Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District.
|
 A Word From Walter
Dear Friends,
I don't know why, but for some reason I feel compelled to take walks on the coldest possible days. Other people take sub freezing days off...I take them as a challenge.
I remember one walk in particular when I got all bundled up and started down the Virginia Creeper Trail. It wasn't long before I began questioning my own sanity. Why did I think this was a good idea? The only thing that brought me comfort was knowing that I was walking into the wind. I kept telling myself over and over, "On the way home, I'll have the wind at my back."
It didn't take long for me to realize I'd made a slight miscalculation. As I turned to make the return trek, the wind cut across my face. I felt 10 times colder than before.
One of the theological matters I've thought about lately is the efficacy of prayer. I believe prayer changes things. I believe God rewards persistence in prayer...but I've also noticed that some people pray and pray, and things only seem to get worse. I don't understand why good people have such suffering.
In response to prolonged suffering, some people seem to give up on God. They figure that if God hasn't heard them yet, they may as well try something else. Other people that have been spiritual mentors to me have become more persistent in their prayer lives.
As I think about my little excursion on the trail, my temptation was to just sit down and shrivel up. I wanted someone to come and rescue me. A more productive strategy to handle the situation was for me to turn around and head for home.
In my Christian journey, there will be times when I count on the direct intervention of God, but I expect that most of my life will be spent slowly and steadily heading for "home". I hope that my Christian witness will communicate that though the journey was sometimes uncomfortable, I lived my life like I knew where I was headed.
Walter Weikel
|
 |
It's the season of Thanksgiving and the Holston Conference Council on
Finance and Administration thanks you for your giving through the tithe and second mile giving. For a special message for your church, visit the way to give webpage. You will find a video and bulletin insert to use during the month of November. Thank you, Holston. You'll never know how many lives you have changed. Way to go! Way to give!
|
|
Board of Pensions Will Reduce Direct Billing for Health Insurance
By Rick Cherry
On Oct. 1, the Holston Conference Board of Pensions and Health met for a semi-annual meeting. The board was presented and approved a recommendation from the Pension and Health executive committee to reduce the amount churches are direct billed for health insurance for all qualifying clergy from $8,220 per year to $7,000 per year. The self-funded health insurance plan for Holston Conference has experienced several years where insurance premium exceed the insurance claims. The executive committee was satisfied that the health insurance reserves had increased sufficiently over the period to satisfy any shortfall in the near future. The committee's desire was to share the savings and therefore chose to reduce the rate charged to every church with a full-time pastor or elder. The Rev. David Tabor, Tazewell District superintendent, says that this is a very good thing for many churches that struggle with being able to afford a full-time clergy person.
The Board once again wants to assure all participants that we have in place a health insurance plan that meets all regulations of the Affordable Health Care Plan and is constantly monitoring the legislation to ensure our participants are receiving great value for their money.
We also want to express to our churches how much we appreciate their faithfulness in providing the funding for the benefit of their clergy and for very faithfully making direct billing successful.
Rick Cherry is Holston Conference treasurer and director of administrative services.
|
|
 | |
Johnson City's Talent Offering at Resurrection 2013 was Chris Tomlin's "White Flag."
photo courtesy of Munsey Church
|
District Youth to Offer "Something Beautiful" at Resurrection
For the second year Johnson City District Youth are joining together to prepare a talent offering for Resurrection rather than voting for one group or individual to represent the district. This year's offering will be the NEEDTOBREATHE song "Something Beautiful." Musicians, vocalists, dancers, artists and actors will perform the song during the first weekend of Resurrection 2014, January 17-19.
Over 100 district youth met Sunday, October 27 to begin work on the offering. Additional youth are still needed to sing in the choir and to dance. District Youth Coordinator Amanda Onks says, "Dancers can be super coordinated or not at all, as we have several parts available...some only involve waving hands in the air." If you are interested in being involved in the offering, be certain to attend the next practice session so that you can be plugged in.
Upcoming practice sessions are scheduled for November 10, December 8 January 5 and January 12. All sessions will be from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and will be held in the gym at Munsey Memorial UMC.
If you are a youth leader and are not already on the email list to receive district youth news, email Amanda Onks to be added.
|
|
 | |
Around 30 volunteers gathered last December to assemble new bicycles for area schoolchildren.
photo courtesy of Telford UMC.
|
Bikes for Kids
Help Needed to Assemble Bicycles
Last Christmas the Handymen for Christ, a volunteer group from Telford UMC, collected enough donations to provide new bikes and helmets for 76 Washington County schoolchildren who were expected to receive very little for Christmas. This year the church has partnered with West View, Lamar, Grandview, South Central and Jonesborough Elementary Schools to identify additional students who will receive their own bicycles and helmets. The church is looking for volunteers to assist in assembling these bicycles on Saturday, December 14 in the Telford UMC Fellowship Hall. The day will start with breakfast at 8:00 am and continue until all of the bicycles have been assembled. For more information, contact Rev. Michael Vaughn by email or at 753-9288.
|
|
Holston Conference is making the 2014 Program Calendar available in electronic format to download and import into the calendar on your phone, tablet, and/or computer. This electronic version includes all of the same meetings and events that are on the printed calendar, as well as the liturgical colors and lectionary texts for each Sunday. The District Office has the eCalendar file available upon request. Email us if you would like it sent to you. It will soon be available for download from the conference website. A limited number of copies of the printed calendar are still available. You may order copies online while supplies last.
|
|
 Double Your Dollars for ESUMC Prague
If you have been planning to make a donation to support the work Rev. Michelle McKinnon-Young and Gary Young are doing at the English Speaking United Methodist Church in Prague, wait just a little longer! Mark your calendar for UMC #GivingTuesday, December 3, 2013. Online donations made on this date through the United Methodist Advance website will be matched 100%! This is a great time to show your support for this important ministry. Global Ministries recently announced it will allocate the "matching funds" dollar for dollar up to the first $500,000 in gifts to Advance projects received online on December 3, 2013, between 12:00 a.m. EST and 11:59 p.m. A maximum of $10,000 per individual gift to a project will be disbursed as matching funds. A project may receive a maximum of $50,000 in matching funds.Donate to ESUMC PragueVisit ESUMC Prague websiteVisit ESUMC Prague on Facebook
|
|
Matching Grants for GRACE Home
GRACE Home for Children, a new orphanage located in South Sudan, held the official grand opening ceremony on September 28, 2013 with approximately 200 people in attendance with speeches, singing, and a big meal of beef, goat, posho, rice, potatoes, cabbage, and lots of soda. For an update on GRACE orphanage, click here.
The Holston Conference Foundation is building endowments for the GRACE orphanage, and for wells and sanitation projects in South Sudan. Ongoing maintenance, building and operational costs will continue to be a constant factor in these vital programs that impact lives daily. Planned gifts through bequests or other charitable options are encouraged as the Conference is committed to long-term involvement with the people of South Sudan. Special named or new endowments may be created by individuals or groups for specific use in South Sudan related to education, health and welfare ministries. For more information on adding to or creating endowments email Roger Redding or Paul Bowman or call 865-690-8124.
To make an online donation to the GRACE Orphanage Endowment, click here.
To make a gift by check, please mail to:
The Holston Conference Foundation
South Sudan Endowment
PO Box 900
Alcoa TN 37701
|
|
|
District UMW Annual Meeting
The Johnson City District United Methodist Women will hold their Annual Meeting at Munsey Memorial UMC on Saturday, November 16. Registration starts at 8:45 am and program at 9:30 am. Lunch will be served at a cost of $7.00.
Registrations need to be emailed to Kathryn Wilhoit by no later than November 12. Patty Muse is the guest speaker and special music will be provided by the group "Closer Walk". Officer training will follow the noon meal. All United Methodist Women, including their pastors) are a part of this - remember it is not just a meeting for local unit officers.
|
|
Choir Director Needed
Part-time choir director and pianist needed at Telford UMC. Mail resume and references to Telford U.M.C.,1775 Old State Route 34, Telford,TN 37690 or E-mail Cindy Cutshall. Position available 1/1/2014.
|
|
Upcoming Events
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, November 12
10:00 am
Cherokee UMC
Fairview UMC Saturday Breakfast
Saturday, November 16
7:00 to 10:00 am
Limestone UMC Harvest Meal
Sunday, November 17
12 noon
Limestone UMC Fellowship Hall
District Office Closed for Thanksgiving November 28 - 29 District Clergy Christmas Banquet Thursday, December 5 6:00 pm Wesley Memorial UMC District Office Closed for Christmas Tuesday, December 24 - Wednesday, January 1
|
|
|
|
