JCUpd@te - March 2011

March 2011

Johnson City District

News Update

Greetings!

Here is a quick update on what's going on in the Johnson City District.

The United Methodist Response
An elderly couple walks to deliver food to their relatives who are victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Minamisanriku City, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 16, 2011. REUTERS/Kyodo courtesy alertnet.org

March 16, 2011-The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has partnered with the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) and first-responder GlobalMedic to bring immediate relief to communities in Japan affected by last week's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami.

A grant to the UCCJ will help the church respond to the most pressing humanitarian needs in the wake of the crisis, including clean drinking water, food, basic cooking and eating supplies, clothing, and fuel (mainly for heating).

In addition to the earthquake and tsunami and the uncertainty provoked by possible radiation poisoning from damaged nuclear reactors, it is still winter in Japan and the weather is bitterly cold and windy, and snow is falling in the devastated northern part of the country.

Are You Going to Annual Conference?

Ushers/Tellers Needed - Respond Immediately to Volunteer!

Volunteers are needed to serve as ushers/tellers at Annual Conference 2011. These positions are especially critical in 2011 because of the voting for delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference.

Email Betty Barton to volunteer

More Annual Conference News

Book of Reports - Do it YOUR WAY

In an effort to be better stewards of our environment and reduce the significant printing bill related to Annual Conference, Holston will be providing the Book of Reports in a variety of formats: electronic/downloadable, CD, or print.

All Members of Annual Conference (both Clergy and Laity) have recently been sent a letter regarding the Book of Reports. Return the postcard included with that letter to specify your preference or go online now to order your downloadable. CD, or print version.

PLEASE NOTE: Because of rising printing and mailing costs, beginning with this year's Annual Conference 2011, a fee of $10 has been assessed for persons who choose to receive the Book of Reports in hard copy. We have kept the fee as low as possible to cover the cost of printing and mailing.

Two JC District Lay Members Nominated for 2012 General Conference

At this year's Annual Conference members will elect Lay and Clergy Delegates for 2012 General Conference. Patty Muse and Paul Brown, Jr. join seventeen additional Lay Members as nominees for election.

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is the denomination's top legislative body for all matters affecting the United Methodist connection. The General Conference meets on a "quadrennial" basis, that is, once every four years.

Click here to read the bios of the Lay nominees

Hands-On Mission Project

Prepare School Kits for Zimbabwe

In 2009 we were challenged by Holston Conference to assemble 300 School Kits. We TRIPLED that goal by collecting 902 kits! In 2010 we DOUBLED our goal of 400 by donating 801! This year, we have been asked to assemble 300 kits to be sent to Ishe Anesu in Zimbabwe. Let's see how many we can collect this year!

Download the Packing List
Learn more about Ishe Anesu