So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Greek word Paul chose for new in this verse is kainos referencing a new creation that has not existed previously. This has greater implications than if Paul had instead used neos, meaning new in an already established category.
This biblical concept of kainos new is a pillar of Christian doctrine. Since God is about the work of making us new every day, we are transformed throughout our lives into a new creation, continuously growing in our resemblance to the one we follow, Jesus Christ. Evidence of this transformation can be found in our words, attitudes, actions and lifestyle.
One way that we open ourselves to experience kainos new is by practicing the spiritual discipline of reading Scripture. This is because we encounter God in the pages of Scripture. And each time we meet the living God, we are changed.
With that in mind, I invite you, the Holston Conference, to join me in reading through the Bible together individually and collectively in 2022. As we participate in “Read Together” in community, we open ourselves to experience God's presence and kainos on an individual basis and as a conference.
- Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
August 7, 2019 Luke 12:22-31 by Sue Weber Laity of Holston Conference Staff Do Not Worry This passage spoke to me. I am the queen of worry! I could never relate to that song, “Don’t Worry – Be Happy!” Sure, there have been many wonderful happy ...
August 6, 2019 Hosea 13:1-16 Colossians 4:2-6 by Sam Ward Clergy of St. Mark UMC (Knoxville, TN) Smoky Mountain District No doubt about it, the prophets of the Lord had a tough and thankless job. They had a message from God, and most of the time ...
August 5, 2019 Psalm 60 by Laura Young Laity of Concord UMC Tennessee Valley District Psalm 60 1 O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; now restore us! 2 You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it ...
August 4, 2019 Luke 12:13-21 by Anne Travis Laity of Ebenezer UMC (Knoxville, TN) Smoky Mountain District 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me ...
August 3, 2019 Psalms 107:1-3, 43 by Beth Tipton Clergy of Wesley Foundation at UVa-Wise Appalachian District Have you found yourself at your wits' end recently with another day of the endless news cycle? Have you felt like you know not what to do in...
August 2, 2019 Ephesians 4:17-24 by Pat Tipton Clergy of Old Union UMC (Church Hill, TN) Appalachian District In today’s scripture Paul is telling us to live as children of light. He talks about not living like the Gentiles who have lost their ...
August 1, 2019 Romans 11:33-36 by Dr. Janet K. Sweet Clergy of Midway Memorial / Prospect UMC (Knoxville, TN) Appalachian District This passage begins with what seems like a loud gasp, “Oh!” “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of ...
July 31, 2019 Matthew 5:43-48 by Pam Sutherland Co-Pastor of Wabash Circuit New River District Some years ago, my friends were living in a neighborhood where the houses were very close together. The houses were rather old and did not have central ...
July 30, 2019 Ester 6:1-7:6 by Monika Surcey Administrative Assistant Clinch Mountain District Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Esther 6 starts off with “That night the king had trouble sleeping …” This trouble began a stirring of ...
July 29, 2019 Esther 5:1-8 by Cindy Stulce Laity of First-Centenary UMC (Chattanooga, TN) Scenic South District Back when I was delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service, I always looked forward to federal holidays, especially Monday holidays--a ...
July 28, 2019 Colossians 2:6-7 by Ken Sprinkle Retired Clergy Appalachian District Walking has become an industry (for industrious people). I love the scene in “Back to the Future, Part III” where the cowboys in the bar are laughing at Doc Brown ...
July 27, 2019 Luke 8:22-25 by Ralph Skinner Laity of Middlebrook Pike UMC (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District Jesus Calms the Storm As I write tonight, East Tennessee and some of our Holston Conference area are being hit by a string of ...
July 26, 2019 Psalm 138 by Charla Sherbakoff Pastor of Second UMC (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District The author of Psalm 138 (attributed to David) gives thanks to God for a time when God pulled him through a tough or challenging situation or ...
July 25, 2019 Esther 3:1-2 by Will Shelton Pastor of First UMC (Pulaski, VA) New River District After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with ...
July 24, 2019 John 6:41-51 by Tim Jones Director of Communications Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church When I was younger, middle school age, there were two types of books I enjoyed reading: fantasy novels and “Choose Your Own ...
July 23, 2019 1 John 2:1-6 by Leonore "L.E." Schmerber Laity of Christ UMC (Knoxville, TN) Tennessee Valley District A few years ago I felt a pull to change where I worshiped. It was a very hard decision that took a lot of prayers, tears, and ...
July 22, 2019 Colossians 1:27 - 2:7 by Elaine Ruth Pastor of First UMC (Surgoinsville, TN) Appalachian District It’s hard to keep a secret. As soon as we learn something exciting or interesting, we want to share it with at least one person, who will...
July 21, 2019 Luke 10:38-42 by Kevin Richardson Pastor of Fort Gibson UMC / St Paul UMC Appalachian District As I read this passage I am reminded of three men that had a profound effect on my formation, both physically and spiritually, my ...
July 20, 2019 Luke 8:5-8 by RuthAnne G. Henley Pastor of Draper Circuit New River District An Insecure Security In June of 2015, a major pharmaceutical company in Illinois discovered that its customer database had been electronically compromised ...
July 19, 2019 Amos 5:23-24 by Laura R. Rasor Pastor of Broadway UMC Smoky Mountain District I was driving the church van to pick up folks for the service I was leading for the homeless community. I was not in a very good mood. I was driving the van ...
July 18, 2019 Hebrews 5:1-10 by Mickey Rainwater Pastor of Fairview UMC Smoky Mountain District When I read these verses from Hebrews, I am aware there are two words that leap from the page at me: “sacrifice(s),” and “obedience.” The word sacrifice ...
July 17, 2019 Matthew 25:35-40 by Amanda Onks Youth Staff of Munsey Memorial UMC Three Rivers District “If you want to be holy, be kind.” –Frederick Buechner Several weeks ago, I read through Rachel Held Evans book, Searching for Sunday, and came ...
July 16, 2019 1 John 3:11-17 by Patty Muse Associate Clergy of Munsey Memorial UMC (Johnson City, TN) Three Rivers District I would like to meet the Gospel writer John. I imagine him and wonder if he measures up to my mental picture. Or, ...
July 15, 2019 James 2:1-4 by Millie Meese Laity of Cokesbury UMC Smoky Mountain District Jesus was no respecter of persons; he treated all people as worthy children of his Father without regard to their rank, status, or perceived importance. Rich or ...
July 14, 2019 Amos 7:7-17 by Peggy Meade Clergy of Adult Outpatient Therapist Holston Counseling Center Kingsport, TN Whenever I read Amos whatever the liturgical date or year, I hear and feel as though the prophet is speaking to me ...today about ...