The Holston Conference Council on Finance and Administration invites you to view the August resources at waytogive.holston.org. This bulletin insert and video give thanks for the ways our giving through the tithe and second mile gifts supports our congregations as they reach out to those in special need. See how the Wallace congregation in the Abingdon District connected to the children at their community school. Use the resources in worship, small groups, Sunday School classes, committee meetings, and any other way that they help your congregation. Thank you, Holston. You'll never know how many lives you have changed. Way to go! Way to Give!
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For the protection of all occupants of the Cherokee UMC building, the door to the District Office is to remain locked at all times. Please ring the bell when you stop by, and one of us will be happy to open the door for you.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but with the Christian Learning Center children and Coalition for Kids in the facility, our first priority is their safety and the safety of everyone else in the building. We will be exploring options for easier entry and exit of the office in the coming weeks. If you are aware of a reliable locksmith or have a security system to recommend, please let us know.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we make this transition.
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5 Reasons You Need the UM Handbook
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Fresh for the quadrennium, the new United Methodist Handbook is ready and available FREE from United Methodist Communications. Packed with denominational details, beliefs, history and contact information, this handbook is a one-stop destination for all things United Methodist. Here are five important pieces of information you can find right here.
1. Beliefs and mission
Perfect for welcoming visitors or orienting new members, the handbook details the basic beliefs of the denomination and outlines the Four Areas of Focus-the ways in which United Methodists are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
2. Structure
The denomination is often referred to as "the connection." This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning. In the handbook, you'll find an illustration that explains this structure and how connectionalism helps us better accomplish mission and ministry goals.
3. Glossary
While you might speak fluent United Methodist, visitors and new members might feel out of the loop. Help them decode the most important denominational terms with the glossary section.
4. Characteristics of vital congregations
Vital congregations are ones that are growing, engaging and generous in giving. In the handbook, church leadership can find five common characteristics of vital congregations and several steps to encourage United Methodists to address these challenges.
5. FAQs
The handbook is just the beginning. Browse the list of frequently asked questions. And if you can't find the answer to your questions, you will find details and contact information for different boards, councils and commissions who can answer them for you.
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District UMW Retreat
Saturday, August 2
8:45 am brunch
10:00 am program
Sulphur Springs UMC
Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting
Sunday, August 3 - Wednesday, August 9
6:00 pm nightly
Sulphur Springs Camp Shed
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, August 19 10:00 am and 6:00 pm Cherokee UMC District Office Closed
Monday, September 1
Labor Day
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, September 9 10:00 am and 6:00 pm Cherokee UMC FarmapaloozaSunday, September 14 5:30 - 7:30 pm More infoSenior Adult GatheringThursday, September 18 10:00 am Centenary UMC, Erwin Holston Conference Secretaries AssociationThursday, September 18 - Friday, September 19 Pigeon Forge, TN More infoDistrict ConferenceSunday, September 28 3:00 pm Location TBD Gifts & Talents
Sunday, November 2 6:00 pm Unicoi UMC More info
Lay Servant TrainingSaturday, November 8 7:45 am - 4:00 pm Cherokee UMC More info
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Greetings!
Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District of the United Methodist Church.
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Dear Friends,
I have a few odds and ends for you this month.
I wanted to say a big thank you to all the churches that were so gracious in hosting me and John Redmond on our bicycle trip this past Monday. Because of your generosity, we have over $2,000 more available for our ministry at the English Speaking United Methodist Church. Our goal was to raise awareness for our ministry in the Czech Republic.
We also wanted to give people a chance to meet John as he and his wife Denise prepare to depart for the Czech Republic a week from Friday. Though John and I spent the day on our bicycles, Denise had to stay home with their children Eli and Ada preparing for movers who were arriving the next day. (God bless her!)
I was so proud of John on Monday. He was very engaging with everyone we met. He and Denise will represent us very well. I ask that you will lift them up in prayer as they prepare to embark on this ministry on our behalf.
Meet the Redmonds via video
We have other exciting things happening here in the Johnson City District. For the past nine months or so, we have had a group from the District looking at a mission statement which we hope to present at our Charge Conferences. We would like to use this mission statement as the foundation for our time together at charge conference. Our planning team hopes that you will help us see how we can equip our churches and whether this mission statement might be a guide to get us there: Here is a proposed copy of our statement:
Together we WILL share the love of Christ through life-changing missions and ministries, inspired worship, empowered and trained leadership and growing disciples.
Please mark your calendars for our District Conference, scheduled for 3pm on Sunday, September 28. We will send out information closer to the date to let you know location.
Finally, we are looking for some great people to help us on a district level. You may be ready to roll up your sleeves but have never been asked to serve. Please look over the list below and see if there is a work area or committee that might fit your gifts and graces. You can drop me an email if you would like to be considered.
God bless and remember that God loves you,
Walter Weikel
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Interested in Serving on a District Level?
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Please contact Walter if you are interested in serving on one of the following committees or teams: Leadership Roles
District Lay Leader
District Lay Servant Coordinator
District Disaster Relief Coordinator
District Missions Coordinator
District Youth Coordinator
District Children's Coordinator
At-Large Lay Member to Annual Conference
District Committees/Teams
District Discipleship Team
District Committee on Nominations
District Committee on Finance
District Board of Trustees
District Board of Location and Building
Committee on District Superintendency
Buffalo Mountain Camp Board of Directors
District Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting Committee
Czech Partnership Team
Senior Adult Council
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Bike Tour for ESUMC Prague
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Thank you to everyone who came out to support Walter and John's ride across the district on July 21. We raised $2,235 for ESUMC Prague on this ride!
There is still time to donate! Online donations can be made through August 31, or you can mail a check to the Johnson City District. Donate here.
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An Evening With Slava Korsak
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 A benefit concert for the English Speaking United Methodist Church (ESUMC) in Prague has been scheduled for Sunday, August 17, 6:00 pm at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. Slava Korsak, age 27, was born in the beautiful Hungarian City of Ungvar, Ukraine. In September 2013 he moved to Prague, Czech Republic where he was fortunate enough to work with accomplished opera vocal coach Nancy Henniger - a dramatic soprano from Chicago and daughter of a United Methodist minister.
Nancy heartily invited Slava to visit her church, ESUMC Prague. When Slava first entered the church one September Sunday he felt that he was "at home." The Reverend Michelle McKinnon-Young and her Music Director husband Gary Young quickly recognized his talent and invited him to offer his gift of music in worship. Later that month he became a full member of the congregation.
As a result of singing at ESUMC Prague, Slava came to realize that providing music for the church and offering his music to the glory of God was his mission. For Slava, singing isn't just entertainment; it is the objective and business of his entire life.
Authentically and passionately sharing music with his audiences, it is Slava's aim to touch the deep strings of the human soul and hopefully redirect their focus on everyday life struggles to the power and provision of Christ our Lord. It is his firm belief that nothing compares to the pleasure derived from such work.Slava came to the United States with Michelle and Gary when they ended their tenure in Prague. He is spending the summer here sharing his gifts with congregations and raising awareness and support for ESUMC Prague. He wowed the members gathered at Lake Junaluska for Holston Annual Conference in June, belting out a rousing rendition of "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" in a dark Stuart Auditorium. A storm had knocked out the power, so Slava sung by candlelight without a microphone to the incredible accompaniment of pianist Gary Young. In addition to his opera training with Nancy Henniger, Slava has studied opera at the State Music School in Uzhorod, Ukraine as well studying solo singing at the National Music Academy of Ukraine. He has received numerous awards and scholarships over the years, and finished in the top five on the television show "Ukraine's Got Talent" in 2010. In 2011, Slava appeared on the show X-Factor in Ukraine and advanced to the top 24. Slava holds a Master's Degree in Agriculture with a focus in horticulture, growing vegetables and viticulture, and in 2013 received his PhD in Agriculture specializing in selection and seed production. He is committed to charitable work and has participated in numerous charity benefit concerts for orphanages, HIV/AIDS, human rights, cancer eradication and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
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Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting
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 The 195th Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting is scheduled for August 3-6 in the camp shed at 1432 Gray Sulphur Springs Rd, Jonesborough, Tennessee. This year's preacher is Dr. Brent Strawn, Professor of Old Testament at the Candler School of Theology. There will be a kickoff concert on Sunday at 6:00 pm, featuring Rockingham Road. Rev. David Jackson will be guest speaker for the Middle-High School Youth Rally on Sunday beginning at 6:00 pm. Also beginning at 6:00 pm on Sunday will be a special event for children ages 5-9 with pizza, Bible stores, singing, games, and more.
Camp meeting will begin each night with congregational singing at 6:30, followed by worship at 7:00. There will be a nursery provided each night for ages infant thru four. An ice cream social will follow Monday night's service.
CEU credit will be offered to clergy for attending camp meeting this year: .1 for two nights, .15 for three, and .2 for all four.
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Youth News
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Farmapalooza
Johnson City District youth leaders are planning a third annual Farmapalooza on Sunday, September 14, from 5:30-7:30pm. There will be lots of fun & games, a speaker and some music, and dinner of hot dogs, chips, & s'mores. The cost will be $5 per person, with any money above the cost of food going to the Youth Service Fund. Contact Amanda Onks if you are interested in bringing the youth from your congregation. Resurrection
Resurrection is approaching Gifts & Talents a little differently this year. In an effort to more evenly spread the talents over the two weekends, districts will be assigned a weekend to send their representatives. Six districts will go the first weekend and six the second weekend. The group assignments will flip weekends each year so that those who send their representatives the first weekend one year will send them the second weekend the next year.
For 2015, the Johnson City District is assigned to the second weekend. Since the majority of youth groups in our district attend the first weekend of Resurrection, we won't be doing a group district talent for 2015. We believe that this opens the door for us to consider coming together for one talent every other year and then to hold a traditional Gifts & Talents event in the years in between. With all that in mind, here's what we've planned for this year's Gifts & Talents...Gifts & TalentsSunday, November 2 6:00pm Unicoi UMC Youth should bring $3 for a pizza dinner, as well as offering money for YSF. Groups who are interested in offering a talent to be considered for Resurrection should contact Amanda Onks by Monday, October 27. Groups who attend first weekend are still welcome to bring a group talent to Gifts & Talents but will just need to be sure they can go back the second weekend for the session in which their group will be on stage. We'd also be glad to have groups offer talents on November 2 who can't attend the second weekend but would just like to share their gifts with our district that night.
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Jobs
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Wesley Memorial UMC in Johnson City is looking for a part time Children's Director. We invite interested candidates to go to wesleymemorialumc.org. Resumes post marked by August 15, 2014 will be accepted and can be sent by email or mailed to Wesley Memorial UMC, Attn SPPRC Chair, 225 Princeton Road, Johnson City, TN 37601. Wesley Memorial UMC in Johnson City is looking for Church Nursery Workers. We are seeking energetic, reliable staff persons who are available to work on Sunday mornings from 8:30 - 12:15 and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00. Additional hours may be available as well. Duties include working with ages infant through 4th grade. Experience a plus. If interested email or call Missy Wright at 282-6722.
First UMC, Elizabethton seeks part-time Director/Leader of Children's Ministries Pre-k through 5th grade. Position involves giving oversight and direction to children's ministry, Preschool Ministry Program, after-school programs, overseeing Sunday Children's Church and Sunday School, nursery, and other children's activities. The time commitment is, on average, 20 - 25 hours per week. Resumes can be submitted to the church office: First United Methodist Church, Attention Children's Ministry, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643 or by email. Boones Creek UMC is interviewing for a choir director/worship leader. We would like to have this person to start as soon as possible. We desire to grow our music program at Boones Creek. Please 341-1626 call if interested.
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