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Sunrise in the Smokies
Presbytery of East Tennessee E-Newsletter                                June, 2013

 

In This Issue
Disaster Assistance - Oklahoma
Board of Penions News
Gather at the Big Tent
John Knox Center News
2013-14 Horizons Bible Study courses at CTS
Need a vehicle?
News and Events around the Presbytery
Quick Links
Presbytery Staff

Judd Shaw

General Presbyter

865-688-5581, ext. 103 

 

James McTyre

Stated Clerk

865-688-5581 ext. 104  

 

Bri Payne

Executive 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 Address:
P.O. Box 5436
Knoxville, TN 37928-0436

Office Fax:
865-689-3364

Office Hours:
8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
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Disaster Assistance - Oklahoma
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance logo

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance responds to tornadoes in Oklahoma 

 

Recent tornadoes have devastated areas around Oklahoma City, including the town of Moore.  Check the PDA website for updates concerning the most recent outbreak: http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/pda/

Response to the disaster in Moore, Oklahoma

"Our hearts are just broken for the parents. Our prayers are with you."

  

These words from Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin echo how many of us feel after a massive EF-5 tornado destroyed parts of Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday. Homes and businesses were stripped to their foundations by the powerful winds and schools caved in on the young children who took shelter along their hallways.  

In just 30 minutes, 24 lives were lost, including nine children; more than 200 people were injured; and hundreds more were left homeless.

It is in these immediate hours and days that Oklahomans deeply need your prayers and financial support. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is there with spiritual support and caregivers who understand and are trained for the unique challenges of those going through disaster. PDA works directly with mid councils to ensure we're meeting the needs of the community.

 

This is also the time when PDA's work begins coordinating volunteer teams. These teams are vital and make rebuilding possible for those most in need. It is in the weeks, months, and years that follow that PDA will remain-helping with the long-term recovery even when others have moved onto the next disaster or story.   

   

It is something we've already seen this year-from the winter storm that pounded the northeast to tornadoes in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama. Presbyterians are still there, helping those in need.

Now the heartland is hurting, but neighbors already are coming together, picking up the pieces, and moving forward. Will you stand in the GAP (Give/Act/Pray) to help communities recover from this devastating disaster?


What you can do

 

Donate now .  Join the PC(USA) in its collective prayer . Register to become part of a volunteer work team.  Learn more: get the PDA situation report 

   

GIVE. Even after the clouds have lifted, long-term challenges will face millions in Oklahoma; we ask that you prayerfully consider giving  online. You can give $10 now by texting PDA to 20222.  

   

ACT. Assemble Gift of the Heart kits. Get youth involved and experience this act of compassion for those in need through this tangible project. Contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 to register your volunteer work team's interest to help with the repair and rebuilding and for details on how to volunteer your team's skills for efforts on the ground.  

 

PRAY. Pray for individuals and communities affected by the storm.  Consider using the prayer and worship resources available on line. Pray that the hope of Christ will be evident in our response.

 

Board of Pensions News
Healthcare Committee Selects Direction for Medical BOP logo Dues
05/24/2013

 

 

 

The Board of Pensions recognizes both the difficult economic circumstances faced by many Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and councils and the importance of ensuring the continuity of Medical Plan protection to those who serve the Church - protection that continues to require increasing revenue to support healthcare expenses. After several months of soliciting and listening to feedback on proposals to change the medical dues model of the Traditional Program, the Board recognizes how critical the timing of any change is to all those involved, from mid council representatives to churches and plan members. As a result, the Healthcare Committee of the Board's Board of Directors yesterday determined that the dues model should not be changed until 2015.

 

At a meeting in Dallas, the Committee

  • reviewed the three options for restructuring the medical dues model of the Traditional Program;
  • considered the feedback on those options gathered from the Board's various constituencies; and
  • received updated financials on the Medical Plan.

After opening in prayer and giving informed and thoughtful consideration to all of the above, the Committee voted to recommend that the Board retain the current medical dues model for the Traditional Program in 2014, with a 2 percent dues increase, to 23 percent. (This selection has been previously communicated as Option A for 2014.)

 

The Committee further determined to implement a change to the medical dues model beginning in 2015 by selecting Option C. Due to retaining the current model for one additional year, the dues under Option C in 2015 would be 24.5 percent for "full family coverage" and 23 percent in cases where member-only coverage is selected.

 

Read the full article
Gather at the Big Tent

 

2013 Big Tent logo  

The biennial PC(USA) Big Tent consists of TEN multi- workshop worldwide conferences. They are:   

 

Compassion, Peace & Justice Conference 

Evangelism & Church Growth Conference 

Healthy Ministries Conference 

National Elders Conference

Presbyterian Communicators Network Conference 

Racial Ethnic & Immigrants Convocation 

National Multicultural Church Conference 

Theology, Worship & Education Conference 

Seminary Support Network Conference

World Mission Conference 

 

This is an exceptional opportunity to meet Presbyterians from all over the world, and to learn from the leaders/experts in various programs of the Presbyterian church. You may attend sessions from more than one conference.  More info may be found at  www.pcusa.org/bigtent or by calling (800) 728-7228, x5412.

 

The Presbytery Peacemaking Committee, as long as funds allow, will provide first-time Big Tent attendees reimbursement of the $295 registration fee.  Please contact Donna Schall (Peacemaking Co-chair) at [email protected], or (865)531-1788, for further details.
John Knox Center News
Camp John Knox theme: Created and Called

Staff have arrived for a summer of ministry at Camp John Knox!  This week we welcomed 14 staff members who will spend the next 10 days learning, playing, and serving together as we prepare for summer camp.  They will spend time working with our summer camp curriculum "Created and Called," learning how to facilitate high ropes elements, planning engaging worships, developing crazy and fun games, learning how to connect with campers of all ages and so much more.  Please keep these young people, and those who are young at heart, in your prayers.

     

Boy water skiing at Camp John Knox 

Our staff is working hard to get camp ready for everyone who will join us for a week or two or three this summer!  We have camps for all ages (4 yrs old - 12th grade) and offer a wide variety of activities.     

 

All campers will spend time in worship and Bible Study specifically designed for their age group. All activities are led by our staff and are tailored to the unique needs of the group.  We have room in all of our camps and are looking forward to receiving your registration.

  

Camp information and online registration 

 

"Like" John Knox Center on Facebook to get the most recent updates and see pictures of what is happening at camp!  We look forward to seeing you this summer.

2013-14 Horizons Bible Study courses at CTS

August 5-7 and 16-17 

 

2013-14 Horizons Bible Study The Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary announces open registration for this summer's WEEKDAY and WEEKEND courses for the 2013-14 Horizons Bible Study.

 

Author Janice Catron will lead the WEEKDAY course August 5-7.She will accompany your exploration of Exodus and Deuteronomy, with an eye toward discovering the promise of what our relationship with God can be and the realities of what that relationship often becomes. The group will create a communal art project as part of the course. 

 

Linda Morningstar, former associate director of lifelong learning and popular Horizons study leader returns to lead the WEEKEND event on August 16-17.  During the weekend, Linda will introduce creative exercises to enrich your group's experience of the texts. You'll be given ideas for hymns, songs, poems, and prayers to use with your lessons.

 

For more information, contact [email protected] or call 404-687-4577.

 

To order materials, visit  http://horizons.pcusa.org/bible.htm 

Please bring a Bible and a copy of the study guides with you to class; the bookstore may not be open during your event.

Need a vehicle?
UT Public Auction - June 15

   

van The University of Tennessee offers for sale 'where-is, as-is' at public auction approximately 130 automobiles to include 4 seven-passenger mini vans, 1 five-passenger van, 1 twelve-passenger van, 5 fifteen-passenger vans, 68 mid-size sedans, 10 three-quarter ton pickups, 1 three-quarter ton 4x4 pick up, 1 half-ton 4x4 6ft bed pickup,  3 compact pickups w/air, 7 compact SUV's, 1 smart car, 1 half ton ext pick-up, 7 police cruisers, 2 Intermed 4x4 SUVs, 2 standard sedans, 1 one ton pick-up, 3 one ton 4x4 pickups, 2 mid size 4x4 SUVs, 1 passenger cargo, 1 intermed police SUV, 1 cutaway van, 3 cargo mini vans, 1 compact SUV hybrid, 1 light dump truck, and 2 fourteen passenger vans w/center aisle.

 

Lot list

 

Lot Lists will be printed and available for bidders at the auction.  

The property is located at 2021 Stephenson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996. Inspection is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14. The auction will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15.

 

Payment is to be made by cash, cashier's check, or certified check. Personal or company check will only be accepted if accompanied by an original bank letter of credit. In lieu of the full amount of purchase, the successful bidder may pay a $100 deposit for each vehicle. A receipt will then be given with a letter detailing the procedures for final payment. All sales are final and there will be no refunds.

 

The University reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to remove items from the auction. Contact Holly Harmon at 865-974-7925 for payment information. Contact Mike Moneymaker at 865-974-2134 for technical questions on Public Auction S13-009.

News and Events around the Presbytery
Bethel Presbyterian Church celebrates two milestones
 

Please join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Rev. Dick Hettrick as Minister of Word anCome celebrate with us graphicd Sacrament and the 195th Birthday of Bethel Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kentucky St., Kingston, Tennessee.

   

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Worship 11:00 am

Lunch following in Fellowship Hall

Eusebia Presbyterian Church adopts school library project

Stack of books The Eusebia Session, at its May meeting, responded to the request for books for the library of their neighbor, Prospect Elementary School on Burnett Station Rd. Due to county budget cutbacks, many of the bookshelves are empty at new, state-of-the-art school, which has an  enrollment of more than 425 area students, grades K-5.

The church has a "Book Tree" (similar to a Christmas "Angel Tree") set up recently by elder Sherry Hedrick, with tags from the "dream list" of Prospect's librarian Lelia Rogers. The plan is to have the books purchased and returned to the church so that they can present them to Ms. Rogers for cataloging well before the early August start of the new school year.
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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, [email protected].