| Presbytery Staff |
Judd Shaw
General Presbyter 865-688-5581 ext. 103 James McTyre Stated Clerk
865-688-5581 ext. 104 Bri PayneExecutive Director, John Knox Center
865-376-2236 Dana Hendrix Office Manager
865-688-5581 ext. 101 Gwen Pyle Financial Administrator
865-688-5581 ext. 102 Office Mailing AddressP.O. Box 5436 Knoxville, TN 37928-0436 Office Fax865-689-3364 Office Hours8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Call ahead if you plan to stop by between 12:00 and 1:00pm.
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"Pray without ceasing."
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1 Thessalonians 5:17
The Support Mission Team of the Presbytery is encouraging churches and ministries in the Presbytery of East Tennessee to pray for one another during the season of Easter, starting March 31 and ending May 18. Please share the daily and weekly schedule with church leadership, prayer groups, PW, individuals, etc. Print the list in your bulletins weekly. Please copy and paste the list in your upcoming newsletters. We have included the 71 churches and ministries of PET.
Daily Prayer Schedule
Weekly Prayer Schedule
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Stewardship Workshop - Apr. 18
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From the Presbytery's Finance and Stewardship Committee:
 A Stewardship Workshop will be offered by the Presbytery's Finance and Stewardship Committee in the Knoxville area on Thursday, April 18, at 6:00 p.m. at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, 3700 Keowee Ave. SW, Knoxville. The workshop will present the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program by Herb Miller, an internationally recognized authority in congregational health and effectiveness. New Consecration Sunday is copyrighted and published by Abingdon Press.
The New Consecration Sunday Program does not promote stewardship as an annual fund-raiser for the church budget. Rather, the program asks people to grow spiritually by giving a percentage of their income in grateful response to God's grace in their lives. "Jesus summed up the spiritual connection between money and God this way: 'Where our treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Luke 12:34). Financial stewardship is treasure management that helps us to escape the trap of selfishness by keeping ourselves spiritually focused on God." (p. 7, New Consecration Sunday, Revised Edition)
Members of Sequoyah Hills and Powell (two congregations that used this program very successfully in 2012) will describe this detailed approach to Christian stewardship and its results. Pastors, treasurers, and finance committee members will receive practical guidance in how to implement the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship model. For more information, contact Ann Owens Brunger, 865-405-2281 or brunger@mindspring.com.
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Presbytery Educators Gathering
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We sincerely thank the educational staff at Knoxville's Westminster for hosting our March 7 PET Educators gathering. Pictured below are some of our presbytery's hard working educators, some who work in children's ministry, others in youth, and still others all ages. If you need summer programming ideas, special seasonal activities, knowledge of what materials are new from our denomination, or help evaluating curriculum ask an educator nearest you. Next meeting TBA. Contact Dana Hendrix if you are not an employed educator but would like to be notified of our meetings - dana@presbyteryeasttn.org.
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| Presbytery Resource Center |
 The Presbytery Resource Center is available to you! When the Presbytery office building was closed, the resource center moved to First Presbyterian Church in Lenoir City. Connie Umbach is the volunteer resource center director and can be reached at resourcePET@gmail.com
The resource center is opened most Wednesdays, and other times by appointment, don't hesitate to ask! You can look at the catalog on the Resource Center web page.
In addition to equipment, video studies and books, the resource center needs to be a place of ideas and help for your ministries. Connie is currently working with tech support to set up a communication network between educators to share ideas, reviews of material, best place to find resources, best practice tips, etc. Every church has an educator, whether a paid position, a volunteer, or a particular person that is passionate about Christian education. Once we have the network in place, we would like to have every PET church have at least one person linked in!
Meanwhile, we can use email to connect...let Connie know theme and dates of your VBS this year, and we will try to connect those using the same studies so they can share decorations, backdrops, etc.
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| Maryville College |
"Just for Juniors" Open House, April 12
 Maryville College invites prospective students to take one more step toward making their college decision by attending a "Just for Juniors" event, scheduled for Fri., April 12.
Current high school juniors are invited to campus to participate in events that will inform them about Maryville College's academic programs, facilities, faculty, staff and current students.
The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with check-in and complimentary ice cream in Bartlett Hall, the College's student center. At 4 p.m., prospective students and their families will divide into groups for a tour of the campus, led by current MC students. They will visit residence halls, campus hangouts and dining facilities, and also learn about classroom buildings, library resources and historic landmarks in an interactive and engaging way.
"Just for Juniors" also includes opportunities to speak with faculty members from every academic division, as well as representatives from campus organizations. Guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary dinner in the Margaret Ware Dining Room of Pearsons Hall.
Online registration
For more information or to register by phone, contact the Maryville College Admissions Office, 865.981.8092.
Summer Youth Get-A-Way, June 16-21
Maryville College Summer Youth Get-A-Way is an exciting five day retreat that fuses discovering a potential for leadership with exploring the values of Christian faith in a complex world. Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students will spend the week contemplating how their gifts might answer the needs of the world. Students will both get away from their current busy lives and also get a way to live out their personal calling. Team building activities such as a low ropes course and a climb up the Mountain Challenge Alpine Tower will help to sharpen leadership skills and foster a sense of community. Small discussion groups on issues of faith, leadership, and vocation help to broaden perspectives and promote learning.
Worship services led by MC Campus Minister Rev. Anne McKee, a guest musician, and the student campers will feed the spirit, and a hike in the Smoky Mountains will evoke the beauty of God's creation. A group service project will help to turn faith outward as campers begin to live out their calling to serve the world.
 Room & board fees:
The cost for the week is $225 per student, which covers food and housing. Tuition and program fees are funded by the Maryville College Initiative on Vocation. Online registration For More information: Kathleen Farnham
Office of Church Relations
865.981.8217 kathleen.farnham@maryvillecollege.edu
Diana Curtis
Center for Campus Ministry
865.981.8297 / diana.curtis@maryvillecollege.edu
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2013 Big Tent, Aug. 1-3
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Ten PC(USA) conferences in Louisville, KY
Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that is more exciting, more faithful, and more diverse than you have ever imagined. Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be a Presbyterian. The event will be celebratory, diverse, and participatory, with intergenerational activities.
Under one roof, the 2013 Big Tent will combine 10 national Presbyterian conferences and a single theme: "Placing God's First Things First" (Matt. 6:33-34). It will take place August 1-3 at the Kentucky International Convention Center and nearby hotels in downtown Louisville.
2013 Big Tent website and registration
An offer from the Peacemaking Committee
Any East Tennessee Presbyterian attending the Big Tent for the first time is eligible for free registration offered by the Presbytery's Peacemaking Committee. To apply for free registration, please contact Donna Schall at 865-531-1788 or schalldon@att.net.
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| News and Events Around the Presbytery |
Coalition for Appalachian Ministry Spring ConferenceTuesday, April 16, 2013
Beyond the Band-aids: Helping Others Get Beyond The Poverty Level
The Coalition for Appalachian Ministry (CAM) brings together church leaders and community leaders to explore ways of responding to poverty issues in your community.
This one day event will provide participants with information, resources, and tools designed to help strengthening efforts of providing a holistic ministry to those in poverty.
Additional information and registration
Princeton Youth Forum, April 23-26
Engaging, reflective, and theologically substantive, the 2013 Princeton Forums on Youth Ministry will focus on Christian discipleship, exploring the breadth and depth of what it means to follow Christ for a lifetime. Today we "follow" the social media feeds of friends, celebrities, or a favorite product with the simple click of a button. Contemporary culture encourages young people to be "disciples" of brands and bands. Into this mix, the risen Christ calls, "Follow me." The first disciples followed Christ on a journey of community, prayer, sorrow, joy, eating with outcasts, healing, and ultimately the cross and resurrection. Be part of a gathering of youth leaders, pastors, and scholars as we ask, "How can the Church engage young people in the journey of a lifetime, following Jesus Christ?" Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul.Additional information and registrationRivermont Calls the Rev. Clay Thomas
 Rivermont Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga is proud to announce they have called the Rev. Clay Thomas to serve as their new head of staff. For the past six years Clay has served as Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida, a 1100 member church. He has provided leadership in worship, missions and pastoral care. He founded the Sarasota Interfaith Alliance, serves on the Sarasota Ministerial Board, and has worked closely with Florida's farm workers. Clay will be presented to the Presbytery at its meeting on May 7. Informational brochure on Rev. Thomas and his family. Rivermont Mission Trip to Bell County, KY  Nine people from Rivermont - Gene and Dana Stubsten, Craig and Laura Kellogg, June Little, Patsy Turner, Mike Stocker, Bob and Joyce Bay - left early Monday, December 10th to deliver presents to the students of Frakes School in Bell county, Kentucky. After the four hour trip, the school fed us lunch then the primary grades were paraded into the gym. Each class was seated in a circle and the presents were passed out to the children. Before the children were allowed to open their presents, the new Principal gave us a banner made by each class and bound together by ribbons to show their gratitude.
All children sat quietly waiting for the signal to unwrap their presents. When the signal was given, quiet no longer existed. The children then left the gym thanking and hugging us as they left. Then the middle school children entered following the same procedure as the primary grades. Presents were not opened until the signal was given. Since this group had many basketballs, the noise level was very high. Later, the preschoolers were awakened from their naps and came to the gym. Again very orderly, even these kids waited to open their presents until instructed to do so. Comments from the group that went centers around the children's gratitude for their gifts and their delight over these presents and wishing more people from Rivermont could see the joy they are bringing to these children.
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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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