THE CHALLENGER
The Kingsport District Newsletter, The United MethodistChurch
March 2008
James E. Swanson, Sr., Resident Bishop
Fred E. Dearing, III, District Superintendent
Susan S. Smith, Administrative Assistant
423-224-1533
;
P.O. Box 894 Kingsport, TN 37662 618 Watauga St. Kingsport, TN
DISTRICT TRAINING COURSE FOR EVERYONE
History, Organization,
Doctrine & Beliefs
The United MethodistChurch
April 4 and 5, 2008
April 4: 6:00 registration & gathering
6:30 –9:00 Class time
April 5: 8:30 a.m. – registration & gathering
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Class time
Facilitators: Rev. Grady Winegar and Zane Scott
Who should take this course:
-Anybody who is interested
-Leaders in the church
-Lay Speakers can count this as an advanced class.
Host Church—First Broad Street UMC
Registration: $20 (includes lunch & materials)
Deadline to register is March 14
(Early deadline is so materials can be purchased.)
Bonus Session at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday
Updates on General Conference to be held in
April 2008 at Ft. Worth, TX
Guest Speaker—Rev. Jerry Russell, Holston Conference Delegate and a Candidate for the
Episcopacy
Send check (made out to Kingsport District marked as “History”) for $20 to Kingsport District, P.O. Box 894, Kingsport, TN 37662. Include your name,
church, phone, address & email.
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
After School Terrific Tuesday Start Up
Saint Luke UMC is beginning an after school ministry
that we call Terrific Tuesday.
We need a little help from anyone looking to reach children for Christ. We would invite anyone from the district who likes to tell a Bible story, lead an exercise group in a physical activity, prepare a craft, or help a child with his or her homework, or prepare and serve a snack to contact Jean Starnes or Rev. April Milligan. Our program will start as soon as we feel confident that we have enough volunteers to help, possibly before school ends this May. Hours are from
3-5 every Tuesday at Saint Luke.
Please call 245-4947 or Pastor April at 741-1264 to volunteer or for more information.
Estonia Children-Travel Expenses
This July, twelve children and three adults will be coming from the Lighthouse in Estonia to Calvary UMC in Nashville, TN. We hope to provide five of the children’s’ airfare to Nashville at $1000 each for a total of $5000 . If any mission teams or churches in the Kingsport district would like to provide funds for this camp, send check written to Salem UMC with the memo saying “Lighthouse camp”. All money will be forwarded to Calvary UMC in Nashville. If this camp is successful, members of the Estonian Action Team will be working with the children in Nashville. We hope to bring the children to Buffalo Camp in 2009. Holston Conference has been a part of the Lighthouse Ministries since its inception in 2000. Mall Tamm has been the director since 2004 and will be escorting the children from Estonia along with two other teachers.
Jeff Tallent (Pastor, Salem UMC)
Chairperson Estonian Action Team
Pastor Salem UMC
MID-ADULT THINK TANK SURVEY FOR CONFERENCE
Here’s your chance to let the Holston Conference know what the mid-adult age group is thinking. This survey, which is largely based on a survey prepared by the GeneralChurch, is intended for persons who were born between 1945 and 1975. It will be used to help Holston Conference better discern how to be in ministry with and for persons in this age group.
It only takes a few minutes to participate in this much needed survey, so log on to
CALENDAR
March
8-9Lay Speaker Basic Course
11Pastors’ meeting, Mafair, 9:30 a.m.
11Discipleship Team, 7 pm, District Office
20-21Office Closed for Easter
24District Fellowship, 6:30 p.m., Kingsley
28Refiners’ Fire & CCYM Elections
30P.A.T.T.’s Puppets, St. Matthew, 5 p.m.
April
1Pastors’ meeting, Mafair, 9:30 a.m.
4-5The History & Organization of the UMC
Training event for District laity & lay
Speakers. Deadline to register is March 14-
6-8Jubilation at Meadowview
10Church Financial Audit due to District
23Administrative Professional’s Day
Tell your church Secretary/Admin. Assistants
“Thank You!”
23-May 2General Conference
24Board of Laity, 7 p.m., District office
26BuffaloMt.CampGolf Extravaganza
26Lay Leader/Pastor Breakfast,
Church Hill First, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. $6
28District Fellowship, 6:30, Vermont
May
6Pastors’ Meeting, Mafair, 9:30 a.m.
16-17 & 17-18UMW Spiritual Enrichment
24Children’s Day at BuffaloMt.Camp
423-753-6678
June
8-11Annual Conference
District Apportionments for 2007 Paid
Ebbing & Flowing Springs has paid 100% of their Kingsport District Apportionments for 2007.
District Youth Team 2008
Youth Coordinator: Joey Fleenor
Rick Anderson
Emily Fox
Aaron Pierce
343-7597
CCYM Elections
March 28 at Refiners’ Fire
Refiner’s Fire 2008
Friday, March 28
6-8 p.m.
Rock Springs UMC
227 Church View Lane
Kingsport, TN 37664
SPEAKER - Brent Ronald - Director of Youth
Ministry at Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville, TN.
MUSIC - Cokesbury UMC Praise band
We'll have tables set up in the Fellowship Hall at 5 PM from the following: HiwasseeCollege, Emory & Henry College, Tennessee Wesleyan College, Ichthus from AsburyCollege and many more. CCYM elections will take place also.
P.A.T.T.’S PUPPETS
(Puppets Are Teachers Too.)
St. Matthew UMC
March 30, 2008
5:00 p.m. Covered Dish Supper
6:00 p.m. Puppet Show
Enjoyment for All Ages!
“Loving All, Serving One, Spreading the Hope of Jesus Christ.”
LAY LEADER/PASTOR
BREAKFAST
Saturday, April 26
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Church Hill First UMC
Cost: $6 – Pay at the door.
To register call the District office (224-1533) by Friday, April 18 at noon.
CONFERENCE EVENTS
Mental Health Matters
Focusing on our children, youth and their families.
Have you ever wondered how your youth group, SS class or preschool can be more open, welcoming, and hospitable to kids working through mental health
issues? Then there’s a workshop for you.
Saturday, April 19
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Munsey Memorial in Johnson City
461-8070
Breakout Sessions: Teen Mental Health Issues, First Steps for Church Workers, Disruptive Behaviors & Autism Spectrum.
Register on-line only: mentalhealthmaters.holston.org
Deadline to register is Monday, April 7.
For more information contact your pastor, the district office or Paula Postai at 423-534-1593;
Caring for Creation
April 3-6
LakeJunaluska
The jurisdictional event promises to be an opportunity to discover how your congregation can help care for our home – Earth. The Sunday morning preacher will be Bishop Kenneth Carder, and some Holston persons will be on the program as well: Rev. Bill Nickle and Dr. Mike Hartsell. For complete schedule and details, please visit the LakeJunaluska web site at and click on “events” in the left column, then click on Caring for Creation.
JUBILATION
April 6-8
MeadowviewConferenceCenter
Kingsport, TN
$110 commuter fee: includes all sessions, 2 workshops and food (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
Register by March 10 to avoid a $10 late fee. Contact the Pastor or District office for brochures.
ROOTS & SHOOTS
The kick off event for the Kingsport District’s Older Adult Ministries was a huge success. On Thursday, February 14, 244 people from 23 churches gathered for the first fellowship function of the Roots & Shoots. There was music, prizes, a catered meal, Jason Onks, Director, Buffalo Mountain Camp, spoke, had hand outs and a display, Ralph Kidd was the special entertainment speaker, and of course there was lots of good fun and fellowship. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thanks to the whole Roots & Shoots Team (Nancy Weikel, chair); Colonial Heights UMC for hosting the event along with the Pastors and church members for helping with the preparations; and for First Broad Street for serving the food.
Mark Your Calendar for the Next Event!
Tuesday, September 23
BuffaloMountain Camp
Charles Maynard – guest speaker
Church Annual Financial Audit for 2007
Due to the District Office by April 10, 2008.
If you need a form and the pastor does not have one please contact the district office (224-1533).
VBS kit and puppet Look at this year’s in the district office. Call before you come.
BUFFALO MOUNTAIN CAMP EVENTS
423-753-6678
Scramble for the Kids
Benefit Golf Extravaganza
April 26
Tri Cities Golf Club
Registration forms are in the District Office.
Make a Difference This Summer as A Counselor
You have to be 16 years old to be a support staff; 18 years old and out of high school for at least one year
for other positions.
The District office has a brochure on training and what it’s like to be a counselor.
Children’s Day Celebration
Saturday, May 24
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
DENMAN AWARDS
Deadline April 15
It is that time of year for us to celebrate the evangelists among us by means of the Harry Denman Award. We in Holston strive to be bold, passionate, and joyful as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ. I have included a brief description of Harry Denman. You may access additional information from the Foundation for Evangelism web site You may also access the nomination information at the Holston web site
In the spirit of Harry Denman, we want to promote, encourage, and celebrate using all you have to facilitate people connecting with Jesus! Who are people in whom you see Christ? Who do you know that stands strong in the face of opposition for the love of all people? Who centers their conversations around the Bible and – whether in a large group or talking to one person – gives all their focus to communicating God’s amazing grace and invites you to know Christ even more?
At the age of 80, while speaking in Dallas, TX, Harry was worrying whether the UnitedMethodistChurch would be around in the year 2000 if membership figures continued to dip. He said, “We can study more books and do less than any crowd I know. Our trouble is we don’t believe people
need Jesus Christ. I look to him for the answer…” Holston experienced 533 membership loss in 2006. But, dear friends, we have many among us who are using God’s gifts to make an eternal difference in lives. In 2006, we had 2,411 Professions of Faith (305 of those were Restored); 2,037 received from other UMC; 1,515 received from other denominations; the total for 2006 was 6,268 new members. In addition we had 2,170 baptisms with 1,643 joining the church through Confirmation classes. Great differences are being made. Let’s recognize and celebrate those that embody making disciples boldly!
The deadline to receive nominations is April 15, 2008, and the materials should be mailed to:
Witness Ministry Team
Holston Conference Connectional Ministries
P.O. Box 850
Alcoa, TN37701-0850
Minister together, in the love of Jesus,
Ann Robins
Holston Conference Witness Team, Chair
(Nominees can be youth, adults, and pastors)
(If you can’t get on the website and need a form, please contact the district office.)
Drop-Off Dates:
Tuesday, June 312-5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 4 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
No kits will be accepted after these two days!
Place: Crossroads UMC
Truck will be leaving with all kits on Friday, June 6
Volunteers are needed to look through the kits and pack them in boxes.
Call Eloise Ellis to volunteer or if you have questions;
384-8843
CHECKS – Different from last year!!!
Include $5/kit for shipping. One check from each church should accompany the kits. The check is to be written to Kingsport District and marked “Hands-On Kits.” Do not put checks in bags.
Answers to Questions on Items to purchase?
Where to purchase: Dollar General and stores like
that, Walmart, K-Mart, etc.
Cost: The kit Eloise put together cost around $20.
Soap: Leave in wrappers
Deodorant: No spray on or gel deodorants
(temperature is 104+)
Ponchos: Do not get children’s or emergency cheap
ponchos. Spend $3-4 on an adult poncho.
Towels: No dark colors. They will be washing them
outside probably.
Aspirin is better than Tylenol but either will work.
Toothpaste: leave in boxes
Toothbrushes: leave in box or wrapper
Spray cologne: little bottles can be found at places
like Dollar General
Oz. designations can be varied by a little bit.