnasium. For more information, click here.

Christian Singer/Songwriter Andrew Peterson

Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, is hosting a dinner and concert by Andrew Peterson on Sunday, March 8. Peterson is a Christian singer/songwriter who has recently received national acclaim with his latest album titled "Resurrection Letters Volume II." Tickets for the dinner and concert are $25 each; tickets for just the concert (advance purchase only) are $10. For more information, click here.

Confirmation Weekend at John Knox Center

As you plan for your confirmation classes, please put on your calendar the Confirmation Weekend scheduled for April 3-4 2009 at John Knox Center. Sponsored by the Small Church Ministry Group this is designed to empower your already existing plans for confirmation at your church. More details later.

A New Thing at Rivermont, Chattanooga

CrossCurrents, the long awaited contemporary worship service, debuted on January 11, 2009. Eighty-seven people congregated at 9 am in the Commons to worship in a more informal setting with upbeat and praise-filled music, while also enjoying Equal Exchange/Fair Trade coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Joyfully, it was an intergenerational service.

Many members at Rivermont have expressed interest in such a service, not only for their own spiritual nourishment, but also as a way to reach out to neighbors who are not a part of a community of faith. To learn more, click here.

Smoky Mountain Mission Workers Needed

In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains there is a place where lives are being changed, hope's rays are illuminating those who are struggling, young and old mission workers alike are finding blessings as they repair homes for those who need improved shelter, and church teams are finding a closer walk with God in faith and good works. This place is an historical Presbyterian Mission called Sunset Gap Community Center. At Sunset Gap the ministry impacting the lives of the people of Appalachia perhaps more than any other in years is The Work-Camp Ministry. Sunset Gap is located on the Cocke and Sevier County line in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Demand for help has far outstripped the number of workers available to meet the need.

You may email the center and we will contact you to set up your mission trip of a lifetime. We also provide facilities for planning retreats, confirmation class retreats and other gatherings after the summer work camp season. Visit the website at www.sunsetgap.org and email info@sunsetgap.org. To read more about these opportunities, click here.

Loaves & Fishes 2010 Update

April 16 & 17, 2010

Sequoyah Hills PC, Knoxville

GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow has accepted our invitation to L&F 2010 to be the Keynote Speaker and the Rev. Rhashell D. Hunter, GA's Director of Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries, has agreed to be our Keynote Preacher.

Rev. Chip Andrus will serve as our worship/music leader for the event.

Cheryl Child, Lake Hills PC, is serving as the Chair of the L&F 2010 Planning Team. The Team will need about 8 - 12 members.

There will need to be a Local Arrangements Committee (perhaps at least 12 churches) in Knoxville made up of representatives of area churches who can plan & implement arrangements like - food, hospitality, parking, hotels, room set up, etc.

Any interest in serving on these L&F teams &/or workshop ideas can be sent to Cheryl Child (cherylchild@gmail.com) or Lina Hart (Lina@presbyteryeasttn.org)