WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (June 12, 2018) – Each year, the Holston Conference Ministers’ Spouses break bread together. It is a time of good food, catching up on each other’s lives, and planning for the future. 

This year’s luncheon, held at Long’s Chapel United Methodist on June 11, featured some new ideas for the group of about 60 who attended. Angel Smith, member at Oakland United Methodist in Galax, Virginia, started what will be a new tradition: Lighting a candle in memory of spouses who have died in the past year. 

“The pastors are all honored during the conference with a memorial time. My husband said we should remember our spouses in our own way,” Smith said. “They really paved the way for us as pastor’s spouses. They went ahead and set things in motion with things we still do today. And it is important that we remember our heritage and those who did so much for us.” 

The ministers’ spouses are anticipating a bigger change at their spring retreat in the Smoky Mountains in 2019. A committee was organized to find a new location and activities that will appeal to a range of age groups. 

The 46th annual Ministers’ Spouses Retreat will be held March 8-10, 2019, at Country Cascades Waterpark Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 

The ministers’ spouses also changed the weekday schedule for the spring retreat. Instead of gathering from Thursday through Saturday, they will meet Friday through Sunday with the hope that more working spouses will attend. 

The Rev. Asa Majors will serve as the weekend spiritual leader for the spring event, leading two worship services and a time of communion. 

A lot of the June 11 luncheon in Waynesville remained the same as in years past. The men and women enjoyed their catered lunch by Blue Rooster. They acknowledged seven new marriages and nine new babies that have joined the community since last June.

Luncheon participants also tended to finances, T-shirt sales, and other business before adjourning. 

The Holston Conference Ministers’ Spouses is open to all clergy spouses. Find out more.

Corrina Sisk-Casson is a Deaconess and Home Missioner based in the Three Rivers District.