JCUpd@te - July 2011

September 2011

Johnson City District

News Update

Greetings!

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

On Sunday, September 18, clergy and laity from across the Johnson City District gathered at Cherokee UMC for our annual District Conference. Following a message from Bishop Richard Looney, the conference heard reports from Rev. Steph Burkhart on ongoing efforts toward Tornado Recovery (see article below), and from Mr. Sam Barnett about the district's In Mission Together partnership with the churches of the Czech Republic.The partnership report included a 5-minute video showing what it means to be "In Mission Together."

Rev. Michelle McKinnon-Young, founding pastor of the new English-Speaking UMC in Prague, and her husband Mr. Gary Young, the church's Director of Music and Cultural Arts, joined the gathering via Skype video. They shared with the conference their activities since arriving in Prague in late June, and plans for the future. Attendees were given a wish list of items and expenses that churches, groups and individuals can assist the new church with, and an offering of $603 was collected to help fund this ministry. Learn more about this ministry in article below.

Committee, team and board members were elected to serve the district, and At-Large Lay Members to the 2012 Annual Conference were elected. A budget of $170,864 was adopted for the 2012 calendar year, and the conference voted to fund this budget by applying a formula of 2.05% to each church's 2010 Undesignated Receipts (as reported on the 2010 year end statistical reports) to determine the Fair Share Apportionments.

For more information on District Conference, including the complete minutes, the slate of officers elected, At-Large Lay Members elected, the 2012 Budget and the 2012 Fair Share Apportionments, visit the district website.

Tornado Recovery Continues

"We are not far from winter, and we still have neighbors with blue tarps on their roofs; windows and doorways covered with plastic bags; living in cramped travel trailers; in mobile homes with damaged ceilings, insulation, underpinning; living in tents and outbuildings. We have to stand with them right now!" (A Greene County volunteer)

Nearly five months after deadly tornadoes swept through the Johnson City District, recovery work continues. Repairs have been made to the churches in our district that were damaged. The congregations of Mt. Tabor UMC and Liberty Hill UMC, both badly damaged by the storms, are now worshiping in their newly restored buildings.

On Sunday, October 9 Liberty Hill UMC will hold an Appreciation Day to express their thanks to everyone who had a hand in helping them rebuild. Worship will be at 11:00 am followed by lunch and open house.

See WBIR report on Mt. Tabor's first Sunday back

However, many families are still struggling to rebuild their homes, some still living in temporary housing as cooler weather approaches.

Rev. Steph Burkhart, Johnson City District Disaster Coordinator, reports that two groups are still hard at work to assist those affected, but your help is still needed:

AIDNET of Greene County

To Volunteer, Donate Supplies or Furniture, Call: 423-620-3311

Send Monetary Donations to:

Greene County AIDNET

P.O. 2662, Greeneville, TN 37744

SCCDR of Washington County (South Central Community Disaster Relief CO-OP)

Schedule Work Teams: Tommy (Charles) Johnson 423-791-3694

Donate Building Materials or Furniture: Michelle Ricker: 423-416-3189

Send Monetary Donations to:

Nolichuckey Volunteer Fire Department

2634 HWY 107,

Chuckey, TN 37641

Enon Baptist Church
106 Enon Church Rd
Jonesborough, TN 37659

Rev. Burkhart commented at District Conference, "It has been months since I saw any of our local churches working in that area!" He added that teams are still desperately needed to assist those who are hurting.

To schedule a work team in Greene or Washington Counties, contact Rev. Burkhart at 423-895-1296 or by email.

New Church Start

First Three Months

Michelle McKinnon-Young and Gary Young arrived in Prague June 29, 2011 to begin work launching a new church start - The English-Speaking United Methodist Church in Prague. The first three months of their time there have been spent handling many administrative and "settling in" details: moving into their new apartment, opening bank accounts, obtaining the necessary documentation (visas, work permits, etc.) for living and working in a foreign country, and much more.

During this time, Michelle and Gary have also visited all of the existing English-Speaking congregations in Prague connecting with the pastors and learning how to launch a successful ministry in this international city. They have already made many connections through social and business groups with English-Speaking individuals and families throughout Prague.

Michelle and Gary are working closely with the Czech District of the United Methodist Church, visiting their offices on a regular basis to plan, organize and dream. Together they are meeting with an architect to make plans for renovation of the church building. The district staff has given them invaluable assistance in obtaining their legal documents, learning to shop for groceries, communicating with bankers, utility companies and movers, and acclimating to their new home.

Gary has just completed Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) training, passed his certification test, and has begun interviewing for teaching positions. He has also already begun teaching piano lessons to a young Korean student.

The Next Three Months

A Volunteer in Mission team from Frisco, TX will visit in October and begin renovation work on the church building, and a team from the Johnson City District will visit in early December to continue this work. Also, in October, Michelle and Gary will participate in the annual Expat Expo, an event attended by about 6,000 Internationals. Their display at this event will allow them to reach many potential church members.

While the official first worship service will not be until spring of next year, they will begin meeting October 19 for Bible Study, coffee and conversation. Also planned are special "preview" worship services celebrating Thanksgiving, preparing for Advent, Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion, and a New Year's Eve Watch Night Service.

How You Can Help

Adopt a project, room, or expense from the Wish List.
Become a Covenant Church
Send a Mission Team
Join a Mission Team
Pray!

For More Info About Czech Missions:

English Speaking UMC-Prague Website

ESUMC Prague Facebook Page

Czech Partnership Facebook Page

Czech Missions Page on District Website

Lay Speaker Training

November 11 - 12, 2011

Cherokee UMC

The Johnson City District lay speaker training event for fall 2011 will be held at Cherokee UMC in Johnson City from 6:15 - 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11 and from 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p. m. on Saturday, November 12.

Joey Manis will be teaching the basic course; Randy Frye will lead United Methodist Heritage, Betty Barton will lead Lay Speakers Do Mission, and Tim Bracken will teach Lay Speakers Preach.

Registration Fee of $20.00 includes the cost of materials (if any). Lunch will NOT be provided; we are providing extra time so you can eat wherever you choose. Registration deadline is October 17.

For more information contact Dell Gates at (423) 915-0855 or email.

Download brochure/registration form

Youth Events

Festival of Gifts and Talents

Sunday, October 23

6:00 - 8:00 pm
Munsey Memorial UMC

One of the groups leading this night of worship (not night of competition) will be selected by the district to be a part of Resurrection 2012!!! It could be your group! Contact Gary Ihfe for more information.

SLAM! 2011

Sunday, November 13

Gray UMC

Students Love in Action Movement. It's a great way to focus your teens on the world around them. Choose a project, Come up with a way to "sell" your idea (get people to support it). And then create a booth for the SLAM Center at Gray UMC on November 13th. Youth groups will get to come see what others are doing, Churches will get to see what their teens (and other teens) are capable of, and the community will see that our Christian youth do not love merely in word and speech but in truth and action!!! Check out the website for more information or contact Gary Ihfe. Sign Up today!!!