Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District.
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 A Word From Walter
Dear Friends,
I just returned from taking my oldest son Jackson to Los Angeles, CA. Jackson will be working for Habitat for Humanity for the next year. We had to look for an apartment, a car, a bank, a bed, used furniture, food and everything else we thought he would need. I will also tell you that we had bumps and glitches every step of the way. Nothing went as planned. Everything was complicated.
What I told Jackson, and tried to remind myself, was that we had a support network that wouldn't allow us to irreparably fail. I had financial resources that I could draw upon when Jackson's were lacking. We had access to the internet to help us plan our next steps. We had a GPS system to help us find our way. I had my wife Lisa and my co-worker Betty a phone call away.
With all the stress I was under those few days, I began to consider people who don't have a support network. What do you do when no one cares? How do you make it in this life if you are all alone?
Jackson and I also talked about the importance of finding a local church during his time in California. We discussed how one can encounter God in a park or on the beach. We discussed how important prayer can be. But we also talked about the importance of a community of faith. I am a true believer that we are limited in our spiritual development if we try to exercise our faith in isolation from other believers. When we are part of a vital congregation, we have exposure to God's revelation through countless other people.
If the only thing I learned through my tenure as the Johnson City District Superintendent was the importance of the connection, I would still consider myself blessed. We can be strong as long as God is with us. I believe we can be even stronger if God is with us through our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Walter Weikel
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Important News From Buffalo Mountain 
August 22, 2013
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As most of you know, Buffalo Mountain Camp experienced a devastating flood one year ago on August 5, 2012. The flood and the accompanying mudslides significantly damaged our infrastructure, trails, and summer camp program space. We lost the use of Allison Lodge, the bathhouse, cabins 1 thru 5, Ramsey Creek, the office and the lower trail. The Camp's Board of Directors has been hard at work since the flood. And the Camp's staff has worked tirelessly. Through generous donations of many great supporters and some initial clean up, Buffalo Mountain Camp was able to stabilize its basecamp area and continue its retreat ministry and general operations.
The way forward has proven to be a great challenge. Continuing the limited operation while conducting the intensive recovery planning effort has been a huge economic challenge that cannot be sustained. In order to conduct this study with thoroughness and to be the best stewards of our limited resources, the Board of Directors has voted to close all operations beginning January 1, 2014 until a renewed operation is designed, developed and funded.
The services of a professional consulting firm are being secured to evaluate our new business model strategy, do an extensive market research analysis, and conduct a fund development assessment.
While this decision to close operations has been a painful one, we also move into this new phase of the journey with much hope. The support and love for Buffalo Mountain Camp in the Johnson City and Kingsport Districts continues to be strong. Opportunities for the district campers continue to be explored through our sister camps: Camp Wesley Woods, Camp Dickenson, and Camp Lookout.
We believe there is and always will be a need for camping ministry and the unique way camping shares the love of Christ and forms faithful disciples. We believe that God is with us and will guide us. We ask for your continued prayers, support, and participation in the coming months. Camp currently has surveys that can be filled out on our website and will have other upcoming opportunities for your important input. Thank you for your love for Buffalo Mountain Camp.
This is not the end. It is the beginning of something new.
You can keep up with the ongoing work through our website and by clicking the "Like" button on our Facebook page.
Thank you for keeping this ministry and all involved on your hearts and in your prayers.
In Christ,
Paul Seay
Board Chair
Jason Onks
Executive Director
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Sunday, September 8
2:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
This year's District Conference will include the usual business and reports, but will end in a time of devotions led by the District Superintendent and sharing The Lord's Supper. Come prepared to give an offering to support the English Speaking UMC in Prague.
Everyone interested is welcome to attend. All clergy under appointment and the following laity are voting members of District Conference: Local church lay leader, chair of the administrative council or administrative board and council on ministries, presidents of United Methodist Youth, United Methodist Women, and United Methodist Men, finance committee chairperson or treasurer, all members of the district discipleship team, chairpersons of all district boards and committees, district treasurer, annual conference lay members and at-large lay members.
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 Senior Adult Gathering
Thursday, September 19
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Gray UMC
Rev. Betty Furches will be Keynote Speaker for this event and Rev. Lloyd Jones will lead the devotions. Special music will be provided by Majesty Chorus. The cost is $10 and includes lunch. Download the brochure for more information or to register.
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Wesley Foundation Auction/Barbecue
Saturday, September 28
12:30 - 4:30 pm
Wesley Foundation at ETSU
1100 Seminole Dr, Johnson City
The Wesley Foundation at ETSU is preparing for their 13th Annual Auction and Barbecue Fundraiser. Order up a delicious meal of pork barbecue, great sides and desserts, and drinks all for $10 adults or $5 children and students. Bid on Silent Auction items, and then stick around for the exciting Live Auction. Some of the items being auctioned off this year include: Camping weekend in Gatlinburg - UT Football tickets - ETSU Sport Packages -Carpet Cleaning by Service Master - Window Cleaning Services - Furniture by Mauk's of Jonesborough - Hand constructed furniture by Wallace Taylor -Golf packages - Hayrides at The Robertsons and in North Carolina for groups of 20 -Bocce Ball Party (home of Terry and Sandy Countermine) withrefreshments (Main Street Cafe, Jonesborough) -Automotive Gifts - Beauty Products - Gift Baskets - Eye Exams - Loads of Top Soil - Brick Pavers - and much more!
Come enjoy a day of great food, fun, and bargains, all while supporting a vital ministry. For more information call 929-2121.
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Czech Missions Celebration
Sunday, October 13
6:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
God is doing great things through us in the Czech Republic! On Sunday, October 13 the Volunteer in Mission teams that traveled to Czech this year will gather to share the exciting work that they did this year, and celebrate God's hand in our mission opportunities. Anyone who is interested in joining us for this celebration is welcome to do so; but be careful! You just might find yourself inspired to join a team next year! We will begin by hearing a short presentation from each team, and will take the opportunity to praise God for the work they did. Then we will have an informal time to enjoy refreshments, share stories, and browse displays. Pre-registration is encouraged so that we will know how many to expect. If you are interested in attending this event, register online here. PLEASE NOTE: If you were a member of a Volunteer in Mission Team this year, please register for the event here. To read more about the God Moments our teams experienced this year, read the article in last month's newsletter.
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Circuit Rider Magazine Publishes Article by Holmes
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Vaughn and Looney
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Rev. Amy Yeary Holmes recently wrote an article about Telford UMC that was featured in the Aug/Sept/Oct 2013 edition of Circuit Rider Magazine and online at the Ministry Matters website.
Investing Leadership in Small Churches: A Story of Revitalization
Telford UMC is the epitome of a small country church. It sits off State Route 34 in Telford, Tenn. Down the road and across the street is an abandoned train stop along a lonely track. Half a dozen or so businesses once served this little community. Now only Telford Diner still displays an "open" sign in the middle of many dilapidated storefronts.
But don't let the storefronts fool you. Something new and exciting is happening at Telford UMC.
Excerpted from MinistryMatters.com. Read more.
Ministry Matters supports ministry leaders with resources, community, and inspiration.
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There is Still Time to Order Journals, Directories and Calendars
We are currently accepting orders for the 2013 Holston Conference Journal ($35.00 for printed Journal, $6.00 for CD-PDF Journal), the 2013-2013 Holston Conference Handbook/Directory ($10.00 each), and the 2014 Holston Conference Program Calendar ($9.00 each). The deadline for all orders is Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Please note that all orders will be delivered to the District Office for your pick-up. No orders will be mailed this year. Click here to order online (with payment by checking account or credit card through PayPal) Click here to download order form (with payment by check only) or Email the District Office to receive an order form by mail or email. |
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The Art of Marriage
 Telford UMC is offering Family Life Today's "The Art of Marriage" led by Michael and Heather Vaughn on Friday, November 1, 7:00 to 9:30 pm and Saturday November 2, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the AmericInn in Jonesbrough. There are a few openings still available for married couples.
Details and registration info can be found HERE or by contacting Michael by email or at 753-8034.
Cost is $45 for the class materials but we have several 100% scholarships available through donations to the event from Telford members. There is a 20% discount on rooms at the AmericInn for November 1 which is recommended as part of the event if possible.
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Upcoming Events
Singing in the Shed featuring Rambling Rose
Saturday, August 31
6:00 pm
Austin Springs UMC
Learn More
Good Samaritan Ministries Golf Tournament
Friday, September 6
Buffalo Valley Golf Club
Learn More
Fall Fair
Saturday, September 7
8:00 am to 1 pm
Fairhaven UMC
Limestone UMC Yard Sale, Breakfast and Lunch
Saturday, September 7
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Limestone UMC
District Conference
Sunday, September 8
2:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, September 10
10:00 am and 6:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
The Spiritual Dimension of Money with Michael Reeves
Saturday, September 14
Concord UMC, Knoxville
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Learn More
Senior Adult Gathering
Thursday, September 19
Gray UMC
Learn More
Holston Conference Secretaries Association Conference
September 19-20 Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, TN Learn More
LEAD Kids Children's Ministry Training and Retreat
September 20 - 21 Camp Wesley Woods Townsend, TN Learn More
Fairview UMC Saturday Breakfast
Saturday, September 21
7:00 to 10:00 am
Lord's Acre Sale
Saturday, September 28
morning to mid-afternoon
Fairview UMC
Auction/Barbecue
Saturday, September 28
12:30 - 4:30 pm
The Wesley Foundation at ETSU
Safe Sanctuaries Training
Sunday, October 6
2:00 pm
Gray UMC
Czech Missions Celebration
Sunday, October 13
6:00 pm
Cherokee UMC
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