Greetings!
Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District.
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 A Word From Walter
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, I recently returned from my trip to the Czech Republic. While there, Bishop Looney and I taught at their Spring Pastor's School. We also had several opportunities to preach.
Bishop Looney and I spoke several times with each other about how capable and inspiring so many of the Czech pastors were. The worship services and times of prayer were as moving as any I've ever witnessed. I'll have to be honest that Bishop Looney and I were pleasantly surprised at how vital many of the congregations are over there.
Two of the most powerful worship experiences were led by Michelle and Gary Young. I am so proud of how well we are represented by the two of them. There were four professional singers encircling me during one service, and I commented that they made me sound better than I've ever sounded in my life. It was so satisfying to realize that the church is still alive and well in other parts of the world.
A somewhat different sensation occurred as I was able to receive emails and texts, but I was having trouble sending them. Not only was I having problems with my phone and iPad, but internet connections were sometimes sketchy. It drove me crazy knowing people were expecting a reply and I was having difficulty sending one. Thankfully I had an international phone that I could use to make calls (at $1.50 a minute) if I needed to respond to something more urgent.
When I was traveling throughout Europe 25 years ago, I did not have any such options. The best I could manage was a collect call home to my parents. In some ways, I felt more cut off on my most recent trip, than the trip 25 years ago. I didn't know what I was missing back then. I wasn't frustrated by glitches in technology because there wasn't much technology.
But it was also somewhat of a relief to know that there were some things that would have to wait until I got home. I didn't have to respond instantaneously to every problem. People back home were working out some of these details without my help. It's humbling to realize the world can function without me. It was even refreshing to witness worship in another language and culture. There are meaningful components to worship that don't require my full understanding. What a blessing it was to have someone translate the message for me, Nevertheless, worship happened whether I was in command or not. For a control freak, it can be helpful to realize that I am not the center of worship...God is. I was glad to be reminded of that. I hope that this year you might have such an opportunity to represent your church and our district in some type of mission opportunity. I pray that you will be blessed like I was blessed.
Walter Weikel
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The Holston Conference Council on Finance and Administration encourages you to visit waytogiveholston.org for a special word of thanks to you and your congregations for your participation in our connectional giving through the tithe and second mile gifts. Each month you will find a video and bulletin insert featuring a ministry supported by your gifts. The April resources are ready now and feature
recovery ministries that are growing throughout the conference. You will be touched by the story of one participant and the new directions opened for her life.
Use these resources in worship, Sunday School, council meetings, on websites and social media--wherever they best work for you and your congregation. If you have not seen them, be sure to check out the stories for January and February, and March, too.
Thank you. You'll never know how many lives you have changed.
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Upcoming Youth Events
Inspiration 2014 Youth Event
Saturday, April 26
3:30 - 9:00 pm
Fender's Farm
This year's speaker is Ryan Wesley Smith, and there will be a musical concert by The Overflow. Download the flyer for more information. Email Laura Herron or call (423) 435-2323 with any questions! CCYM Elections
Sunday, April 27
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Wesley Memorial UMC
All district youth are invited to attend this event which will include pizza, worship, games and election of the district's Conference Council on Youth representatives.
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Annual Conference Preparation
June 8-11
Lake Junaluska, NC
Pre-Conference Briefing:
The Johnson City and Kingsport Districts will have a Pre-Conference Briefing on Sunday, May 18, 2:00 pm at Gray UMC. All clergy, local church lay members and at-large lay members should attend.
Book of Reports:
The Book of Reports will be available for download from the conference website by May 8. If you ordered a printed copy or CD before the April 1 deadline, your Book of Reports will be mailed in early May. Please study your Book of Reports before the Pre-Conference Briefing.
Online Registration:
Please remember that May 23 is the deadline for online registration for Annual Conference. If you are not able to complete the registration process, call or visit the District Office and we will assist you.
Childcare:
Deadline for Childcare Registration is May 23. Pre-Payment is required.
NEW THIS YEAR! Parents may drop off their children at the Wilson Children's Complex for the morning session (Monday and/or Tuesday) and pick them up after the afternoon session.
Under this new arrangement, lunch MUST be provided for the children who stay at the complex for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Parents may purchase a bagged lunch from Lake Junaluska (included on the pre-registration form), OR they must provide a packed lunch when they drop off their children in the morning.
All children must be picked up from the complex at the close of the afternoon session. They may return after dinner for the evening session for an additional fee.
As in the past, Holston Conference will continue to subsidize most of the costs for childcare.
Click here for more info or to register for childcare.
Hands-on Mission Project:
This year's project for Johnson City District is food buckets for Zimbabwe. Completed buckets may be delivered to the district office June 2 - 4.
Download a flyer with all the details.
Ministers' Spouses Luncheon:
This year's luncheon will be held on Monday, June 9, noon, at Long's Chapel UMC in Waynesville. Libby Dearing will speak, Rev. Paul Longmire and Rev. Joey Manis will provide entertainment. Lunch will be catered by the Blue Rooster Cafe. Cost is $15. Please mail payment by May 31 to Rebecca Stapleton, 175 Alpine Ridge Ln, Gate City, VA 24251. For more info email Carol Hanshew or call (865) 310-6953.
Annual Conference Offering:
The mission offering for the 2014 session of Holston Annual Conference has been designated to support education in South Sudan. The goal of the offering is $175,000. Rev. Fred Dearing and his wife Libby are grateful and excited about the foundation for change Holston continues to build in the lives of the people there, especially the children. Your contributions to this offering will make a difference in the lives of people there, not only this year but for many years and even generations to come. For more information and a personal message/video Fred and Libby Dearing please visit www.holston.org.
If AC members need to make changes or corrections to an existing registration, they may contact Karen Wright at karenwright@holston.org or 865-690-4080.
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 Czech Missions Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 24
Registration at 7:00 am
Shotgun Start at 8:00 am
Buffalo Valley Golf Course
Cost is $55 per golfer and includes lunch. Separate women's and men's division, four person select shot teams. Prizes will be awarded in each division.
All proceeds will go to support mission teams traveling to the Czech Republic and the English Speaking United Methodist Church in Prague.
We need sponsors, players and volunteers to make this event a success.
Learn more at czechgolftourney.org
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Job Opportunities
Director of Youth Ministries
First United Methodist Church - Johnson City - seeks part-time Director of Youth Ministries. We are looking for someone who is five years older than the oldest senior high students per Safe Sanctuary policy, preferably someone with experience in working with youth or having had active participation in a youth group. Please email letter of interest along with resume to Karl Kapoor.
Pianist
Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church, 1041 Elizabeth Chapel Rd., Bluff
City, TN is seeking a pianist. This is a part-time, paid position that
includes choir practice and accompaniment, Sunday worship, and other special
services. You may call the church office (423-538-6311) for more information or send a resume with cover letter to Elizabeth Chapel UMC,1041 Elizabeth Chapel Rd, Bluff City, TN 37618.
Contemporary Worship Leader Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church has begun a recruiting and search process for a worship leader for a new contemporary worship service. This part-time position could begin as early as May and will assist Wesley in the development of a new service to begin in September. If you know a person who may be a good candidate/has the necessary skills for this service, please ask them to contact Rev. Gerald Casson at 282-6722. Pianist or Organist Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church is looking to fill a part-time Pianist or Organist position. If you know of a candidate, please have them contact Wesley Memorial at 282-6722.
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Upcoming Events
Good Friday - District Office Closed
Friday, April 18
Inspiration 2014 Youth Event
Doug Hallock in Concert
Sunday, April 27
7:00 pm
Pleasant Grove UMC
Powerful witness and music. Free for all with fellowship and food afterward.
Pre-Conference Briefing
Sunday, May 18
2:00 pm
Gray UMC
Czech Missions Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 24
Buffalo Valley Golf Course
Hands-on Mission - Flood Buckets Collected
Monday, June 2 - Wednesday, June 4
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
District Office
More informationHands-on Mission - Flood Buckets Loaded Thursday, June 5 8:00 am - 10:00 am
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