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Sunrise in the Smokies

Presbytery of East Tennessee E-Newsletter September 2009
In This Issue
Healthy Congregations
Hunger Action!
New Vision News
John Knox Center News
Maryville College News
Presbyterian Women of PET
Youth News
News and Events around the Presbytery
Quick Links
 
 
Equip Tool Box - resources for ministry
 
InfoPak - information for pastors and churches
 
 
 
Meeting Highlights  from the Aug. 22, 2009 PET meeting
 
PETNET (our new social networking site)
 
Red Bucket Sunday - Special Offering 
 
 
 
MissionInsite (web-based demographic service)
 
 
 
Websites
 
Join Our Mailing List
Creating Healthy Congregations
By Carl Schlich, Interim General Presbyter
 
Healthy Congregations logoWhat a concept!  Creating Healthy Congregations.  The Support Mission Team is sponsoring a workshop on that very subject on Friday, October 23rd  and Saturday, October 24th.  Registrations are beginning to come in for the 24 slots available for two persons from congregations to attend.  The introduction to the workshop reads:
 
"The workshops are designed precisely for a time of rapid change.  It is a new way of thinking about both the congregation and its leadership.  You will view the congregation as a whole, as an organism, as a system.  Instead of seeing separate parts, you will see interrelated parts and their interactions.  No one part promotes health or illness.  Everything contributes.  The congregation is seen as a unit in need of care.  Therefore, these workshops center around the stewardship of the congregation: how leaders care for, respond to, and oversee the congregations' life together."
 
Leading this event will be Elaine Barnett.  Elaine is a PCUSA Certified Christian Educator who was named the 2006 Educator of the Year by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, a member of the PCUSA Educator Certification Council, an ordained Elder in PCUSA, a member of the Peace River Presbytery COM, and a trustee of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
 
Registration deadline is September 15 and registration information can be found on the Presbytery's website - click HERE.
 
I urge all churches to consider having your pastor and one other leader in your congregation to attend.  Those churches that do not have pastors at this time are certainly welcome to send a couple of persons anyway.  This is truly an opportunity not to be overlooked. 

Hunger Action!
Update on the summer wish list...
 
Cents-Ability logoThe goal for the rest of the summer has been partially met; it was to send a $1,000 grant to the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville. At the beginning of August, with $800 in Cents-Ability offerings to work with, a $500 grant was sent to the Good Shepherd Center (with the hope that another $500 would soon be forthcoming) and $300 was sent to Sunset Gap for their food pantry, which was experiencing a sudden, dramatic increase in the number of families seeking help.
 
Please keep those Cents-Ability offerings coming. It is making a difference in lives of people facing increasing difficulties.
 
Deborah Phillips
Presbytery of East Tennessee
Hunger Program
[email protected]
 
"Feed my lambs."  John 21:15
New Vision News 

New Vision Logo

Second Sunday, Second Witness
 
A Program Designed to Assist in Inviting and Following Up on
Visitors to Your Church
 
How many people do you know who used to go to church, but just don't anymore?  How many people do you know who have never been to church?   Could it be possible that many of these people may be willing to try church if given the right opportunity?
 
Second Sunday, Second Witness is designed to help us create that opportunity - a program that specifically and intentionally helps us to reach out to people we know who have left the church - - or never knew us in the first place - - and encourages them to visit. 
The Second Sunday, Second Witness program can be implemented any time of the year.  The planning guide is designed to help you effectively plan, prepare and implement this ongoing event.   In this beta form, churches and leaders are encouraged to suggest ways to make the program easier and more likely to succeed. 
 
If you and your church are interested in receiving additional materials on Second Sunday, Second Witness, please email ASAP to [email protected].  The program is scheduled to be mailed the beginning of September.  For a flyer, click HERE.
 
Fall Program Ideas

The fall season has started, and you're making plans for church dinners and other events.  Are you searching for ideas for those events?  How about a FREE facilitator/presenter/leader from your Presbytery?  Email Donna, PET consultant, for ideas and to schedule a date for her to visit your church, and do it soon - the calendar is getting full!
 
Workshops available include but are not limited to:
 
How To Be An Effective Greeter
Evangelism and Assimilation
How To Be A Welcoming Congregation
Marketing 101 for Churches
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (tips on how to use demographics)
 
Church logo and website, Facebook, etc., assistance is also available.
Donna Hoppestad, marketing consultant 
865-805-6772
John Knox Center News 
John Knox Center logo
Eighth Annual Family Picnic
 
Sunday, September 20
2 pm - 5 pm
$5 Adults $4-Kids (5-10)

Come after church for a day of Fun & Fellowship!  Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with plenty of hotdogs and burgers, Bluegrass Music, Swimming, Zip Line, Canoeing, and Nature Center tours!  
Register Online - www.johnknoxcenter.org 
 
To download a flyer, click HERE
 
River Ridge logo
 
 
 A Day in the Trees
 
Saturday, October 24 
10am - 5pm 
Just $10 for the whole day!
 
 Fly down our 100 yard Zip Line
 Climb up onto the Catwalk, Burma Bridge, Elvis Walk and Pamper Plank
 Swing out on our NEW Flying Squirrel
 Hot Dogs will be provided.
 Register online.  Bring the completed medical release form.
 
Please Note: Special Safety Equipment is used on our Ropes Course and participants are given specific instructions for climbing. Children 12 yrs and under must be accompanied by an adult. All Participants must fit into a River Ridge approved harness.
 
To register, visit the River Ridge Environmental Education Program website at www.rreep.org or contact Rachel Norris at the office!
  
591 W. Rockwood Ferry Rd.
Ten Mile, TN 37880
865-376-2236 (office)
 
For a flyer about these and other fall events at John Knox Center, click HERE.
Maryville College News
Maryville College student with tartan 
Fall is college search season
.  Maryville College is offering "Called to College - Finding the Fit" - a program to assist high school youth and parents navigate college choices, the admission process, financial aid, college life and college language.  (And of course, we'll talk a little about Maryville, too.)  To arrange a Sunday or Wednesday program at your church, please contact Kathleen Farnham 865.981.8217 or [email protected]

Meet Maryville on the Maryville College campus:
Sat. Sept. 19, 2009  8:30am - 2:00pm 
Register online at www.maryvillecollege.edu

Church and College Leadership Scholarships are available up to  $13,000 for PC(USA) students.

And as all of our Presbytery's college students return to their campuses, stay in touch....they always appreciate your support!
Presbyterian Women of PET

PW logo

 
PW Day at Sunset Gap
 
OCTOBER 8, 2009 at 10:30am
Gather at Sunset Gap for Presbyterian Women's Day 
 
 
 
Fall Gatherings
 
PW meets at three locations for the FALL GATHERINGS.  Please register by Cluster number.  Come and join PW friends from your part of the Presbytery in worship, communion, learning and celebration.
 
OCTOBER 17, 2009    
Reservations must be made by October 9th.
 
AREA 1:
Fairmont Presbyterian Church, Knoxville           
"Wonders of God in the Community, You are chosen " 
 Ordinary Women doing extraordinary things  
                                
AREA 2:                                 
Concord Presbyterian Church, Knoxville
"Sharing God's Wonders"                          
            
OCTOBER 24, 2009
Reservations must be made by October 16th

AREA 3:
Second Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga.
"God will do wonders among you "  Wonder Women (No cape needed)
 
For more information, please contact the PW moderator for your church.
Youth News
Middle School Youth Retreat
 
FRI - SUN, Oct. 2- 4, 2009
Eagle Rock Camp, Maryville, TN
 
Come to the MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT as we discover together how to step into God's story and experience it for ourselves!

Keynote Speaker: Ryan Hardin
Worship Leader: Ethan Norman
 
Registration begins at 6:30pm on Friday -- Event ends after closing worship on Sunday morning.
 
Cost: $110 per person
 
Registration deadline: September 23.  Registration materials may be viewed and downloaded from the Presbytery website - click HERE
News & Events Around the Presbytery 
Madisonville Hosts Men's Breakfast
  
On Saturday, 5 September 2009 at 8:00 AM, Madisonville Presbyterian Church will host its second Men's Breakfast.  Along with good fellowship, a meal of eggs, sausage, biscuits, sawmill gravy, juice and coffee will be available.  A short devotional will be held after the meal.  All Men are welcome.  For more information, contact one of the people listed below.
 
Shan Harris 865-389-0216
Gene Moudy 423-442-5009
Bill Garrett 423-884-3894
 
Maryville Churches Collaborate for Habitat 
 
Two Maryville churches, Highland and New Providence, along with Maryville College, are working together to build a Habitat for Humanity house this fall.  The big "wall-raising" kickoff will take place on Sat, Sept. 12, with some early preparation work starting even sooner.  To sign up as a volunteer, contact one of the church offices: Highland - 865-982-9272 ; New Providence - 865-983-0182
 
Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Risk Management Seminars
 
The Presbytery is providing seminars on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Risk Management for all clergy and ministry professionals. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
 
** Tuesday, September 22, 8:30am-12:00pm, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville.

**  Wednesday, September 23, 8:30am-12:00pm, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga.
 
These seminars will be led by Carl Schlich, Interim General Presbyter, and by Eric Spacek, senior church risk manager at GuideOne Insurance, our presbytery's insurance carrier.
 
Cost: Free
 
Register online at www.presbyteryeasttn.org
or call the Presbytery Office - 865-688-5581 / 800-542-4246
 
Lancing Hosts Benefit Concert
 
We are having a benefit concert on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. to raise money to help us finish the inside of our new fellowship hall.  Tim Coleman, an actor/singer from Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg (marvelous baritone, he's won several awards for his singing), and Rachel Snider, actress/singer from same theatre, will be our guest performers. We will have a reception after the concert is over. There is no set charge; we're taking up a love offering for the building fund. Tim and Rachel are providing their services free of charge.  If you would like to attend, please email Carolyn Anderson - [email protected]
 
International Peacemakers to Visit PET
 
Peacemaking LogoThe Peacemaking Committee is hosting two International Peacemakers from Sudan from Sept. 25 through Oct. 2. 
 
International Peacemaker Rev. Orozu Lokine Daky, Coordinator for Peacemaking, Mission and External Relations, Eastern Jonglei Presbytery, Sudan, and Dr. Ingrid Reneau, Mission Worker from the PC(USA) in the Sudan, will be in the Presbytery of East Tennessee Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2009.  They will be talking about peace and justice issues from the perspective of the Sudan.  To read more about them, click HERE.

The peacemakers will be speaking at the following events:

Saturday, Sept 26, Rev. Daky and Dr. Reneau will meet with Knoxville Sudanese fellowship at 3 pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Maryville.

Sunday, Sept. 27, Sunday School and Worship:  Rev. Daky will speak at Erin Presbyterian Church, Knoxville; Dr. Reneau will speak at both services at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Knoxville.
       
Monday, Sept. 28, both will travel to Chattanooga for lunch and program at Rivermont Presbyterian Church.  Lunch at 11:30 am.  Supper will be with Peacemaking Committee at the home of Ann and Scott Brunger.

Tuesday, Sept. 29, both will be at Maryville College, speaking at the MC chapel service at 1:15 pm in the Center for Campus Ministry.  In the evening, they will speak at Highland Presbyterian Church in Maryville.

Wednesday, Sept 30, speak at First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville evening program.

Thursday, Oct. 1, attend morning, afternoon, and evening circle meetings at New Providence Presbyterian Church, Maryville
 
For more information about these events, contact Caroline Best, cell: 865-414-1066, or email: [email protected].
 
1st Cleveland Takes Fourth Mission Trip to the Gulf
 
First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland just completed its fourth mission trip to the Gulf coast.  This year we had 17 adults and young people travel down and stay at Long Beach Presbyterian Church.  We were joined there by a group from First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, TN.  All together we had about 35 people going into the community serving in the name of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
 
This year we built a pump house for a woman who had been out of her home for four years.  As we completed our project she was finally moving back into her tornado damaged home from the winds of Katrina.  We split into two work teams - the other one totally refurbished a home for a 83 year old grandmother.  This house was split in two by the hurricane.  We did dry wall, mudding, painting, staining, resetting the brick walkway, installing kitchen cabinets, and some electrical work. 
 
The highlight of this adventure was surprising the owner with a rocking chair and ferns for her porch.  The smile on her face and her words of gratitude were amazing.  She called us and said the first night after we left she could not sleep because her house looked so good inside and out.  She just went from room to room saying "Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus for those folks from Tennessee!" 
 
The best part of the trip was getting to know the home owners and their family, hearing their stories, eating lunch with them, and giving out hugs.  We traveled back to Cleveland in Old Blue, our trusty 500,000 mile van, which is a faith experience all by itself!  Most of the adults drove in their personal cars, not fair!  As a pastor it was great to work side by side with church members, get to learn some new songs from our youth, have a hairy spider put into my sleeping bag by these same youth, and playing sardines in the sanctuary at night.  It was a rewarding experience and we plan on going on another trip next summer. 
 
God bless, 
Rev. Joe Tanner, First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, TN.
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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, [email protected]