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Johnson City District 
News Updates 
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In This Issue
Upcoming Events

Lord's Acre Sale 
Saturday, September 24 
8:00 - 11:30 am 
Edgefield UMC 

Prison Ministry Bible Study Training

Monday, September 26
6:00 - 9:00 pm
First Broad Street UMC
Kingsport
more info


Muslims & Christians in Appalachia
Saturday, October 1
8:45 am - 3:00 pm
First UMC, Johnson City
more info


Community Fest with
Music by Alathea, Appalachian Express and SunnySide
Saturday, October 1
12:00 - 6:00 pm
Gray UMC
more info


Multi Church Revival
October 2 thru 5
Fellowship Meal at 6:00
Worship Service at 6:45
more info

Sticky Stories Preaching Workshop
Wednesday, October 5
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Holston Conference Center
Alcoa, TN
more info

Special Missions Offering for South Sudan
Sunday, October 9
Your Local Church
more info

District Clergy Meeting
Tuesday, October 11
10:00 am and 6:00 pm
Boones Creek UMC

Hispanic Ministry
Worship Day

Saturday, October 15
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Unicoi UMC
more info

Farmapalooza

Sunday, October 16
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Sulphur Springs
more info
download flyer

ESUMC Bike Ride
Saturday, October 22
8:30 - 10:00 am
Tweetsie Trail
more info

Holston Conference Historical Society Meeting

Saturday, October 22
10:00 am to noon
Tobias Smith House
Emory & Henry College
more info

Lay Servant Training

Saturday, October 29
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Gray UMC
more info

Wesley Foundation Auction & BBQ
Saturday, October 29
ETSU Wesley Foundation
more info

Festival of Gifts & Talents
Sunday, November 6
6:00 pm
First UMC, Elizabethton
more info 

Johnson City District UMW Annual Meeting 
Saturday, November 12
Centenary UMC, Erwin
more info 

Charge Conferences

Sunday, October 23
3:00 pm
at Elizabeth Chapel UMC
Elizabeth Chapel
Fairhaven
Johnson City Parish
Jonesborough
Limestone Cove
New Victory
Roan Mountain

Sunday, October 30
3:00 pm
at Bluff City UMC
Austin Springs
Bluff City
Edgefield
Embreeville
Fairview & McCarty
Mt Carmel/Seviers
Piney Flats
Rockhold/Enterprise
Sulphur Springs
Telford

Sunday, November 6
3:00 pm
at Limestone UMC
Asbury/Limestone
Bethesda/Eden
Cokesbury - Johnson City
First - Johnson City
Grace
Greene County Parish
Jearoldstown/Union Temple
Milburnton
Mt Wesley
Pleasant Grove/Valley View
St Paul - Piney Flats
Taylor Memorial

Sunday, November 13
3:00 pm
at Gray UMC
Carter County Parish
Centenary
Chuckey/Rheatown
Clear Springs/Albright/Liberty
Ebenezer Circuit
First - Elizabethton
Gray
Greystone Circuit
Marvins Chapel
Munsey Memorial
Unicoi
Valley Forge
Wesley Memorial


What's Happening at ESUMC Prague
Work on the new sanctuary is complete.

Bishop Streiff came to visit on June 5.


This week a team from Cokesbury UMC - Knoxville and Cokesbury UMC - Johnson City is in Prague leading an English Camp for children and adults.
Connect with ESUMC
Like us on Facebook

Visit our blog
Job Opportunity
Director of Children's and Youth Ministries

Bluff City UMC is looking for a part-time, paid youth and children's ministry director. 20 hours per week. Send resume to Bluff City UMC, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, PO Box 190, Bluff City, TN 37618 or [email protected]. Check us out on Facebook or www.bluffcityumc.org.
Free Hymnals
Roan Mountain UMC has old hymnals to give away. Please contact Brent Nidiffer at [email protected].
September/October 2016

Here is the latest news from the Johnson City District of the United Methodist Church.

A Word from Walter
Dear Friends,
 
A few weeks ago I was at a family gathering in North Carolina. A lot of the usual suspects attended. But, there were some cousins present that I had not seen in over 30 years. I had never even met three of my mother's cousins before that day.
 
One of the most satisfying parts of the reunion was that I heard my parents laughing hysterically. I feared my father was going to require medical attention because he was laughing so hard. My sister videoed one sequence where the only action caught on tape was laughter. I showed the video to one of my sons who tends to be somewhat reserved. His reaction to the video was that his relatives had lost their minds.
 
My birth family is a family of rule-followers and people who do everything they can to say and do the right things. My long lost relatives are loud, crude, and politically incorrect. They do not really share any of my values. They certainly do not share my political views. Their theology does not match up with mine at all. BUT, I would drive back to North Carolina today if I knew they were going to be gathering again.
 
In our political and religious climate I hear of people vowing to leave the country if their candidate loses. I hear people vowing to leave their church or their denomination if certain decisions are made. I hear people digging in to their entrenched positions.
 
One of the things I've always appreciated about the United Methodist Church is our openness to differing opinions. In fact, that has always been kind of our specialty. I would no more consider leaving my church family than I would my biological family.
 
Even in the early church we read in the Book of Acts of arguments that got so heated, they threatened to tear the church apart. Those earliest Christians realized they needed the support of their brothers and sisters in the church because of the turmoil they were experiencing outside the church.
 
My prayer for the United Methodist Church is that we would continue to draw each other closer, even while the world around us seems to be coming apart at the seams.
 
God bless you and your church family.
 
Walter
District Conference News
Clergy and laity from across the Johnson City District gathered at Munsey Memorial UMC on Sunday, September 18 to fellowship together and conduct the business of the district.

Those gathered heard reports from Holston Conference Strategy Team member Jeff Wright, District Superintendent Walter Weikel, District Lay Leader Nan Carver, and Camp Bays Mountain Director Jeff Wadley.

The body elected persons to serve on district boards and committees.The following persons were elected as At Large Lay Members to the 2017 Annual Conference (in alphabetical order): John Anderson, Amy Blumberg, Ronnie Bowers, Lynice Broyles, Palmer Cantler, Cindy Cutshall, Mark Cutshall, David Frost, Andrea Gates, Dell Gates, Mary Hooper, Katie Huffine, Andy Nelson, Hugh Wallace, Peggy Wansley, Betty Yeomans-Barton, Craig Zirkle. Elected as alternates (in order of election): Jerry Hooper, Steve Reis, Phillip McLain.

Finance Chair Art Eckerson presented a proposed budget for 2017 of $183,162, a 1% decrease from the 2016 budget. The formula for Fair Share computation remains at 2.3%.

The gathering closed with a celebration of the Lord's Supper with Lon Tobin officiating.

Czech Team Visits Johnson City
Four missionaries from the Czech Republic recently visited our district to work with Appalachia Service Project on a new home build. Bohumil (Bouhous) Opocensky, Jaroslav (Spring) Trachta, Jiri (George) Cerny and Jana Krizova worked alongside The B Team, a group of retired men from the Johnson City area, building a ramp and steps, and landscaping the property.

We are very grateful for the giving spirit of this team who traveled around the world to help ASP provide safe and comfortable housing for an elderly Johnson City man. We also wish to thank all of the individuals and congregations of our district who gave of their time, and provided transportation, housing, meals and fellowship during their stay.

Joining our Czech friends and the B Team in this work project were District Superintendent Walter Weikel, Office Administrator Betty Yeomans-Barton, Joe Wallace (Telford UMC) and Doug Hulshult (First UMC, Elizabethton). Housing for the team was provided by Sam and Sharon Barnett (Cokesbury, Johnson City), Jim and Mary Ann Hager (Piney Flats UMC) and Betty Yeomans-Barton. Bill Cox and Scott Brady (Piney Flats UMC) helped out with transportation, and the team enjoyed many great meals thanks to Piney Flats UMC, First UMC, Johnson City, Jason Bembry (Munsey Memorial UMC), Kim Hingers (Cokesbury, Johnson CIty), Tim and Camille O'Neill (Edgefield UMC), Val and Mary Lee Heil (Piney Flats UMC), Amber Marshall (Munsey Memorial UMC), Doug Hulshult (First UMC, Elizabethton), and Serena Crowder (Cokesbury, Johnson City. Jana Krizova preached at Limestone UMC, and the three men enjoyed worship at Cokesbury, Knoxville one Sunday and Piney Flats UMC the next. We also wish to thank Jeff Wadley, Camp Bays Mountain Director, for giving the team a tour of the new camp.

Thank you to Abraham McIntyre at Appalachia Service Project for making this possible. 


Hispanic
Hispanic Ministry Worship Day


Saturday, October 15

11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Unicoi UMC





Holston Conference United Methodist Women will sponsor a Hispanic Ministry Worship day for women and children at Unicoi United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 15. All Hispanic communities are invited to join us for this day of worship.

Churches and individuals are encouraged to promote this event in areas of your community where Hispanics work, live and shop using a special Spanish-language flyer created by Kacye Castenir, Language Coordinator for Holston Conference UMW.

The day will begin at 11:00 A.M. with fellowship and worship for the women. Children are also invited to come and activities will be planned for them. Lunch will be provided.

All churches in the Johnson City and Kingsport Districts are encouraged to gather donations of laundry detergent, dish detergent, personal items, shampoo, toilet soap, tooth paste, toothbrushes, and bath products. These items will be available for the ladies to shop for things they cannot purchase.

Any church with Safe Sanctuary certified persons who would like to volunteer to work with the children during should let Lynice Broyles know at
 [email protected]
or call her at 467-3336.

Holston Conference United Methodist Women is grateful to individuals, local units, men's groups and churches who have so graciously donated funds to help purchase more Spanish Bibles for the women, men and youth and audio Bibles for those persons who do read or write. Mr. Tommy Vanover and Reverend Todd Adams are working with the United Methodist Women to make this an eventful day for all in attendance.

COME.....Make them welcome.

Download flyer 
TweetsieRide the Tweetsie Trail for ESUMC

Saturday, October 22
8:00 Onsite Registration
8:30 - 10:00 am Ride

Start: First UMC
900 Spring Street
Johnson City
Finish: Watauga Point UMC
409 Gap Creek Road
Elizabethton


Join us for the second annual ESUMC Bike Ride on the Tweetsie Trail. Last year's event raised $2,300 for the English Speaking United Methodist Church in Prague. Riders of all ages are invited to come help us raise even more money and awareness for this ministry. We hope that each church in the Johnson City District will have at least one rider.

The ride will begin at 8:30 at First UMC, Johnson City. We will ride together to the trailhead of the Tweetsie Trail and then along the trail to Watuaga Point UMC in Elizabethton. This is a route of 5.5 miles. Riders may want to consider positioning a vehicle at Watauga Point if they do not want to ride both ways.

There is no charge to participate, but riders are encouraged to find sponsors for their ride. A sponsorship form is available for you to keep track of your sponsors and their amounts. Riders raising $20 or more will get a free all-purpose fandana (buff-style bandana) with the ESUMC logo.

Pre-registration is encouraged. All riders are required to wear a helmet and minors must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Water and healthy snacks will be available at each end of the ride.

Download Registration Form
Download Sponsorship Form
Download Flyer

LayServant
Lay Servant Training
Lay Servant Ministries Logo
Saturday, October 29
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Gray UMC




The Johnson City District lay servant training event for fall 2016 will include a basic course led by Jane Taylor, and three advanced courses: United Methodist Polity with Adam Love, Leading in Worship with Lloyd Jones, and United Methodist Heritage with Bill Carter.

Training in other districts

Cleveland District
October 21 and 22
Keith Memorial UMC
Athens, TN
Kingsport District
October 22
Colonial Heights UMC
Kingsport, TN
Morristown District
October 22
First UMC
White Pine, TN
Knoxville District
November 5
St. Mark UMC
Knoxville, TN
more info


Oak Ridge District
November 4 and 5
Bradbury UMC
Kingston, TN
more info 
WesleyFound
One Auction - Every Church

16th Annual Auction and Barbeque

Saturday, October 29
12:30-4:30 pm
ETSU Wesley Foundation
1100 Seminole Dr

ETSU Wesley Foundation is celebrating and hosting its 16th Annual Auction and Barbecue this fall! Since 2001, the auctions have raised over $314,120 for the ministry of the Wesley Foundation! These funds have been used to support student mission trips, special retreats and program expenses. The auction proceeds are vital to our operating budget.
 
In order to have a successful auction we need to secure quality items to be auctioned. We would like to encourage your church to donate at least one quality item for the auction or be a sponsor or donor of the auction. It is suggested that the auction item be a minimum value of $100.00. Any item of value in good condition would be greatly appreciated. What a blessing it would be if each church participated in the ETSU Wesley Foundation Auction by donating at least one auction item or by being a sponsor of $500.00 or a donor of $100.00!
 
Wesley is inviting and challenging each church in the Johnson City, Kingsport, and Morristown Districts to participate by donating auction items to the ETSU Wesley Foundation Annual Auction and Barbecue.As you are aware, our ministry to young adults is vital to our mission as United Methodist. With each church's participation, we will have a successful auction event each year that will support the ministry of the Wesley Foundation on the ETSU Campus.

Wesley House at ETSU
Thank you for making this possible!

The Wesley House at the Wesley Foundation is up and going with five male students living in the house. The Wesley House was originally used as the parsonage for the Wesley Foundation Director, Rev. Bedford Transou and his wife Carol. This house was also the location for Wesley Foundation weekly gatherings for the students until the present Wesley Foundation building was constructed back in 1970. The early Wesley Foundation gatherings met in the basement of the parsonage. The name given to this gathering was called "The Fatted Calf".
 
After some time the Director moved out of the parsonage and took housing allowance, which left the Wesley House open for rental. During that time the house was rented out for many years to families, ETSU students, and a fraternity. The current board of directors decided to reclaim this house and rent it out to Wesley students forming an intentional Christian community. One of the main responsibilities for the residents is to participate and/or lead a bible study each semester offered to the Wesley students.
 
The Wesley House was in great need of restoration after all of these years serving as rental property. A capital campaign was formed and started in the early summer of 2015 with a goal to raise $70,000 for restoration of the Wesley House and other maintenance needs for the Wesley Foundation building. Special thanks goes to Butch and Joyce Jones members of Elizabeth Chapel UMC, for overseeing these projects. The Johnson City, Kingsport, and Morristown districts gave generously to this campaign of a total of $52, 415.76 from all three districts! The Johnson City District gave a total of $31,250.40 of this amount! With additional financial support from the Holston Conference, Board of Trustees, and other individuals we raised a total of $83,358.76. With the surplus of funds raised we have been able to address other needs at Wesley such as signage, painting and landscaping. Thanks to all who supported these projects.

Clare's Closet Seeking Warm Outerwear
First UMC, Johnson City will continue the ministry begun last fall of providing new or "nearly new" warm winter coats, jackets, sweaters, sweat shirts, hoodies, gloves, mittens and socks to the residents of our community in need of warm outerwear. Nearly 500 warm winter items were distributed last year! We are appealing to you once again to donate outer wear items in good condition. Donations of all sizes and for all ages (infant to adults) are needed.

A large, red box for donations is located near the church office at First UMC, 900 Spring Street, Johnson City, TN. Pick up of your donations from your location is also available and may be requested by calling the FUMC office (928-9222) or 647-7270.
Thank you in advance for your support of this endeavor.
 
The first distribution of the donated outerwear will be:
  • Saturday, November 5, 2016 (10:00 am -12:00 noon)
  • FUMC Neighborhood Center (Maple Street)
For more information, call the church office - 928-9222 - or visit the website: 1stchurchjc.org
Johnson City District of UMC | (423) 926-7533 | [email protected] | http://jcdistrict.org
2615 S Roan St Suite 106
Johnson City, TN 37601