SEPTEMBER 2016
Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop
Rev. Dr. Adam E. McKee, III, District Superintendent
Lori Hopper, Administrative Assistant, Editor
183 Lafayette Drive
Oak Ridge, TN 37830-6898
Office: 865-482-3209 * Fax: 865-483-4515
District email: [email protected]
Can You Help Me Lift Up Jesus?
“And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
(John 3:14 NRSV)
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we turn our focus towards the upcoming
District Conference, I am reminded of the initial sermon I preached as your District Superintendent on July
12, 2009. My subject was presented in the form of a question, “Can You Help Me Lift Up Jesus?”
The New Testament reference text was John 3:14. Upon review of the ancient Gospel narrative we get a
sense that the religious landscape was shifting when Jesus came on the scene. Change was in the air!
Anyone who heard Jesus speak recognized a difference between His teaching and that of the Jewish
religious establishment. There were multiple signs that Jesus was special and the Pharisees began to take
notice! One night Nicodemus, one of their top leaders, was compelled to seek out Jesus under the cover of
darkness! As Nicodemus conversed with Jesus, the Lord challenged his theology by stating, “And just as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
Now Jesus was making a reference to the Old Testament book of Numbers 21: 4-9. In that ancient text we learn that sin had caused
Israel to rebel against God. Consequently, poisonous snakes were used to punish the people. One bite from a snake was deadly.
After a few deaths, the people admitted their sins and begged Moses to petition God on their behalf. The Lord answered Moses’
prayer by instructing him to make a serpent of bronze and set it high upon a pole. From that point on, whenever a poisonous snake
bit someone that individual would look up at the serpent of bronze and live. Jesus wanted Nicodemus to understand, that just as the
Israelites were healed by looking upon the bronze serpent, all people could be saved from the penalty of sin by his being Lifted Up
on the Cross. If there was ever a time we need to lift up Jesus it is now! The question is how can we Lift Up Jesus? There are several
methods of effectively lifting up Christ. Allow me to briefly mention the examples I suggested in my initial sermon as your D.S.:
By Our Proclamation: The word proclamation is defined as a public or official announcement dealing with a matter of great
importance. John 3:14-16 helps us understand the importance of sharing the Gospel with others. With a clarion voice, let us proclaim
the Good News. It is God’s intent that the “believing one” have eternal life. Therefore, let us lift up Jesus. We lift up Jesus when we
exalt His name, His person, and His work on the cross. Let us go forth and tell the story!
By Our Practice: The word practice is defined as the actual application or use of an idea, belief or method as opposed to just
theories and no action. As the People Called Methodists, we are called to put our faith into action. Therefore, we must practice what
we preach. When we put our faith into practice, we are in fact demonstrating to the world that no matter what we may be
experiencing, our Lord and Savior will work it out. When we put our faith into practice, unbelievers get to witness the fact that we
can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Indeed, we must lift up Jesus by our faithful witness. In Matthew 16 Jesus
instructs believers to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. “
By Our Praise: From a Christian perspective, praise is the joyful thanking and adoring of God, the celebration of His goodness and
grace. Psalm 149:1 instructs believers to praise the Lord: “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the
assembly of the faithful.” Indeed, we lift up Jesus when we praise His mighty works. Allow me to share just a few reasons why the
Lord is worthy of our praise: He is merciful, He is the way, He is the truth, He is the Light, He is the doorway to deliverance, there is
authority in His name, there is healing in His touch, there is power in His word, His pain was for our victory, His promises are real,
and His word is enough! Let us lift up Jesus through our praise!
Peace,
Adam
WELCOMING COMMUNITIES TRAINING
OAK RIDGE
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Building Teams for a Justice Journey - A program
to extend fellowship and partnership to immigrants, refugees, and ALL God's children.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
3:00pm
Kern Memorial UMC
Individuals and teams of people from area churches are
invited to participate in a training session for becoming
"Welcoming Communities" on Friday, September 9 at
Washington Pike UMC, Knoxville. (It will also be offered
on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Unity Center in Cleveland.) It is "a program to extend fellowship and partnership to immigrants, refugees and all God's children."
451 E. Tennessee Avenue
Oak Ridge
Please make plans to join our brothers and sisters of the
Oak Ridge District for a time of worship, celebration of God’s
wonderful works, and to share the business and reports of the
Oak Ridge District.
Training will be conducted by members of the General
Board of Church & Society.
For more information, please contact:

Who is invited to District Conference?
EVERYONE!

What kind of business will be voted on?

 DISTRICT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO 2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
 2017 DISTRICT BUDGET
 2017 DISTRICT APPORTIONMENTS
Susan Montgomery
865-405-2653
[email protected]
or
Pat Bellingrath
865-591-6274 [email protected]
http://www.holston.org/events/2016/sep/09/welcoming
-communities-training-building-teams-for-/
Who can vote?
While all members of our district churches are welcome to attend, the
following persons are voting members of the District Conference:
LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS: Chair of the Administrative Board/
Church Council, Lay Leader, presidents of United Methodist Youth,
United Methodist Women, and United Methodist Men, Finance Committee Chair, Lay Member(s) to 2016Annual Conference.
DISTRICT LEADERS: All members of the District Leadership
Team, chairpersons of all district boards and committees, District
Treasurer, 2016 At-Large Members to Annual Conference.
What else happens?
~ PRAISE AND WORSHIP ~
~ RECOGNITION OF FIVE STAR CHURCHES ~
~ RECOGNITION OF CHURCHES OF EXCELLENCE
IN EVANGELISM ~
~ CELEBRATION OF LAY MINISTRIES ~
CEU UPDATES
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
CLERGY: All clergy serving under an appointment, retired clergy
living in the Oak Ridge District
AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO
2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Nominations are being taken for At-Large Members to
the 2017 Annual Conference. Laity will elect At-Large
Members at District Conference on September 11.
Nomination forms, found on Page 3 of this newsletter,
should be completed, signed by your pastor, and returned to the district office no later than September 6
in order for names to be placed on a ballot to be voted
upon at District Conference.
The latest CEU News from the Wesley Leadership Institute can
be found at:
https://www.robly.com/archive?id=7ec5bbac945fffbcd8d1488c661d977c
September 2016
Page 2
NOMINATION FOR AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO
HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE, JUNE 11-14, 2017
Nominee Name
Address
Home Phone
Work/Cell Phone
Nominee Email
Church
Church Phone
Please list offices/leadership positions in the local church and if applicable, district and conference.
Information will be included on the ballot or summarized if necessary.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pastor’s Signature (Required):_________________________________________________________________________________
Please return to:
Oak Ridge District Office
183 Lafayette Dr.
Oak Ridge, TN 37830-6898
or
Fax: 865-483-4515
Deadline: Tuesday, September 6, 2016
The Holston Annual Conference reimburses At-Large Members actual housing/meal expenses up to a maximum per diem rate of $50.
Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate for charitable travel.
September 2016
Page 3
Oak Ridge District
Bradbury UMC
November 4 & 5
Courses Offered...
1. Advanced Course: Leading Worship
2. Advanced Course: Preaching
________________
Morristown District
First UMC White Pine
October 22
Courses Offered…
1. Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course
2. Advanced Course: Heritage
3. Advanced Course: Leading Prayer
_______________
Kingsport District
Colonial Heights UMC
October 22
Courses Offered…
1. Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course
2. Advanced Course: History of the UMC
3. Advanced Course: Preaching
Contact the District Office for more information and how
to register for any of these courses.
_________________________________________________________________________________
LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES TRAINING
September 16 - 17, 2016
This is your opportunity to come and fellowship with some
of the best Worship Leaders and Audio-Visual-Light techs,
while learning "best practices" for worship and production.
Come and experience two days of worship, learning and
fellowship! Also, be sure and spread the word to those in
your local church who are involved in all aspects of worship
planning.
Register now!
Registration fee is only $40 through Monday, September
12th and includes lunch on Saturday. ($50 registration fee
after September 12 and at the door)
0.5 CEUs will be offered to clergy, and certificates will be
available to lay participants on request.
For more information contact [email protected] or
[email protected]
TRAIN YOUR LEADER!
UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION (UMVIM)
TEAM LEADER TRAINING
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016
Trinity Outreach Center Fellowship Hall
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
20 Robertsville Road
Cost: $25.00
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Who Should Attend: UMVIM Team Leaders needing this training and any persons interested in leading a mission team
on a trip. This course provides you the tools you will need to confidently lead a mission team from your congregation on a
successful mission trip either within the USA or throughout the world. The cost of the course is $25, which is the cost of
the Team Leader Handbook you will receive at the UMVIM Team Leader Training. Please bring a sack lunch.
Please register online so that sufficient materials will be available.
http://holston.org/ministries/missions/
For questions regarding the event, please contact: Maxine or Bob Schultz, (865) 719-4304 or (865) 719-3230
September 2016
Page 4
September 2016
Page 5
FALL MINISTRY CELEBRATIONS
This year the Oak Ridge District will again use a connectional
ministry celebration approach to the Fall Charge Conference
season. Let us joyfully celebrate our connection and praise
God for the great things He has done in our midst.
As we strive to strengthen our district connectional ties, your
presence, prayers, and invaluable participation will enhance
our Ministry Celebrations. Host churches are encouraged to
provide a warm welcome and any other form of hospitality
deemed appropriate. During our time of fellowship we will
conduct the business of the church and worship with music,
Scripture, and prayer.
In preparation for our Ministry Celebrations and to ensure an enjoyable period of fellowship please complete the
following advance steps:



Charge conference forms should be printed and sent to
the District office at least one week prior to the scheduled celebration date.
Please vote on the Clergy Compensation Package at a
Church Council meeting prior to your Charge Conference. That action will be affirmed at the Ministry Celebration.
Please make sure the council members from your church
have, in front of them, the information they will need to
act upon the nominations and charge conference action
items.
Thank you in advance for your leadership, prayers, and participation as we seek to strengthen our connectional ties.
Praise God for the Great Things He is Doing!
Blessings on You,
Adam
~~~~~~~~~
Charge Conference Schedule found of page 7of this newsletter.
Charge Conference materials are available and have been distributed
via email. Forms are "fillable" pdf and excel documents and are also
available at 2016CCforms.Holston.org
If you need any assistance, please contact the District Office.
BE A “FIVE STAR CHURCH” FOR 2016
To be recognized as a Five Star Church, a church must pay
their Conference tithe in full and give at least $25.00 in each
of the four Advance areas: International, U.S., Conference,
and UMCOR.
Go to http://holston.org/ministries/missions/programs/advance/
to download the complete listing of each Advance.
RESPONSE TO RECENT FLOODING
The Holston Conference has
supplied flood buckets and
health kits for victims of recent
flooding in West Virginia and
Louisiana. Our stock supply
needs to be replenished. We
need your help!
The United Methodist Committee
on Relief (UMCOR) Sager Brown
Depot has an urgent request for
Flood Buckets. UMCOR requests
your prayers and patience in response to the Louisiana
floods. Outside volunteers have not yet been requested
but you CAN help in these ways:
 Join in prayer
 Make a donation to UMCOR
Advance#901670
 Assemble Flood Buckets
Instructions for assembly of flood buckets can be found
at www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief-SupplyKits/Cleaning
Completed buckets may be delivered to the District Office
Monday - Thursday, 9:00am-4:30pm and
Friday, 9:00am-12:00noon.
2017 Holston Conference
Calendar and Handbook/Directories
ORDER DEADLINE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
~ THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PLACE AN ORDER ~
 Use order form found at:
http://printedmaterials.holston.org
Mail to the Oak Ridge District Office with
check payable to Oak Ridge District.
- Cost per calendar: $9.00
- Cost per Handbook/Directory: $15.00
 Order online using credit card at:
http://printedmaterials.holston.org
- Cost per calendar: $10.00
- Cost per Handbook/Directory: $16.00
 Orders for the 2016 Holston Conference Journal will
be taken at a later date.
For order forms or to order online please visit:
printedmaterials.holston.org
September 2016
Page 6
Oak Ridge District
2016 Charge Conference Ministry Celebration Schedule
September
DAY
DATE TIME
October
CHURCH/CHARGE
LOCATION
Sun
9/11 3:00
DISTRICT
CONFERENCE
Kern
Memorial
UMC
Mon.
9/19 6:00
Hansard Chapel
Miller's Chapel
Pleasant Grove
Hansard
Chapel
Mon.
9/26 6:00
Andersonville
Mt. Pleasant
Norris
Sinking Springs
Sinking
Springs
DAY DATE TIME CHURCH/CHARGE
Wed. 10/19 6:00
Central
Bradbury
Good Shepherd
Martel
Trinity
Trinity
Thur. 10/27 6:00
Beaver Ridge
First Farragut
Grigsby Chapel
First
Farragut
Sun. 10/30 12:30
First Oneida
First
Oneida
Sun. 10/30 2:30
Fincastle
Jacksboro
Caryville
LaFollette
Mt. Zion
Jacksboro
November
October
CHURCH/CHARGE
DAY
DATE TIME
Sun.
Harrogate-ArthurHarrogate
Mtn View
10/2 2:00
Well Spring-Cawood
Rockwood
Chevront
Tue.
10/4 6:00
Wed.
Bell's Campground
Bethel
10/5 6:00
Solway
Thurs. 10/6 6:00
Tue.
Haven Chapel
Heiskell
Valley View
Mt. Hermon
Harriman
New Century
10/11 6:00
Morgan Scott Roane
Parish
LOCATION
LOCATION
DAY DATE TIME CHURCH/CHARGE
LOCATION
Claiborne Cluster
Irwin's Chapel
Tazewell UMC
Sun. 11/6 2:00
New Tazewell
Thompson Chapel
Mon. 11/7 6:00
Asbury
Dutch Valley
Rocky Top
Memorial
Moore's Gap
St. Mark
Memorial
Bethel
Wed 11/9 6:30
First Oak Ridge
Kern Memorial
Oliver Springs
Jonesville
Kern
Memorial
Haven
Chapel
Thur. 11/10 7:00
Concord
Concord
Sun. 11/13 2:00
Asbury Chapel
Cowan Chapel
Luminary
Kingston
Midtown Valley
Swan Pond
Kingston
Rockwood
New
Century
September 2016
Page 7
HEALTH KITS - 2017 HOLSTON HANDS-ON MISSION PROJECT
The Oak Ridge District will be collecting HEALTH KITS for the 2017 Holston Annual Conference Hands-on Mission Project.
Kits will be collected in the district office in June 2017 and will be sent to the Ishe Anesu Project for Underprivileged Children
in Zimbabwe.





2
2
2
1
1
bars soap
toothpaste (6.4 oz. or less)
toothbrushes
Children’s Chewable Tylenol, 80mg/160mg, (30 ct.)
washcloth
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
1
1
1
1
1
Delsym 12-hour for children/adults (3 oz. or less)
Tylenol, 500 mg (24 ct.)
Benadryl children’s liquid (4 oz.) OR adult tabs (24 ct.)
Aleve, 22 mg (24 ct.)
Listerine, adult OR children’s Smart Rinse (250 mL or less)
** All items should be packed in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag. **
NEXT DEADLINE FOR
CHILDREN IN POVERTY
GRANT APPLICATIONS:
NOVEMBER 15
“Bless is a verb.” Bishop Dindy Taylor shared these words of reminder and challenge in the
opening worship of the 2016 Annual Conference. Holston’s churches continue to bless children in poverty in their communities through life-changing actions.
The Tazewell District is initiating the Elk Garden School project which is offering a variety of
services from Scouts to tutoring to a community kitchen. Mafair Church in Kingsport is involving their fifth and sixth graders in packing food backpacks for other children. At Annual
Conference, books were collected from lay and clergy members to create eighty-eight packs
of books for congregations to use to bless their community schools. Holston’s congregations
are busy in the action of blessing their communities!
One key way that we continue to encourage each other is through our giving to the Annual
Conference have given a total of almost $300,000 which has been used to grant $186,437 to
54 ministries thus far. Our goal is to give $10 per average worship attendance from each of
our congregations which would total over $685,000. Each quarter throughout this conference year your congregation is asked to give toward this goal so that together we may bless
children’s lives throughout our area.
Grants will be made throughout the year with application deadlines November 15, February 15, and May 15. Visit waytogiveholston.org for the grant application.
In addition, congregations in Holston are challenged to give 10 hours in service to children in
poverty in your community. Read a book, volunteer at a school, provide food for a family,
encourage a teacher. Use your creative thoughts and prayerful discernment to see how God
is calling you to bless a young life. As people of faith, we believe that Jesus loves every
child. Let’s live and give so that each child may know God’s love. Remember, bless is a verb.
Thank you, Holston.
Let’s continue to bring it home as we engage in ministry with children in poverty in the Holston Conference.
Together, we share to bless.
________________________________________________________________________________
$5 per kit should also be included to cover packing and shipping costs. PLEASE DO NOT PUT MONEY IN THE BAGS!
Each church should write one check payable to “Oak Ridge District” (Ex: 10 kits x $5 = $50.00)
PASTORS, MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
MONTHLY DISTRICT CLERGY
MEETINGS
 Thursday, September 15, 2016
 Thursday, October 13, 2016
 Thursday, November 10, 2016
Unless otherwise notified, all meetings will be
held on the scheduled dates at 10:00am at:
First UMC, Oak Ridge
1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike
HOLSTON CONFERENCE
NATIVE AMERICAN
MINISTRIES TEAM
Presents our 18th Annual
GATHERING
September 23-25
Coker Creek Village
Tellico Plains, TN
For more information on The Gathering,
visit our website:
http://thegathering.holston.org
September 2016
Page 8
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 2016
5
6
11
14
15
16-17
17-18
23-25
28-30
LABOR DAY - DISTRICT & CONFERENCE OFFICES CLOSED
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS FOR AT-LARGE MEMBERS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
DISTRICT CONFERENCE, 3:00pm, Kern Memorial UMC
DEADLINE TO ORDER HOLSTON CONFERENCE CALENDARS & HANDBOOK/DIRECTORY
DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING, 10:00am, First UMC Oak Ridge
HOLSTON CONFERENCE AUDIO/VISUAL CONFERENCE, The Connexion, Sevierville, TN
CONFERENCE UMW ANNUAL MEETING & OFFICER TRAINING, Lake Junaluska, NC
HOLSTON CONFERENCE NATIVE AMERICAN GATHERING, Tellico Plains, TN
HOLSTON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE & RETREAT, Chattanooga, TN
OCTOBER 2016
8
13
22
22
HOLSTON CONFERENCE DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING, 9:00am-5:00pm, Fairview UMC
DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING, 10:00am, First UMC Oak Ridge
DISTRICT UMW ANNUAL MEETING, Norris UMC
UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING, 10:00am-3:00pm, Trinity Outreach Center, Oak Ridge
NOVEMBER 2016
4
5
10
24-25
LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES TRAINING, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Bradbury UMC
LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES TRAINING, 8:30am-5:00pm, Bradbury UMC
DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING, 10:00am, First UMC, Oak Ridge
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - DISTRICT & CONFERENCE OFFICE CLOSED
———————————————————————————————————————–——————
HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE DISTRICT NEWSLETTER?
If you would like to submit a guest article or have an event you would like published in the district newsletter,
please submit to [email protected]. If you know of anyone who would like to be added to the distribution
list to receive the Oak Ridge district newsletter via email, please contact the district office with their name and
email address.
September 2016
Page 9