Greetings!
Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District.
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 A Word From Walter
Dear Friends of the Johnson City District,
Today I am feeling very "Un-merry". Our dog Penny has been suffering from a lot of physical and emotional issues for a long time. She's been a good dog for almost 14 years. She has been very loyal and has helped me stay consistent in my quest to take at least a couple of walks every day. Today, I had to take her to my vet and she will not be coming home.
I've had other years when sad events have muscled their way onto my Advent agenda. People have died. I tend to have a heightened sense of awareness of the homeless and poor during the Christmas season. This is my first year as a pastor that I will not be the primary officiant at a church at a Christmas Eve service.
This is a season where I hope doing a new thing will give me a heightened sense of expectancy. I don't know what December will be like for me as a District Superintendent. Once charge conferences are finished, I am not exactly sure where I will even worship from Sunday to Sunday. Instead of cocooning with a church family this month, my journey will be somewhat similar to the Holy Family's...moving from place to place.
But I have already sensed the incarnation of Christ. I've sensed Christ being born in me in our minister's meetings. I've experienced graceful neighbors who have accepted me even though I am not their pastor. I've even sensed the incarnation of Christ in many of my charge conferences. People are proud of what Christ has done through them in their churches. People feel Christ's movement. It's been heartening for me to see people yearning to know the Lord and they got there without my help.
You see, on occasion, I have fallen into the trap of believing that my congregation's experience of Christmas depended on me. If I was "upbeat", my people would be upbeat. If I was happy, they would be happy. I've believed I could coerce people into feeling the Christmas Spirit through the force of my will and my powers of persuasion.
Is Christ still incarnate even in those cycles when I am feeling distinctly "Un-merry"? Is Christ still present when I am feeling somewhat displaced? Is Christ's birth only significant to those who have their lives put together?
Maybe the answer lies in the hearts of people who had been crying out for a savior. God bless you and I hope you will experience Christ wherever you are in your spiritual journey this season. Walter Weikel
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 District Day of Discipleship
Sunday, February 10, 2013
2:30 to 4:00 pm
Wesley Memorial UMC
Join us for workshops focusing on the following indicators of Vital Congregations:
- Inviting and Inspiring Worship
- Equipping Laity
- Missions
- Emphasis on Small Groups
- Emphasis on Children
- Emphasis on Youth
In addition, the District Superintendent will offer training for Staff/Pastor Relations Committee Members and Chairs.
There is no charge for this event, but advance registration is required. Registration deadline: February 4
Download registration form
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Since the recent announcement that Cokesbury will be closing all of their stores next year, we have heard many questions. I posed some of these questions to Johnson City store manager Jan Butler.
Has the store already closed? We are still open! The projected closing date for the Johnson City store is April 20, 2013. The Knoxville store is also slated to close on that date, with the Lake Junaluska store projected to close on April 13, 2012. These dates are subject to change based on leases and staffing situations for each individual store. Until then, we will be providing the same service you have come to expect from your Cokesbury staff.
We are also still planning to hold the Vacation Bible School event on January 26 at Cherokee UMC. Be certain to mark your calendar for this opportunity to see what new VBS curriculum is available for 2013.
Why are they closing the stores? The leadership of Cokesbury is taking this step because of changes in the way people shop. By closing the brick and mortar stores, Cokesbury will be able to focus on enhancing and expanding our online presence, improving service through the call center and supporting Cokesbury Sales Representatives in many markets across the country allowing for personal calls to church and church leaders.
What about people who don't like to shop online? Cokesbury sales representatives will be assigned to areas throughout the country to assist customers. CokesburyNext.com reports that the Johnson City area is one of those slated to have a sales representative. In addition, the Cokesbury Call Center (1-800-672-1789) will be enhanced to assist customers in making purchases by phone.
Many people have expressed concern about our local store staff. How will this closing affect them? While we are sad about the closing of the store and will miss our customers, your staff members are looking forward to future opportunities such as furthering our education or pursuing the possibility for continuing work with Cokesbury in another capacity.
Where can I find out more? You can go to CokesburyNext .com to get information about why we are going this route and what will be happening. On the home page you will find a video from Neil Alexander, President of Cokesbury explaining the reasons for this change. You can also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the FAQs page. By clicking on the Information Update link, you can find up-to-date info as it becomes available on store closing dates and who will be assigned to each Sales Representative Area.
Any final thoughts?
We want to thank everyone for your support of the store and staff. This closing is not a reflection on how the store was supported. It is due to a changing of times and the way that people shop. We really want your ministries to continue to grow and flourish, and Cokesbury will continue to assist you in that, just in a different way.
Read letter from Cokesbury President
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 Buffalo Mountain Camp Update
It has been a busy month at Camp! We had a great number of groups here for Retreats. It was great to have people here - we hope they had as good a time here as we had providing retreat services to them.
November has been busy in terms of Recovery efforts as well:
- On the 3rd we had a work day to complete several projects including: burning brush piles, setting fences, installing gates, leaf removal, and clearing and mulching the climbing tower area. Thanks to the 70 volunteers that came out to help us. YOU WERE A BLESSING. View photos of Work Day.
- On the 9th and 10th we had our annual Hoedown Fall Fundraisers in the Johnson City and Kingsport Districts. It was a great night of celebrating Camp with great BBQ and music from the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. Around 350 folks supported the event and we were able to raise $7,000 in Recovery Funds! View photos of Johnson City Hoedown
Coming in December:
- Christmas Camp - December 15 - 16, this event is open to 4th -8th grade campers. Cost is $45. Campers will focus on all things CHRISTmas mixed in with a dash of camp: Worship and Bible Study; baking cookies; crafts; zip line (weather permitting) and more! Learn more.
- Joy to the World (A Dessert Fundraiser) - December 7, 6:30 pm, at Mountain View UMC in Kingsport. Come for a night of lessons, carols and sweets for a purpose. Tickets: $10 with a suggested donation. There will also be a Silent Auction. All proceeds go to Buffalo Mountain Project Recovery. For ticket information, please call Cheryl at Mountain View, 423-245-8371.
We are thankful for you, our Johnson City District Camp Family, for your prayers and support!!!!
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News from
Are you looking for a tangible way to help the outreach ministries of ESUMC Prague? We are building a library of children's books and books about parenting and women's issues for the moms and kids participating in our Mothering Center. There are two ways you can help:
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Betka, a teen volunteer, reads to children in the Mothering Center English Club.
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Donate funds. Send your check made payable to Johnson City District UMC with ESUMC Prague Children's Library on the memo line to: Johnson City District UMC, 2615 S Roan St, Ste 106, Johnson City, TN 37601. - Donate new or gently used books. Deliver these to the District Office by Friday, December 21.
These kids LOVE to read...and they LOVE English club!
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The IWAP Choir
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After months of planning and relationship building, weekly worship services started in November with a small but faithful group. This coming Sunday, special music will be provided by the International Women of Prague Choir, and the congregation will continue their study of The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem.
Michelle and Gary also continue their ministry with university students who live on the church campus. They meet on Wednesday evenings for food and fellowship, and to talk about politics, religion, culture, traditions in our respective countries etc.
Visit ESUMC Prague Facebook page
Visit ESUMC Prague Website
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Attention Church Treasurers!
Although the 2013 Holston Conference reports the deadline for 2012 Tithe Payments to the conference as January 9, the deadline has been extended to the usual monthly cutoff date. The Conference Treasurer's Office will accept payments toward your 2012 Tithe until 5:00 pm that day.
Online payments must be received by midnight on January 10 and mailed payments must be received (not postmarked) by January 10. Please note that any online payments should be entered AT LEAST 48 hours prior to the deadline to they are processed by the system before midnight on January 10.
Payments toward your conference tithe can not be submitted at the District Office. They must be mailed, submitted online, or delivered in person to the Conference Treasurer's Office in Alcoa.
Payments to the Johnson City District for your District Fair Share must be received in our office by 5:00 pm on January 10 to ensure proper credit for 2012.
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United Methodists Partner With Staples
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has recently partnered with Staples to take advantage of negotiated pricing that will be available to all of our churches across the United States. District, Conference, and Jurisdictional offices, as well as the general agencies are also be able to participate in this program.
Staples is not only a provider of office supplies, but also cleaning supplies and furniture.
The program extends:
- Preferred pricing on an established list of office and cleaning supplies across all UM churches
- Preferred pricing on a custom list of office and cleaning supplies particular to the individual congregation, office, or agency's needs
- 15% discount on all other catalog items
- Online ordering with next day delivery
- 1-3% annual rebate to the individual church, office, or agency volume-based on their purchases
- 1% annual rebate to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) on all of our purchases combined.
Visit this website to setup your account. When you complete the online form with your basic contact information, a sales representative of Staples in your area will be in contact with you to answer your questions about the program and sign your church up.
Now the disclaimer: GCFA does not endorse any commercial enterprise. We have entered into a purchasing agreement to gain some competitive pricing for our ministry and have been able to do that in a way that extends that pricing availability to all of our local churches, districts, and annual conferences. We do not guarantee that it will meet all of your needs.
Blessings!
Rev. Alan J Morrison
Director of Support Services - Meeting Planning, Facilities, & Procurement
General Council on Finance and Administration
The United Methodist Church
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 Volunteers Needed!
Good Samaritan Ministries needs holiday help! Volunteers are needed to:
- Wrap gifts
- Sort clothing and household items
- Pack food boxes
Please contact Melissa at 423-928-0288 or via email.
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 Donors Lose Tax Credit
Is your church in compliance with income tax laws? One couple learned in May that theirs was not when the courts ruled that their $22,517 donation to their church in 2007 could not be counted as a charitable tax donation.
Their deduction was denied because the church had failed to include the wording on their tax receipt, "no goods or services were received in exchange for this gift."
Read more and learn if your church is in compliance
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Pension & Insurance Seminar
Friday, December 14
1:00 to 4:00 pm
Pleasant View UMC
18416 Lee Highway
Abingdon, VA 24210-8002
Covering such topics as:
- How will my pension plan be affected in 2013?
- How will the affordable health care act affect my coverage in 2013 and 2014?
Representatives from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits will guide will be available to answer these questions and more.
No advance registration is required. Make plans to attend and stay informed, or watch live streaming of the event at healthy.holston.org.
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Job Openings Youth Ministry: Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church seeks a full-time youth minister/worker to serve as part of a youth staff team in ministry to 130 students in grades 7-12. Desired applicant will focus on relational ministry with students more than administrative duties. College degree and youth ministry experience are preferred. Submit resume to: Amanda Onks, P.O. Box 1336, Johnson City, TN 37605, or email. Job description is available upon request. Application deadline is December 12, 2012. ____________________________________________________________ Lead Traditional Music Program and Choir 1) Familiarity with traditional church music 2) Part time position - Wednesday evening rehearsal and Sunday morning service leadership required. 3) Start after January 1st. Conduct Traditional Music Orchestra of 10-15 1) Familiarity with traditional church music 2) Part time position - Wednesday evening rehearsal and Sunday morning service leadership required. 3) Start after January 1st. Lead Contemporary Music Program 1) Familiarity with contemporary church music 2) Part time position - Thursday evening rehearsal and Sunday morning service leadership required. 3) Start after January 1st. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Contact: EMAIL, PH: 423-282-6722 or FAX: 423-282-6200
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Upcoming Events
District Clergy Christmas Banquet
Tuesday, December 11
6:30 pm
Wesley Memorial UMC
Live NativitySunday, December 16 5:30 pm Fairhaven UMC 3131 W Walnut St, Johnson City Weather date is December 23 Monthly Soup SupperFriday, December 7 5:00 - 8:00 pm Fairview UMC 878 Highway 81 N, Jonesborough Helping Hands for Christ 8th Annual Bike for KidsSaturday, December 9 8:00 am Telford UMC 1775 Old State Route 34, Telford Breakfast served at 8:00, and then help assemble 100 bicycles for area children. Email for more infoSaturday Breakfast
Saturday, December 15 7:00 to 10:00 am Fairview UMC 878 Highway 81 N, Jonesborough
Christmas Camp for Grades 4-8December 15 and 16 Buffalo Mountain Camp Learn more
District Office Closed
Monday, December 24 through
Tuesday, January 1
2012 Apportionment Payments Due
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Deadline for Year End Reports
Tuesday, January 15
District Day of Discipleship
Sunday, February 10 2:30 to 4:00 pm Wesley Memorial UMC More info
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Eco Tip
Holiday greetings from Holston Creation Care. Here is your monthly eco-tip. Hope you have a blessed holiday season! Holiday Giving
With the holidays here and as we give to our less fortunate brothers and sisters, let us remember that not all have a can opener. Give cans of food that open with pop tops and food bags with reclosable zip liners, if possible. Recycle by giving your slightly worn coats, shoes and clothes also. 
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