Tennessee Conference Laity

Memphis Conference leader honored by Tennessee Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:12:00 +0000

David Reed

NASHVILLE––David Reed has held nearly every office in the Martin (Tenn.) First UMC and he is a certified lay speaker. He leads the Communications Action Team of the Memphis Annual Conference and served on their Advisory Task Force for the Office of Congregational Development and Transformation. He helped to develop an ecumenical Christian ministry called Godstory and Flight Quest men’s retreats which the General Board of Discipleship is working to adopt. David is also on the Board of Trustees for Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly, the camping ministry of the Memphis Conference and serves as Lakeshore’s Director of Development.

On the national level, Reed serves on the board of directors of the United Methodist Men Foundation and the board of directors of the Society of St. Andrew based in Big Island, Va. He is one of four members serving on the independent Evaluation and Review Team with the responsibility of evaluating the United Methodist Commission on Communications for General Conference.

However, it was his leadership and sponsorship of men’s ministry programs within the UM Men organization that led to his induction into the John Wesley Society during a March 5-8 meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men.

Ingram Howard, president of Tennessee Conference UMM and former college roommate and fraternity brother of Reed, led a fund raising effort and inducted him into the society. Reed attended the University of Tennessee (Martin) and graduated from U.T. Knoxville. He was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho social/professional fraternity while in college.

The John Wesley Society was formed in 1982 by the United Methodist Men Foundation (UMMF) to recognize people who exemplify the characteristics of the founder of Methodism. The Tennessee Conference of UMM is pleased to make a $1,000 donation to the UMMF in David’s honor. Money raised for this special recognition helps fund scouting ministries, the Upper Room Prayer Line, and ministries with United Methodist Men.

Tennessee Conference Lay Speaking Ministry Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:35:00 +0000

Clarksville District, October 11 and October 18, Hilldale UMC
Lay Speaking Ministries Basic Course led by the Rev. Carolyn Nobling
Advanced Course, Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples, led by the Rev. Beverly Dycus

Registration is at 8:00 a.m. on the 11th, and classes start at 8:30 a.m. on both days. Lunch will be provided. For further information, contact Bruce Myers (myersb@apsu.edu) or Celina Spiva at the Clarksville District office (spivacj@aol.com) 931-553-8401

———————————————————
Columbia District, October 25 at Riverside UMC, and November 1 at Nolensville First UMC

Lay Speaking Ministries—Basic Course
Advanced Courses:
1) Lay Speakers Create Disciple-Making Communities
2) Ministry of Healing led by Dr. Ted Hill

The courses will run from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. each day and students must be in attendance on each day for credit. Cost is $40.00.
For further information, contact Rex Thigpen (thigpen@comcast.net) 615-579-5252 or Martha Woody at the Columbia District office (coldist@cpws.net) 931-381-9558

———————————————————
Cumberland District, September 19-20, 2008, Key Stewart United Methodist Church

Basic Course
Advance Courses
1) Lay People Teach Adults, facilitator, Don Ladd
2) Let the Whole Church Say Amen, facilitator, the Rev. Caroline Farmer
For information, contact John Jankowich (john.jankowich@crackerbarrel.com) 615-754-2902
Or Carolyn Bullock at the Cumberland District office (cumbdist@bellsouth.net) 615-822-1433
———————————————————
Cumberland District, November 7-8, 2008, location TBA

Teen Lay Speaking Course
For information, contact John Jankowich (john.jankowich@crackerbarrel.com) 615-754-2902
Or Carolyn Bullock at the Cumberland District office (cumbdist@bellsouth.net) 615-822-1433
———————————————————
Murfreesboro District, Dates and Location to be announced

For information, contact Ann Benson (asbenson3@comcast.net) 615-849-8075
Or Tom Wright (tom.wright@stratus.com) 615-459-9279
Or Libby Carey at the Murfreesboro District office (murfdistum@bellsouth.net) 615-893-5886
———————————————————
Nashville District, November 7-9 at Bellevue UMC

Hispanic Basic, led by Alejandro Hinojosa
Lay Speaking for Youth — Basic Course led by Corinda Edgen Mary T Newman
Lay Speaking Ministries—Basic Course led by Sandy Ziegler Jackson of GBOD
Advanced Courses:
1) Dancing with Words (Storytelling) led by Rev. Rosemary Brown
2) Lay Speakers Discover Spiritual Gifts led by Dr. Herbert Lester
3) Hispanic Advanced Course led by Joaquin Garcia

For information, contact Mary T Newman (iamclay@bellsouth.net) 615-329-1177
Or Corinda Edgen (cedgen@bellsouth.net) 615-865-0398
Or Lynn Taylor at the Nashville District office (nashdistum@tnumc.org) 615-327-3582
———————————————————
Pulaski District, September 20-21, Coleman UMC, Lawrenceburg

Lay Speaking Ministries—Basic Course led by Rev. Brad Smith and Marvin Dale Smith
Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Lead in Mission Outreach, led by Rev. Earl Davis

For information, contact Elizabeth Eubanks Graham (ekayeubanks@aol.com) 931-766-9275
Or Pat Sailors at the Pulaski District office (pulaskidistricto@bellsouth.net) 931-363-8981

Equipping leaders for effective, disciple-making men’s ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:50:00 +0000

By Mark Irvin
Memphis Conference Staff

A few months ago I was speaking to a mature adult Sunday school class whose members averaged about 75 years of age. I mentioned to them that, according to Thom Rainer’s research, 65% of the people of their Builders Generation (born from 1910-1946) had professed faith in Jesus Christ.

I continued the report that 35% of my generation, the Boomers, (born from 1947-1964) had professed faith in Christ; that 15% of the Busters Generation (those born from 1965-1976) had professed faith in Christ; and that it’s projected that about 4% of the Bridgers Generation (born from 1977-1994) will profess faith in Christ.

When I finished those and other remarks, a gentleman on the front row deeply concerned about the church’s diminishing effect on younger generations turned, not to me, but to his long-time classmates, and asked the penetrating, searching questions: “Have we failed as disciples? Has our church failed?”

That is a striking question and a significant one to ask of ourselves! Couple this with the statistic that the church is presently retaining less than 6% of our young persons who grow up in faith communities. We use to expect that many of them would return to the church later in their young adulthood. However, that is not happening any longer as it once did.

These facts are distressing. Obviously, there is a crisis. How did we go from a church four generations ago that was reaching nearly two-thirds of the culture for Christ to a church that is now reaching about 4% of the people of our culture for Christ and retaining less than 6% of our young people? Have we failed as a church? Have we failed as disciple-makers?

Dan Schaffer of Wesleyan Building Brothers says clearly that we have failed. However, he says also that we don’t have to stay where we are. I say that’s always part of the good news offered to us in Christ! The reality of the situation doesn’t have to remain the way it is or continue to diminish.

Dan Schaffer, who is one of the four who started Promise Keepers, says that the issue to a large degree is the church’s failure to effectively impact men for Christ– and our failure to reproduce our faith and experience of God in the lives of others.

Schaffer says we have far too few Christian men who are becoming spiritual fathers who reproduce other Christians, even in their own families.

As the number of men who are regular participants in the life of the church continues to dwindle, the problem is exacerbated, resulting in even fewer children and fewer other men who are being impacted positively with the influence of the church.

Research demonstrates that it is men by far as a gender who have the most influence on how their children value spiritual matters. Interestingly, a 1994 Swiss government study shows that if a man is a regular participant in the life of a faith community while the mother is either an active, irregular or non-participant, their children are 12 to 22 times more likely to remain in that faith community as an adult. David Reed, a member of Martin First UMC, says pointedly, “As the men go, so goes the church!”

Wesleyan Building Brothers provides the means to address the crisis. It provides a pathway to spiritual growth that helps men mature in Christ and become spiritual fathers and mentors to other men who, in turn, become spiritual fathers to other men, reproducing their own faith and experience of God in others. Thus, the whole fruitful process of disciple-making and multiplication begins as Christ originally modeled it and called his disciples to emulate.

This has the potential to renew the church as men begin to take upon themselves the role of disciple makers as they become spiritual fathers to others. Dan Schaffer says that men are not spiritual fathers unless men make or reproduce spiritual children.

Now to specifics. For the church to be relevant to men, they need a safe, masculine setting in relationship with other Christian men where in time they feel comfortable enough to begin to open up and communicate the real issues and challenges of their lives.

Wesleyan Building Brothers provides that kind of small group setting which becomes the arena in which men experience spiritual growth which leads to becoming spiritual fathers and mentors to other men.

The Male Leadership Experience and Training – February 26-28

Dan Schaffer will lead the Wesleyan Building Brothers’ Male Leadership Experience (MLE) at our Memphis Conference Lakeshore Retreat Center from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26 through mid-afternoon Friday, February 28.

At the MLE, men will be equipped to go back to their local churches and begin the process of establishing Wesleyan Building Brothers small groups. Participants in the MLE will also experience for themselves some of the dynamics of the Wesleyan Building Brothers transformative process.

Register now by phoning Debbie Colgrove in the Conference PMT office at 731-664-8480. Phone me at the same number for more information and discussion. The cost of the event will be $235.00 if you register by February 12 and $ 245.00 if you register between Feb. 13-19.

The fee includes two nights in Lakeshore’s NEW lodges, seven meals and materials. Two CEU’s will be awarded.

As I have become acquainted with the Wesleyan Building Brothers material and process including Dan Schaffer’s book, Spiritual Fathers, I’m impressed with the potential this has for a truly transformative, effective and sustainable disciple-producing ministry with men. It has all the elements for which we would hope including the following:

• small groups in which to experience Christian community and significant interpersonal relationships;
• reality of life relevance;
• a pathway for transformation and spiritual development;
• the development of local church leaders;
• faith sharing and witness;
• the intentional emphasis on becoming a reproducing Christian;
• the multiplication of disciples and small groups;
• and the Wesleyan concept of meeting regularly and holding each other accountable in love.

Nothing we’re now doing has more potential for making disciples of Jesus Christ and renewing the church than this. The commitment you make to be a part of the Male Leadership Experience has potential to produce in Jesus’ terms, “30, 60 and 100 fold.” •

Equipping leaders for effective, disciple-making men’s ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:22:00 +0000

By MARK IRVIN
Memphis Conference PMT Staff

A few months ago I was speaking to a mature adult Sunday school class whose members averaged about 75 years of age. I mentioned to them that, according to Thom Rainer’s research, 65% of the people of their Builders Generation (born from 1910-1946) had professed faith in Jesus Christ.

I continued the report that 35% of my generation, the Boomers, (born from 1947-1964) had professed faith in Christ; that 15% of the Busters Generation (those born from 1965-1976) had professed faith in Christ; and that it’s projected that about 4% of the Bridgers Generation (born from 1977-1994) will profess faith in Christ.

When I finished those and other remarks, a gentleman on the front row deeply concerned about the church’s diminishing effect on younger generations turned, not to me, but to his long-time classmates, and asked the penetrating, searching questions: “Have we failed as disciples? Has our church failed?”

That is a striking question and a significant one to ask of ourselves! Couple this with the statistic that the church is presently retaining less than 6% of our young persons who grow up in faith communities. We use to expect that many of them would return to the church later in their young adulthood. However, that is not happening any longer as it once did.

These facts are distressing. Obviously, there is a crisis. How did we go from a church four generations ago that was reaching nearly two-thirds of the culture for Christ to a church that is now reaching about 4% of the people of our culture for Christ and retaining less than 6% of our young people? Have we failed as a church? Have we failed as disciple-makers?

Dan Schaffer of Wesleyan Building Brothers says clearly that we have failed. However, he says also that we don’t have to stay where we are. I say that’s always part of the good news offered to us in Christ! The reality of the situation doesn’t have to remain the way it is or continue to diminish.

Dan Schaffer, who is one of the four who started Promise Keepers, says that the issue to a large degree is the church’s failure to effectively impact men for Christ– and our failure to reproduce our faith and experience of God in the lives of others.

Schaffer says we have far too few Christian men who are becoming spiritual fathers who reproduce other Christians, even in their own families.

As the number of men who are regular participants in the life of the church continues to dwindle, the problem is exacerbated, resulting in even fewer children and fewer other men who are being impacted positively with the influence of the church.

Research demonstrates that it is men by far as a gender who have the most influence on how their children value spiritual matters.

Interestingly, a 1994 Swiss government study shows that if a man is a regular participant in the life of a faith community while the mother is either an active, irregular or non-participant, their children are 12 to 22 times more likely to remain in that faith community as an adult. David Reed, a member of Martin First UMC, says pointedly, “As the men go, so goes the church!”

Wesleyan Building Brothers provides the means to address the crisis. It provides a pathway to spiritual growth that helps men mature in Christ and become spiritual fathers and mentors to other men who, in turn, become spiritual fathers to other men, reproducing their own faith and experience of God in others. Thus, the whole fruitful process of disciple-making and multiplication begins as Christ originally modeled it and called his disciples to emulate.

This has the potential to renew the church as men begin to take upon themselves the role of disciple makers as they become spiritual fathers to others. Dan Schaffer says that men are not spiritual fathers unless men make or reproduce spiritual children.

Now to specifics. For the church to be relevant to men, they need a safe, masculine setting in relationship with other Christian men where in time they feel comfortable enough to begin to open up and communicate the real issues and challenges of their lives.

Wesleyan Building Brothers provides that kind of small group setting which becomes the arena in which men experience spiritual growth which leads to becoming spiritual fathers and mentors to other men.

Nashville District Sets Lay Speaking Ministries Training for November 7, 8, and 9th, 2008 – get it in your calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:01:00 +0000

The Nashville District Lay Speaking Ministries training for 2008 will be November 7, 8 , and 9th.

We will be offering Adult Basic, Youth Basic and Hispanic Basic. We will also offer Advanced Hispanic and two English Advanced courses. Names of the courses and instructors will be available after the first of the year.

Deadline for registering will be October 11, 2008

The training will be at host church Bellevue UMC

For further information or registration details contact Corinda Edgen at 615-865-0398 or e-mail cedgen@bellsouth.net.

Cumberland DIstrict will hold its first Annual Summer Laity Dinner, July 27, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:46:00 +0000

The Cumberland District will hold its first Annual Summer Laity Dinner on July 27, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Hermitage UMC will host the event.

Guest speaker for the event will be Mr. Ron Woods. Woods has a compelling life story to share.

One hundred and fifty tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. All Laity in the District are invited to attend.

Reserve your ticket by sending $10.00 per ticket to:

Glen Cathcart
1051 Roundtree Drive
Gallatin, TN 37066

All reservations must be in Mr. Cathcart's hands by 1:30 p.m. on July 24, 2007 -- the time the U.S. postal service delivers the daily mail to the Cathcart residence. He must notify the Host Church as well as the District Office before 2:00 p.m. on this date.

Further information from Glen Cathcart CathGoga@netscape.com

Lay Witness Mission Team Member Training, Saturday, June 30, 2007, First United Methodist Church, Manchester, Tennessee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:42:00 +0000

What is the Lay Witness Mission? In the 1960’s tens of thousands of laypeople were caught up in the new spiritual excitement of Lay Witness Missions. Lives were changed. Marriages were saved. Families were strengthened. People were called to ordained ministry. Churches were revitalized. For 45+ years now, the Lay Witness Mission has been a proven tool for evangelism, faith sharing, developing small group ministries, deepening prayer life, and church renewal.

A team of 15-20 or more lay witnesses (depending on the size of the church) come to a church for a weekend. They stay in the homes of church members. They share their testimonies with the people of the church in large groups, in small groups, in home groups, in Sunday school classes and in Sunday morning worship. Parallel programs for children and youth are provided. Altar calls are given. Church members’ lives are transformed as they are touched by the power of the testimonies.

Lay Witness Missions follow the biblical pattern of Andrew telling his brother or the Samaritan woman at the well telling her village to Come and see, bringing people to Jesus that he might transform their lives.

Who are the witnesses? Not preachers but ordinary lay people who have given their lives to Jesus Christ and can testify of what Jesus has done for them. They are people who want to be used by God to change someone else’s life forever.

Who should take this training? Current lay witness team members who would like to update their skills and learn to be better witnesses. Lay Speakers who would like to be given additional speaking opportunities through Lay Witness Missions. Lay people who have experienced a Lay Witness Mission in their church and would now like to go out on a team to share their faith with others like they saw modeled at their own church. Anyone who is wanting to learn how to share their faith on a Lay Witness Mission team. YOU??? More team members are needed to serve on teams all over the country.

More team members are needed to serve on teams all over the country.

The training is designed for adults and senior high youth.

Churches that have hosted Lay Witness Missions are now seeing the value of hosting a training so they don’t just host a mission but send their people out IN mission. Their congregations are enriched as their own people come back testifying of how God used them to touch someone else.
What is involved in the training? The training is an 8:30-5:30 one day event. Participants will receive an overview of a Lay Witness Mission weekend, learn about the dynamics of a team ministry, receive some tips for preparing a good testimony and then have some time to put together a short 5-7 minute testimony. They will share that testimony in a small group setting. The group will learn about small group dynamics and leading small group discussions. They will experience some of the small group sessions of a Lay Witness Mission.

Reflecting on the training experience, a participant commented: We came as strangers but as a result of the faith sharing in the small groups we grew close. We have been finding that even in the “training” as real faith stories are shared participants are touched by God in a real way.

What is the cost? The cost of the training and the training manual is $20. Lunch is at an additional cost provided by the church.

How do I register? You can register by contacting the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries office at 615-851-9192 or toll free 1-877-857-9372 and ask for Pam, or email pdow@AldersgateRenewal.org. The registration deadline is the Monday, June 25.

Opportunities, through April 2008, for Lay Speaking Ministries in leading, caring and communicating

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:54:00 +0000

By Gloria Watts, Tennessee Annual Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

In the quiet of your soul, you can hear it. Not the shouts of advertisers telling you to hold on to your youth, but something far deeper, more subtle. It’s a whisper of “something new.” A gentle voice that seems to say, “Ahh, now that I have your attention . . . “
Take a long, fresh look at yourself, and you’ll discover that you are also softer, gentler, wiser, and more calm than you have ever been. Now combine that developing maturity with spiritual passion, and then you’ll know: You are about to experience something bigger than you ever imagined…
From Second Calling by Dale Bourke

August 24 & 25, 2007
Host Church: Centertown United Methodist Church, McMinnville, Tennessee
Basic Course
Advanced Courses: Stewardship and Faith Sharing Congregations

Contact: Holly Neal, Cookeville District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries

615-629-6369 or 931-788-6337

September 8 & 9, 2007
Host Church: Coleman United Methodist Church, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Two Advanced Courses: Lay Speakers Tell Stories and Go Preach
Contact: Elizabeth Eubanks, Pulaski District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
931-629-6369 or the Pulaski District Office at 931-363-8981

September 11 – October 16, 2007, Tuesday Evenings 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Host Church: TBA
Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition
Contact: Holly Neal, Cookeville District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
615-629-6369 or 931-788-6337

September 14 & 15
Host Church: Rehoboth United Methodist Church, Gallatin, Tennessee
Basic Course and one Advanced Course
Contact: Elizabeth Eubanks, Pulaski District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
615-672-7950 or Cumberland District Office at 615-822-1433

September 22 & 29, 2007
Host Church: Franklin First United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tennessee
Basic Course
Youth Basic
Advanced Course: Lay Speakers Tell Stories
Contact: Rex Thigpen, Columbia District, Lay Speaking Ministries
615-579-5252 or Columbia District Office at 931-381-9558

October 6 & 13, 2007
Host Church: Hilldale United Methodist Church, Clarksville, Tennessee
Basic Course and one Advanced Course
Contact: Bruce Myers, Clarksville District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
931-645-8458 or Clarksville District Office at 931-553-8401

October 27 & November 3, 2007
Host Church: TBA
Basic Course and one Advanced Course
Contact: Helen Noffsinger, Murfreesboro District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
615-459-9279, 615-238-2781 , or 615-584-7284

November 9, 10, 11, 2007
Host Church: Hillcrest United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee
Basic Course and two Advanced Courses
Contact: Corlinda Edgen, Nashville District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
615-865-0398 or Nashville District Office at 615-327-3582

April 4 & 5, 2008
Host Church: Crossville First United Methodist Church, Crossville, Tennessee
Basic Course
Three Advanced Courses: Faithful Leadership, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, and Delivering the Effective Sermon
Contact: Holly Neal, Cookeville District Director, Lay Speaking Ministries
1-866-244-5155 or 931-788-6337

“…For I know the plans I have for you,” Jeremiah 28:11

Derek Maul’s New Book on Men’s Spirituality Released Just in Time for Father’s Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:08:00 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 22, 2007 /GBOD/ --Derek Maul, award-winning writer and columnist for the Tampa Tribune, has written his first book, “Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men” (Upper Room Books, May 2007).

Released just in time for Father’s Day, June 17, “Get Real” delivers straight talk about faith, family and desire for God.

“For men even vaguely interested in a deeper spiritual walk, ‘Get Real’ is the right book at the right time,” says Mark Merrill, founder and president of Family First and host of “Family Minute with Mark Merrill,” a daily radio program.

“Derek Maul has a heart for real men dealing with the real issues of real life. If you are looking for a great resource that will encourage men and strengthen the family, ‘Get Real’ is right on the money,” said Merrill.

Maul writes a popular weekly op-ed column for local editions of the “Tampa Tribune.” His commentary and features have appeared in “Newsweek,” “USA Today,” “The Christian Science Monitor,” “Presbyterians Today,” “Guideposts,” and many other print and online publications.
Maul’s meditations regularly appear in “These Days,” and he has contributed to “The Upper Room,” “The Book of Daily Prayer” and “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” as well as several other inspirational publications.

Derek is an active teacher in his local church, where he serves in adult Sunday school, small-group ministry, and a men's Bible study/spiritual formation group.

Derek is married to Rebekah, a Presbyterian pastor. They have two children, Andrew and Naomi.

In addition to the book, Maul has written “Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men, Leader's Guide,” (Upper Room Books, May 2007) a 10-week small-group study. For more information about the book or leader’s guide, visit www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore, or contact: Jill Ridenour, Author Relations, 1-877-899-2780, ext. 2780; jridenour@gbod.org.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, TN. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.

Death of Mary Jane Motlow -- Honored in 2006 by Having the Conference Journal Dedicated in her name

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:15:00 +0000

Mary Jane Motlow

Mary Jane Motlow died early in the week of April 23rd We reprint the Lay Dedication from the 2006 Tennessee Conference Journal as a suitable obituary for an amazing person.

If you look up Methodist in the dictionary, there is sure to be a picture of Mary Jane Motlow.

There is hardly an area of service in the United Methodist Church that has not benefited from her discipleship. Her dedication and devotion to Lynchburg First United Methodist, the Murfreesboro District, the Tennessee Conference and the United Methodist Global Ministries raises the bar for all of us. While some might approach these tasks as burdensome, Mary Jane has accepted each new challenge with the joy of a devoted disciple who feels privileged to serve.

It is a daunting task to enumerate Mary Jane’s many offices and areas of service. She and her
husband moved to Lynchburg in 1956 and transferred their memberships to the First United
Methodist. Since that day, her love and support of our local church has been unfaltering. She served as Lay Member to Annual Conference for over 20 years. She has been Chairperson of the Administrative Council, a member of the Vision 2000 Task Force and is a Member Emeritus of the Endowment Committee. She is a certified Lay Speaker and has been the church organist since 1971. Mary Jane is not a person to be satisfied with the status quo. She is quick to get on board and enthusiastically support positive changes and growth producing activities.

In the Murfreesboro District Council on Ministries, Mary Jane has served as Chairperson of the
Stewardship Committee. She has also been a member of the Committee on Superintendency.

At the Tennessee Conference level, Mary Jane was a Trustee of McKendree Village for 11 years.
She was Vice-Chairperson of the Equitable Salaries Committee for 8 years. She was a member of the Lay Advisory Committee to the late Bishop Earl Hunt from 1976 to 1980. She was also a member of the Conference Council on Ministries.

Mary Jane has been an able representative of the Tennessee Conference and the United
Methodist Church on a global level. She was the Tennessee Conference delegate to the World
Methodist Conference in Honolulu in 1981 and Nairobi in 1986. She served as a Director of the
General Board of Global Ministries for two Quadrennials, 1988-1996. During that time she served in the National Division as Chairperson of the Finance Committee. In the Mission Personnel Resources Program Department, she served as Chairperson of the Mission Resource Center Section. She attended the Global Gathering in Indianapolis in 1992 and in Kansas City in 1996.

Of great significance to Methodist women has been Mary Jane’s leadership at all levels in the
UMW. She has been a longtime member of her local UMW, where she has held all offices. She served as District President for three years, as well as Secretary and Vice-President. She has been a member of the District Nominating Committee and Chairperson of the Conference Nominating Committee.

As Dean of the Conference School of Christian Missions, in 1984 and 1985, she provided a
beautiful experience that is fondly remembered by the participants. Mary Jane has attended UMW Assemblies in Philadelphia, Anaheim and Cincinnati.

Mary Jane has carried her Christian witness into the community, where she is obviously an
outstanding representative of The United Methodist church. She was elected a Director of Farmers Bank in Lynchburg in 1974 to fulfill her deceased husband’s position. She was later elected Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She has been Chairperson of the Moore County Health Council and a member of South Central Regional Health Council.

Mary Jane Thayer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 20, 1921. She was confirmed at age 12 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Wed in Savanna, Illinois, to Jack D. Motlow, Jr., they were married from 1944 until his death in
1973. Their only child, Jack D., is physically and mentally handicapped and resides in a nursing home in Lynchburg. Mary Jane is an avid bridge player and loves to read and travel.

Throughout her almost 85 years, Mary Jane has led an active, interesting life. She has been a
joyful giver of her time, her talents and her resources. When asked what she is most proud of, she responded without hesitation, “That I have been a lifelong Methodist!” It is difficult to imagine that any member of the Methodist laity could be more deserving of the honor of the 2006 Journal Dedication.

Nominated by Gerry Fanning & June Pugh

June 2007 Discernment Events Planned to Assist Laity in Finding God's Will for Their Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:34:00 +0000

To "discern" means to recognize or identify. United Methodist laity—women and men—seeking to discern God’s will for their lives will have that opportunity in late June, 2007.

A Deaconess and Home Missioner Discernment Event, open to persons of all ages living in the United States, will take place at Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama (near Birmingham) on June 8-10, 2007. Preference will be given to those living in the Southeast Jurisdiction. Regional events to be held in the Southcentral, Western and Northcentral Jurisdictions are tentatively scheduled for the fall and winter. Please contact the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner at blouter@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3850.

Space is limited for the event and the deadline for application is May 1st. All costs, including travel within the US, lodging, and meals, will be covered by the event sponsor -- the Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner of the General Board of Global Ministries, the mission agency of The United Methodist Church.

The discernment event will include Bible study, worship, conversation, reflection, and information on the deaconess and home missioner relationship to the Church. It will be held at Camp Sumatanga, a facility of the North Alabama Conference.

Applicants will be notified if they are accepted by May 10th. The application form can be found at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/media/mpdocs/2007JuneDiscernmentApp.doc.

Deaconesses, who are laywomen, and Home Missioners, who are laymen, are called by God to a full-time vocation in service with those who are marginalized and in need in the world today. This community of laity has responded to the call of God in their lives and has been commissioned by The United Methodist Church to full-time ministries of love, justice, and service.

The Office of Deaconess was established in 1888 by the Methodist Episcopal Church and provides laywomen the opportunity to serve in a life-time lay relationship in servant ministry.

The Office of Home Missioner was established at the 2004 United Methodist General Conference providing laymen with an opportunity to serve in a life-time relationship to the Church. This is the first opportunity for laymen to be in an official life-time relationship in ministry since the termination of Diaconal Minister by the 1996 General Conference.

For more information on the June event or the regional events, or to express interest in becoming a deaconess or home missioner, contact Becky Louter at blouter@gbgm-umc.org or 212-870-3850.

Quadrennial Spiritual Gathering and Training, Southeastern Jurisdiction of United Methodist Men, August 10-12, 2007, Lake Junaluska

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:27:00 +0000

Going into the World! Recharge Your Batteries and Become Fishers of Men!

The Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Men are excited to invite and welcome men and their families from the Tennessee Conference to the quadrennial gathering of United Methodist Men of the Southeastern Jurisdiction, the weekend of August 10 – 12, 2007. The site for this gathering of church men from 14 annual conferences across our nine states is the beautiful Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina.

Please join men from across the southeast as we recharge our batteries, deepen our dedication to discipleship, and get into the Word so we can go into the world as fishers of men.

Leaders for the 2007 SEJ Event:

Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey--"Getting into the Word"

Bishop McCleskey became the resident bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference in 2004. Elected to the episcopacy in 1996, Bishop McCleskey served from then until 2004 as the Episcopal leader for the South Carolina Conference. His assignment to the Charlotte area returns him to the conference of which he was a clergy member and District Superintendent. Bishop McCleskey presently represents the Council of Bishops on the denomination’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and he is a member of the board of trustees of Duke University. He has led biblical study tours in Israel, Jordan, Greece, Turkey and Italy.

Rev. David Adams--"Action Begins with You"

The newly elected General Secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, Rev. Adams is a recipient of the G Ross Freeman Award for innovative ministry with men. He was one of the pioneers in the reorganization of “MENistry” as a layman serving as a District Vice President and the Tennessee Conference President. He also served as national treasurer for UMMen and a Director of the Division on UMMen within the General Board of Discipleship.

Rev. Dr. Richard Winn--"One Truth, Many Voices"

The Senior Pastor of Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Dr. Winn leads one of the major African-American resource centers in the United States. Dr. Winn, who has served for more than 30 years as a pastor, is a leader within the Atlanta Area Boy Scouts of America, inspiring men, both young and mature, with a vision and understanding of the richness of perspective and grand diversity.

Bishop Marion Edwards--"Going Into the World"

From 1996 to 2004, Bishop Edwards served as the Episcopal leader of the North Carolina Conference, after serving as a District Superintendent and pastor in the South Georgia Conference. Upon retirement, Bishop Edwards accepted the position as Bishop-in-Residence at LaGrange College. Bishop Edwards provided leadership in the Russian Church Initiative and was instrumental in the creation of the Russian Seminary in Moscow. His hands-on hurricane disaster relief work and his passion for continuous mission truly resonate with men who strive for greater discipline as disciples of Jesus and leaders of the church.

AND . . .

Paul Saik--Conference Music

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Paul Saik began playing piano at age 3 and spent much of his youth performing in church. An accomplished vocalist, Paul is armed with a passion for sacred music and a desire to reach others with the powerful message of Christ’s love. Although he enjoyed tremendous success in opera, Paul released his first CD of sacred music, I Choose Jesus, in 2004. His 2005 release, Songs Of Inspiration, features some of the finest sacred music ever written.

Registration:
Before June 10 – Only $40.00 per family
June 10 – August 5 -- $55.00 per family
August 6 – On-Site -- $75.00 per family

Further Information and resouces:

To download a descriptive folder in PDF format to hand out to the men of your congretation

http://sejumm.registerme.cc/SEJUMM-Flyer.pdf

To download a registration form in PDF format

http://sejumm.registerme.cc/SEJUMM-Registration.pdf

For housing options and rates

http://sejumm.registerme.cc/lodging.htm

For updated information and details of the family program go the Gathering's homepage at:

http://sejumm.registerme.cc/

or contact:

Mack B. Parker, Conference Chairman
Telephone Number: 919-255-3353
Fax Number: 919-231-8285
Email: mparker130@nc.rr.com

One hundred years of Methodist men's ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:41:00 +0000

By J. Richard Peck*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Men's ministry dates back in some form to the early days of Methodism, when John Wesley and Charles Wesley established the first holy clubs in the 1720s.

The first Methodist Brotherhoods were created in 1908, a milestone that will be celebrated in 2008 as the United Methodist Men's organization celebrates its first centennial. Here are some highlights from the past 100 years:

Early years
1908 Meeting in Baltimore, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church authorizes Methodist Brotherhoods.
1909 The Otterbein Brotherhood of the Church is organized in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
1924 The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church authorizes Wesley Brotherhoods.
1931 The Albright Brotherhood of the Evangelical Church organizes.
1939 Three branches of Methodism are merged into The Methodist Church.
1940 The General Conference establishes a General Board of Lay Activities with a Department of Methodist Men.
1942 The name Methodist Men is adopted, and the first charters are issued.
1946 Brotherhood of the Evangelical United Brethren Church holds its first convention during the uniting conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and The Evangelical Church.
1952 Methodist Men Radio Hour originates with 38 stations, growing to more than 400 by 1958.
1953 Approximately 4,000 people attend the First Methodist Men's Conference at Purdue University.
1954 Name of men's work program of the Evangelical United Brethren Church is changed from Brotherhood to Evangelical United Brethren Men.

United Methodist era
1968 Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church unify into the United Methodist Church. Men's ministry is combined into United Methodist Men.
1975 The National Association of Conference Presidents is formed.
1976 General Conference adopts legislation of United Methodist Men as a section in the Division of Lay Life and Work of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship in Nashville.
1981 The United Methodist Men's Foundation is chartered.
1987 The men's section of the Board of Discipleship is raised to division status.
1988 General Conference requires each local church and charge to have an organized unit of United Methodist Men recertified annually.
1992 The first National Conference on Black Men in Crisis is held at the board.
1996 General Conference creates the Commission on United Methodist Men.
1998 The commission publishes a new quarterly magazine, UM Men: Uniting Men and Meaning and conducts the first Black Methodist Men's Conference at the Atlanta Convention Center.
1999 With support from the commission, the Society of St. Andrew announces the first national (U.S.) hunger relief advocate.
2001 A California Eagle Scout seeks commission help to republish the World War II devotional book Strength for Service to God and Country. Cal Turner, chief executive of Dollar General, makes a $1 million gift to the UM Men Foundation, its largest gift ever.
2002 The commission publishes T-Quest, a small-group resource for men, and 10,000 Strength for Service books are shipped to soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
2005 The Rev. Joseph Harris resigns as top staff executive to become assistant to the bishop of the Oklahoma Area. Bishop William Morris becomes interim top executive. The commission signs a covenant with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The United Methodist Church becomes the second largest charter organization of the Boy Scouts of America, with 376,472 youth and 11,864 units meeting in 8,000 United Methodist churches; the scouting ministries are based at the commission.
2006 The commission moves into new offices on Nashville's Music Row. The Rev. David Adams is elected top staff executive of the commission.

*Peck is the communications coordinator for the Commission on United Methodist Men.

United Methodist Men plan centennial celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:25:00 +0000

By J. Richard Peck*

Rev. David Adams, top staff executive of Commission on United Methodist Men

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodist men across the United States are planning a yearlong celebration during 2008 in honor of the 100th anniversary of men's ministry in the church.

Men's ministry has been a part of the Methodist heritage since Charles and John Wesley established holy clubs in 1729 at Oxford University. The 1908 General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, meeting in Baltimore, authorized the creation of Methodist Brotherhoods, making men's ministry a part of the denominational structure.

Meeting in early March, annual conference presidents of the United Methodist Men's organization approved plans to focus on a different aspect of men's ministry each month. The 2008 celebrations will emphasize:

+January - Men's ministry with various ethnic groups.
+February - Scouting and youth-serving agencies. In 2006, there were 373,242 Boy Scouts meeting in more than 8,000 United Methodist churches.
+March - Women's contributions to men's ministries.
+April - United Methodist Men's relationships with other churchwide agencies.
+May - Publication and free distribution of the World War II book Strength for Service. The commission has printed 250,000 copies, and 230,000 have been delivered free to U.S. troops.
+June - John Wesley's birthday, the Holy Club and John Wesley Fellows.
+July - Mission projects, including hunger-relief efforts with the Society of St. Andrew. Through the society, volunteers glean food for America's hungry, and United Methodist Men provide financial support to the Meals for Millions program.
+August - Local units of United Methodist Men.
+September - The Upper Room Prayer Line. The prayer line received 382,795 calls in 2006, and United Methodist Men provides a $25,000 annual gift to the ministry, which is housed at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
+October - Expressing appreciation to pastors and bishops.
+November - Evangelism and spiritual life, including mentoring through Big Brothers/Big Sisters and giving Faith-Sharing New Testaments and Philmont Bibles.
+December - Looking to the next 100 years with men's ministry specialists with funding through Legacy Builders, a program that challenges men to step up in their financial support of United Methodist Men's missions and ministries.

The Rev. David Adams, top staff executive of the churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men, called on conference presidents to focus on image and promotion; structure or connection with others; and funding for the commission. The commission raises three-quarters of its own budget.

In other business at their March 1-4 meeting, the conference presidents:

+Planned for the 10th national gathering to be held in 2009 at Belmont University in Nashville and learned of plans for four 2007 regional gatherings of United Methodist Men in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Washington and North Carolina.
+Learned that men in the Southeastern Jurisdiction will induct former President Jimmy Carter into the John Wesley Society.
+Noted that nine annual conferences are participating in Amachi, a program linking United Methodist men with children of incarcerated parents.
+Received a preliminary report of a study of United Methodist Men.

*Peck is the communications coordinator for the Commission on United Methodist Men.

Derek Maul Urges Men to Get Real

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:04:00 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 28, 2007 /GBOD/ --Award-winning writer, Derek Maul has written his first book, GET REAL: A Spiritual Journey for Men, to be published by Upper Room Books in May 2007.

Maul writes a weekly op-ed column for local editions of the Tampa Tribune. His column is read weekly by 300,000 people.

Maul’s commentary and features have appeared in Newsweek, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, and many other print and online publications.

“For men even vaguely interested in a deeper spiritual walk, GET REAL is the right book at the right time, says Mark Merrill, founder and president of Family First and host of “Family Minute with Mark Merrill,” a daily radio program.

“Derek Maul has a heart for real men dealing with the real issues of real life. If you are looking for a great resource that will encourage men and strengthen the family, GET Real is right on the money,” said Merrill.

Maul’s meditations regularly appear in These Days, and he has contributed to The Upper Room, The Book of Daily Prayer and Chicken Soup for the Soul, as well as several other inspirational publications.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Derek worked as a public school teacher in Florida for eighteen years. His teaching career includes cutting-edge work with autistic children.

Maul holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and education from Stetson University and the University of West Florida.

Derek is an active teacher in his local church, where he serves in adult Sunday school, small-group ministry, and a men's Bible study/spiritual formation group.

He enjoys the outdoors, traveling, photography, reading, cooking, playing guitar, and golf.

Derek is married to Rebekah, a Presbyterian pastor. They have two children, Andrew and Naomi.

Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul ($14.00, 139 pp.) will be published by Upper Room Books in May 2007. For additional information about the book, please contact Jill Ridenour, Author Relations, 1-877-899-2780, ext. 2780 or jridenour@gbod.org.

Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men
By Derek Maul
Upper Room Books softcover; $14.00 U.S./Canada
May 2007; ISBN: 978-0-8358-9911-6
Visit Upper Room Books Online at www.UpperRoom.org/bookstore

Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men Leader's Guide

By Derek Maul
PaperbackUpper Room Books softcover; $8.00 U.S./Canada
Ten or More: $6.80 each56 Pages . Trim Size: 6" x 9"May 2007; ISBN# 978-0-8358-9924-6

Cookeville District: Basic and Advanced Lay Speaking Ministry Courses Offered March 30 & 31, 2007, Algood United Methodist Church

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:54:00 +0000

BASIC COURSE in English – This basic course includes a study of what it means to be God’s called people. It provides learning opportunities in three areas of service for United Methodist Lay Speakers: leading in their church, ministries of caring and communicating (listening & speaking). Required text is “Basic Course 2005-2006” by Jack Gilbert & Nan Zoller

Teachers: Dr. Harold Martin, Dist. Superintendent,
Ms. Teena King, Certified Lay Speaker, Mrs. Holly Neal,
Cookeville Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

ADVANCED COURSES

From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering the Effective Sermon -
Pastor James Johnson – Associate Minister Crossville 1st UMC –
Required text is “From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering the Effective Sermon” by Tony Franks and David Carroll. This course is designed for Lay Speakers from a variety backgrounds and public speaking experience. The objectives of this course are: to provide a course for lay speakers who want to hone their preaching skills; to provide an opportunity for each speaker to present a short sermon; and to provide both written evaluation and oral feedback for the presentations.

Next Church Now Creating New Faith Communities –
Pastor Keith Long – Pastor Chestnut Mound-Elmwood-Mt. Zion Using the experience of the New Testament church at Ephesus as a guide, this course will challenge you with new and existing churches to rekindle a passion for ministry in the midst of a rapidly changing world.

LOCATION
Algood UMC, 135 West Main St, Algood TN 38506

DATES
Friday & Saturday , March 30 & 31, 2007
(Deadline for Registration is Feb. 28)

COST
Registration Fees: Basic $40, Advanced $40. Includes textbooks & materials, Saturday lunch, refreshments daily and certificate.

Cancellation Policy: No refund of fees after March 15 (& return of materials).

Scholarships available for those who need assistance with fee. To request scholarship, call Holly Neal, toll-free 1-866-244--5155 or 931-788-6337.

SCHEDULE
FRIDAY NIGHT, March 30, 2007
5:30-6:00 -- Gathering
6:00-8:15 -- Session 1

SATURDAY, March 31, 2007
7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. -- Registration/Refreshments
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. -- Session 2
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 -- Break
10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. -- Session 3
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. -- Lunch
12:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. -- Session 4
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. -- Break
3:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. -- Session 5
4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. -- Break
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. -- Closing Worship & Sending Forth

Note: Participants will complete one course, either the Basic Course or the Advanced Course. The Basic Course is a prerequisite to the Advanced Courses. Certified Lay Speakers are required to take an Advanced Course every three years.

YOU are READY to BECOME a LAY SPEAKER IF
· You are willing to share your faith with those around you.
· You are willing to go wherever and whenever God calls.
· You will commit your time and energy to the service of your congregation, community, neighbor, etc.

Lay Speakers are active, supportive members of the United Methodist Church that are committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care-giving ministries, listening, written & spoken communications, and are willing to use their gifts and talents and improve their skills for service involved in leadership roles within their church and community.

What it means to be a CERTIFIED LAY SPEAKER
To be a Certified Lay Speaker, you need the recommendation of your Pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, and must complete both the Basic Course and one Advanced Course in Lay Speaking. To continue as a Certified Lay Speaker, you must complete one Advanced Course every three years. Certified Lay Speakers not only continue to serve within their local UMC but also serve in their district and conference in various ministries as they feel God's calling. You must be a member of a United Methodist Church. Your Pastor's signature is required on the registration form.

What it means to be a LOCAL CHURCH LAY SPEAKER
To be recognized as a Local Church Lay Speaker, you must be recommended by your Pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, and must complete the Basic Course for Lay Speaking. To continue as a Local Church Lay Speaker, you must complete a refresher course every three years. Local Church Lay Speakers serve primarily in and through their local church. You must be a member of a United Methodist Church. Your Pastor's signature is required on the registration form.

If you are interested in becoming a lay delegate to General Conference--from Conference Lay Leader Joe Williams

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 14:27:00 +0000

TO THE TENNESSEE CONFERENCE LAITY

The next General Conference of the United Methodist Church will meet from April 23 through May 2, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas. It meets every four years and will be attended by about 1,000 delegates from the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia to decide issues of church law and polity. The number of delegates are split equally between laity and clergy. It is interesting to note that two United Methodist presidents – George W. Bush of the United States, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia – have been invited to address the 2008 General Conference.

Those who are interested in declaring as candidates for election as delegates to the 2008 General Conference should be aware of the Tennessee Conference Standing Rules 9-12, a copy of which is attached for your information. You will note that Standing Rule 11.A. is in bold type.

It describes what a declarant must do if he/she would like a statement of their candidacy to be published and included in the pre-conference mailing to all members of the 2007 Annual Conference. Please note that there is a deadline when this information must be submitted.
The election will be held during the 2007 meeting of the Tennessee Annual Conference, June 10-13, 2007, at Brentwood UMC.

You may be interested yourself, or you may have others make inquiries of you about the process. In either case, the attachment is very helpful information. In the event any of you would like additional information or to discuss what it means to be a delegate to General Conference, please do not hesitate to call on me.

The following is taken from pages 173-174 of the
2006 JOURNAL of the Tennessee Annual Conference:

CHAPTER VI

A. STANDING RULES

Election of Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference
SR9 Clergy and lay delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences shall be elected as
provided in the Constitution of The United Methodist Church. (¶¶38-39 of the Book of
Discipline [2004]).

SR10 Ballots
A. Printed ballots will be provided by the Office of the Conference Secretary.
B. 50% plus one valid ballots cast shall be necessary to elect.
C. Ballots with more or less than the number to be elected shall be rejected as invalid.

SR11 Candidacy for election as General or Jurisdictional Conference delegates may be declared by clergy and laity
A. Eligible lay and clergy may declare candidacy by sending to the Office of Connectional Ministries, no later than 10 weeks prior to the opening day of Annual Conference, for inclusion in Volume One of the Journal a statement concerning (1) their activities at the local church, district, annual, jurisdictional, and general conference levels; (2) their assessment of the principal needs of the General Church and how they should be met, and (3) any other information felt pertinent to introducing themselves to other members of the Tennessee Conference who may not be familiar with their views on issues confronting the Church. The statement is limited to one 8 ½ X 11" page with 1" margins on top, bottom, and sides with
type no smaller than 10 point, and shall be submitted via email or diskette.
B. Persons do not have to declare candidacy to be eligible for election to General or
Jurisdictional Conference.

SR12 Reserve delegates
After the Jurisdictional Conference delegates are elected, on the next ballot reserve delegates
shall be elected (the number of General Conference delegates) in order of the highest
number of votes received, without regard to majority.

Murfreesboro District Third Annual Lay Speaker and Lay Leader Banquet, Friday, February 2, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:50:00 +0000

The Murfreesboro District is honoring all Murfreesboro District Lay Speakers and Lay Leaders at a special banquet on Friday evening, February 2, 2007. Murfreesboro First UMC will host the banquet at 6:30 p.m.

Our special guest will be Lee Domann, an ordained minister in the Kansas East Conference. Lee's ministry is to share the good news of God's love, and to affirm the worth of each person as one of God's Children. With roots from Celtic, county, folk, and gospel traditions his combination of music, humor, and storytelling make meaningful dramatic presentations. Lee's music has been recorded by such artists as: Kathy Mattea, Mark Lowry, and Riders in the Sky.

Registrations must be received by January 29, 2007 at the Murfreesboro District Office, 316 West Lytle St., Suite 202, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. You can also register by calling the District Office at 615-8935886. The cost of the meal will be $10.00. Please invite your spouses, children, pastors, and other special friends to this celebration.

Directions to Murfreesboro First UMC: Take I-24 to Murfreesboro and get off at exit 78-B. Head toward Murfreesboro until you pass the Holiday Inn on your right. At the next light turn left onto North Thompson Lane (McDonald's is on the corner). Go approximately 5 miles and the church will be on your right, 265 West Thompson Lane (615-893-1322).

Plan to be at the Big New Nashville District Lay Speaking Ministries Training--September 15-17, 2006

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 18:43:00 +0000

Dates have been announced for the big Nashville District Lay Speaking Ministries Training event, September 15, 16, and 17, 2006 -- Put those dates in your calendar and register early.

The event will be held at the Blakemore United Methodist Church
3601 WEST END AVENUE
NASHVILLE, TN 37205
Phone 615-297-6519

Instructors:
· Sandy Zeilger – Basic Lay Speaking Ministries
· Mary T Newman – Storytelling
· Rosemary Brown – Class to be announced

Hispanic classes will also be offered

Deadline for registration is 8-15-06

To register or receive additional information contact either:

CORINDA EDGEN
615-832-1769
cedgen@bellsouth.net

OR

CARL (BUD) WHIPPLE
615-865-0398
myrtleruthbud@aol.com

Lay Speakers Offer Conference Churches and District Committees An Opportunity to Better Understand "The Book of Discipline" & the Apportionment system

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 15:00:00 +0000

Joe Williams, Tennessee Annual Conference Lay Leader

Lay Speakers in the seven districts of the Tennessee Conference have prepared to make presentations on The 2004 Book of Discipline and 2006 Apportionments. The Lay Speakers are attempting, through the presentations, to make United Methodism’s rich polity and structure more meaningful to present day church members. These presentations will provide interesting explanatory material for district and local church councils and committees; local church United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men, and United Methodist Youth fellowships; interest groups following weekly fellowship suppers, etc. The presentations can be described as follows:

The Book of Discipline

Most United Methodists know our church has The Book of Discipline. Few understand much about it, or how it is applied to the ministry of the United Methodist Church. A presentation has been prepared that provides a roadmap for laity and clergy of the flow of church law that constitutes most of the 832 pages of the 2004 Discipline. This presentation should provide a better understanding of the Discipline, and how it is applied to our church life. Every person attending this presentation will be given a copy of a 17- page Nutshell Summary of the 2004 Discipline for future reference. It is sincerely believed this presentation will fill a gap in communications with the membership that will be beneficial for our church.

2006 Apportionments

Most United Methodists understand that the United Methodist Church is a connectional church and because of that each of the 600+ churches in our Conference are asked to pay its apportionments every year to as its proportionate share of the costs of supporting the UMC beyond its congregation. This presentation consists of a definition of “apportionment,” and a break-down by category and by dollars of the General and Conference ministries supported by apportionments. Every person attending this presentation will receive a copy of the presentation and a booklet and a pamphlet published by United Methodist Communications which elaborate on the material covered in this presentation.

Don Ladd, Tennessee Annual Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

To Schedule A Presentation

These presentations will be provided during Calendar Year 2006 by the Tennessee Annual Conference Board of Laity and the Tennessee Annual Conference Lay Speaking Ministries. For further information or to arrange for a presentation on either or both topics, please contact one of the following:

Joe Williams, Conference Lay Leader
931.455.8133, jaw72@bellsouth.net
124 Oak Park Drive, Tullahoma, TN 37388

Don Ladd, Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries
615.234.7526, c.d.ladd@ampf.com
One Burton Hills Blvd, Suite 150, Nashville, TN 37215

United Methodist Men's ministry gets a new home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 17:35:00 +0000

The Commission on United Methodist Men will occupy the former Nashville, Tenn., office of the church's finance agency in mid-February. Photo courtesy of the Commission on United Methodist Men

Jan. 26, 2006
By Rich Peck*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The United Methodist agency responsible for men's ministries will soon have a home of its own for the first time since its creation in 1996.

The Commission on United Methodist Men will move to Music Row, an area populated by the country music industry. Until now, the nine-member staff has occupied crowded rooms in the Kern Building, a structure owned by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. The building also houses offices of the discipleship agency and the Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The commission bought a building formerly owned by the Nashville office of the General Council on Finance and Administration. The 4,200-foot structure became available when the finance agency moved to a larger space nearby, where it consolidated its Nashville operations and its main office from Evanston, Ill.

The men's commission received permission to buy the $750,000 building from its 24-member board of directors, GCFA, and the denomination's Connectional Table.

Following the purchase, the commission renovated the bathrooms to make them handicapped accessible and established a large conference room with a movable divider so commission meetings can be held in the one-story building.

The agency also changed the entry door, bought new carpets and made other repairs totaling about $100,000. The agency borrowed $600,000 from the United Methodist Men Foundation, an endowment fund that receives funds for scouting and men's ministries from United Methodist groups and individuals. The balance was paid by commission reserve funds.

The commission expects to move into the building in mid-February.

The agency is also in the process of selecting a new top staff executive. The Rev. Joseph Harris, general secretary since the birth of the agency, resigned last June to become the assistant to the bishop of the Oklahoma Area and director of communications for the Oklahoma Annual (regional) Conference. A search committee, led by Bishop James King of the Louisville (Ky.) Area, expects to nominate a new top executive in the next few months. Bishop William W. Morris, retired, is serving as interim general secretary.

*Peck is communications coordinator for the churchwide Commission on United Methodist Men.

Learn How to Empower Laity at Frazer Conference, March 3-5

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 12:43:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered how a United Methodist Church could get more than 90 percent of its laity involved in ministry? How it could pledge a $10 million budget? How one church could reach more than 300 persons on profession of faith every year?

You can learn the answers to these questions and more at the Every Member in Ministry Conference presented by Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Highway, in Montgomery, AL, March 3-5.

The event, which is held twice each year, is designed to help church leaders learn how to empower their members to discover their spiritual gifts, equip them to use their gifts in specific ministries, and turn them loose to do ministry. More than 60 workshops are taught by Frazer staff and volunteers who are actively involved in ministries, from children’s worship and computers to urban ministry and marriage preparation.

The seminar begins Friday night at 5 p.m. with registration and supper, followed by an opening session with Frazer’s Senior Minister, Dr. John Ed Mathison. Workshops on Saturday will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with breaks for lunch and supper. A special Praise and Worship Service will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. A question and answer session with lay leadership kicks off Sunday’s activities, followed by regular Sunday worship services.

Cost for an individual is $195, or $160 per person for groups of ten or more.

Frazer Memorial has more than 8,400 members. In 2005, it took in 666 new members, with 319 of those on profession of faith. The church’s budget for 2006 exceeds $10 million.

A downloadable brochure and registration form is available on Frazer’s website at www.frazerumc.org, or you may call Jane Bridges at 334-272-8622.