June 7, 2018

ARE YOU READY? It’s almost time for the 2018 session of Holston Annual Conference, to be held June 10-13 in Lake Junaluska, N.C.

By now you’ve studied up on your Book of Reports and glanced at the information provided at AC.Holston.org. But before you pack and head to the Lake, we’ve got a few more things to share with you, from A to Z.

A is for Annual Conference Choir.

When 60 singers line up on the stage in Stuart Auditorium, you know something good is coming. This volunteer choir will sing during Monday afternoon’s Memorial Service and later that night at the Service of Unity.

B is for bridge.

The bridge over the Lake Junaluska dam remains closed for repairs. Access Lake Junaluska through the main entrance off U.S. 19/ Dellwood Road.

C is for constitutional amendment.

A mistake in wording, discovered earlier this year, requires every annual conference to revote on an amendment dealing with women’s equality. Holston will do that Monday at 7 p.m. Download amendment. 

D is for delegation.

Meet the people who will represent Holston Conference during the special session of General Conference in February 2019. The delegation will be part of Monday night’s worship service.

E is for eat.

This year’s breakfast vendor – stationed between Stuart Auditorium and Harrell Center – is Bojangle’s (biscuits, coffee). At lunchtime, Bojangle’s will sell chicken; Lenoir Creek Farms will sell burgers and sandwiches.

F is for first aid.

A nurse will be available in room 100 of Terrace Hotel, on the ground floor across from the elevators.

G is for good.

As in “Jesus is Good,” y’all, our 2018 theme. The photo at the top of this web page and on all Annual Conference materials is the cracked-mud wall of a church building in Uganda.

H is for honk!

It’s impossible not to cheer when the trucks honk on Monday morning, signaling the departure of the Hands-on Mission kits for Africa!

I is for interpretation.

For the first time, Holston Annual Conference sessions will be interpreted in Spanish (through headphones) for members of our 10 Hispanic congregations.

J is for “Jesus in Their Eyes" …

… a song written by the Rev. Curt McKee for the Missions Celebration on Tuesday night. You may need a tissue when you see the photos of the South Sudanese orphans who have grown up in Holston’s care.

K is for Ken Howle …

... Lake Junaluska’s new executive director. During Howle’s welcome speech on Monday morning, he’ll mention the “Statement on Racism” that was born out of the Holston Annual Conference in 2017.

Live is for live stream …

… provided of all sessions. Find the link at AC.Holston.org.

M is for muscles.

Or motion. You pick. You’re likely to see both on Tuesday morning during the 5K run/ and 1-mile walk!

N is for newspaper.

The Call newspaper will be provided every day of Annual Conference. You’ll get the Sunday edition at registration. The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday editions will be available each day at Stuart Auditorium at 8 a.m.

O is for offerings.

Take your church’s Change for Children offering to the table outside the auditorium on Tuesday between 8:15-10 a.m. Take your South Sudan offering to the Missions Celebration on Tuesday night.

P is for prayer.

The “Room of Memories” in Memorial Chapel is open for prayer Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Q is for questions.

If you’ve got a few, “chat rooms” have been scheduled for these topics:

• The Connexion: Monday, 12:30 p.m., Susan Todd Lounge, Harrell Center
• Finance: Monday, 5 p.m., Terrace Hotel, room 316
• Strategy Team: Monday, 5:15 p.m., Terrace Hotel, room 319
• Way Forward (future of the UMC), Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Susan Todd Lounge, Harrell Center

R is for resolutions.

Three resolutions will be considered during the Committee on Petitions and Resolutions time slot on Monday afternoon. Read up on them: The resolutions are printed on pages 230-233 in the Book of Reports.

S is for Sunday, Sign and Seat.

On Sunday night, find the sign with your district’s new name. Then find your seat and sit with your fellow district members during opening worship.

T is for teamwork.

The communications staff will again be assisted by a team of volunteers, including Sarah Varnell on Instagram, Sam Ward on Twitter, Tim Jones on Facebook Live, and Buzz Trexler on photography.

U is for unity.

The Service of Unity on Monday night will include inspiring liturgy and visuals that will stick. “So we may be united in the family of faith God calls us to be.”

V is for video.

The video of retiring clergy (24 this year) will be shown on Tuesday morning during the Retirement Recognition.

W is for Wright.

You got that right. Rev. Jeff Wright, Appalachian District superintendent, is preaching at the Memorial Service on Monday afternoon.

X is for Connexion.

You will hear a lot about The Connexion, the Sevierville facility leased in 2016 and considered for possible purchase.

Y is for Youth Night.

All youth are invited for ice cream and games, immediately after worship concludes (about 8:30 p.m.) on Monday night at Brookside Lodge.

Z is for Zimbabwe and Chinzvende.

Every year, Holston churches pack up supplies for missions in Zimbabwe and Liberia. Annual Conference planners hoped the new director of Ishe Anesu Project in Zimbabwe, Nancy Chinzvende, would obtain a U.S. visa to attend the Holston Annual Conference. In Chinzvende's absence, the Rev. Jerry Russell will speak at the Missions Dinner Monday at 5:30 p.m. in Terrace auditorium.