JULY 2017

183 Lafayette Drive

Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop Oak Ridge, TN 37830-6898
Rev. Brenda Carroll, District Superintendent Office: 865-482-3209 * Fax: 865-483-4515
Lori Hopper, Administrative Assistant, Editor District email: ordist@holston.org

GREETINGS!

Greetings and thank you for so many wonderful words of welcome and support.

I am still very much in the getting familiar stage of this transition to the Knoxville and Oak Ridge
Districts. And perhaps we will all live with that word transition for a while. Transitions are filled
with the unknown, uncertainties and questions. But it is also a time of great opportunity and
challenge. I have certainly never served two districts before. I dont know exactly how it will work
but day by day we will all figure it out together. The great opportunity for me is to learn to trust God
to be with us. That is where I lean first. I am thankful for two wonderful Administrative Assistants,
Mary and Lori. I am thankful for the people of God in these two districts. I am thankful for the
superb work of Adam McKee and Nathan Malone in these two districts. And I am thankful that Rev.
Jason Gattis, Maryville District, will help me out if the weeds get too high!

Friends, we are all on the same team. At the end of the day, our identity is not given by district lines.
We are defined by the redemptive power of a Risen Lord. We each were called to be His disciples.
We were commissioned at our baptism to a common community (His Church) and a common calling.
We wake up each morning loved by Jesus and attempt all day to love as He loved. At the end of the
day, we rest in His grace to forgive and renew. I am passionate about Jesus. I am passionate about the
Church, His Body. And I am excited to discover with you what God is up to.

Lori, Mary, and I are in touch every day. They will know where I am, when I am available, and my
cell phone number. My cell phone is my mobile office. Some days I will be in the Oak Ridge Office
and some days I will be in the Knoxville Office. You are welcome to meet me at either place.

Larry and I live in Sterchi Hills in the North Knoxville area. We have a lot of flowers to tend and a
two year old grandson, Jordan, with whom we must make memories. I will try to honor my need for
days off to play, have Sabbath, and invest in my relationships with my husband, children, and
grandchildren.

I look forward to this journey in your midst.

Brenda

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A

SERVICE OF WELCOME

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2017

3:00pm
KERN MEMORIAL UMC
 Welcome! Congratulations
Congratulations to those receiving their Local
The Oak Ridge District welcomes the following pastors to Pastors License at 2017 Annual Conference:
new appointments in our district effective July 1, 2017:
Kathy Chesney - Millers Chapel
Brenda Carroll - District Superintendent
Cedric Jackson - Asbury, Clinton
Crystal Smith Bradbury-Good Shepherd
Darren Kitts - Harriman Janie Powell - East TN Childrens Hospital
Scott Layer - Lenoir City, Central Sam Reese - Claiborne Cluster
John Hagen - Midtown Valley Bonnie Seiber - Oliver Springs Parish
Mark Flynn - Oak Ridge, First
Steve Parker - Asbury Chapel Josh James - Martel
Samuel Reese Claiborne Cluster
Janie Powell - Chaplain, East TN Childrens Hospital

And pastors serving charge realignments:

David Gass Oneida, First-Rugby Road
Tom Robins SunOak Parish
Barkley Mencer Woods Chapel

We say farewell and thank you to those who have

moved from our district to appointments in other dis-
tricts: And for recognition as an Associate Member:
Keith Hampson
Adam McKee - Brainerd, Chattanooga District
Stephen Burkhart - Beulah-French Broad,
Knoxville District And Congratulations and Thank You to recent
Micah Nicolaus - Broad Street, Cleveland District Oak Ridge District Retirees :
Please be in prayer for all of the pastors and their con-
Richard Edwards
gregations during this time of transition.
John Anderson
Dennis Fox

_________________________________________

The Oak Ridge District Committee on

Superintendency will host a welcome service
and reception for our
newly appointed District Superintendent,
the Rev. Brenda Carroll,
on Sunday, July 23
at Kern Memorial United Methodist Church.

The service will begin at 3:00pm in the sanctuary with the reception to follow in the gym. At
this service, we will also welcome the Rev. Jason Gattis, District Superintendent of the
Maryville District, who will be assisting Rev. Carroll as needs arise.

All members of Oak Ridge District United Methodist Churches are invited to the service and
reception to meet Rev. Carroll and Rev. Gattis.

July 2017 Page 2

 Update from WILDFIRE UPDATE

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Holston Conference Strategy Team
Thank You Holston!
We are pleased to announce We wanted to provide you with an important up-
that the 2017 Holston Annual date. Because of your generosity Holston has now
Conference meeting at Lake given $262,500 to Appalachia Service Project for
Junaluska adopted the Com- their Sevier County Rebuild Project. This total in-
prehensive Conference Strategy Plan proposed by the Holston cludes our starting gift of $125,000 and the spon-
Conference Strategy Team. sorship of the walls of the first 25 homes that ASP
will build. This money came from your churches,
We are very excited about the opportunity this presents for us individual donors, matched gifts from the conference
to move together into the future in new, innovative and con- and many others. Thank you for all you've done!
temporary ways to bring people into a transformative relation-
ship with Jesus Christ. Still wanting to be involved?
If you were in attendance at Annual Conference, you heard Financial gifts can be made directly to ASP by send-
that one of the essential things to know about this Plan is that ing money to 4523 Bristol Highway Johnson City, TN
its implementation requires us to work together in shared mis- 37601 attn: Sevier County Rebuild Project OR to the
sion and ministry. In other words, we are all in this together! Holston Conference Office attn: Wildfire Recovery.
Following the passage of this strategy plan, we have received Wanting to do some physical work?
many inquiries from persons eager to know how to get in- ASP has said "We have several sites that we want to
volved in the process. start building on, but there is still debris, ash, old
In the next several weeks, we will be conducting outreach to foundations, etc in the way. Do you know of any
collect information about your work and ministry. The infor- one that has access to equipment and/or could op-
mation you provide will not only be used to help discern guid- erate this equipment for us? The other issue is a lot
ance on the location and boundaries of the new districts and of those sites are steep, which makes it more diffi-
cultivation of new 'missional hubs' - but it will also give us a cult. But we're also looking for anyone that wants to
sense of the gifts, skills and experiences of persons with whom come volunteer as well! For the rest of the summer
we will be collaborating to help generate the process of we'll have things like siding, soffit, insulation, paint-
change that is underway in our conference. ing, and building decks to do. Anyone interested can
call Luke at: (423) 268-0240."
We hope you will take time to share your thoughts with us OR
over the next several months. We are eager to involve as Contact Volunteer East TN at:
many people as possible in this shared calling to make disci- https://www.volunteeretn.org/ or email
ples of Christ for the transformation of the world! phopple+partner@volunteeretn.org
If you have not yet read the full Comprehensive Conference They will match your skills and availability to the
Strategy plan, you may find it on the Holston Conference web- current Sevier County/ASP needs.
site, strategy.holston.org.
Thank you for all you've done so far! Please contin-
Blessings, ue your prayers for these families and volunteers!
The Holston Conference Strategy Team
Mollianne Hubbs
Wildfire Response
Holston Conference of the UMC

NEWS FOR OAK RIDGE DISTRICT CLERGY

August District Clergy Meeting: CEU NEWS

Thursday, August 10 For the latest continuing education news
10:00am and upcoming events from the Wesley
Leadership Institute, please visit:
First UMC Oak Ridge
https://app.robly.com/archive?
id=ecde36c3380c9e4fcf9e6df380807549

July 2017 Page 3

 HANDS-ON MISSION KITS TOTAL
Thank you, Oak Ridge District!! Thirty-three Oak Ridge District churches collected 421 Health
Kits for this years Annual Conference Hands-on Mission Project! The kits will be delivered to
the Ishe Anesu Project for Underprivileged Children in Zimbabwe.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who participated! And a special thank you to Concord
UMC for serving as a collection point and to the wonderful crew of volunteers who helped verify
and pack this year's kits. Thanks to all, we surpassed our goal of 300!

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!

Andersonville 6 Harriman 20 Midtown Valley 1

Asbury 7 Harrogate 2 Mt. Pleasant 2
Beaver Ridge 52 Haven Chapel 10 Norris 8
Bells Campground 5 Heiskell 11 Oliver Springs 4
Caryville 4 Jacksboro 11 Rocky Top 10
Cawood 1 Jonesville 5 Rugby Road 6
Concord 70 Kern Memorial 10 Solway 5
First Farragut 15 Kingston 16 St. Mark 5
First UMC, Oak Ridge 46 LaFollette 53 Swan Pond 7
First UMC, Oneida 10 Luminary 1 Trinity 8
Grigsby Chapel 2 Memorial, Clinton 6 Well Spring 2

Thank you, Oak Ridge District!

July 2017 Page 4

 2017 UMVIM LEADER TRAINING

________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Holston Five-Day Academy
Price: $26
July 30 - August 4, 2017
Trinity Center Fellowship Hall Emory & Henry College
Emory, Virginia
20 Robertsville Road
Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Holston Conference is offering a life-giving opportunity
for refreshment, community, worship, and learning
through the Upper Room Five-Day Academy for Spir-
Who Should Attend: UMVIM Team Leaders needing this itual Formation. Participants will gather July 31-
training and any persons interested in leading a mission August 4, 2017, at Emory & Henry College in Emory,
team on a trip. Virginia.
Please bring a sack lunch.
This Academy will explore Wisdom for Today: a Chris-
This course will provide you with the tools you need to tian Celtic Perspective. Celtic spirituality shaped our
confidently lead a mission team from your church congre- region of the United States with a focus on
gation on a successful mission trip either within the USA or
throughout the world.
communion with God,
ordinary routines with God at the center,
The cost of the course is $26, which will cover the cost of compassionate ears and challenging words,
the Team Leader Handbook that you will receive during the
a love for learning,
training. Please pre-register so that sufficient materials will
be available. time as a sacred reality.
Register online at: This Academy is a great opportunity to feed your
soul! Show up, soak it in, and leave refilled and ready
http://holston.org/events/2017/nov/04/2017-umvim-leader- for service. Clergy participants earn 2.3 CEUs.
training/

For questions regarding the event, please contact: For additional information and registration, visit http://
academy.upperroom.org/events/five-day-academies or
Maxine or Bob Schultz, (865) 719-4304 or (865) 719-3230. contact Renni Morris at (865) 386-8125.
__________________________________________________________________________________

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Memorial UMC seeks a part-time Youth Coordina- Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church, Karns area
tor to work up to 15 hours per week. Duties include of Knoxville, seeks part-time Choir Director
spiritual education, guidance, and programming for (approximately 4 hours per week). Primary responsibili-
grades 6-12. Email resume and cover letter ties include directing choir for Sunday services; attend-
to memorialumcclinton@gmail.com or mail to: ing mid-week choir practices and development of a
Memorial UMC, Attn: SPRC youth choir program. Position requires vocal/piano skills
323 N. Main Street as well as choral conducting background with ability to
Clinton, TN 37716. direct/develop choir. Experience in educational or
church setting is preferred. Salary is negotiable depend-
ing on training and experience. Job description available
Cokesbury seeks a part-time Kitchen Team Leader by request. (We also have hand-bells available) Inter-
for one of our Outreach ministries (Hope Initia- ested persons should respond to
tive). Hope Initiative meets on Tuesday evenings dur- blloyd@beaverridgeumc.com with resumes and inquiries
ing the school year and we provide meals for upwards by September 6.
of 200 people. This role would involve leading the vol-
unteer kitchen team in prepping and serving the meal,
ensuring that meals are planned and food is ordered, Rockwood United Methodist Church is looking for a
and seeing that the kitchen is restored after din- Choir/Music Director. This is a part-time posi-
ner. Contact: kmcilwain@cokesbury.tv tion. Contact Dr. David Lord. davidalord43@gmail.com
or (865) 617-4938.

July 2017 Page 5

 HOLSTON ADMINISTRATIVE SAVE THE DATE!
PROFESSIONALS Thursday, November 9, 2017
9:00am thru Lunch
CONFERENCE & RETREAT The Knoxville District UMC
Senior Adult Ministry presents:
September 27-29, 2017
Hilton Garden Inn | Gatlinburg, TN A CELEBRATION of SEASONED SOULS
We are pleased to announce that our 2017 HAP Retreat Purpose: To bring senior adults together for
will take place in Gatlinburg at the Hilton Garden Inn fellowship, fun, insight and inspiration.
from September 27 - 29. Where: Central United Methodist Church,
201 E Third Ave. Knoxville
We will have an exciting group of speakers this year: Time: 9amLunch
Carla Testerman (Health and Wellness)
Chris Luper (Communications & Social Media) Registration information and program details will
Lauri Jo Cranford (Healthy Boundaries) be available soon.
A panel of experts, including Charles Maynard and
Gatlinburg firefighters, on personal safety and
_________________________________________

emergency measures during a local disaster. STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE

We will have music and a communion service each day
The Holston Conference Founda-
and will offer a mission opportunity. (Details coming tion, CFA, and the Conference
soon) Stewardship Team present:

Our official schedule begins with registration from 8 -
9 am on Thursday and ends before noon on Friday.
More information including the complete schedule and
mission opportunity data will be coming soon.
We hope you can join us for this wonderful time of edu-
cation, relaxation, and fellowship. 0.5 CEUs are availa-
ble from Wesley Leadership Institute for attending the
full event.
Dont delay - registration deadline is a only a
few short weeks away: August 15th!
Rev. Clayton Smith, Executive
Pastor of Generosity at the
Church of the Resurrection will be
speaking on generosity, steward-
ship, and planned giving.
September 9 - Concord United Methodist Church
Knoxville, TN
September 10 - Pleasant View United Methodist
Abingdon, VA
More information will be available soon.

_________________________________________
Register Here
HOLSTON CONFERENCE
NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES TEAM
GATHERING 2017
Join us for our 19th gathering as we explore
HOLSTON CONFERENCE FOUNDATION GRANTS Native American culture and spirituality.
Are students in your church headed to Emory and Henry, September 22-24, 2017
Hiwassee, or Tennessee Wesleyan, or to seminary seeking Coker Creek Village
scholarship assistance? Tellico Plains, TN
Visit: foundation.holston.org for more information and to
apply for grants before July 15, 2017. For more information on The Gathering,
visit our website:
http://thegathering.holston.org

July 2017 Page 6

 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY 2017
11 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON SUPERINTENDENCY, 6:30pm, District Office
17-20 CABINET RETREAT
20-22 HOLSTON UMW MISSION u EVENT, Central UMC-Lenoir City
23 WELCOME RECEPTION FOR BRENDA CARROLL & JASON GATTIS , 3:00pm, Kern Memorial
27 DISTRICT CLERGY LEADERSHIP, 10:00am, District Office
27 NEW PASTOR ORIENTATION, 1:30pm, Central UMC-Lenoir City
30-8/4 THE ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION, Emory & Henry College

AUGUST 2017
1 DISTRICT FINANCE COMMITTEE, 6:30pm, District Office
3 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS, 6:30pm, District Office
10 DISTRICT CLERGY MEETING, 10:00am, First UMC-Oak Ridge
12 UMW SOCIAL ACTION DAY, Fairview UMC, Maryville, TN

SEPTEMBER 2017
4 LABOR DAY, Conference and District Offices Closed
9 STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE, Concord UMC
10 DISTRICT CONFERENCE, 3:00pm, Kern Memorial UMC
16-17 UMW ANNUAL MEETING & OFFICER TRAINING, The Connexion, Sevierville, TN
27-29 HOLSTON ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE & RETREAT, Gatlinburg, TN

HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE

Mark Your Calendars! DISTRICT NEWSLETTER?

OAK RIDGE If you would like to submit a guest article

or have an event you would like published
DISTRICT CONFERENCE in the district newsletter, please submit to
ordist@holston.org

Sunday, September 10 If you know of anyone who would like to

be added to the distribution list to receive
3:00pm the Oak Ridge district newsletter via email,
Kern Memorial UMC please contact the district office with their
451 E. Tennessee Avenue name and email address.

July 2017 Page 7