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Thank You
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To members of the Johnson City District -
Words cannot express the gratitude of the Board of Directors for your continued support of Buffalo Mountain Camp/Camp Bays Mountain. How could we continue to operate without your financial gifts?! Thank you for your investment in the lives of children and youth.
Jeff Wadley
Director
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Online Courses
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United Methodist Communications is offering three United Methodist-specific online courses this summer, designed to better equip you and your ministry. Increase the Vitality of Your Church
Get ideas that work for engaging your local and global community, develop a realistic plan toward more vitality, and get consultations from a vitality coach.
Learn more
Engage Your Church and Community Digitally
Use current and emerging communication tools to communicate your faith relevantly and effectively. Learn to craft and share powerful and personal stories of faith and engage with social media platforms to reach out to your local community and beyond.
Learn More
Take Your Church's Hospitality to the Next Level
Learn to be a welcoming, hospitable congregation. Identify and enlist congregants for your church's welcoming ministry. Assess what your church does well in welcoming - as well as areas for improvement. Use and participate in specific tools, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Blog. Identify what your church is known for.
Learn More
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Upcoming Events:
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Barbeque Fundraiser
Saturday, April 30
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Austin Springs UMC
726 S Austin Springs Rd
More info: 483-1242
Earnest Fort House and Ebenezer Church and Cemetery Dedication
Saturday, April 30
10:00 am
1600 Chuckey Pike
Chuckey, TN
More info
May 10 - 20
Portland, OR
More info
District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, May 10
10:00 am
Boones Creek UMC
Hands-On Mission Kit Collection
May 31 and June 1
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
District Office
More info
Hands-On Mission Kit Loading
Thursday, June 2
10:00 am
District Office
Email to volunteer
Holston Annual Conference
June 5 - 8
Lake Junaluska
More info
Clergy Spouses Luncheon Monday, June 6
11:45 am
Long's Chapel UMC
Waynesville, NC
More info
Camp in the Community
June 6-10
Laurel Run Park
Church Hill, TN
More info
Last Sunday for Moving Clergy Sunday, June 12
Camp in the Community
June 13-17
Elizabethton First UMC
More info
Outdoor Leadership Camp
June 20-24
More info
Moving Day for Clergy
Wednesday, June 22
First Sunday for Moving Clergy
Sunday, July 3
Five Day Academy of Spiritual Formation
July 24-29
Emory & Henry College
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 Johnson City District Friends,
Just so you know, I'm a United Methodist "Lifer". My father was a United Methodist minister and I grew up in parsonages scattered across the Holston Conference. There has never been a day in my life when I have not been connected to a United Methodist church. I have been blessed by every United Methodist Church I've served or attended.
I LOVE the theology of the United Methodist Church. I've seen small children blessed because we practice infant baptism. I've been positively influenced by the fact our denomination has been ordaining women for over 50 years. I appreciate our open communion table whenever I've worshipped in a church that hasn't allowed me to receive the Lord's Supper because I wasn't a member there. It's hard for me to imagine a scenario where I would no longer be a United Methodist. That is why it is so puzzling for me to hear of people who vow to leave the United Methodist Church if General Conference votes contrary to their preferences on any number of controversial issues.
There have always been votes cast, and decisions made at General Conference with which I disagree. How could we have such a diverse denomination without disagreement? In fact, one of the things I love about the United Methodist Church is that we have not tended to force people to adhere to a strict set of beliefs. I've learned so much from people who come from very different theological and cultural backgrounds.
My churches have been filled with conservative and liberal people. One of my favorite stories is seeing half of my church choir picketing on the sidewalk in front of a member of Congress's office. When I looked across the street, I saw the other half of my choir picketing on behalf of the other side of the issue. I've had people who seemed to have it all together and others whose lives are a mess. I've worked with sinners and hypocrites. I've received heartbroken and holy people as members.
Through it all, every church I've been a part of has been my church family. I've found a home everywhere I've been appointed. The needs and concerns of my church family have been of much more consequence to me than any issue being determined by the General Church.
I ask you to pray for General Conference on May 10th-20th. I would also ask that you not jump to conclusions if you see headlines coming from Portland OR during General Conference. Some things reported one day will look very different when all the dust settles and we see the fine print. Put your faith in Christ. And never forget, that a loving and supportive church family will have a much greater impact on your life than any general church decision.
God bless,
Walter Weikel
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Annual Conference News
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Sunday, June 5 - Wednesday, June 8
Lake Junaluska, NC
Don't forget to register online for Annual Conference!
Mission Offering
We are doing so well, we can't stop now! That good news is the reason this year's Annual Conference Mission Offering will once again bless the children in our midst as we support Ministry with Children in Poverty in Holston Conference. Through this past year, our congregations have given generously to fund grants to change the lives of children in poverty with a total of over $197,000 so far. Countless hours of service and outreach have been shared to develop relationships with these young lives and to bring new hope and possibility for their future. Thank you, Holston, for assuring that poverty does not have the last word for the children in our communities.
In addition to our $10 per member and 10 hours of service per average worship attendance, this year we will help more of our congregations take the first steps toward school partnerships. Each local church is asked to send ONE of eight selected children's books with every lay and clergy member to Annual Conference June 5. These new books will be collected and made available for local churches to take home and share as an opening gift to begin a school partnership with their neighborhood schools. You can learn more about our 2016 mission offering gifts of $10 and 10 hours per worship attendance and the book collection at WaytoGiveHolston.org.
Hands-On Project
Drop off dates: Tuesday, Mary 31 and Wednesday, June 1, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Johnson City District Office.
ALL KITS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 ON WEDNESDAY OR THEY WILL NOT BE SENT TO LIBERIA!
Volunteers needed: Thursday, June 2, 10:00 am at the District Office to help load the truck. Contact Betty to volunteer.
Pre-Conference Briefing
We will not hold a meeting this year for the pre-conference briefing, but a video will be made available for online viewing. Watch for information coming soon on how to view that video.
Childcare
Childcare is available during Annual Conference for children ages 6 months to rising 6th grade. Lake Junaluska requires all children who will need childcare be registered by May 20. The childcare facility will be staffed according to the Safe Sanctuaries number requirements.
Download and complete the registration form at ac.holston.org. Mail completed registration form and payment NO LATER THAN MAY 20TH directly to Lake Junaluska: Jennifer Martin, PO Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.
Again 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. 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.
Lunch MUST be provided for the children who stay at the complex for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Parents may pre-order a bag lunch for $8.50 that will include a sandwich (turkey and cheese on Monday; ham and cheese on Tuesday), baby carrots, banana, Sunchips, cookie, and a carton of milk. Parents who have children with severe dietary restrictions should provide lunches for their children.
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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Summer Camping Returns!
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Camp Bays Mountain will offer three sessions in 2016. All sessions are off site in the communities. Registration is limited and will fill up fast. Because of very generous donors, the fees for the two Camp-in-the-Community sessions are at a very affordable rate. Don't miss out on what we have planned!
KINGSPORT AREA Camp-in-the-Community is June 6-10 from 9am-3pm at Laurel Run Park. This is for rising K-6th graders ($25 per camper). Mary Ellen Horner and Mary Beth Vaughn are the coordinators.
JOHNSON CITY AREA Camp-in-the-Community is June 13-17 from 9am-3pm at Elizabethton First UMC. This is for rising K-6th graders ($25 per camper). Jennifer Bradley is the coordinator.
OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP CAMP is June 20-24 for rising 9th-12th graders and will be an adventure-based camp in several venues. ($390 per camper). Jeff Wadley is the coordinator.
Click here for additional information or to register!SUMMER STAFF NEEDED Camp Bays Mountain is searching for FOUR staff members for the upcoming 2016 summer. Dates needed are from May 22 through June 24 which includes Conference and Site Training, two weeks of Camp-in-the-Community, and a week of Outdoor Leadership Camp. Two males and two females are needed for the FIRST SUMMER EVER at our new camp. If you love kids, love Christ, and love the outdoors then we may have a place for you!
Click here for ministry description and application info
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South Carolina Ready for Rebuilding Teams
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The South Carolina Methodist Conference has notified UMVIM that they are now ready to accept teams for the rebuild phase of their disaster recovery stemming from the October 2015 floods. Billy Robinson and his entire team did an outstanding job during the recovery phase, and staff was hired by the conference to handle assessments and the time has come for our SC Volunteers to do their part.
UMVIM-SC has trained over 50 team leaders all across the state since the floods 6 months ago. The need is great--some have suggested that this rebuild phase could last for more than three years.
If you would like to help, please visit the conference website, or contact volunteer coordinator Stephanie Hunt by email.
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Defining Moments
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Defining Moments
offers a year-long experience for young people in Holston who are discerning God's call. This initiative guides them in learning what ministry in the United Methodist Church is all about, in listening to God's voice, and in practicing spiritual disciplines that nourish a life of faith.
The 2016-17 program begins this summer with a residential program at Emory & Henry College where participants spend five days with others who are also discerning call. They will engage with Young Clergy Mentors from across the Conference, learn from college and seminary faculty, and meet people serving God in a variety of ministry settings in Holston.
The months to follow include continuing mentorship, practice, and online intentional community.
Applications for the 2016-17 cohorts are now being accepted. Apply before May 15, 2016 for priority consideration and early-bird pricing. Space is limited.
Learn more
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Job Opportunities
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Youth Leader
Mt Carmel UMC
116 OO Moore Rd.
Chuckey, Tn
Salary negotiable
Must be 25+ Years old
Must be willing to have a background check
Call either 423-257-5553 Rance Edwards
Or in the evening call Alex Moore 423-282-8870
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Director of Youth Ministries
First United Methodist Church in Johnson City, TN currently has an open position for a Director of Youth Ministries. FUMC-JC is dedicated to "Making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world".
The Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church, Johnson City, TN is to lead a Christian ministry to the youth of the area that fosters faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and equips youth to be in ministry to other youth. This full time position is responsible for a rapidly growing ministry with 7-12th grade students, the majority of whom are from previously unchurched backgrounds.
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Free Organ
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A local woman has a Baldwin Fantasia organ that she purchased for her daughters but needs to give away to a good home or school or church---anyone willing to come to her house in Unicoi to pick it up. She said it is heavy and will take a few strong people to move it! Please contact her by email if you are interested.
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