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PETNET - our social networking site
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| What do you say after you've said goodbye? |
 I guess I must have said a hundred times, ever since the GP Search Committee announced that they had determined who they would recommend, whenever the opportunity presented itself, how much I have been blessed with the last two years of ministry among you all here in East Tennessee. This has truly been among the best years of my 40 something years of ordained ministry. Grandparents are famous for saying that they wish they could have started with grandchildren first. Well, to coin that phrase, I wish I could have started with East Tennessee first. This is truly a land of big rivers, big lakes, big mountains, lots of big trees... but mostly a land of big people. You are big in commitment, big in dreams and big in all it takes to make the Church work here where God has planted you. I have grown among you, bigger I trust, than when I came. (And I don't mean in girth.) I truly believe that with the leadership of your new General Presbyter, Judd Shaw, you will be blessed with ministry and mission beyond your imagination. I truly believe that empowered by the Holy Spirit, you are predestined for greatness in God's Kingdom. And that is good, for the Church of Jesus Christ needs you to be great. I pray God's richest blessings on you and those you serve.
Carl Schlich |
| Judd Shaw named General Presbyter |
 At its Called Meeting on March 10th, the Presbytery of East Tennessee approved the appointment of the Reverend William Judson "Judd" Shaw to the position of General Presbyter. He will begin his duties on May 1.
Judd is no stranger to PET, having served as pastor of Farragut Presbyterian Church from 1985 to 2004. Since then he has served as Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of New Harmony in Florence, SC.
Biography of Judd Shaw |
| Loaves & Fishes 2010 |
April 16 & 17 at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville
 NEW Keynote Speaker: Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, PC(USA)
As Stated Clerk for our denomination, Gradye Parsons is in daily conversation with Presbyterians throughout the nation. There will be several opportunities to hear his reflections on the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Friday, April 16th
Conversations with Gradye: 3:30 - 4:30pm
Keynote Address: 7:00pm. Topic: "Where Are We Going?"
Saturday, April 17
Morning Workshop: 10:00 - 11:30am
Topic: "The Elders: Becoming Dangerous"
This idea has been around for a few years. Do our elders really want to be dangerous? Or do elders want to be effective in carrying out the mission of Christ? Or, are dangerous and effective, the same? Are effective elders dangerous? See what our GA Stated Clerk has to say.
Anyone interested in signing up for this workshop can just WRITE IN the workshop name on the registration form. If your registration form has already been sent in, you may contact Laura Tappan in the Presbytery office ( laura@presbyteryeasttn.org / 1-800-542-4246 or 865-688-5581) and ask her to change your selection.
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| General Assembly Restricted Funds Available |
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Applications due to Presbytery by May 1
The General Assembly Mission Council is offering churches the opportunity to apply for monies available from unassigned General Assembly Restricted Funds. Session applications are due to the Presbytery office by May 1.
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| Hunger Action! |
Pinto Bean Project
In response to word from Rev. Martha Anne Fairchild that over 250 workers will lose their jobs at Armstrong Hardwood Flooring on April 9th, a new hunger initiative has been created: the Pinto Bean Project. The immediate goal is to purchase fifty 50-pound bags of dried pinto beans. Scott County Emergency Food Assistance will be the recipient of as many bags as they need to prepare for the surge in numbers they are about to experience, but the need doesn't stop there; I just received an urgent request for help from Loudon County's Good Samaritan Center.
Individuals and congregations can become part of the Pinto Bean Project by sending donations to: The Presbytery of East Tennessee, P.O. Box 5436, Knoxville, TN 37928-0436 (memo section: Pinto Bean Project).
 The cost of one bag is $25, but if someone would like to donate $12.50 for half a bag or $6.25 for a quarter of a bag, that would be wonderful, too. I will purchase the 50 pound bags from Sysco and make arrangements to deliver them to Scott County, Loudon County, and other pantries within the Presbytery as needs are brought to my attention. To date, 6 bags have been sent to Scott County, 4 bags (the car is small) to the Good Shepherd Center in Madisonville, and other arrangements are in the works!
To follow updates on the project, go to the PETNET, the Presbytery's social network site: http://presbyteryeasttn.ning.com. It's easy to sign up and you'll have access to information and conversations about many things going on in our Presbytery.
As always, Cents-Ability grants continue to be another response to hunger in our region and beyond and are made possible by our congregations' Cents-Ability offerings.
Deborah Phillips
Hunger Action Enabler
Deborah@presbyteryeasttn.org
"Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 |
| John Knox Center News |
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Work Day - April 10
 Join us for a day of fellowship and the giving of your time to this vital ministry. You provide the manpower and tools-we provide the lunch and plenty of ice cold water. Come as a group or on your own. This is a perfect project for a Sunday School Class, Men's or Women's Group, Mission Groups, etc. Help our maintenance staff get a good start for 2010. We have listed some of the projects below, but if you have another project in mind, please let us know! If you are bringing a group, please RSVP to our office - 865-376-2236 or admin@johnknoxcenter.org  Building renovations to C-Unit Landscaping steps near cabin B-3 Landscaping trail to NEW Archery Course Log splitting at the ropes course. Landscaping steps near Dining Hall
Can't make the date? Book a work project date for your group. Did you know Mission Trip groups from all over the U.S. visit John Knox each year? Colorado, Michigan, Ohio...but we are also host to several church groups from this area. For $20 per person a night, participants further the mission of John Knox through helping us provide a hospitable welcoming facility to campers and guests.
Thanks to all who volunteer their time, skills, and funds to the John Knox Center ministry.
"Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless,
but because they are priceless"
ARE YOU IN?
Did you receive a packet from the John Knox Center with a letter asking you to join the "Ambassador Program"? Did you send a reply? We need your help in getting the word to the congregations on the great events going on at the Center, along with the opportunities of Summer Camp. This will not take a lot of time - just be responsible for putting notices on the bulletin board, in the bulletins and newsletter. Please email to admin@johnknoxcenter.org if you would like to be a part of this ministry. We'll send you flyers and information as the events come up. Thank you in advance for joining us!
A Day in the Trees - River Ridge Environmental Program
High Ropes Day - May 1 - 10:00am to 5:00pm
- Fly down our 100 yard zipline
- Climb up on to the Catwalk, Burma Bridge, Elvis Walk and Pamper Plank
- Swing out on our NEW Flying Squirrel
- Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be provided
- $10 per person including lunch
- Register online: www.rreep.org 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 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must fit into a River Ridge approved harness and fill out a medical release form (available on our website) before participating. This is a bi-annual event. Join us on October 30, 2010 for our "Haunted High Ropes"!
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| 2010 Confirmation Retreat |
A Grand Success!
 Awesome! Fun! Let's do it again! These are some of the comments about our Presbytery's first Confirmation Retreat held at John Knox Center, February 26 and 27. The 28 participants represented eight churches and included eight adult leaders of which five were pastors. The theme was "On the Journey" and was designed as a supplement to the membership preparations for young people in their local congregation. At this event youth from small, medium and even larger churches participants were able to meet other Presbyterian young people and form friendships and share faith experiences. Under the expert leadership of Bri Payne and the staff of John Knox, the group was led in icebreakers, group building activities, worship, and ropes course experiences and nourished with delicious meals. Three workshops were offered including Faith Journey taught by Miki Vanderbilt, PCUSA 101 taught by Carl Schlich, and the Ropes Course, led by John Knox staff. Worship was an important part of the Confirmation event and was designed to involve all of the youth in the leadership of this experience. According to one pastor, "When your youth lift you up thirty feet in the air, you bond in ways that don't happen ordinarily. We had a great time and talked all the way back home about our experiences." One youth who had never been to John Knox Center fell in love with the camp and is looking forward to participating in the summer programs. "I can't wait to stay a whole week!" she declared. The Small Church Ministry Group, John Knox Center staff and the Equip Ministry Team have begun planning the next PET Confirmation Retreat to be held in February or March of 2011. For more information, contact Miki Vanderbilt, minister@westemorychurch.org. |
| Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery |
 Annual Spring Gathering
Friday, April 23, 2010
Second Presbyterian Church
Knoxville, TN "Life of Faith Challenged by Secular Society" KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Betsy Berry, a participant in the PW Global Exchange to Eastern Europe in 2008, will share slides and stories beyond the articles in HORIZONS.
Also:
**Service to install new officers based on our study of Joshua
**Scholarship awarded to one of our Presbytery's Inquirers or Candidates
**Special music provided by Second Presbyterian's scholarship students
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 22, 2010 to attend "Come See Columbia" Day at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. This special gathering for women from the Synod of Living Waters and the Synod of South Atlantic will be the first meeting with the new CTS President Dr. Steve Hayner.
Coffee and registration begins at 9 a.m. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Benton Family Assoc. Professor of Christian Education, will lead our Morning Worship at 10 a.m. Lunch will be offered in the dining hall ($10 payable that day), followed by guided tours of the campus and visits to the newly established historical library (recently moved from Montreal).
The Winter 2010 Newsletter of PWP has additional information on these events, plus:
- News from PWs in our Presbytery
- Details on the Service/Mission Project to provide hygiene and baby kits for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
- Information on the Synod Triennial Gathering, June 3-5 in Huntsville, AL
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| 2010-2011 Presbyterian Planning Calendars |
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LAST CALL - Order by April 23 for Bulk Discount
Individuals and churches may order the 2010-11 Presbyterian Planning Calendars through the Presbytery office. By combining many smaller orders, we can offer a reduced bulk rate of $6.60 per calendar as opposed to the regular calendar price of $10.50 plus shipping from Presbyterian Distribution Service. Please print the order form and mail it to the Presbytery office with payment. Order forms must be in the Presbytery office by Friday, April 23 to be included in the bulk order.
Calendar Order Form
The calendars will be delivered to the Presbytery office sometime in May and MUST BE PICKED UP THERE. If you have any questions, please contact Dana Hendrix in the Presbytery office: 865-688-5581 / 800-542-4246 (TN only) or email dana@presbyteryeasttn.org |
| Be in five places at once! |
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Committees are discovering video conferencing
The monthly Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting held in March simultaneously convened at five places in one afternoon. With the help of CLP Alan Payne and others, our CPM met not just with team members in Knoxville at the presbytery office, Mars Hills Presbyterian in Athens, and Northminster Presbyterian in Chattanooga, but also with our PET seminary students in Richmond, VA and Nashville, TN, thanks to the video conferencing equipment PET purchased last year. What a blessing to have the chance to see and hear people far away in order to do God's ministry of support and discernment. Although this annual consultation with students was our first CPM video conference, North Alabama Presbytery recently did a video conference at a presbytery meeting with a student in Korea. We are joining cutting edge ministry!
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| Free books and intentional spiritual community |
 Educators from the Northern, Middle, and Southern regions of our Presbytery met on March 9 and enjoyed sharing Holy Week resources from our PET Resource Center, hearing about each other's stimulating ministries from their local churches, learning about Educator Certification process for educational excellence, and walking away with free books as door prizes after a meal shared together. Thanks to PET staff member Laura Tappan's leadership, we were able to mutually support one another while learning about curriculum selection, brain storm ways to share Vacation Bible School materials, and debrief a workshop "How to Talk About Faith with Children and Youth" from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators conference. Those present were: Cheryl Child, Lina Hart, Melanie Rasnake, Angela Grobe, Joyce Merritt, Mary Boyd, Susan Mills, Will Purushotham, Crystal Fallesen, Tim Crais, Mark Lampley, and Laura Tappan.
Our next educator meeting, which again would be open to all in educational ministry, is tentatively planned for July 14 at 10:00am at Mars Hill Presbyterian Church in Athens.
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| News & Events Around the Presbytery |
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Bethel Arts Ministry
 Bethel Presbyterian Church in Kingston is launching an arts ministry to reach out to the community. BAM (Bethel Arts Ministry) will begin offering adult and children's art classes on a weekly basis. The children's classes will be taught by certified art educator, Micki Anderson, and the adult classes will be taught by the Rev. Craig Hendrix. BAM will also coordinate exhibits by local artists in the newly renovated Bethel campus.
Sessions run for 8 weeks. The first session will begin on April 21st from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and will continue weekly. The fee is $5.00 per class (includes dinner and materials). Scholarships will be available. For more information, call 865-376-6340 or email mickerson@comcast.net.
All are invited to celebrate this new ministry at Bethel's first exhibition:
APPALACHIAN STATE OF MIND
a photographical and historical perspective
Sunday, April 18th
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Meet the Artist and Book Signing Reception
Be Still...Cades Cove, Reflections of the Creator
By Brad Hood, Photographer and Poet
and
Appalachians All:
East Tennesseans and
the Elusive History of an American Region
By Mark Banker, Author
Female Vocalists and Musicians Sought
 Kairos Prison Ministries International is currently seeking female vocalists and musicians (particularly piano and guitar) to help lead music for East Tennessee Kairos Outside, a ministry to women who have or have had a loved one incarcerated. This ministry is designed to show Christ's love to these women, who have often been rejected, even by the church. Kairos Outside sponsors two weekend retreats annually, and because the events are strictly for women, they need female team members, including the musicians. An introductory workshop is being held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church Monday, April 19, 2010 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM, for those who are interested in becoming a part of this ministry or to simply learn more about it.
Bethel Memorial Garden Dedication
Sunday, April 25th
Worship begins at 11:00 AM EST
Bethel Presbyterian Church, Kingston, will hold a dedication service for their Memorial Garden on Sunday, April 25th. Immediately following the service, there will be a service of committal for the ashes of Rev. Marc Sherrod. The Presbytery is invited to join us as we bear witness to resurrection hope.
Food Justice Enthusiasts: Agrarian Road Trip to stop in Knoxville on June 15th
 Andrew Bartlett from the Presbyterian Hunger Program is organizing an agrarian road trip called "Heaven on Earth." This road trip will travel through several states, making stops along the way to visit local food and food justice projects. The trip will celebrate the decentralized, grassroots sustainable food and agricultural revolution that is sprouting up everywhere. The trip will end up at the U.S. Social Forum, which is being held June 22-26 in Detroit, MI.
The road trip will arrive in Knoxville on June 15th late in the afternoon and will depart on the 16th. To obtain additional information on the stop in Knoxville, contact Deborah Phillips, our Presbytery's Hunger Action Enabler - deborah@presbyteryeasttn.org
Gatlinburg Church Facilities Available to Youth Groups
 The facilities of the Gatlinburg Presbyterian Church, located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the main entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, are available to church-sponsored youth groups and other character-building organizations (e.g. Scouts) for stays of from one to three nights. Each group must be accompanied by an adequate number of adult supervisors, who will assume responsibility for the conduct of the group.
The physical facilities of the Gatlinburg church include a two-story fellowship/educational wing that can accommodate up to fifty individuals. To help defray the expenses of hosting such groups, there will be a fee of $10 per individual for the first night and $5.00 per individual for each additional night.
Creative Expressions Ministry at Erin
The recent production of the original play The Tree House is just one example of "creative expression" taking place at Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. The Creative Expressions Ministry is a faith-based arts program that began 14 years ago and includes theater troupes for elementary, middle school, high school and adults, as well as a variety of musical groups.
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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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