Stories
Stories
Why I stayed: 'I experienced amazing, amazing love'
March 23 - by: Annette SpenceThis is second in a series of stories shared by United Methodists in Holston Conference during a season of renewal in our faith tradition. The Rev. Sam Dzobo is pastor of Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Dandridge, Tennessee. My current ...
Why I stayed: 'I took my membership vows seriously'
March 16 - by: Annette SpenceThis is the first in a series of stories shared by United Methodists in Holston Conference during a season of renewal in our faith tradition. Vickie Rogers is a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Bristol, Tennessee. I never was a ...
Lay pastors: A vital part of our proud 200-year history
March 15 - by: Jim DouthatNo matter what has happened in the history of the world, it is personal to someone then and now to those who know their own history. Just think, one of your ancestors was probably a participant in the Crusades, or fighting in the French Revolution, ...
Drew McCallie: Maybe revival is happening in our churches right now
February 23 - by: Drew McCallieBetween Feb. 8 and Feb. 23, the town of Wilmore, Kentucky, hosted an estimated 50,000 people from all over the nation who were attracted to spontaneous, ongoing worship (revival) led by young adults at Asbury University. Many Holston Conference ...
10 ideas for a more meaningful Ash Wednesday
February 20
Holston history includes stories of Methodist transitions
February 09 - by: Jim DouthatThe first mention of Holston and Methodism together is found in the Journal of Bishop Francis Asbury in 1788 at the Conference of Methodists of what would become the Western Conference. At this time there were two circuits with four ministers and one...
Jubilation for older adults coming April 24-26
January 04 - by: Susan GrosecloseLooking at life through the eyes of age sets us apart from those around us. To open wider the eyes of your heart, you are invited to a time of perspective and renewal at Jubilation on April 24-26, 2023. The Bible is one of those familiar things that ...
Is Advent just an early Christmas season?
November 27
3 churches unite to serve homebound, elderly with monthly meals
November 17BY PAM SUTHERLAND October marked the one-year anniversary of FANS – Feed A Neighbor Supper, a ministry of Ft. Gibson United Methodist Church in Castlewood, Virginia; St. Paul United Methodist Church, and First Baptist Church, both of St. Paul, ...
Johnson City church members lift up the Lord's Prayer in 8 languages
October 05JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- On World Communion Sunday, which this year fell on October 2, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church prepared a special video. "We have eight different languages spoken in our congregation, not counting English," says the ...
Methodist manna: The enduring tradition of apple butter
September 23 - by: Clayton FarmerIn July, I began my seventh year of ministry at a new appointment at Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church in Bluff City, Tennessee. In these first few months I have learned several valuable lessons about my new church and its people. I have ...
'Unleashing Generosity' lessons available in recorded sessions
September 21 - by: Communications StaffKNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- More than 200 clergy and lay members participated in the "Unleashing Generosity" conference held Sept. 12-13 at Concord United Methodist Church. The educational gathering was hosted by the Holston Foundation, Wesley Leadership ...
Commentary: Reflections upon an accidental dialing
September 15 - by: Terry GoodmanTechnology is great, right? Most of the time. I am renovating a small barn into a woodworking shop. I need to put Tyvek, the white plastic coat you see when houses are being constructed, onto the structure. The only problem is, as I was working, I ...
Vibrant churches creating vibrant communities
September 02
What books are Invitation Team members reading?
September 02 - by: Communications StaffThe Invitation Team meets regularly to "dream about the future of Holston and how we can move forward in our mission together." When team members gathered at the Alcoa Conference Center on Thursday, Sept. 1, we asked them to share the books they're ...
Commentary: Welcome the returning worshiper with care
September 01 - by: Scott WilksIn Jesus’ story of the prodigal son, the son spends his inheritance on “living it up”: parties and excess. All of this at the expense of his family’s relationship and reputation. What he asked for was an inheritance, something only granted on the ...
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Wesley Foundations welcome students back to campus!
August 18As students return to state-supported campuses for fall classes, Holston Conference Wesley Foundations are ready to welcome them.
Jonesborough UMC prepares to host Ukrainian family
July 29By Michael Lester Thoughts and prayers is a cliche we use when facing the overwhelming challenges of human suffering, injustice, and need. We offer our thoughts and prayers. Sometimes, however, thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. When the Ukraine ...
Connecting through texting
June 28
The List: We'll call this one 'Critter UMC'
May 13Sure, there are plenty of Holston Conference churches with "First," "Trinity," or "Wesley" in their names. Only a handful can boast of a name borrowed from the animal kingdom. Bear Springs UMC | Pearisburg, VA Beaver Ridge UMC | Knoxville, TN Black...
She lost her wallet in the parking lot, and we became friends
May 06 - by: Annette SpenceSomewhere along the way, the volunteers in our food ministry started to get close to each other. We started to love each other. I remember realizing, perhaps a year ago, that we were not only going to celebrate with each other, we were also going to...
Bruce Spangler: Doing the right thing?
March 30 - by: Bruce SpanglerThe handwritten sign reads “Homeless-Hungry-God Bless.” Coming to a stop at an intersection, I eagerly await the signal light to turn green. Around the corner, I see a gentleman approaching while holding a cardboard sign reading “...
What is UMCOR Sunday on March 27?
March 21
