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| Grass Roots |
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By Carl Schlich, Interim General Presbyter
More than two dozen leaders of churches in the "Middle Kingdom" of the Presbytery met on Friday to open a dialogue about the future of ministry in their churches. Among the group were representatives from Etowah, Farner, Epperson, Brown Hill, Wilson Station, Madisonville, Mars Hill, and Center. They began their conversation with Brad Palmer, pastor of Epperson and convener of this meeting, saying, "We need to begin without our usual 'boxes'...we need to envision our ministry together in new ways." They talked about yoking and larger parish, sharing programs, leaders, and ideas. This was an inspiring example of the collective spirit of persons answering the call to do ministry together.  On Thursday morning I enjoyed another example of connections in the Presbytery as about a dozen individuals, ministers and laypeople, gathered around the table at Remedy coffee shop for informal conversation. We talked about our individual ministries, how we can use electronic media, the mission of the Presbytery, and enjoyed each other. We need to explore different ways of connecting with each other in the Presbytery of East Tennessee. |
| A Living Reminder of a Faithful Friend |
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Tree Dedication in Memory of Fran Hawley
By Bri Payne, Interim Executive Director, John Knox Center
There are few people who have touched so many lives in such as powerful way as Fran Hawley. Member of Pine Grove Presbyterian Church and the Outdoor Ministries Team, Fran shared her love of God and passion for children with the campers and staff at the John Knox Center. My first memory of Fran was the summer of 1996 when she dropped off a wide-eyed 5 year old into my care as a counselor at John Knox. In the years since, that five year old has grown into a rising high school Senior and John Knox staff member and Fran, her husband Todd, and their other two girls became part of the John Knox family. Helping publish the Summer Camp brochure year after year was just the beginning, Fran would come each Friday during the summer camp season armed with treats, sodas, words of encouragement, and new craft and game ideas complete with all the supplies to do them with the campers the next week. In 2006, Fran was awarded the American Camp Association Camp Parent of the Year for her hard work and dedication promoting camping to the next generation through her efforts at the John Knox Center.  After being diagnosed with cancer in spring of 2008, Fran felt called to share her summer with us at John Knox. She, Todd, and her girls spent the summer of 2008 volunteering, supporting the staff, and being a solid rock of Faith that inspired everyone. In May of this year Fran lost her battle with cancer. There are no words that can describe the impact she had on all who were blessed to share time with her. Todd, Tarah (17), Lauren (15), Kellyn (12) and their family were joined by the Outdoor Ministries Team, John Knox Staff, and Marathon campers on Saturday July 18, 2009 in a dedication service for a willow tree in her memory. The willow is planted near the swimming area. In years to come the tree will give shade to the campers who play at the place Fran loved so much.
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| John Knox Center News |
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Summer Breakthrough
By Bri Payne, Interim Executive Director, John Knox Center
 It has been an incredible summer on the shores of Watts Bar Lake. Not only has God blessed us with wonderful Christian staff ready to share their faith, but also with volunteer pastors who have led worship and created amazing spiritual experiences for staff, work groups from near and far, and campers who have been a joy. The theme for the 2009 summer program is "Breakthrough." Throughout the summer, campers and staff have explored stories from scripture where God encounters individuals and communities - transforming them in a "breakthrough" experience. Our summer staff have shared stories of how God "breaks through" in their own lives, how Jesus welcomes all to his ministry, how Jesus heals, and invites all to be part of the Kingdom of God wherever we find ourselves in our faith journey. Campers have made "breakthroughs" while at camp, whether it has been taking a leap of faith on our ropes course, braving the whitewater waves in a canoe, spending the night in a cave, or simply spending their first week away from Mom and Dad. Campers leave with a sense of independence, a strong self image, memories and friends that last a lifetime, and most importantly a strong Christian growth experience. All of the camp activities are designed to help campers reach new heights by challenging them to grow socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. It is amazing how God "breaks through" to us - especially when we are least expecting it! I encourage you to talk to campers or staff from your congregation and listen to their "breakthrough" experiences this summer. Come visit John Knox and see how God can "breakthrough" in the beautiful lake setting that is the sacred ground of the John Knox Center. More so, please pray for our campers and staff as summer draws to a close and they go back to the real world where they can apply all the things they learned this summer.
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| PET Treasurer's Report |
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Current income and expense reports are readily available
The 2009 Budget Report as of June 30, which includes income and expenses for the Presbytery, is available on the Finance and Stewardship page of the Presbytery's website. Go to the home page of the website ( www.presbyteryeasttn.org), move your cursor over Mission Teams in the main menu, move your cursor over Administrative Team and click on Finance and Stewardship Committee. The link to the current report is in the green box on the right. Or you may go directly to the Finance and Stewardship page by clicking HERE.
These reports will be updated regularly throughout the year. If you have questions, please contact Bill Keeler, Treasurer - Bill@presbyteryeasttn.org or 865-688-5581 / 800-542-4246 (TN only) |
| Hunger Action! |
Cents-Ability Offerings
Thanks to the generous Cents-Ability offerings sent in this summer by many of our Presbytery's congregations, a $1,000 grant has been sent to Scott County Emergency Food Assistance. SCEFA provides emergency food boxes to low-income families as well as assisting with other family emergencies.
The goal for the rest of the summer is to send a $1,000 grant to the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville, which provides food, clothing, and emergency assistance to those in need in Monroe County.
Deborah Phillips
Presbytery of East Tennessee
Hunger Program
Deborah@presbyteryeasttn.org
"Feed my lambs." John 21:15 |
| New Vision News |
The Sunny Side of God
When you think of evangelism, what comes to mind? Usually people will have at least one story of setting a dog off on someone, or not being able to get rid of "them" while the dinner is burning in the kitchen.
These stories are usually about being evangelized to, not about doing the evangelizing ourselves. When it comes to this kind of stuff, we say "no way", and "evangelism" gets put up on the shelf with the old VBS materials from years past.
But what is evangelism? Every time you mention a church activity to a co-worker, you're evangelizing. Every time you pray before your meal at a restaurant, you're evangelizing. There is no recipe for successful outreach - you don't have to rehearse your testimony and be prepared to give someone the entire history of the Presbyterian Church in order to attract people to Jesus Christ!
To read more about outreach and evangelism, click HERE.
Donna Hoppestad, marketing consultant
865-805-6772
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| PC(USA) News |
World Mission Celebration 09
 Gathering under the theme "Branches of the Same Vine," World Mission Celebration 09 will be held Oct. 22-24 in Cincinnati. The celebration will offer a wide-ranging program that is expected to attract people who represent the broad diversity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s international mission endeavors.
The primary objectives of the event are to connect Presbyterians with others who have similar mission interests, enable mission learning through presentations and mutual sharing among attendees, and send participants forth to embrace their calling to mission service and support.
Each of five plenary sessions will focus on Presbyterian mission in a different region of the world. The topics include health and development in Africa; primary, secondary and higher education in Asia; evangelism and theological education in the Americas; partnership in evangelism in Europe; and advocacy and interfaith dialogue in the Middle East.
The presenters will include mission personnel, global mission partners, World Mission staff, and mission initiators from congregations. Each session will conclude with group discussions around tables and prayers for the region.
For more information, click HERE.
PDA Lowers Minimum Age Limit
 Over the past few years, many people have asked if the age limit for volunteers to stay in the Presbyterian Volunteer Villages could be lowered. We are very pleased to announce that as of Monday, July 20, 2009 the age has been lowered to 16. When we first established the Presbyterian Volunteer Villages, the minimum age was 18. Some of the reasons included: � Safety and liability issues � Trauma � Environmental health The intensity of the recovery efforts has changed and while some of these issues are ongoing, the levels of concern and the impact on youth have decreased. We hope that the new age limit will encourage renewed interest and participation in volunteer mission work teams. Texas - especially the Port Neches area - is in desperate need of volunteers to help with recovery efforts from last year's Hurricane Ike. The PDA Call Center is currently scheduling work teams based on the new age limit. Please prayerfully consider Texas as your next mission destination.
For additional informaiton, go to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance page of the PC(USA) website: www.pcusa.org/pda |
| News & Events Around the Presbytery |
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Back-to-School Events hosted by Fairmont
Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Knoxville is hosting three back-to-school events on August 7th, 14th, and 21st. The Back to School Bash! programs will consist of a lock-in beginning at 8:00p.m. Friday evening and ending on Saturday morning at 9:00a.m. with breakfast provided by the Men of the Church. Youth from age 10 thru High School are welcome to attend this fun and informative event. They also welcome the parents of the youth to participate in the Saturday morning breakfast. Fairmont Presbyterian Church is located at the corner of Whittle Springs Rd. and Fairmont Blvd.
For more info please call Valerie Breeden @ 865-405-1511 (damianknox@aol.com) or the church office @ 865-522-6733.
Maryville College Hosts Annual Church and College Picnic
 Each summer local churches and faith communities gather on the Maryville College campus to share food, friendship and information about their worship services with MC students. This year, the picnic will be held on Sun., Aug. 23 at 6:15 p.m. with set-up beginning at 5:30 p.m. The College will provide display tables and dinner's main course. Churches are asked to provide displays, information about their location and programs, side dishes and desserts (enough for 35 in disposable containers) and a few friendly folks. Small treats are always a plus. "The picnic is a fun way for congregations to introduce themselves to first-year students," said Kathleen Farnham, director of church relations at the College. Reservations are required. Please contact Marsha Wynn at marsha.wynn@maryvillecollege.edu or Kathleen Farnham at kathleen.farnham@maryvillecollege.edu if you are interested in participating.
Andrew Peterson Returns for Summer Concert
 Lake Hills Presbyterian Church in Knoxville is hosting a summer concert by Christian singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson on Friday, August 28 at 7:00p.m. Doors open at 6:15. Tickets are $10.00 each and may be ordered in advance by calling 865-577-8510. Lake Hills Presbyterian Church is located at 3805 Maloney Rd. Knoxville, TN.
International Peacemakers to Visit PET
 The Peacemaking Committee is hosting two International Peacemakers from Sudan from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2.
The Rev. Orozu Lokine Daky is the regional coordinator of the Serving and Learning Together (SALT) Development Agency, which equips churches and other organizations for the development of Sudan. An ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church in Sudan (PCOS), he provides leadership in building peace between the Dinka and Murle peoples, and coordinates peacemaking, mission and external relations for Eastern Jonglei Presbytery.
Dr. Ingrid Reneau works in southern Sudan in partnership with the Presbyterian Church of Sudan, the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the Association of Christian Resource Organizations Serving Sudan (ACROSS). She helps implement plans to expand the church-sponsored school system, improve its administrative capabilities, and strengthen its teaching methodologies.
Detailed information about their visit will be distributed soon.
Morgan-Scott Project Establishes Much-Needed Homeless Shelter
Last year Morgan-Scott Project saw the need to serve the homeless in Scott County. Executive Director Ella Smith applied for and received a $14,000 grant from the Housing Assistance Council, and the Scott County Homeless Shelter opened for business on February 9, 2009. Like many projects sponsored by Morgan-Scott, the shelter will be spun off to become an independent organization when it receives its 501(c)3 tax exempt status later this year. To find out more about Scott County's Homeless Shelter, click HERE.
Dispensary of Hope Offers Help to Uninsured Diabetics
 The Knox County Health Department has been awarded a Diabetes Grant that the Dispensary of Hope has been allowed to access to help uninsured residents gain access to insulin and diabetes testing supplies. As a result, ANYONE, regardless of county residency, who does not have prescription insurance coverage and falls below 200% of poverty level may come to the Dispensary of Hope at the Knox County Health Department, with a photo ID or Drivers license and valid prescriptions, and we can help them for one month at no cost with their insulin and supplies. They MUST present with an ID and prescription for all insulin and supplies.
For additional information about the Dispensary of Hope and this program, click HERE.
News from UT-Knoxville Presbyterian Center
 A message to all PET churches from the Rev. Kally Elliott, campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville:
Being part of this "connectional church", I am hoping you can help me keep college students connected with the PC(USA). Please let me know if your church has students coming to UTK in the fall. I would love to contact new Presbyterian students and let them know that the Presbyterian Campus Ministry is here to welcome them and make their transition to college life a little easier. We are an active, worshiping, mission-oriented campus ministry and we want to reach out to new students! Please help me (and other Presbyterian campus ministers at other campuses) reach out to new students by letting us know if you have students coming our way! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you!!!
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| Spread the News! |
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, dana@presbyteryeasttn.org. |
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