12/01/2023
A QUICK NOTE TO ALL TN RIVER DISTRICT PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS:
Fully realizing that you are now into the Advent season and your total attention will be required for the next several weeks, I want to encourage you to just make note (on your calendar) of a couple of 2024 items:
I. January 28 (evening arrival)-29-30, 2024 @ Lakeshore UMC in Eva, TN. Dr. Paul Jackson, retired professor of Greek New Testament from Union University will lead a retreat for us--open to all--entitled "seeking clarity with charity."
Paul is an ordained Southern Baptist pastor who is serving Davis Chapel --Palmer Shelter--Long Rock UMC's in Carroll County. He is a nationally recognized author and scholar. Paul blends humor with scholarship and is incredibly winsome. The focus will be on helping us spiritually prepare for the Lenten season. Encourage your Sunday school teachers, lay leaders and friends from other faith traditions to attend. Registration is free to members of the Tennessee River District and attendance is limited. Contact Delores Smith at [email protected] to add your name to the RSVP list.
II. HOPE FOR NEW HOPE! APRIL 4-5-6 & 7, 2024. New Hope UMC (near Paris, TN) is a faithful African-American congregation pastored by Rev. Jackie Gardner. They have a desire to grow and reach their community but their fellowship hall is dated and in very poor repair.
The plan is to organize the United Methodist Men of the district and strip this 1200 square foot building back to the studs, add a layer of insulation, galvanized roof and siding. The interior will be finished out in a practical combination of galvanized metal and sawmill wood. The Tennessee River District of The United Methodist Church will provide the materials, lodging will be at Lakeshore and the folks of New Hope will feed us in grand style. Like and old-fashioned "barn-raisin'", this will be a chance to come together and love one another in the way Jesus has loved us. Please encourage your Men's Leader to call Dan Camp directly and discuss. Dan can be reached at (731) 501-6254
