Greetings!
Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District.
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Buffalo Mountain's new swimming pool filled with mud after the flood (top) and after a thorough cleaning (bottom). Photos courtesy of Buffalo Mountain Camp's Facebook Page
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News From Camp
Progress is being made! It is slow, but we are pressing on! After the flood, our new pool was full of mud and dirty water. However, as you can see below it has been cleaned out and is in perfect working order. What a blessing!
The USDA has completed their environmental assessment of Ramsey Creek and will soon be working on re-routing the creek. The maintenance shed now has power and will serve as the hub of our recovery. We are beginning to receive assessments from structural engineers concerning various areas around camp. After reviewing all assessments, we will be ready to do some serious work around Camp in terms of cleaning up trails and moving rocks. So if you haven't signed up for the Volunteer List, please do so now so you can know of ways to help with the recovery.
Good news! We are preparing the Retreat Center and cabins 7 and 8 for retreats beginning in October. We look forward to serving the folks that come here again!
In addition, two great fundraisers are planned in the coming months - Rollin' to Recovery and Hoedown. See the article below for more information on these events.
Recovery will not be quick or cheap. However, we are heartened to see the money already coming in to help Buffalo Mountain recover from this flood. Donations may be made:
- Through your church treasurer,
- To the Johnson City District (2615 S. Roan St, Ste 106, Johnson City, TN 37601 (make check payable to Johnson City District and mark "Buffalo Mountain Relief" on memo line),
- Thru Holston Conference, PO Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701 (make check payable to Holston Conference and mark Project #
- Online
Continue to keep us in your prayers during this process. We sure do appreciate it!
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Two Fundraising Events Planned for
Buffalo Mountain Camp
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Friday, November 9
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Munsey Memorial UMC
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Thursday, September 27
5:00 - 8:30 pm
Family Skate Center
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Hope for Dry Creek Community
The flood that devastated Buffalo Mountain Camp also swept the the neighboring Dry Creek Community, destroying 46 homes. According to an article published in the September 11 edition of the Johnson City Press, Appalachia Service Project, a ministry with close ties to the United Methodist Church, has announced plans to rebuild all 46 homes at no cost to the homeowners!
This endeavor is made possible by grants from a Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati disaster fund, and donations to be raised by ASP. The labor will be donated by volunteers from across the US who will be housed and fed by Cherokee United Methodist Church.
Read more: See video: WJHL
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The team at Good Samaritan Ministries. Front row (l to r): Alexandra Zemanova, Veronika Hradska. Second row: Michaela Sestakova, Iveta Francikova. Back row: Miky Kriz, Jana Krizova, Pavel Benes.
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Czech Team Visits Johnson City
A team of seven United Methodists from the Czech Republic visited the Johnson City District September 3 - 10 as part of our In Mission Together partnership with the Czech Republic. These volunteers spent time learning about and working at some of the mission and outreach programs that we support as a district.
The team visited Coalition for Kids on Tuesday and Wednesday, interacting with the children during play, study, worship and supper times. At the Wesley Foundation at ETSU, they joined students for Tuesday evening supper and worship. On a rainy Wednesday morning, the team visited Buffalo Mountain Camp for a tour, witnessing first-hand the devastation that occurred during recent flooding.
Thursday and Friday the team worked in the hot and humid Heaven Sent Thrift Store at Good Samaritan Ministries, sorting and hanging winter clothes, preparing summer clothes for shipment to Africa, and reorganizing shelved goods. The manager of the thrift store expressed amazement at the amount of work they accomplished.
On Sunday morning, the group spread out to attend churches across the district: Gray UMC, Johnson City First UMC, Bluff City UMC and Mt. Tabor UMC in Greene County. They were also treated to a meal on Friday night at Piney Flats UMC.  Team leader Jana Krizova and her son Miky Kriz visited the Mt. Tabor church Sunday morning, where they provided special music and she shared with the congregation how much our partnership means to her and other Czech United Methodists. Mt. Tabor was a recipient of funds donated by the Czech pastors to assist with rebuilding after the April 27, 2011 tornado that damaged the church and killed three members. In honor of this gift, the church has a Czech flag hanging in the back of the sanctuary.
The team wrapped up their visit with a luncheon at Wesley Memorial UMC on Monday, where they were joined by Americans who have been a part of Volunteer in Mission teams traveling to the Czech Republic over the last six years.
The In Mission Together Partnership Team wishes to thank all the churches, ministries, and individuals who made this visit possible.
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 | | The Wesley Foundation Praise Band looks on as Director John Ousley promotes the Auction and Barbeque during worship. |
Twelfth Annual Auction/Barbecue
Saturday, September 22
12:30 to 4:30 pm
Wesley Foundation at ETSU
1100 Seminole Dr
Johnson City, TN 37604 Meal: Served from 12:30 - 1:45 and 3:30 - 4:30. Featuring barbecue prepared by John Abe Teague and the Root & Rock Gang with homemade sides and deserts. Live Auction: 2:00 - 3:30. Bid on golf packages, stressless recliner & ottoman from Mauk's, gift baskets, original art work, jewelry, camping week in Gatlinburg, guided hiking expeditions, ETSU sport tickets, UT football tickets, brick pavers, top soil, window washing service, carpet cleaning, hand-crafted furniture and much more. Ticket Prices: Adults $10, Students $5
10% of the proceeds from this event go to Buffalo Mountain Camp, so this is an opportunity to help two great ministries!
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Men of Praise Concert
Saturday, September 22
7:00 pm
Wesley Memorial UMC Join the Men of Praise for a concert benefiting Czech Missions! This is a free concert, with donations accepted at the door.
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Nominations for At-Large Lay Members Still Open The District Office will continue to accept nominations for At-Large Lay Members to the 2013 Holston Annual Conference through Friday, September 21. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please download the nomination form below and return it to the District Office by the deadline. At-Large Lay Members will be elected at the Johnson City District Conference, Sunday, September 30, 2:00 pm at Cherokee UMC.
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 Lay Servant Training
The Johnson City District will offer Lay Servant Training (formerly known as Lay Speaker Training) Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 at Cherokee UMC.
Courses include: Basic Course, led by Rev. Adam Love; Lay Servants Preach, led by Rev. Tim Bracken; Intentional Spirituality led by Rev. Scott Brady; and Our United Methodist Heritage, led by Rev. Bill Carter.
The registration fee of $20 includes the cost of materials. Registration deadline is Monday, September 24.
For more information:
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News from
Rev. Michelle McKinnon-Young reports that ESUMC Prague has experienced a busy and exciting summer. From a month-long English camp, to a newly renovated multi-purpose space including a worship area and coffee bar; from the start of a Mothering Center to the possibilities of year-round English Ministry; and the impending launch of weekly worship, Michelle and Gary have enjoyed a whirlwind of activity.
Learn more in their most recent newsletter
Visit their website
Visit their Facebook page
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Saturday, October 6, 2012
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
Do you have children who are struggling with bullying, changes in behavior, depression, addiction, or other life controlling issues?
Mr. Steven Baldwin, Community Development Director for the City of Johnson City will be the keynote speaker. The day will also include workshop sessions led by experts in the many challenges our teens and children face in today's world. The event will end with a panel discussion with: Brandi Dingus, Health Connect America; Jennifer Berven, Insight Alliance; Carrie Marchent, Moral Kombat; David Sapp, Woodridge Hospital; Joyce Noto, Washington County School Counselor; and Judge Sharon Green, Washington County Juvenile Court.
This event is free of charge, but per-registration is required. To register call 926-0978 or email Margie White.
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The Witness Ministry Team is accepting applications through September 15 for Church Evangelism Program Grants. To date, they have only received one application, and there is a total of $30,000 in grant money available!
Download the application and guidelines to see if your program qualifies. Go to the Grants page of Holston's website, and then click on the second link "Church Evangelism Program Grant".
The Holston Conference Outreach/Advocacy Team is pleased to announce a new, in-conference grant opportunity for Poverty and Hunger ministries by Holston churches and related agencies. The grant is available to support new and existing ministries with economically disadvantaged individuals and families. The deadline for grant applications is November 1, 2012 with available monies to be granted by December 15, 2012. Grant applications are available online at the Connectional Ministries Grants page
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Imagine No Malaria 
Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the people of The United Methodist Church, putting our faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother.
Holston Conference has committed to saving 100,000 lives by raising $1 million in one year. You can give online (indicate you are donating from the Holston Conference) or by writing Advance Special #684/Imagine No Malaria on your check donation to your local church or the Holston Conference.
Learn more at ImagineNoMalaria.org.
Visit Holston's Imagine No Malaria Facebook Page
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Upcoming Events
Singin' in the Shed Featuring Lightnin' Charlie
Saturday, September 15
6:00 pm
Austin Springs UMC
Lightnin' Charlie's website
Saturday Breakfast
Saturday, September 15
7:00 am - 10:00 am
Fairview UMC
Auction/Barbeque Fundraiser
Saturday, September 22
12:30 - 4:30 pm
Wesley Foundation at ETSU
Download more info
Men of Praise Concert
Benefiting Czech Missions
Rollin' to Recovery
Benefiting Buffalo Mountain Camp
Thursday, September 27 5:00 - 8:30 pm Family Skate Center Learn More
Lord's Acre SaleSaturday, September 29
7:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fairview UMC
District Conference
2:00 pm PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME!
Farmapalooza Festaroostock
PLEASE NOTE: Due to flooding at Buffalo Mountain Camp, this replaces Youth Camp Day
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, October 2
10:00 am and 6:30 pm
Cherokee UMC
Family Awareness Fair
Saturday, October 6
9:00 - 3:00
Cherokee UMC
Download Brochure
Download Flyer
Lay Servant Training
Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13
Cherokee UMC
More Info
The Congregation as a Contagious Methodist Movement - A Workshop with Lew Parks
October 19-20
First UMC, Morristown
Download Brochure
Impact JC
Saturday, October 27
Sites across the region
More info
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