United Methodist clergy joke and sweat their way through transition times in Holston Conference
ALCOA, Tenn. (June 30, 2015) -- It was a couple of oppressively hot weeks, but then again, "moving day" almost always is for Holston Conference clergy relocating to new appointments every June in east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and north Georgia.
Here's a sample of comments and images our pastors shared during the last two weeks, as they prepared for their first official Sunday in a new pulpit on July 5. Of approximately 652 clergy serving 887 churches in Holston Conference, 143 received new appointments this summer. The official moving day was June 24.
From Rev. Wil Cantrell, who moved from Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Va., to Concord UMC in Knoxville, Tenn. "Thanks for 5 great years, Russell County! We love you and we'll miss you!"
From Rev. Christi Boaz Taylor, who moved from Fairview UMC in Jonesborough, Tenn., to Vermont UMC in Kingsport, Tenn.: "No, really, this is my final box pick up. I think I can, I think I can. Almost done."
The Rev. Kenny Faught and family moved from Cokesbury UMC to St. Mark United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn.:
"You know your packing has reached a desperation point when your labeling has gone from very specific to 'Kitchen Junk' and then finally to 'Indoors Somewhere.'"-- Chrissy Faught