august 2012 torch
DESCRIPTION
August 2012 Newsletter of Trinity United Methodist Church in Greeneville, Tennessee.TRANSCRIPT
The Trinity Torch Pastor: Rev. Stuart Albee, [email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Donna Lowery
Financial Secretary: Jim “Chip” McKenna
Director of Music: Jerry Long [email protected]
Director of Youth: Amy Brown [email protected]
Director of Children: Jennifer McHan [email protected]
Custodian: Tim Cansler
Office e-mail: [email protected] Office Phone: (423) 638-7521
Trinity Library: [email protected] Web Page: www.trinity-um-church.org
AUGUST
2012
Pastor’s Remarks
Getting Used to Each Other
Going together, enjoying the trip,
Getting used to the family I'll spend eternity with;
Learning to love you, how easy it is
Getting used to the family of God.
This lyric from an old Gaither song came to mind this week and yes, I know it shows my age, but it is where
we are in these days of transition- we are taking the time to get used to each other. Let me say that I have
thoroughly enjoyed and been blessed by the Listening Post times with you. I am finding out that 30 minutes is
not adequate in some cases, but we better stick with the plan. If you have not signed up for these, please do so
and encourage others to do so as well. Times are available on Sunday afternoons thru August 12 now. Please
read the information available elsewhere in this edition of The Torch and do your homework.
What does it mean to get used to each other? In a church setting, it means we learn what the gifts and graces
of one another are. In time, I will learn your likes and dislikes, what you do well and don't do well, and where
different people enjoy serving. In time, you will discover things that other pastors have done that I am not
equipped to do and conversely, things that I do, that other pastors have not done. So we will be getting used to
each other. I wish we had more time, but we are beginning the nominations process this month. In a sense,
we have an arranged marriage, we had never met, but were joined together by Bishop Swanson, who is now
leaving to be the Bishop of the Mississippi Annual Conference. So we will enjoy our trip together (as Bill
Gaither says), this is our honeymoon, and over the course of the year, learn to love one another. You may not
be there yet and I totally understand. I am glad that the Lord began giving me a love for you as early as March
when I found out I was projected to serve as your pastor. By the way, this (loving one another) is not an
option, but a command from our Lord (see John 13:34).
There are some challenges on the horizon. We need to dig in to the Call to Action (more about that elsewhere
in this newsletter). Some of that work will push us out of our comfort zone, but we do need to get busy. You
will have the opportunity to help us sharpen our focus on Contemporary Worship, Small Groups, Children's
and Youth Ministries, and Intercessory Prayer. We need to do everything it takes to be a Vital Congregation
effective in reaching out to young adults, and we can ill afford remaining on the sidelines (if you have been
standing on the sidelines). If your gifts and graces are in other areas, I am sure there are places for you in the
many other ministries of our church, but if we are going to be a vital congregation, every member of the body
must be functioning in ministry.
We really are on a journey together that lasts for eternity. I am glad for the opportunities we have- so let us get
used to each other and enjoy the journey together.
Your fellow servant in Christ,
Pastor Stuart
Prayer List AUGUST 2012
For Our Armed Forces Kenneth Kelley Jay Burns Brian Benton Jamie Moseley
John Penland Joseph D. Carson
Justin Walter Steven Ayers
Thomas White David Jones
Steven Sams Stanley Keselicka
For Trinity Members & Constituents
Benna Bennett
Ron Bennett
Tom Yancey
Allen Carter
For Family Members & Friends Jay Smith
Church in Mission Fran Lynch Baxter-Willow, AK
Steve Geegbe/Richard Tefley - Home in Liberia
For the Persecuted Church around the world.
For the Ministry of Our Church, Its Leaders,
Pastor Albee & Staff.
For Our Known Bereaved
The Family of Henry “Sylvan” Lowery
The Family of Aldean Miles
The Family of Cawood Ball
The Family of Susan Roark Ramsey
Healing Needed from Cancer
Ronnie Hooten Ed Stalcup
Hugh Wells Benny Goodwin
Karen Broyles Payne Earnestine Gray
Albert Rasnake Victor Knapp
Carl Lacher Daniel Myers
Rick Felton Stanton Whittaker
Richard Arwood Charlotte Nicodemas
Roger Solomon Jimmy Carter
Lynn Rollins Jerry Hackney
Evelyn Blake Michael Renfro
Leonard Harrell Brenda Loveday
Patty Guinn Max Cox
Darnell Marie Barker Alan Eldridge
Faye & Billy Kelton Avery Armstrong
Edna Cutshaw David Lamons
Hugh Allen Shipley Danny Starnes
Teresa Krause Jewell Hughes
Becky Monk Families and Caregivers of those with cancer
For Our Nursing Home &
Assisted Living Members: Helen Phillips Anna Belle Hankins
Beryl Smith Mabel Philbeck
Iva Walker Carolyn Tilson
For Our Homebound Members: Bobby George Kitty Knittel
Belva Drake Faye Reynolds Norma Cureton Virgie Gray
Doc Dowden Patsy Reynolds
Helen Jeffers Frances Million Mildred Wallin
LISTENING POSTS
Listening Posts with the pastor will continue now and until the end of August. This is our
opportunity to get acquainted and the best way for me to learn your names. You may sign up for these
times on the clipboard in the Old Narthex. We will meet in the Small Fellowship Hall on Sunday
afternoons in 30 minute segments from 3:30-5:30 PM, so come on out and make sure you do your
homework. Please consider these questions: 1)What brought you to Trinity UMC? 2) What keeps you
here? and 3) If you had a magic wand and could wave it over Trinity and change anything you wanted,
what would it be? You can also ask me anything you want, and will do my best to respond if the question
is not too hard. Please join me on Sunday afternoons in the Small Fellowship Hall. -Pastor Stuart
____________________________________________________________________________
OUR CALL TO ACTION
Our denomination has issued a call to action to all United Methodist Churches to envision what
it takes to be a vital congregation. A denomination-wide study has found that there are 16
characteristics that are present in churches that are growing and these 16 characteristics can be
grouped into 4 broad categories for our work: 1)A mixture of contemporary and traditional
worship services. 2)A wide variety of small groups for all ages. 3)Effective Lay Leadership.
4)Effective Pastoral Leadership. The consensus of our Call to Action Task Force is that we
focus on three areas as we plan for the future. First, modern worship which will connect with
young adults. Second, the ministry of small groups to ensure that all persons who attend or
might attend our church are connected to the fellowship of the church, and third, strong, and
excellent youth and children’s ministry which will be a blessing to young families. It is
important that we bathe all of this work and planning in prayer, so a fourth area of focus will be
Intercessory Prayer. Your call to action is simple. We need all those who have a passion for
one or more of these areas of focus to be part of teams that will be working in each of these
four areas. Those who have ability to plan and implement a plan are needed, so please identify
yourselves. Interest indicators will be in the bulletins on Sundays and the plan is for our
Contemporary Worship Team to meet on August 7 and for our Small Groups Team will meet
on August 21. -Pastor Stuart
I am God, and there is no
other; I am God, and
there is no one like me.
Isaiah 46:9 08/01 Chad Arrington
08/03 Driscilla Harrison
08/03 Will Albright
08/03 Mary Jo Susong
08/05 Eben Jones
08/05 Jim Dougherty
08/06 Lauren Paxton
08/06 Tenicia Hogan
08/08 Nancy Broyles
08/09 Jerry Freshour
08/09 Kelly Ford
08/10 Andrew Tweed
08/10 Lisa Mee
08/10 Martha Beamer
08/10 Steve Neas
08/12 Mildred Wallin
08/13 Charles Jones
08/13 Mabel Philbeck
08/13 Mike Bacile
08/14 Angie Jones
08/14 Haylee Cate
08/15 Seth Sayler
08/16 Carolynn Kinser
08/16 Peggy Crum
08/16 Robert Keasling III
08/16 Joshua Arrington
08/17 Marty Lynch
08/17 Pat Bakersky
08/18 Rose Strong
08/19 David Brannock
08/20 Brittany Wright
08/20 Haden Scott
08/23 Mary Ann Broyles
08/24 Donna Keasling
08/24 Irene Keasling
08/24 Rebekah McGill
08/24 Taylor Parker
08/24 Zeb Gross
08/25 Brenda Freshour
08/25 Laura Gosnell
08/26 Gina Cox (Martin)
08/27 Heather Tunnell
08/27 Weston McGill
08/28 Aden Moore
08/28 Elizabeth Weems
08/28 Michelle Wills
08/28 Thomas Carter
08/29 Steve Renner
08/30 Mary Ethel Brannock
08/30 Michael Knapp Sr.
08/31 Edward Wilhoit
08/31 Lynn Broyles
AUGUST
BIRTHDAYS
AUGUST YOUTH ACTIVITIES:
Amy Brown - Youth Director
August 5: We will be having a very important
Parent Meeting at 5pm at Samson House!
August 5: At 6pm we will be having a
“Regular Youth Meeting” studying our new series
"Life in 6 Words" and our meetings will go back to
being from 6:00-7:30
August 12: Regular Youth Meeting.
August 19: Regular Youth Meeting.
August 26: Regular Youth Meeting.
Coming Soon: A Fall Retreat,
and a possible local mission project!!
AUGUST CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES:
Jennifer McHan
Children’s Director
August already...Hope everyone had a great summer,
and is looking forward to this new school year!
There are still NO Wonderful Wednesday Activities
until September 5th.
Contact me to get more involved!
If you are interested in more ways that you can become
involved in helping your church through our
children's department please contact me.
[email protected] 823-8370.
Currently I am in need of teachers/assistants for Sunday
and Wednesday; people interested in helping coordinate
our calendar along with me; volunteers for various
things including nursery helpers and many more.
August, our month of
Special Music Come enjoy:
August 5th: The Edwards Brass Trio August 12th: Carolynn Kinser August 19th: Amy Brown August 26th: David Veley
News Flash!
Marcia is laying aside one hat: Children’s Choir Director
TUMC needs a volunteer … if there are children to
sing and play.
Will your children be attending the 5:00 to 5:45 Wednesday Children’s Music Program starting
September 5th?
Preregister now: Volunteer to direct or assist now:
Contact the Church Office: 638-7521
Jerry Long - Director of Music Ministries
Trinity United Methodist Church 524 Tusculum Boulevard Greeneville, TN 37745
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
2 0 1 2
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
PAID
Greeneville, TN 37745
PERMIT 135
Monthly Item Trinity’s Food Bank item being collected during August
is POWDERED MILK.
Donations can be placed in the cardboard boxes provided
in either the Large Fellowship Hall or
the Old Narthex outside the Sanctuary.
Pick up will be September 2.
____________________________________
ECHOES News
On Friday Evening, August 3rd
the ECHOES group will be having their
Monthly Dinner Meeting & Program @ 5:30, SFH.
Menu: Ham, green beans, broccoli slaw, hash brown
casserole, butter scotch dessert, rolls, tea & coffee The meal will cost $6.00 a person.
R.S.V.P w/ Lucille Cutshaw
Entertainment: Sisters In Christ
COMING SOON!
Tailgating with Trinity _________________________
1st Full Day
of School
is
August 9th.
WHERE'S THE ELEVATOR? (an update from the Church Council)
As of 7/9/12, $166,435.00 has been contributed for our
building addition, the primary purpose of which is to
house an elevator which will make all floors of the
building accessible. The Church Council has voted to
move forward with this project. Bids have been received
from area contractors and a low bid of approximately
$413,000.00 was received from Andrews Construction,
Talbott, TN. Several area financial institutions in the ar-
ea have expressed interest in financing the project. A
loan amount of approximately $270,000 will be needed to
cover building costs and architectural fees. Financial
negotiations will be continuing in the month of August.
UMW News
Maude Landmesser - Aug. 8, Location TBA
Ruth Sub Group - Aug. 13 @7:00, SFH
Wilma Lynch - Program
Shalom - Aug. 14 @ 6:00, Grace Parlor
(Backpack Ministry)
LISTER CIRCLE News Aug 2 - Mission Trip - be ready to depart from Trinity
@ 3:00pm and don't forget your volunteer form.
______________________________________________
The Battle for Men’s Souls
Calling All Men
A Gathering to Strengthen the Hearts of Men
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Pleasant View UMC, Abingdon, VA
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Concord UMC, Knoxville, TN
www.CallingAllMen.net