Conference News & Views

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) encourages your continual prayers for unity and your participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2009.

Christians around the world will offer special prayers for unity during this week of prayer: “that they may be one in your hand” (Ezekiel 37:17). Ezekiel – the name meaning “God makes him strong” – was called by God to give the people hope in the desperate religious and political upheaval following the fall and occupation of Israel and the exile of many of the people. Ezekiel’s words give hope that God will gather God’s people again into one, calling them God’s own, and blessing them in order to make them a mighty people. In the reading of this text from the Old Testament, Christians may reflect on how to apply this passage in our own lives, particularly when there is strife and division. For God is the One who restores unity, reconciles people, and brings new life and hope into our midst.

Flowing from the central text taken from Ezekiel, our reflection during the “eight days” of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is designed to bring us to a deeper awareness of how the unity of the Church is in direct correlation with the renewal of the community. The week begins with an invitation for us to pray for the various situations in our world where reconciliation is so desperately needed.

On Day 2 we will pray for wisdom and guidance to overcome an end to war and violence.

Day 3 will offer a meditation in addressing the disparity between the rich and the poor.

The intention of Day 4 is for us to offer prayers in order to protect the gifts that God gives us in creation.

On Day 5 we will pray for the cessation of prejudice and discrimination that marks our societies today.

On Day 6 we will remember in prayer all those who suffer and those caregivers who serve and minister so faithfully.

Day 7 will address the area of pluralism as we pray for God’s will and guidance.

Our prayers will come full circle on Day 8 when we pray that the spirit of the Beatitudes will overcome the spirit of this strife-torn world.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers opportunities for us to meet and pray with other Christians of different denominations in each locality. We invite you to be creative in your observation of this powerful prayer time. The International Committee has developed several useful resources for promoting and participating in this time of spiritual renewal. Worship resources are available in electronic form via the CTBI website address(http://www.rootsontheweb.com/).

Another internet resource is (http://www.geii.org/). In addition the Tennessee Conference CUIC has developed a prayer vigil commitment sheet with different time slots as an instrument for congregations and communities to utilizeduring this week (see attachment).

The purpose of this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is for us to pray as Christ prayed “that they may be one” and to pray for the unity of all Christians as we share in Christ’s ministry.

On behalf of the Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) it is our prayer that each experience during this week will stir up a commitment within each of us to continue offering our prayers for unity throughout the year.


The Rev. Kimi Brown, Chair
Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns

BASIC AND ADVANCED COURSE OFFERED

CLARKRANGE UMC
1020 West Rock Quarry Rd
Clarkrange TN

Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4th, 2009

A registration form has been mailed to your pastor or you can go to the district web site and print the form.
cookevilledistrict.org

BASIC AND ADVANCED COURSE OFFERED

CLARKRANGE UMC
1020 West Rock Quarry Rd
Clarkrange TN

April 3 & 4th, 2009

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

BASIC COURSE
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" by Jack Gilbert & Nan Zoller.
Teachers: Rev. Jay Archer, Dist. Superintendent; Mrs. Betty Jo Forkner, Certified Lay Speaker; Mrs. Holly Neal, Dist. Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

ADVANCED COURSE
DEVOTIONAL LIFE IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION - This class is structured around Wesley's "means of grace" and covers prayer, scripture, the Lord's Supper, and fasting, among other topics.
Teacher: Rev. Howard Welch

(Deadline for Registration is March 16, 2009)

COST

Registration Fees: Basic $40, Advanced $40. This includes textbook (mailed several weeks before class) & materials, Saturday lunch, daily refreshments and certificate.

Cancellation Policy: No refund of fees after March 23 (& return of materials).

Scholarships are available for those who need assistance with fee. To request scholarship, call Holly Neal @ 931-265-0824 or email hneal56@yahoo.com

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY NIGHT, April 3, 2009

5:30 - 5.45 Gathering & Refreshments
5:45 - 8:00 Session 1

SATURDAY, April 4, 2009

7:30 - 8:00 Refreshments
8:00 - 10:00 Session 2
10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 12:15 Session 3
12:15 - 12:45 Lunch
12:45 - 2:45 Session 4
2:45 - 3:00 Break
3:00 - 4:45 Session 5
4:45 - 5:00 Break
5:00 - 6:00 Closing Worship & Sending Forth

Coming August 28 & 29 2009 McMinnville 1st UMC

Basic Course
Basic Course in English

Advanced Courses -
Justice in Everyday Life, A Study of the United Methodist Social Principles
You Can Lead in Worship.

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.

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.

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.

www.gbgm-umc.org/lscookeville

A registration form has been mailed to your pastor or you can go to the district web site and print the form.
cookevilledistrict.org

January 11 at Trinity UMC in Murfreesboro TN, March 15 at Columbia FUMC in Columbia TN and March 22 at Springfield FUMC in Springfield TN.

PULASKI, Tenn. – United Methodist families throughout middle Tennessee who have questions about getting their children – and their finances – ready for college are invited to attend “College Prep 101,” a two-hour information session from 2 to 4 p.m. by Martin Methodist College and the Cal Turner, Jr. Center for Church Leadership. Youth groups are invited to bring their members to one of these sessions as a service to the college-bound youth.

A session will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at Trinity UMC in Murfreesboro. There will be two additional sessions offered at different Methodist churches in 2009.

The purpose of College Prep 101 is to equip youth of all ages and their parents as they prepare to go through the college selection process and to be a particularly key resource to those college-bound United Methodists in the Tennessee Conference.

“We recognize there are many questions that must be answered in order for a high school senior to identify the perfect college,” said the Rev. Mary Noble Parrish, director of church relations for Martin Methodist College. “‘How much will college cost and what financial assistance is available?’ ‘How far from home do I wish to travel?’ ‘What major should I select?’

“As the college of the Tennessee Conference, we at Martin Methodist College extend ourselves as a resource to the youth from the churches of our conference as they make this important decision regarding their higher education,” she said. Rev. Parrish points out, “this is not simply a recruiting effort for Martin Methodist, focusing solely on its campus and program. “It will be beneficial to anyone in their college search,” she said.

Lisa Smith, director of admissions, said the Martin Methodist College staff will bring plenty of experience to College Prep 101. “Learn about the admissions process with the help of our admissions team,” Smith said. “With years of experience from our staff, you will feel confident about your future college plans. From college visits to the application process to financial aid, come and learn at one of the College Prep 101 sessions.”

For more information, contact the Rev. Mary Noble Parrish at 931-363-9834 or 1-800-467-1273, ext. 3834, or e-mail her at mparrish@martinmethodist.edu. Also contact Lisa Smith, 931-363-9805 or 1-800-467-1273, ext. 3805 or e-mail her at lsmith2@martinmethodist.edu.