“Behold.”

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Memorial Chapel near Lake Junaluska, NC by Daniel Hass (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

by Daniel Hass (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Holston Annual Conference met June 11-14, 2017 at Lake Junakuska, NC with the theme Behold.  This is based on Revelation 3:20 which reads: “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him” (ESV) Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor presiding.  Here are some of my personal reflections.  It is always good to see old friends, both clergy and lay, that you only see once a year.  The worship under the direction of Music Leader Mr. Wesley Rouse and organist Bryan K. Underwood was as inspiring as always.  My favorite part may have been the Pre-Service music Tuesday evening of Lauren Talley.  The preaching was good.  This was the fortieth year I was appointed and the forty second year I attended Annual Conference having gone twice as the Lay Delegate for the Lead Mines Circuit.  The Memorial Service remembering those clergy and spouses who have passed away during the year always touches me.  I enjoy the Retirement Recognition Service as well.  This year there was no Ordination Service as there were no candidates for Full Elder or Full Deacon due to a change in policy by Holston which moved from two to three years the requirement for full time service after being commissioned.

 

Here are some bullet points of the Conference Actions:

  • Approved the 2018 Budget of $9.07 million with a 6% decrease
  • Approved the Comprehensive Strategic Plan which resized Holston’s districts from twelve to nine
  • Approved a motion to amend the printed agenda to include “New Business.”
  • Approved a resolution calling for a four-week vacation policy for clergy
  • A resolution calling for the church to work to eliminate racism and advocate against immigration policies excluding refugees “on the basis of their religion or national origin” was approved
  • A resolution calling for a moratorium on the practice of online communion was approved
  • Five constitutional amendments passed by the 2016 General Conference were voted on.  These must be voted on by every Annual Conference, so no results of the vote was announced in Holston
  • The Denman Evangelism award was presented to: Youth- Erin Elizabeth Bowman- Mt. Olivet UMC, Galax; VA: Lay-Patsy Dalton-Kodak UMC, Kodak, TN; Clergy- The Rev. Stephen DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville, TN
  • The Frances Asbury Award for leaders in higher education was awarded posthumously to Bennett and Evelyn Horton who were members of Church Street UMC, Knoxville, TN
  • Bishop Taylor blessed 8,344 Hand-On-Mission Kits valued at $211,112. 
  • Bishop Taylor also announced a called special General Conference for Feb. 23-16, 2019.  The Conference will hear and act on a report from the “Commission for a Way Forward” during that session.  The Bishops have asked each Annual Conference to hold a season of prayer for this Commission.  Holston was assigned Sept. 24-30, 2017
  • During New Business; a motion to end the leasing or purchasing of the Connexion in Sevierville, TN was ruled out of order.  A motion requesting a written apology from Lake Junaluska Conference and Resort for it’s painful past with race relations was approved.  A motion that any agenda item requiring a vote for action be scheduled at the beginning of a session rather than at the end to allow more time for discussion was approved.
  • The Board of Pension and Health Benefits report was approved with a slight increase in premiums: 2%-4%
  • The report from the Committee on Equitable Compensation moved a 2% raise and was approved
  • The report from the Task Force on Bullying and Harassment of Clergy by laity was approved
  • 19 Local Pastors received their first term licenses; 4 were recognized as Associate Members; 9 were Commissioned as Provisional Elders; 1 was Commissioned as Provisional Deacon

Change to Worship Service & Sunday School Time

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On May 25th the Administrative Board approved the consolidation of our Sunday Worship Services to one in an effort to bring us closer as a congregation. Starting July 2nd Sunday School will be at 9:30 and Worship Services will start at 10:30.

ONE DAY BIBLE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN IN DOWNTOWN GALAX

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Mt. Olivet UMC has invited our church to join them in providing a one day Bible School on Saturday, July 15 from 10-2 at our church for the children in downtown Galax. Of course our children will be invited to attend. It will be advertised at GOD’S STOREHOUSE. Mt. Olivet has been working with the children there on Monday night since before Christmas.

 
If you are willing to volunteer to help in any way please let me or one of the children’s committee members know. You will be hearing more about this special event as we find out. Mt. Olivet has the materials but we do have to work out the details. Please keep this upcoming event in your prayers. All children need to know the love Jesus has to offer them.

“Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God
belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

CHILDREN’S COUNCIL REPORT – End of School Blast! – May 2017

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Our May event was an End of School Blast held in the youth lounge. 7 children were present. They had a marvelous time. Activities incuded:

  • A lesson about Jesus being our shepherd and how that correlated to a shepherd watching sheep.
  • The craft was making sheep for a bulletin with the Bible verse—We are the sheep of his pasture.
  • They children voted between the two movies, “The Secret Life of Pets” or “Trolls” to watch. The winning movie was “Trolls.” They were served popcorn and drinks while watching the movie.(no spills either) They loved the movie. (Thanks to Babette for technical support)
  • We ended the evening with delicious hot dogs and chips.

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!!

I would like to thank all the committee members in the planning of and or helping at all events. We have a great committee who is willing to help in any way possible.

Dianne Marshall

SPRING CLEANING

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The UMW will be cleaning the kitchen and fixing drawer labels on June 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

“An Afternoon in the Park.”

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Below is one of my favorite stories. It is by Julie A. Manhan and originally appeared in A 3rd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

 
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink of his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!

 
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling and never said a word.

 
As it grew dark the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

 
When the boy opened the door to his own home, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.

 
She asked him: “What did you do today to make you so happy?”

 
He replied: “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added: “She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.”

 
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.

 
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked: “Mother, what did you do today that makes you so happy?”

 
She replied: “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her son responded, and added: “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

 
May the eyes of our faith allow us to see God in unexpected places.

Purposed Change in Worship.

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As you probably know, worship attendance has been steadily declining for several years. It has now reached the point where having two worship services is impractical and really makes no sense.

Therefore I am asking for your input, your thoughts as well as any concerns you may have. Please do not be afraid to share what you are thinking with me.

I am purposing that we go back to one worship service. This will be at 10:30 a.m. with Sunday School beginning at 9:30 a.m. I am purposing this time as a compromise so that neither the 9:15 nor the 11:00 people will feel that we simply did away with their service.

Reasons for this move are: A.-We are one church yet many people do not know each other. I have been asked twice in the past little bit who someone was and they are regulars at the other service. Having one service will bring us closer together. B. -Our sound techs and music director will not have to pull double duty. [Please know that they have never complained.] C. – I get really discouraged preaching to empty pews. The combined attendance, while we will in no way fill our sanctuary, will look like a larger congregation.

Reasons against the move are: A-Those attending 9:15 like getting out earlier. The new time will help with this concern. B. – These two different styles of worship. While 9:15 is less formal it is still a traditional worship service. C. – The 11:00 service is longer. Really there is not that much difference and worship should not be governed by a clock. D. – We have always had worship at 11:00 a.m. There is nothing sacred about the eleven o’clock hour and the church that will not change is the church that will die. However if this comes about we will really need to get word out about the time change.

Tentative plans are for this to begin the first Sunday of the new Conference Year-July 2nd. Or we could continue with the two services through the summer and begin the new service after Labor Day. Remember that if attendance increased enough to support two services we can always go back to that.

Please, let me know your thoughts.

Email your thoughts to fumcgalax1@gmail.com.

Richard

UMW News – May 2017

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Our next UMW meeting will be May 9th at 10:00 am in the UMW room. Norma Haynes has the program. Lunch plans will be announced later. Please plan to attend. We will be leaving for Lake Junaluska on May 18th for Holston UMW Spiritual Enrichment Experience. There is still time for you to make plans to join us on this trip. If you have never been to “the lake”, now is the time to go as this is the last UMW event to be held there. Future events are being planned in the area of Pigeon Forge, TN.

2017 Hands-On Mission Project Health Kit – Zimbabwe

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Thank you all for helping us in this mission!

Please pack all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag and bring them to the church annex by June 4th:

  • 2 bars soap
  • 2 toothpaste (6.4 oz or less)
  • 2 toothbrushes
  • 1 children’s chewable Tylenol, 80 mg/160 mg (30ct)
  • 1 washcloth
  • 1 Delsym 12-hour for children/adults (3 oz or less)
  • 1 Tylenol, 500 mg (24 ct)
  • 1 Benadryl, kid’s liquid (4oz) OR adult tabs (24ct)
  • 1 Aleve, 220 mg (24ct)
    1 Listerine, adult OR children’s Smart Rinse (250 mL or less)

Memorial/Honorariums Can Be Made to Following Groups

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Memorial/Honorariums Can Be Made to Following Groups:

  • Health & Welfare
  • Kid’s Junction
  • United Methodist Women
  • Prayer Shawl (Knitting) Ministry
  • Adult Counsel
  • Youth Group
  • Children’s Group
  • Camperships
  • Sanctuary Choir
  • Special Restoration Project-(ex. Parlor Restoration, but please contact the church office to inquire about active projects or with any questions you have)