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The Maryville District
Mary Virginia Taylor - Resident Bishop
Reverend Charles Maynard - District Superintendent
Superintendent’s E-mail: [email protected] - Web Site: www.maryvilledistrict.holston.org
Cheryl Thompson - Administrative Assistant * E-mail: [email protected]
Office-Phone: (865) 982-1427 * Fax: (865) 981-7470
Resurrection
Resurrection 2015 – two weekends in January – is when thousands upon thousands of youth and their
chaperones gather in Gatlinburg, TN. Each year, I try to attend both weekends. This year was no different.
What an amazing, inspiring assembly of disciples of Jesus. Resurrection is the largest gathering of church
members of the Holston Conference each year. The group is not just an assembly of the future church. It is
a part of TODAY’S church.
As I was standing by the door as everyone was coming in, I heard a young person say, “I love this!” I was
thrilled by this youth’s excitement. As the room filled, excitement and anticipation grew. Many of the
churches in the Maryville District, both large and small, were there. Some brought youth for the first time.
This year the Maryville District was represented on stage by MaDE, a group from Fairview. They did an
incredible job! So many shared their gifts and talents from all over our conference.
I am thankful for adults who see this moment as a priority. At Resurrection, young people come to Christ.
Others dedicate their lives to full-time Christian service. Adults who pay for this. Adults who chaperone.
Adults who give of themselves, who are truly with youth. Sweetwater suffered a tragedy while at
Resurrection in the death of one of their chaperones. Please be in prayer for the church, the youth, and
Emily, whose mother died.
My hope is that each local church that sent young people will work to incorporate these youth into
worship, into the work of the church. These young people inspire me and I know they will inspire you as
well.
Thank you. Grace and Peace,
Charles
Up-Coming Events
February
The Holston Conference Council
on Finance and Administration invites
you to view the January resources at waytogive.holston.org. Be sure to check out
the resources for previous months as well.
Thank you, Holston. You’ll never know
how many lives you have changed. Way
to go! Way to Give!
Convocation 2015 & Clergy
Gathering
February 23-26, 2015, at Music
Road Resort & Convention Center,
Pigeon Forge, TN. Michael Slaughter will
be the Plenary Speaker and Worship
Leader for 2015’s Convocation. “The call
to afflict the comfortable and comfort the
afflicted will challenge attendees to wrestle with God and their God-destinies.”
Also Clergy Gathering will take place on
Tuesday, February 24, from 1:30-4:30
p.m. The focus for Clergy Gathering will
be the book, Finding Your Way: Love and
Law in The United Methodist Church,
authored by several United Methodist
bishops with an introduction by Neil Alexander and Reuben Job.
You may register on-line at
www.convocation.holston.org.
(Room
reservations are separate and made directly through Music Road Hotel or online on
Holston website.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
3
District Superintendency Committee luncheon meeting at noon
at the District office.
8
Finance Committee Training at Seymour UMC, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
15
Finance Committee Training at Oakland UMC, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
23-26 Ministers’ Convocation, Pigeon Forge, TN at the Music Road
Resort & Convention Center
March
3
District Committee on Ministry will meet with the Local Pastors
for their Annual Review at the District office, 1-6 p.m.
12
Pastors’ meeting in the Event Center on the first floor of Holston
Conference Building-10:00 a.m.-noon
12
Pastors’ meeting in the Conference Room on the third floor of
Holston Conference Building-7:00 p.m.
15-20 Appointment Cabinet (Appointment Making Week) - please be
in prayer for the Cabinet during this week
Special Thanks to the following Congregations who have paid
100% of their 2014 District Ministries
(Thru
December 31, 2014)
* Alcoa, First
* Bethel (Seymour)
* Browder
* Burnett Memorial
* Cedar Bluff
* Eleazar
* Forkner’s Chapel
* Gatlinburg, First
* Logan’s Chapel
* Madisonville, First
* Middle Creek
* Murphy’s Chapel
* Oakland
* Pigeon Forge
* Pleasant Hill (S)
* Seymour
* St Marks
* Tellico Plains, First
* Union Grove (S)
* Walland
* Wesley Chapel
* Axley’s Chapel
* Binfield
* Buckner Memorial
* Camp Ground
* Chestua
* Fairview
* Fox
* Green Meadow
* Loudon
* Maryville, First
* Middlesettlements
* New Hope
* Peck’s Memorial
* Pleasant Hill (B)
* Roberts
* Shults Grove
* Sweetwater, First
* Tuckaleechee
* Vonore
* Wears Valley
* Williamson Chapel
* Bethel (L)
* Broadway
* Bungalow
* Carpenters
* Eden
* Fenders
* Friendsville
* Immanuel
* Luretta
* Meadow
* Mountain View
* New Salem
* Philadelphia
* Pleasant Hill (R)
* Sevierville, First
* St. John
* Sycamore Tree
* Union Grove (B)
* Walden’s Creek
* Webb’s Creek
Maryville District UMW - Nancy Lampe-President
Happy Valentine’s Day! The Maryville District UMW has arranged a date for you on
the morning of February 14th at St. John UMC. We will only keep you for a couple of hours and
you will still have plenty of time for an evening date with your Sweetheart. The registration
form and information about the program was included in the December issue of The Connecting
Link. Music will be presented by the Transformers. If you have not heard this group before,
you are in for a treat. Deadline for registration is February 6th, so don’t delay in registering.
On January 10th the Mission Team met for a day to plan Events and other activities for
the year. The next meeting will be for Presidents and Treasurers. We are having this meeting
due to feedback we received from evaluation forms indicating a need for more training for this
group. The date is March 7th and will be at Mountain View UMC from 10am - 2pm. Invitations
and additional details will be mailed. Make sure your unit has provided current information on
your officers to the District Secretary.
We have several District Events scheduled, but remember our Holston Conference
Events as well. One of my favorite Holston Events coming up on March 14th & 15th is the Sisters in Service Retreat. Brochures will be available soon and this promises to be an enriching
experience.
Keep checking the newsletter for a schedule of all Events. I am sure there is something
for everyone.
Part Time Musician-Job Opening
Wears Valley UMC seeks a pianist/musician. Skills include playing the
piano (required) and the organ (optional). The duties include choir practice on
Wednesday evenings and playing for two services on Sunday mornings. Call
865-908-7331.
2015 Hands-On Mission Project-
Zimbabwe Holston Annual Conference
Unlike school supplies, food items have expiration dates. Be sure and check the dates and
make sure they do not expire until 2015 in order to cover transport time and having a useful
life for the people in Zimbabwe.
The Maryville District has been asked to put together 400 Food Buckets for the 2015 Holston Annual Conference Hand-On Mission Project. Note: A $5.00 donation for packing and shipping is to accompany each bucket. Each church is to bring ONE check for the total donation amount. Make checks out to Maryville District and
put 2015 Hands-On in the memo line.
Do not put money in the bucket!
1 - 4-5lb. Bag sugar
1 - 4-5lb. Bag self-rising flour
1 - 2lb. Bag rice
1 - 2lb. Bag dried beans
1 box Splenda/Sucralose (50 ct. or less)
1 box powdered milk (10oz. or less)
1 box old-fashioned oats (18 oz. or less)
1 bottle cooking oil (48 oz. or less)
Canned Ham (one 2-lb size or two 1-lb size)
Your buckets need to be delivered to Fairview UMC on Wednesday, June 3 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (do not
deliver early).
Sevierville, First UMC-Job Openings
Contemporary Worship Service Leader
Sevierville First United Methodist Church is looking for a Part-Time Contemporary Worship Leader for our
new 9:45 AM “Crossroads” Service. Duties will include: Hiring and leading a Praise Band, make sure the Multi-Media is ready for the worship service. Must be a Christian, singer and musician. Send Resume to Sevierville First United Methodist Church 214 Cedar Street Sevierville, TN 37862.
Children’s Director
Sevierville First United Methodist Church is looking for a Part-Time Director of Children’s Ministries. Duties
will include: Children’s Church, Nursery Supervision, Wednesday Night Program, Puppet Ministry, VBS and
special seasonal programs. Must have a College Education. Send Resume to Sevierville First United Methodist
Church 214 Cedar Street Sevierville, TN 37862.
Education/Communications
Sevierville First United Methodist Church is looking for a Part Time Education/Program/Communications person. Duties include: Ordering Educational materials, assist with Sunday School, help plan and implement the
adult education program, work with the various ministries. Maintain/update the church website, the TV advertisements in the building, Facebook, advertise church events in the community. Must have a college education.
Send Resume to Sevierville First United Methodist Church 214 Cedar Street Sevierville, TN 37862.
Marriage Ministries
This year Holston Conference begins the second decade of offering weekend marriage enrichment retreats
for couple in professional ministry in our churches. These retreats are designed to provide quality time for married
couples during a weekend away from work and family responsibilities. All the cost for housing, meals, and leadership are covered by the Holston Conference.
Two changes have taken place in this ministry.
First, because the Retreat Center at Buffalo Mountain is no longer available, the retreats will be held at the
Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center near Newport, Tennessee. We are fortunate to have the use of this facility that is in a beautiful setting with comfortable accommodations at a convenient location.
Second, because Partners In Crisis is providing additional funding, we are able for the first time to schedule two retreats. April 10-12 and May 15-17, 2015. Couples may select the date that is most convenient for them.
Someone who participated in a previous retreat wrote: “This is such a wonderful weekend! I feel rested
and renewed and ready for what comes next.”
Information about the retreat and a registration form are included in a brochure that is available from Pete
and Ginny Rowlett (865-966-9776 or [email protected]) or from the district office.
Also, a Leadership Training Workshop will be held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville
on June 26-30, 2015. Open to both laity and clergy, this event prepares couples to lead marriage education and
enrichment programs that empower couples to build stronger marriages. Contact the Rowletts for more information.
General and Jurisdictional Conference 2016 Elections
This year at annual conference lay and clergy delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences
2016 will be elected. Clergy do not have to submit nomination information to be considered as
eligible. If fact, if a clergy does NOT want to be considered in the election, the clergy person
must send a note to Dan Taylor, Conference Secretary, asking to be withdrawn from the process.
For lay persons the process is one of submitting a nomination. The information is available on the
Holston website at the Annual Conference 2015 page (ac.holston.org). On the left-hand side of that page is
a button labeled "Lay Delegate Elections." Click on that link to go to a page with the explanatory materials
and further links to the nomination form.
The process is designed to work most ideally when nominees complete and submit the nomination
form online. There may be potential nominees who are unable to complete the process entirely
online, so there is an option to print a fill-in-the-blank form, complete it manually, and send it to
the appropriate district office. Once the nominee has completed the online form, he/she will receive an e-mail confirmation with instructions to print the e-mail and obtain a pastor's signature on
the certification of membership. The instructions direct the nominee to return that signed form to
the appropriate district office. This is a critical step in the process, and a nomination is not
considered complete until that certification has been provided by the nominee.
Self and local church nominations must be received in the district offices by February 15.
The Conference Board of Lay Ministry will meet for final review of all nominees between March 1
and March 15. Laypersons who are not nominated in the online process may still be nominated
from the floor of the laity session at Annual Conference, but will not have the benefit of having
their photo and biographical information included in the Book of Reports distributed in advance of
the Annual Conference session.
Finance Workshops
A training session for pastors, church treasurers, finance chairs,
stewardship chairs, and finance committee members. This hour and a half
workshop will be taught in two places on two Sunday afternoons. Sunday,
February 8, 2015, at Seymour UMC, at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, February
15, 2015 at Oakland UMC at 3:00p.m.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2015 NEWS - IMPORTANT DATE:
February 20 – Requests for housing should be handled by February 20. If AC members have
submitted a request, but have not been contacted by Lake Junaluska by this date,
they should call Lake Junaluska reservations at (800) 222-4930. For links to
other lodging options, go to ac.holston.org.
If AC members need to make changes or corrections to an existing registration, they may contact
Karen Wright at [email protected] or 865-690-4080.