The Living Stone Award is presented to a smaller membership church that is making a significant impact in its community by making disciples of Jesus Christ through mission endeavors of justice, mercy, reconciliation, peace and/or outreach. The Small Membership Congregation Team (SMCT) is delighted to solicit nominations of small membership churches (fewer than 125 persons in average weekly attendance at its primary worship service) involved in outreach/mission programs, that engender new disciples of Jesus Christ and are making a significant social/spiritual impact in their local community/area.  

Applications must be submitted no later than February 17, 2012 to be considered.

Download the application 

Wesley Connection is an affordable after-school program for 5th-8th grade students in the Johnson City School System. Located at Wesley Memorial UMC, the program is held Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 5:50pm at and operates according to the Johnson City School System schedule.

The cost is $175 per month and includes transportation from Indian Trail Middle School and the Science Hill 8-9 Campus.

By Beth P. McCoy, Music Ministry Consultant  

Here are three dilemmas:

1) The piano teacher has one or more students who are eager to learn to play piano and to play in church as soon as they are able, but they only have cheap keyboards on which to practice their music. The parents cannot afford the cost of the lessons and the cost of a piano. What can the teacher do?

2) Your church needs a pianist to play for worship and, despite conscientiously searching, asking and praying, hasn't yet found anyone.  What can the church do?

3) Your church has had one or more old pianos donated to it.  Usually the donations are by generous members of your congregation who no longer have room for the instrument, but that church classroom where it sits now needs to be used for hand bell practice, Boy Scouts or preschool.  The piano is overcrowding the room and not being used.  What can the church do?

Learn the Answers Here!