Special Word of ThanksWe want to express a special word of gratitude to the following persons who have worked so diligently behind the scenes to prepare meaningful worship services for our time together at Annual Conference 2015 under the theme, “Engage: See ● Know ● Serve.”

Altar Settings: Rev. Sarah M. Slack, First UMC, Maryville, Maryville District

Music Director: Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District

Organist: Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First Marion UMC, Abingdon District

Head Usher: Rev. W. Anthony “Tony” Collins, Spring City/Reed’s Chapel UMC, Cleveland District

Leader, Morning Bible Study: Rev. Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District

Assistance with Worship Preparation: Dr. P. Dawn Chesser, Discipleship Ministries, Oak Ridge District Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District Rev. James R. “Rusty” Taylor, Director, Congregational Development and Revitalization, Maryville District Rev. Stella M. Roberts, Director, Connectional Ministries, Oak Ridge District Rev. Carol E. Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Maryville District Rev. Daniel H. Taylor, Jr., Conference Secretary, Knoxville District Rev. Glenna Manning, Concord UMC, Oak Ridge District Mrs. Becky Hall, Christ UMC, Chattanooga District Mrs. Lori L. Sluder, Executive Secretary to the Bishop, Maryville District Ms. Donna Hankins, Multimedia Coordinator, Holston Conference Mr. Rick Cherry, Conference Treasurer/Director, Administrative Services, Holston Conference Mrs. Karen Wright, Administrative Assistant, Connectional Ministries, Holston Conference Rev. Michael G. Sluder, Associate Director, Connectional Ministries in Missions, Holston Conference

Audio-Visual and Sound Support: Mrs. Becky Hall, Christ UMC, Chattanooga District Ms. Donna Hankins, Conference Staff Stuart Auditorium AV Crew, Lake Junaluska, NC

Worship Book Preparation: Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District Rev. Carol E. Wilson, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Maryville District Mrs. Millie Meese, Conference Staff, Knoxville District Mrs. Lori L. Sluder, Executive Secretary to the Bishop, Knoxville District

Words and music to songs other than those from The United Methodist Hymnal are used by permission. CCLI # 11074740

Cover Photo: Copyright © Jerry D. Greer Photography – jerrygreerphotography.com

Annual Conference Worship SchedulePre-Service Music will begin 30 minutes prior to the worship services

on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings and Thursday morning. Evening Worship

Sunday, June 7, 2015, 7:30 p.m., Stuart Auditorium Celebrant: Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor, Holston Area Liturgist: Rev. Elizabeth S. Hamilton, Addilynn Memorial UMC, Abingdon District Music: Christ UMC Music Ministry, Chattanooga District

Morning Bible Study with Holy Communion Monday, June 8, 2015, 8:30 a.m., Stuart Auditorium

Bible Study: Rev. Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District Celebrant: Rev. Adam T. Love, Kingsley UMC, Kingsport District Liturgist: Rev. Bobby Black, Washington Hills UMC, Chattanooga District Music: Ms. Alex Sprinkle, Big Stone Gap District

Memorial Service Monday, June 8, 2015, 2:00 p.m., Stuart Auditorium

Preacher: Rev. Gary W. Grogg, Chattanooga District Music: Conference Choir; Fairview UMC Orchestra, Maryville District

Morning Bible Study with Holy Communion Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 8:30 a.m., Stuart Auditorium

Bible Study: Rev. Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District Celebrant: Rev. James A. Sherrod, Central UMC, Knoxville District Liturgist: Rev. Sandra J. Johnson, Abingdon District Music: Rev. James A. Sherrod, Central UMC, Knoxville District

Retirement Recognition Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 11:05 a.m., Stuart Auditorium

Music: Wesley House Gospel Choir, Ryan Parker, Director, Knoxville, Tennessee

Evening Worship Tuesday, June 9, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Stuart Auditorium

Music: Bethlehem-Wiley Praise Team and Band, Mt. Moriah Parish Choir, Stanley UMC Drum Beat, Chattanooga District

Testimonies: Bethlehem-Wiley Praise Team and Band

Morning Bible Study with Holy Communion Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 8:30 a.m., Stuart Auditorium

Bible Study: Rev. Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District Celebrant: Rev. James R. Bailes, Emerald Avenue UMC, Knoxville District Liturgist: Rev. Jeannie Higgins, Morristown District Music: Abel and Nicole Carrico and the Holston UM Home for Children

Evening Worship Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 7:00 p.m., Stuart Auditorium

Preacher: Rev. Susana R. Lopez, El Ministerio del Espiritu Santo,

Music: First UMC, Sevierville, Maryville District

Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, Sevierville, TNService of Ordination, Commissioning, and Recognition and Sending Forth

Thursday, June 11, 2015, 9:00 a.m., Stuart Auditorium Preacher: Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor, Holston Area Music: The Lake Junaluska Singers

Presiding and PreachingBishop Mary Virginia Taylor

Resident BishopHolston Annual Conference

Evening Worship and Holy CommunionSunday, June 7, 2015 ~ 7:30 p.m.

Service of Ordination, Commissioning, and Recognition and Sending ForthThursday, June 11, 2015 ~ 9:00 a.m.

Preaching

The Reverend Gary W. GroggRetired, Chattanooga District Holston Annual Conference

Memorial Service Monday, June 8, 2015 ~ 2:00 p.m.

Evening Worship ServicesTuesday, June 9, 2015 ● 7:00 p.m. &

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 ● 7:00 p.m.Stuart Auditorium

Engage – Lives are transformed in powerful ways when the Church chooses to engage our communities. Worship on Tuesday and Wednesday nights will celebrate the joyful new beginnings experienced by those who will share with us each evening. On Tuesday night, we will be blessed by Willie Kitchens and the Bethlehem-Wiley Praise Team and Band, the Mt. Moriah Parish Choir, and the Stanley UMC Drum Beat from the Chattanooga District. During this Night of Praise we will hear testimonies shared by Willie Kitchens, Ethel Woods, and Gretrell Watkins. On Wednesday night, we will be led by Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier in traditional Bluegrass Gospel music. The Reverend Susana Lopez, pastor at El Ministerio del Espiritu Santo in Sevierville in the Maryville District, will preach. As a part of this service, we will respond to the challenge to engage in ministry with children in poverty in the Holston Conference as we share in our conference mission offering.These evenings of worship will provide opportunities for thanksgiving and praise as we hear how the grace of Jesus Christ, shared by congregations willing to See, Know, and Serve, changed the world for good.

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Sunday, June 7, 2015 ● 7:30 p.m.Stuart Auditorium

Evening WorshipThe Second Sunday after Pentecost

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34:17 & 18 (NIV)

Pre-Service Music, 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Christ UMC Music MinistryPrelude Mr. Bryan K. UnderwoodWords of Welcome and Call to Order Bishop Mary Virginia TaylorCall to Worship “To God Be the Glory” Crosby/Drennan/Doane

Christ UMC Music Ministry*Processional Hymn of Unity #553

“And Are We Yet Alive” dennis

*Invocation Bishop Taylor*Hymns of Praise #154 “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” Coronation

(verses 1, 2, 4, & 6)“Hosanna, Praise is Rising” Brown

Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they

covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips,

and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had

taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

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“Lord, I Need You” Maher

Evening Prayer The Reverend Elizabeth HamiltonThe Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.Anthem “Worship The Great I Am” Beach/Henderson

Christ UMC Music MinistryScripture Bishop TaylorSermon Bishop TaylorHoly CommunionInvitation Bishop Taylor Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him, who repent of their sin, and who seek to live in peace with their neighbors. As we prepare to join in this evening feast with our Lord, let us confess our sins together.Prayer of ConfessionMerciful God, we confess that we have not loved You with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done Your will, we have broken Your law, we have rebelled against Your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Anyone in Christ becomes a new person altogether; the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.The Great ThanksgivingThe Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. In the beginning your Spirit moved over the face of the waters. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.

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When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. Your Spirit came upon prophets and teachers,

anointing them to speak your Word.And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:(Sung response) “Holy, Holy, Holy” ScholtesHoly, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. (Repeat) Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest.Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. At his baptism in the Jordan your Spirit descended upon him and declared him your beloved Son. With your Spirit upon him he turned away the temptations of sin. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor,

to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people.

He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners.By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection,

you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always,

baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and with fire, as on the Day of Pentecost.On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”When the supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”On the day you raised him from the dead

he was recognized by his disciples in the breaking of the bread, and in the power of your Holy Spirit your Church has continued in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup.

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving

as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

(Sung response) HallChrist has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

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Worship Participants:Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop, Holston Area,

The United Methodist ChurchPrayer ~ The Reverend Elizabeth S. Hamilton, Addilynn Memorial,

Abingdon DistrictMusic Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District

Organist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon DistrictMusicians ~ Christ UMC Music Ministry,

Christina Malone, Director of Worship, Chattanooga District

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood and empowered by the gifts of the Spirit.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, showing forth the fruit of the Spirit until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.

Amen.Breaking the BreadGiving the Bread and Cup (A gluten-free station is available at section 7)Worship Music during Communion Christ UMC Music Ministry*Hymns of Faith “In Christ Alone” Getty

*Benediction Bishop TaylorPostlude Christ UMC Music Ministry*Please stand as you are able.

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Monday, June 8, 2015 ● 8:30 a.m.Stuart Auditorium

Morning Bible Study and Holy Communion“But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him

if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV)

Prelude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

Morning Prayer The Reverend Bobby Black

*Hymn of Praise #185 “When Morning Gilds the Skies” Laudes doMini

Bible Study The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur

Holy Communion The Reverend Adam T. Love

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our Lord thanks and praise.

Almighty God, we bless you for creation and all that you have made, for your gracious covenant with a holy people, and for your steadfast love in sending the prophets to call us to repent and to walk in your ways.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

With thanksgiving we remember your love for the world in sending your Son Jesus Christ to live and die as one of us.

He engaged his community and saw the suffering of the poor, the needs of the lost, the pain of the oppressed, and the shame of the rejected.

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He healed those who were sick, he fed those who were hungry, he welcomed those in need, and he sat down at table with those whom society had cast away.

He bid the little children to come to him.

By every gracious word and bold action, he proclaimed God’s justice for all.

Before his death on the cross he took bread and said, “Eat this bread — it is my body — and remember me.”

After supper he took the cup and said, “Drink this wine — it is my blood — and remember me.”

By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection, you gave birth to your church and made all things new.

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

By your Holy Spirit make this bread and wine to be for us the body and blood of Christ.

So fill us with your love that being one with Christ, we may be living reminders of your compassion and justice to all the world, especially the least and the lost among us.

With all your people, join us to the heart, mind, and work of Christ, until he rules in love’s final victory.

Through Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

And now with the confidence of the children of God we pray,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

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Worship Participants:The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District

Liturgist: The Reverend Bobby Black, Washington Hills UMC, Chattanooga DistrictCelebrant: The Reverend Adam T. Love, Kingsley UMC, Kingsport District

Music Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville DistrictOrganist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon District

Musicians ~ Ms. Alex Sprinkle, Big Stone Gap District

AcknowledgmentsBrief Prayer of Great Thanksgiving, ©2007 The General Board of Discipleship, Adapted 2015 by Dawn Chesser. Portions of the prayer are copyrighted. © 1972 The Methodist Publishing House; © 1980, 1985, 1989, 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House. Used with permission.

Presider breaks the bread and raises the cup.

Giving the Bread and Cup

Worship Music during Communion Ms. Alex Sprinkle

*Hymn of Commitment “Step by Step” MuLLins

*Benediction Reverend Black

Postlude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

*Please stand as you are able.

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Monday, June 8, 2015 ● 2:00 p.m.Stuart Auditorium

Memorial Service “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me,

even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26 (NRSV)

Prelude Fairview UMC Orchestra

*Processional Hymn of Praise #302 “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” easter hyMn

*Greeting Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor We have gathered here to celebrate the lives of those who have served faithfully through the years and now share the triumph of Christ. We affirm with praise and thanksgiving the goodness of our Lord. Let us rejoice in God’s presence with us, in death as in life among those who mourn as with those who now see Christ face to face. In the midst of our grief we sing with joy, for God’s love is over all that has been made. Blessed be God’s glorious name forever.Silent Procession of Memorial Banners

The bells on the memorial banner represent the lives of those being remembered in today’s service and those persons who have been instrumental in the walks of faith of today’s worshipping congregation. Please remember this great cloud of witnesses in silent prayer as we give thanks for their faithful witness.

Opening Prayer Bishop Taylor Tender and compassionate God, we seek to know you through the hearing of your Word and pray that we may go beyond hearing to obeying, as shown by the faithful lives of your departed servants whom we honor today. We know that they are precious in your eyes, worthy of your special attention and ours, for they served well in the task that you gave them. Grant that we may feel your presence As did the followers who knew Jesus in the breaking of the bread, and may we experience the fire within that sent them out to share good news. Amen.

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Anthem “I Will Rise” i wiLL rise Conference Choir and Orchestra

Introduction of Preacher Bishop Taylor

Scripture Reading The Reverend Gary W. Grogg

Sermon Reverend Grogg

*Hymn of Faith #128 “He Leadeth Me” he Leadeth Me (verses 1, 3 & 4)

Anthem “Give Me Jesus” sterLinG Conference Choir and Orchestra

Reading of the Names Bishop Taylor

As Bishop Taylor calls the names of those we remember, we invite you to stand if you are a family member, were blessed by their ministry, or if this person made a significant impact upon you during her or his ministry.Prayer for the Saints and Faithful Departed Bishop Taylor Everliving God, this day revives in us memories of loved ones who are with us no more. What happiness we shared when they walked among us. What joy, when, loving and being loved, we lived our lives together. Their memory is a blessing for ever. Months or years may have passed, and still we feel near to them. Our hearts yearn for them. Though the bitter grief has softened, duller pain abides; for the place where once they stood is empty now. The links of life are broken, but the links for love and longing cannot break. Their souls are bound up in ours for ever. We see them now with the eye of memory, their faults forgiven, their virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight. We remember them with gratitude and bless their names. Their memory is a blessing for ever. And we remember as well the members who but yesterday were part of our congregation and community. To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. May we prove worthy of carrying on the tradition of our faith, for now the task is ours. Their souls are bound up in ours for ever. We give you thanks that they now live and reign with you. As a great crowd of witnesses, they surround us with their blessing, and offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving. They are alive for ever more. Amen.

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Worship Participants:Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop, Holston Area,

The United Methodist ChurchPreacher ~ The Reverend Gary W. Grogg, Retired, Chattanooga District

Music Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville DistrictOrganist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon District

Musicians ~ Fairview UMC Orchestra, Fairview UMC, Maryville District Choir ~ Lay and Clergy Members and Guests of the Holston Conference

Following the service, family members of those memorialized today will be in the tent between Stuart Auditorium and Harrell Center for you to greet.

*Hymn of Adoration #536 “Precious Name” PreCious naMe

*Benediction Bishop Taylor

*Hymn of Benediction # 701 “When We All Get to Heaven” heaven

Postlude Mr. Bryan Underwood

*Please stand as you are able.

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Episcopal Spouse In Memoriam

Eva Eutsler 6/23/1922 5/25/2014 (Bishop R. Kern Eutsler)

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Clergy Members In Memoriam

Miles D. Baines 3/3/1934 3/27/2015William H. Bill Balch 4/26/1937 11/6/2014John W. Bardsley 3/1/1929 11/9/2014Patricia E. Bishop 12/3/1941 4/28/2015James Laban Britton, Jr. 5/8/1931 5/1/2014Robert M. Copeland, Jr. 12/29/1932 5/28/2014Moses Beecher Dunsmore 3/23/1931 11/3/2014David Reece Gilliam 4/19/1924 11/5/2014Bruce Edward Hensley 4/19/1941 11/7/2014Charles J. Hurlock 2/23/1921 5/2/2015Walter A. Isley, Sr. 5/23/1940 10/26/2014James R. Johnson, Sr. 4/7/1941 7/10/2014Carl V. Jones 5/21/1917 12/6/2014Melvin Gene Kirk 10/13/1928 10/28/2014David B. Knight, Sr. 5/20/1935 9/1/2014Calvin Wayne Maas 2/18/1938 10/24/2014Thomas David Markwood 5/18/1945 3/16/2015Charles Douglas Mayo 9/4/1920 8/10/2014Ratha “Buddy” Doyle McGee 8/2/1924 12/25/2014Robert Amos Pardue 2/14/1921 4/10/2015Harold D. Ray 11/16/1934 5/7/2015Austin L. Shamblin 11/16/1922 6/11/2014Earl M. Tapley 11/8/1913 12/23/2014John Garland Thayer 4/21/1929 3/30/2015Julian F. Walton, Sr. 10/25/1941 9/16/2014

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Clergy Spouses In Memoriam

Bill B. Amburn 12/21/1936 6/24/2014 (Rev. Mary W. Amburn)

Gregory Mark Greg Isom 2/26/1957 8/4/2014 (Rev. Ginger Howe Isom)

Virginia Ann “Jan” McCartt 5/10/1923 3/3/2015 (Rev. J. Spurgeon McCartt)

Jay Robert Rogers 2/6/1935 5/24/2014 (Rev. Shirley M. Rogers)

Wallace Wayne Shirley 6/12/1928 10/6/2014 (Rev. Betty A. Shirley)

Mary Kathryn Thomas 2/19/1924 10/8/2014 (Rev. William B. Thomas)

Marian Patricia “Patti” Treadway 6/30/1940 7/24/2014 (Rev. Danny Treadway)

Laura R. Trundle 12/5/1935 7/31/2014 (Rev. John N. Trundle)

Nancy M. Ware 11/28/1936 1/16/2015 (Rev. Howard R. Ware, Jr.)

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Surviving Spouses In Memoriam

Kathaleen Barker 6/24/1915 7/30/2014 (Rev. Horace N. Barker)

Vivian C. Bittinger 3/14/1923 2/16/2015 (Rev. Dale C. Bittinger)

Carol June Robertson Cooke 2/26/1933 7/19/2014 (Rev. James Allen Robertson)

Opal Spivey Edwards 12/5/1923 7/25/2014 (Rev. Warren Jefferson Edwards)

Margaret McMillen Lancaster 7/21/1922 1/17/2015 (Rev. Lawrence T. Lancaster)

Erma D. Lane 12/5/1927 2/6/2015 (Rev. William Claude Lane)

Mary Alice Lawson 3/6/1925 1/5/2015 (Rev. Luther E. Lawson)

Carrie Steadman Loudy 7/26/1935 7/30/2014 (Rev. Roy E. Early)

Gwendolyn Lowrance 9/17/1935 12/19/2014 (Rev. Robert Lowrance)

Peggy W. Marshall 3/23/1925 7/9/2014 (Rev. Harrison Marshall)

Eunice McComas 3/13/1921 8/1/2014 (Rev. Howard Ernest McComas)

Audrey Marcella Seay Parham 7/16/1933 12/6/2014 (Rev. James W. Parham)

Martha Sue Quillen 12/10/1931 2/1/2015 (Rev. Claude Quillen)

Lillian Russell Murray Sexton 1/31/1927 3/27/2015 (Rev. Charles Sexton)

Jewell H. Sterchi 7/24/1924 2/19/2015 (Rev. Gordon Sterchi)

Wava Hale Teilmann 10/18/1922 7/8/2014 (Rev. Gunnar Teilmann)

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Episcopal Spouse

Eva vinEs EutslEr1922 – 2014Eva Vines Eutsler, the daughter of Annie Valera Hubbard Vines and Eugene Franklin Vines, was born in Greenville, VA, June 23, 1922. A graduate of Mary Baldwin College (1944), she worked as secretary to the Headmaster of Staunton Military Academy before her marriage to Kern Eutsler, on October 10, 1945. Devoting her life to her family, she excelled in culinary arts, flower gardening, sewing and needlework and enjoyed a love of history and classical music and art. She traveled extensively throughout the Holston Conference with her husband, Bishop R.

Kern Eutsler, during his term as Resident Bishop of the Holston Conference.In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Ann Coulter (William) and

Mary Abramson (Raymond), four grandchildren, Elizabeth Coulter Vanderheide (David), Anne Abramson (Charles Baldner), Andrew Coulter (Kristin Vinagro) and Emily Abramson, three nieces and two nephews. Her parents and siblings had all predeceased her.

Eva Eutsler died on May 25, 1914. A memorial service was held Thursday, May 29, 2014, at Reveille United Methodist Church, Richmond, VA, with Bishops Young Jin Cho, H. Hasbrouck Hughes, and Dr. Steven R. Jones officiating.

Clergy

MilEs D. BainEs1934 – 2015Miles D. Baines was born on March 3, 1934 and died on March 27, 2015. He is survived by his wife Jewel Baines, daughter Lisa Bacon and husband Mark, son Scott Baines, granddaughters Hailey Malone and husband Cody, and Ketney Baines, great-granddaughter Caeden Malone, and twin sister Mildred Anderson.

During his ministry in the Holston Conference, Miles served at Long Island, Cameron-Valley Center, Mt. Carmel-Carters, Surgoinsville Parish, Mosheim Circuit, Carters Station,

Rogersville Parish, Centenary, Bethel, Mt. Zion, and New Victory, and retired in 2000.A graveside service was held at Fall Brach United Methodist Church Cemetery

on March 30, 2015 with Pastor David Tulley and Pastor Steve Pate and Mark Bacon participating. Military rites were performed by American Legion Post 3/265.

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WilliaM HiraM BalcH1937 – 2014William Hiram “Bill” Balch was born April 26, 1937 in Chattanooga, TN, the third child of John Nelson and Josephine Sanborn Balch. He died November 6, 2014 at UT Hospital, Knoxville, TN.

Bill graduated from Gallatin High School in 1955, attended Martin College in Pulaski, IN., graduated with honors from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, and received his Bachelor of Divinity from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. He was ordained Elder in the Tennessee Conference in 1963.

While attending Tennessee Tech, Bill met the love of his life. On November 27, 1957, he and Carol Aydelott were married at Belmont Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. Bill was a caring, loving husband and father and is survived by Carol, his wife of 58 years, son Chris and wife, Victoria Lansford, son Mark, daughter Kerri Anne, grandchildren Dakota and Skyler, his sister Martha Potts, several nieces and nephews, and many faithful friends. The greatest joys in his life were his relationship with God, his ministry to others, and his loving, caring family life.

Transferring to the Holston Conference in 1968, he entered graduate school at UT and received his Doctor of Educational Psychology. His dissertation included design and implementation of the Knox Area Pastoral Counseling Center. He became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Tennessee, and served three terms as President of the Tennessee Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT) and for a number of years on the Executive Committee. In addition to his elected role, Bill committed himself to developing the profession of marriage and family therapy by being a major presenter at TAMFT annual meetings and workshops in ethics and other issues for the profession. Other activities included membership on the Honors Committee, By-Laws committee as chair for the original writing and revisions, and chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. His interest with other professionals led to the founding of Family Institute of Knoxville. For 10 years, he was associated with the post-graduate supervision program at UT for the therapists seeking membership in AAMFT and licensure in Tennessee.

On the national level, Bill was a Fellow and an approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. He was awarded the Organization Contribution Award in 1991 and Divisional Contribution Award in 1994, becoming the only person ever to have received both awards from AAMFT. On the international level, he presented various seminars for pastors in Vienna, the Methodist Clergy and Spouses of the Austrian Annual Conference, and employees of the United Nations.

Bill loved the church and was fully engaged with each congregation and community where he served as pastor. He served The United Methodist Church for 55 years before he retired in 2002, and was on the Board of Directors of the Holston Methodist Credit Union for 20 years. He never met a stranger. Bill made friends easily and they became friends for years to come. Being filled with love and caring, he was the recipient from God of the ability to sense when others were hurting, depressed, worried or in need of a loving friend and gladly stepped in to give comfort, support, and encouragement.

Bill was very involved with the anti-segregation movement, taking part in “sit-ins” in Nashville and met Martin Luther King as part of his walks for freedom. He rode with his friends in the back of the bus, used “colored” bathrooms and drinking fountains, and went to the back door of restaurants to be served. To the day he died, he was a strong advocate for equality and acceptance of ALL of God’s children.

As an avid reader and lover of books, he enjoyed sharing his books with others. He was a fantastic storyteller and was a master at weaving personal stories though the gospel message. One of his favorite stories to use was excerpts from Winnie the Pooh.

A Celebration of Bill’s life was held at Bearden UMC November 6, 2014. A beautiful tribute was brought by Rev. Andy Ferguson, Rev. Mahan Archer, and Rev. Sherry Boles. A love feast

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with blueberry muffins and a sharing from friends followed.His desire was that his body would be donated to the University of Tennessee College

of Medicine for further study of Frontal Temporal Dementia and degenerative disc disease. Bill felt that if the medical students could learn anything to help someone else to live more comfortably, he would be forever grateful.

Bill’s pastorates in the Tennessee Conference (1955-1968) included First Methodist, Pulaski; Parkview, Cookeville; Walnut Grove, Cottontown; Alec Green, Whites Creek; The Methodist Church, Jamestown; McKendree Memorial, Portland. In the Holston Conference (1968-2002): Church St., Knoxville, and the Holston Conference Minister of Counseling.

JoHn W. BarDslEy, Jr.1929 – 2014Rev. Dr. John W. Bardsley, Jr., of Fall Branch, TN, unexpectedly entered the Life Triumphant, at the age of 85, on November 9, 2014, with his special dog, Bell, by his side. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sara Jo.

A native of Appalachia, VA, Dr. Bardsley graduated from Appalachia High School, Emory and Henry College, Drew University of Theology, and Geneva-St. Albans Theological College. He served United Methodist congregations in the New York Annual Conference including Smithtown UMC and

Huntington UMC. In Holston Conference, he served Jonesville UMC and Emory-Smyth Chapel in Virginia before retiring in 1994. After retirement, he served several United Methodist churches as interim pastor including Logan’s Chapel UMC, Valley View UMC, and McFerrin UMC. Dr. Bardsley received numerous awards and honors for his work in community activities as well as in church, including New York State Chaplain, Salvation Army Special Award, Distinguished Alumnus - Emory and Henry College, Smithtown Fire Department Plaque of Appreciation, Brotherhood Award - Parkinson’s Disease Therapy Center, YMCA Brotherhood Award, Appreciation by Kings Park Psychiatric Center for 14 years, and 7 years as Chairman of the Board of Visitors. He published several articles and books including Beneath the Cross - Sermons Preached During Lent, Religion in Life - John Wesley and Articles of Religion with Bishop Nolan B. Harmon, and his autobiography entitled He Called ...Where It Led.

After leaving Smithtown, NY, after 23 years of service, the publisher of the local newspaper wrote the following, “Pastor Bardsley has been doing more in Smithtown than preaching and ministering to his congregation. He has been tending to the needs, the soul, and the spirit of the entire community. He has done it well.” It is felt that he has done the same for all of us who knew him. We have all benefited from his concern, compassion, encouragement, friendship, sense of humor, and desire for all of us to be the best we can be. He had typed the following Bible verse, which was found in his office at home, where he could read it several times a day, “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken for he is right beside me.” It is believed he would want all to be comforted by this reminder.

A Celebration of Life service was held in his memory at First Broad Street UMC on November 17, 2014, with the following pastors, participating: Rev. Mickey Rainwater, Rev. Jack Edwards, Rev. Regina Shelton, Rev. Mahan Archer, and Rev. David Graves. Also participating as a witness to his life of faith, was his very special friend for over 50 years, Rabbi Dr. Elliott Spar, who wrote a letter read by Donna Bardsley. Dr. Bardsley is survived by his daughter, Donna Bardsley of Kingsport; his son, John Bardsley, wife Gina, and grandson Alex of Anchorage, AK; niece Debbie Bates and her family of Wise, VA; godchild Morgan Phillips of Johnson City; “Kingsport daughter,” Krystal Tignor; “Long Island son,” Dr. Bob Liebold of Amityville, NY, and many close friends across the United States.

We will always be grateful for his presence in our lives, and he will forever be in the hearts of all who had the honor to know him.

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Patricia E. BisHoP1941 – 2015The Rev. Patricia Estelle “Pat” Key Bishop was born December 3, 1941, in Huntsville, AL, and died April 28, 2015, in Knoxville, TN. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and four sisters. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Vernon Lee Bishop, Jr., and one daughter, Deloris Bishop, both of Knoxville; sons: Chris Bishop and wife Linda of Johnson City, Michael Bishop and wife Christine of Stafford, VA, Daniel Bishop and wife Joelle of Knoxville; grandchildren: Melanie and husband Scott May, Bethany, Christopher,

Michelle, Cameron, Morgan, Matthew, Amberly, and Kailey Bishop, step-grandson Chris Cates and wife Brandi; brothers: Leon Cagle and wife Emily, Gene and wife Kathy, Lloyd Key, and Floyd Key; several nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at Faith UMC, Knoxville, on May 1, 2015, with officiants Rev. Barbara Clark, Rev. Catherine Clark Nance, and Rev. Susan St. Peter.

Pat was a graduate of East Tennessee Baptist School of Nursing and Tusculum College and served many years at Baptist Hospital, was a nurse manager, and started the Baptist Home Health and Hospice in Knoxville, and later started the Infusion Therapy Program at UT-Knoxville. After serving for 30 years in the field of nursing, Pat became a candidate for ministry and graduated from Asbury Theological School (2002). She served as pastor of Valley View UMC, Heiskell UMC, Bells Campground UMC, Spring Creek UMC, and Calhoun UMC. After her retirement, Pat volunteered admirably in several roles at Faith UMC, Knoxville, where she was the beloved teacher of the Adult Sunday School class. Many special friends at Faith UMC, Knoxville, will miss her scholarship, leadership, and prayer ministry.

Pat lived a full life shared with family, friends, and parishioners. When she was not involved in her passion for ministry, she enjoyed music, singing, playing softball, working crossword puzzles, and cheering for the Lady Vols. Her grandchildren brought much joy to her life. She will be fondly remembered for her commitment to her Lord and for her zeal in leading others to a mature relationship with Christ.

JaMEs laBan Britton, Jr.1931 – 2014James Laban Britton, Jr., was born in Greeneville, TN, to James Laban Sr. and Leota Walker Britton on May 8, 1931. He had one older brother, Charles Richard Britton.

“Jimmy,” as he was known, passed away at his home in Ceres, VA, on May 1, 2014, following a five-year illness. His survivors include his wife, Anne Hubble Britton, a daughter, Laura Britton Mustard, a son, James L. Britton III, a grandson, Stephen Mustard, five granddaughters, Ashley Mustard, Chloe, Lindsey, Emily, and Bailey Britton, one great granddaughter Leighton Fisher, and a

niece, Ann Britton.His Funeral was at Bethany UMC on Sunday May 3, 2014, with burial in the church

cemetery. The Rev. Leon O’Quinn officiated at the service.After graduating from Emory and Henry College in 1958, where he majored in philosophy,

he worked in his father’s law office and taught at Hargrave Military Academy. He sensed his need to be in a church and was searching for a way and he was hired by State Street United Methodist Church in Bristol, TN, as Youth Director under the tutelage of Dr. E.E. Wiley. From there he went to serve as a Supply Pastor in 1968 in Ceres, VA. There he met his wife-to-be, Anne Hubble. They were married May 25, 1968, at North Holston United Methodist Church

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in Ceres. After their daughter was born, they left to go to Emory University in Atlanta where Jimmy earned his Master of Divinity Degree and served as the Rising Fawn Circuit pastor on weekends. He was ordained Deacon in 1970 at annual conference. In June 1972, he was ordained Elder.

After serving churches in Holston Conference for 28 years, he retired. Knowing that he needed something to do that would keep himself in contact with people, he became a Certified Nursing Assistant, and worked for many more years in that profession.

He was a “people person” who never met a stranger, and was equally “at home” with everyone he met. He was an avid reader of books and magazines, and could read one paragraph and write pages of his own about what he had read. His favorite relaxation was growing flowers, and the yard was always full of them. He was an avid fan of Bluegrass music.

Jimmy kept in close contact with his Tennessee family and friends. He loved going back to see them, and faithfully went to his yearly high school reunion. He loved hearing tales about his grandfather, Rev. Richard “Pappy” Walker, who was a Methodist Minister also.

May he rest in peace forever.

roBErt Mack “BoB” coPElanD, Jr.1932 – 2014Robert Mack “Bob” Copeland, Jr., was born in Knoxville, TN, on December 29, 1932, the son of R. M. and Emma Amanda (Cardwell) Copeland. Bob continued to live in Knoxville and attended public schools there, graduating with the final class of Knoxville High School in 1951. He continued his education at East Tennessee State (College) University and the University of Tennessee, where he played trumpet in the “Pride of the Southland” Band, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1956. One evening, when Bob was a

junior at UT, he received his Call to ministry. Upon graduation from UT in 1956, Bob went to Emory University to pursue a Bachelor/Masters of Divinity at Candler School of Theology, which he completed in 1959. He was ordained Deacon in 1957 and Elder in June 1959, both at Holston Annual Conference. During his active ministry, Bob served on several district and Conference Boards, including the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Board of Race and Religion.

While at Candler, Bob met his bride-to-be, Mary Lynne Plumb, a freshman at Emory University. After a year of courtship on campus, Dr. Mack B. Stokes (later Bishop Stokes) married them on June 14, 1958, in the Durham Chapel, Candler School of Theology. From that marriage came three daughters, Brenda Copeland (Dale) Byrd, Suzy Copeland (Scott) Burke, and Christi Copeland (Chris) Stapleton. Bob enjoyed ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

For more than fifty years, Bob was active in the Civil Air Patrol, serving as Chaplain, and working with the Cadets. Lt. Colonel Copeland was honored in 2013 in the Tennessee Wing as the Kingsport, TN Squadron Chaplain of the Year. He enjoyed singing bass in the choirs of the ten churches he served over the 43 years of active ministry as well as in retirement. He loved to go fishing with friends and family and spent many summer vacations camping with family.

Bob died May 28, 2014, after a very brief illness. His funeral was at Holston View United Methodist Church on June 1, 2014, with the Rev. Don Hanshew, the Rev. Gordon Goodgame, and the Rev. Charles Lippse officiating. Burial was at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, VA.

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MosEs BEEcHEr DunsMorE1931 – 2014Moses Beecher Dunsmore went to his heavenly father on Monday, November 3, 2014. He was born and raised in Knoxville, TN, and graduated from Knoxville High School, East Tennessee State University, and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. A United Methodist minister since 1956, Beecher was the Director of Youth Work for the Holston Conference from 1958 – 1963 and held appointments at churches in Athens, Oak Ridge, Chattanooga, Kingsport, and Powell, TN, and Lebanon, Tazewell, and Radford, VA. He retired in 1997 after

serving as Superintendent of the Big Stone Gap District of the Holston Conference. Beecher remained active in retirement with appointments at Concord United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN, Wears Valley United Methodist Church in Sevierville, TN, and Union Grove United Methodist Church in Friendsville, TN. He also was a member of the Emory & Henry College Board of Trustees.

Beecher was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Roy and Margaret Good Dunsmore; a brother, Hubert Earl Dunsmore, Sr.; sisters, Carol Weaver Dunsmore and Patricia Dunsmore Rice; and a son, Andrew Beecher Dunsmore. Beecher is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Sarah Ann Quillen Dunsmore of Maryville, TN; his daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Dunsmore, Rockville, MD, and Julie Dunsmore, Blacksburg, VA; a son-in-law, John Wilson; grandson, Nicholas Wilson; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Dunsmore, all of Blacksburg, VA; his sister and brother-in-law, Peg and Tom Haynes of Maryville, TN, and his sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Albert Finley of Cleveland, TN.

Beecher relished every aspect and every minute of his Holston Conference ministry. Annual Conference was the highlight of his year (professionally and socially) He and his family often vacationed at Lake Junaluska. Beecher was a lifelong fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers and was a Lady Vols season ticket holder for many years. He appreciated natural beauty and enjoyed being outdoors hiking in the Smokies or taking care of his yard and flowers at his house in Maryville. Beecher was devoted to his wife, Sarah Ann, and took great pride in the professional accomplishments of his children Sarah Beth, Andy and Julie.

A Celebration of Life worship service was held on Sunday, November 23, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Maryville, with the Rev. Eddie Fox, the Rev. Gordon Goodgame, the Rev. Charles Maynard, the Rev. Catherine Nance, and the Rev. Charles Neal officiating.

DaviD rEEsE GilliaM 1924 – 2014Rev. David Reese Gilliam, beloved pastor to hundreds in small rural churches in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee passed away at Grayson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Independence, VA, on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. David was born in Sparta, NC, on April 19, 1924, to the late David Reese and Carrie Lee Phipps Gilliam, the fourth of five children. He graduated from Sparta High School on May 31, 1946.

He met his wife, June Holman when he was the pastor of a church in St. Charles, VA. They were married July 11, 1961, at

Dryden, VA, by Rev. E.H. Instco. They were blessed with one daughter, Sarah Jane Gilliam, on August 15, 1967. They lost her to cancer on April 17, 2012.

When he retired from full time preaching in 1989 after 30 years’ service, they moved back to his home place at Sparta. He pastored and filled in for others in several churches in the area as long as his health permitted.

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He had a quirky sense of humor, always telling a joke or two. He loved Mutt and Jeff, and used their antics in his ending statements a lot, or some other little joke, always clean, of course.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Jane Gilliam, brother, Wesley Gilliam, sisters, Grace Calloway, Jean Adams-Gentry and Patsy Long

He is survived by his wife June Gilliam of Grayson Nursing Center, granddaughter Madison Gilliam of Dandridge, TN, niece Mary Harris and husband Carol of Elkin, NC, nephews Richard I. Adams and wife Caroline of Wilmington, NC, and Mike Long and wife Julie of Conowingo, MD, and several nieces and nephews.

In thirty years of ministry, he served Alleghany Grayson Circuit, Mt. Park Grassy Creek, Chilcutt Circuit, Red Hill Circuit, St. Charles Circuit, McClure Circuit, Powell Valley Circuit, North Keywood Circuit, Greeneville Circuit, Cedar Springs Circuit, Sugar Grove-Teas, Bland Circuit, Dandridge Circuit, Bascom-Willis Chapel, Telford, and Greystone Circuit.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 8, 2014, in Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Randy Morris officiating. Interment was in Shiloh Cemetery, Sparta, NC.

BrucE EDWarD HEnslEy1941 – 2014Reverend Bruce Edward Hensley, 73, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Friday, November 7, 2014, in a Chattanooga hospital. He was a minister with the Holston United Methodist Conference and a former pastor of South Cleveland United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Dunlap Hutchins Hensley, who passed away in June 2013, and his parents, Lloyd Edward Hensley and Mona Black Hensley.

He is survived by his two children, Sarah Ford and husband, Dr. Dennis Ford of Cleveland, and Ethan Hensley also of Cleveland, four grandchildren, Lauren Ford of Ooltewah, Angela Baerg of Cleveland, Stephanie Ford of Knoxville, and Chris Ford of Cleveland, one sister, Lavona Virgen of Liberty, MO, two nieces, Sandy Virgen Woolen of Kansas City, MO, and Kathy Virgen Martin of Colorado Springs, CO.

Reverend Hensley requests that everyone join him in Heaven for a reunion there when his or her work on earth is completed.

cHarlEs JonEs Hurlock1921 – 2015Reverend Charles Jones Hurlock of Knoxville, TN (age 94), on Saturday, May 2, 2015, peacefully and surrounded by his family, as he would say, “Just Ran Out of Gas”! Born February 23, 1921 to Frank and Eulah Hurlock, he was raised with his older brother Francis (deceased) at 212 Choptank Avenue, Cambridge, MD, “just two blocks from his beloved Choptank River and Chesapeake Bay.” A true renaissance man, blessed with an innate curiosity from his youth, excelled in academics, music and sports, Charlie was a leader in his church youth group and achieved the

rank of Eagle Scout. He developed an appreciation for classical music, especially J.S. Bach and opera, and became an accomplished pianist and organist. At Cambridge High, he was an honor student while lettering in hockey, basketball and tennis.

An early decision for full-time Christian service led him to Emory & Henry College in SW Virginia, where he developed many lifelong friendships. He was inducted into the Blue Key Honor Society and was a member of the Varsity tennis team. He attributed much of his personal and spiritual growth to the faculty and associations encountered on the E&H campus. In

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gratitude, he and his wife later endowed a scholarship for deserving students pursuing a career in full-time Christian service.

Upon graduation, he moved to Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, where he obtained his M. Div. degree. Equally important, he met the love of his life, Betty Wood. Upon graduation, in 1946 they were married and for the last 68 years have given witness to what a truly Christian marriage should be; seldom apart, commonly holding hands and occasionally overheard arguing about “who loved whom the most.”

Together, they faithfully served United Methodist Churches throughout the Holston Conference. Starting on the Cleveland Circuit, then to Lake City UMC, Kingston Ave. Rockwood, Caryville-Fincastle in Lafollette, Powell, State Street Bristol, Fairview Maryville, First Methodist Rogersville, Beaver Ridge Knoxville, St. Luke Chattanooga, Holly Avenue South Pittsburg, St. Elmo Chattanooga and eventually retiring from Loudon UMC in 1986. In retirement at First United Methodist Knoxville, he served for many years as Associate of Pastoral Care. At each appointment, they made positive contributions to the churches and communities they served, developing lasting friendships everywhere they went. In addition, he served on many church boards and agencies such as the Television Radio and Film Commission aka TRAFCO.

Charlie will be remembered as a lifelong example of the “true servant heart.” He loved and lived life to the fullest and in the honor of “His God.”

He is survived by wife, Betty, daughter Carol Chamberlain (Allen, deceased), son David Hurlock (Christie Bledsoe Hurlock), numerous nieces and nephews, four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

A celebration of his life and ministry was held at First United Methodist Church Knoxville where he faithfully served and worshiped in retirement.

WaltEr a. islEy, sr. 1940 – 2014The Rev. Dr. Walter A. Isley, Sr., 74, entered into the nearer presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ of God on Sunday morning, October 26, 2014.

Walt was born in Alabama, the eldest of three children of the Rev. and Mrs. B.B. Isley. Walt has one sister, Ms. Nina Sinclair, and one brother, the Rev. Dr. B.B. Isley, Jr.

Walt served as senior pastor of SBC churches for 40 years, then served the last 10 years as a United Methodist pastor. He retired in June 2014.

Walt is married to the Rev. Mother Carolyn W. Isley, Priest/Rector of St. James Episcopal. They are the proud parents of two wonderful children, a daughter, the Rev. Kimberly S. Isley, who earned a Master of Divinity degree, her husband the Rev. Bill Beard, a son, Walter “Drew” A. Isley Jr., who earned a Bachelor of Architecture and his wife Diana Payne. Walt and Carolyn have three beloved grandchildren, Kaitlin Beard, Spencer Isley and Mason Isley.

Walt loved his alma mater, the University of Richmond, VA, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He met and married Carolyn there 52 years ago.

Walt earned masters and doctorate degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. During one of Walt’s earliest pastorates, he taught math and science and coached basketball in public schools.

God gifted Walt with a brilliant mind and a great love for Jesus and the New Testament, which he could translate from its original languages. He could read five foreign languages and was blessed to have studied at the feet of the major theologians of the 20th century. Walt spent his life preaching the Gospel and often said, “There are only two kinds of people in the world -- those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and those who do not yet believe it.”

Walt contended that Christ’s teachings call us to work actively for the reconciliation of the races and for equal rights for women.

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Walt Isley has been a unique gift to the world. He loved traveling to the cathedrals of Europe with Carolyn. He will forever be loved by Carolyn’s family, especially Carolyn’s mother, sisters, brothers, in-laws, and nephews and nieces. He will be buried in Virginia in the yard of the church where he and Carolyn were married.

Walt believed that because God raised Jesus from the dead, God will raise us also. Walt’s greatest gifts have been steadfastness and a great sense of humor. He has fought a good fight; he has finished the course; he has kept the faith. Thanks be to God for lending Walt to us; he has been one of God’s gracious instruments for the coming of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.

Walt and family are grateful to God for Walt’s excellent doctors, including, Dr. Russell F. Devore III (his beloved oncologist), Dr. Garrett Lischer, Dr. John Anderson, Dr. Rangnekar, Dr. Tom Beckner, Dr. Prince, Dr. Beals, and Dr. Philip Thwing who walked with him daily, to his spiritual director, the Rev. Walter Weikel, UMC D.S., and to his friend and colleague, Mr. Richard Jeffers.

JaMEs “JiM” ronalD JoHnson, sr.1941 – 2014James “Jim” Ronald Johnson, Sr., 73, of Big Stone Gap, VA, passed away in the early evening of Thursday, July 10, after a life-long journey of sharing Jesus in joy and love. Jim was born in Bluefield, WV, and was baptized as a child in Bluefield United Methodist Church. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School, Phoenix, AZ, and thereafter pursued a 2.5-year LDS mission in Mexico. He met the love of his life, Karon Merrill, proposed two weeks later, and married in December 1964. Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing

from Arizona State University while fulfilling his military commitment to the U.S. Army Reserves. He served with Norfolk & Western Railway while living in Salem, VA, Columbus, OH, and Yorktown, IN. Jim and his family relocated to Big Stone Gap, VA, in 1978 where he was the manager of East Stone Quarry. He was known in Big Stone Gap as the owner of Johnson’s Hardware for over 30 years. He served as town councilman and was on the board of LENOWISCO and the Wise County Housing Authority. He was the Associate Pastor of Heritage Church of God and was the former pastor of Alley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Derby UMC, Exeter UMC, and Hale’s Chapel. He also served locally in prison ministry and generously supported global missions that reached deeply into non-churched communities around the world. For more than 25 years, Jim and Karon opened their home to students across the globe who all became part of the extended Johnson family.

Jim is survived by his companion of 49 years, Karon, his 5 children and 13 grandchildren: son James Ronald (Ron), Jr., his wife Lisa, and their children, Colton and Hannah; son Patrick, his wife Anne, and their children, Bryghte, Asher and Madray; daughter Renita, and her children Logan, Eden, Avery and Brinklee; son Jared; daughter Angel, her husband Lyle, and their children, Kara, Alaina, Vivian and Micah James. He is preceded in death by his father James Ralph of Bluefield, WV, and his mother Hazel Earline of Gary, WV.

Funeral services were held at the Heritage Church of God, Big Stone Gap, officiated by Rev. Ronnie Mutter. Graveside services were held at Derby UMC.

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carl v. JonEs1917 – 2014Rev. Carl V. Jones, age 97 of Rogersville, passed away Saturday, December 6, 2014, at Signature Health Care of Rogersville following an extended illness. He was the son of the late Ernest and Annie Johnson Jones. The family moved to Kingsport in 1928 from Coeburn, VA. He retired from Tennessee Eastman Corporation after 36 years and five months of service retiring February 1, 1979 as foreman in the refrigeration and service department. Rev. Jones was licensed to preach in the Methodist church in Clintwood, VA (Big Stone Gap District), on May 10,

1950, and served various churches for 18 years in Southwest, Virginia. He served five years as Dean of the Christian Training School in Scott County, VA. Rev. Jones moved to Rogersville in 1968 serving Rogersville Circuit and Parish. From 1988-1991 Rev. Jones served as associate minister at Ketron Memorial Church in Kingsport, returning to Rogersville Parish in 1991. Rev. Jones also served at Dotson Creek Methodist Church and Otes United Methodist Church. For 54 years, Rev. Jones served as pastor in service. He took retired status in The United Methodist Church June 13, 1983, but continued to serve. On April 1, 2003, Rev. Jones began serving as visitation minister for Rogersville First United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Clara Wright Jones; daughter, Charlotte Anne Moore; sisters, Hazel Jones, Golda Wright and Bennie Smith; brothers, Everett Jones and Roy Jones. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mable Vaughan Jones; son, Johnny Jones and wife, Penny of Alpharetta, GA; step-daughter, Syble Vaughan Trent of Kingsport; step-son, Doug Vaughan of Surgoinsville; grandchildren, Kimberly Mills of Dallas, TX, James Alex Moore of Savannah, GA, Sabrina Mowen and husband, Kelly of Flowery Branch, GA; great-grandsons, Zackary and Nickalas Mowen of Flowery Branch, GA; step-grandsons, Stacy and Samantha Vaughan, Brandon Vaughan and wife, Heather, Jared Bamberg; step great-grandchildren, Christopher Vaughan, Kaylee Vaughan and Ethan Vaughan.

His funeral service was conducted Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at First UMC, Rogersville, with Dr. Paul Humphrey and Rev. Harry Fleenor officiating. A graveside service was held Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport, TN.

M. GEnE kirk1928 – 2014M. Gene Kirk, age 86 of Lenoir City, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 28, 2014. Gene was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta. He dedicated his life to God and was a retired minister with the Holston United Methodist Conference and current member of Central United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Gene served in the U. S. Naval Reserves. He was an avid photographer, loved music and was a professional singer.

Preceded in death by his parents, G. A. Kirk and Pearl Kirk, and grandmother, Sally Ignight. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Cathryn Bolton Kirk; children, Wesley Kirk, Martin Kirk and wife, Jordan, Karen Thompson and husband, Michael, Mark Kirk and wife, Tracy; grandchildren: Adaya, Liel, Tali, and Abi Kirk, Erica and Mikaela Chambers, Jessica Couch, Westley and Austin Thompson and Jonathan Kirk; great grandchild, Nolan Couch; sister, Carolyn Attaway; sister-in-law, Carolyn Cofer; he was an uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held Saturday, November 1, 2014, at Central United Methodist Church, Knoxville, TN, with Reverend J.U. Guerry and Pastor Mark Kirk officiating.

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DaviD BinGHaM kniGHt, sr. 1935 – 2014David Bingham Knight, Sr. was born in Abingdon, PA, on May 20, 1935. His father was Aubrey Knight and his mother was Dorothy (Clark) Knight.

He attended Norview High School in Norfolk, VA. He was on the varsity football team and graduated from high school in 1953. He attended Old Dominion College and also V.P.I., where he was working towards a degree in mechanical engineering. After 2 years, he knew God was calling him into the ministry. He enrolled at Emory & Henry College where he graduated

in 1959 with a BA degree in history. While at Emory & Henry, he was active in student government serving as Chief Justice his junior year. He also was involved in many college plays and was chosen Who’s Who in American Colleges and University his senior year. He was also a member of the Spinx Society of Sigma Mu, into whose membership are admitted the highest-ranking students of the class. This is equal to Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduating from Emory & Henry, he received a full 3-year scholarship to Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. While at Candler, he was a youth director on weekends and during the summer at McFarland United Methodist in Rossville, GA. Dave was ordained an Elder in the Methodist Church in 1963.

He met Judy Breneman at Emory & Henry and they were married September 3, 1960. They were blessed with two children: David Bingham Knight, Jr. and Kimberly (Knight) Lester. They also have four grandchildren: Sara Lester, Kelsey (Knight) Nemeth, Morgan Lester, and Caleb Knight.

Dave loved preaching and teaching the Bible. He was truly a man of one book. He enjoyed presenting “monologues” at Christmas and Easter. It was a special gift to his churches. His hobbies would have been carpentry- he enjoyed remodeling the parsonage at East Stone. He was loved in the community for his support of the local high school teams. He could be found many a Friday night cheering as loudly as anyone at the ballpark. He also loved going to Israel and taking friends and church members to see where Jesus walked. He loved the men’s Bible study that he taught for 39 years.

In 1995, Dave had a massive brain stem stroke. After 4 months of rehab at Patricia Neal in Knoxville, he returned home to East Stone Gap with a walker and preached six more years until he retired in June 2001. He and Judy were awarded the Denman Evangelism Award at conference in 1995.

Having suffered several heart attacks in the summer of 2014, Dave went home to be with Jesus on September 1, 2014.

His funeral was a celebration of his life and ministry. Rev. Joe Green, Rev. John Hobbs, Rev. Ric Wright, and his son Major David Knight, Jr., officiated the service.

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calvin WaynE Maas1938 – 2014Calvin Wayne Maas, the son of Fred and Alvina (Schafer) Maas, was born in Pierce, NE, on February 18, 1938. At the age of seven, his family moved to Lodi, CA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the Pacific in 1959. He served as a short-term missionary of the Methodist Church in Hirosaki, Japan from 1959 to 1962. Cal returned home to California to work in the migrant ministry. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in 1966 and was ordained in the Holston Conference in 1968. He married Sonnie

Bedacht Maas in 1964 and had three sons: Scott, Tim and Jon. He pastored nine churches within the Holston Conference: Benton, Mt. Hermon, Wesley Memorial of Cleveland, St. Paul Chattanooga, First Methodist Church Richlands and Clearview, Central Church Radford, Kern Memorial Oak Ridge, and Fairview Johnson City. His focus during his ministry was mission work, pastoral care and Bible teaching. While serving as Missions Secretary of the Holston Conference, he visited Zimbabwe, traveled to the many churches, and met Maria Humbane. Cal invited her to visit the Conference and thus began the support for her and the many hundreds of buckets collected for Ishe Anesu. He retired in 2000 after 38 years of service.

In 2011, Cal and Sonnie moved to Richmond, KY, to be nearer his son Scott and family. They became active in the First United Methodist Church. He visited the sick, taught Bible studies, volunteered at the Salvation Army and sang in the community choir. Though called beloved pastor by many, his favorite titles were husband, father, and grandfather. He was a proud grandfather to his grandsons, McKeon and Benjamin. His interests included gardening, volunteering, traveling, and pastoral care. Cal passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014, at the Richmond, KY, Compassionate Care Center after a brief illness from cancer. His funeral service was held on Monday, October 27, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, Richmond KY, with Rev. Bruce Nettleton officiating. The pallbearers were men from the church and neighborhood whom he had befriended. He was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.

tHoMas DaviD MarkWooD1945 – 2015Rev. Thomas David Markwood was born in Akron, OH, on May 18, 1945. He attended Akron University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He began his career with B.F.Goodrich in Ohio and was transferred to Oneida, TN, to open a new plant as the Accounting Manager. It was in 1975 that Tom answered the call to ministry. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary while serving three churches in Tennessee: Cawood, Well Springs and Flat Hollow. He was ordained in 1980 and began serving at Union Grove, followed

by Watauga Point/Taylor Memorial, Clapp’s Chapel, Bradbury/Good Shepherd, and finally at Grisby Chapel as a retired minister.

It was at his first appointment on top of a hill helping a member put up hay that he watched a sparrow flapping and fighting against the wind. A moment later, he saw a hawk soaring on the same wind, climbing higher and higher. God brought to mind the passage from Isaiah 40:31, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” That is how he continued his life and his ministry. God was in control, and with God’s strength, Tom followed the Spirit of the Lord, which allowed him to serve where he was needed. Tom and his supportive wife of 49 years, Margaret, followed wherever the Lord led them.

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Tom loved his wife and daughters, Wendy and Heather. He liked farming and loved to fly ... he was a pilot in his early years ... flying a single engine plane. He enjoyed traveling especially the trip with his family to Margaret’s birthplace in Scotland. He enjoyed carpentry and helped finish a basement renovation in their new house, complete with a workshop every carpenter sees in their dreams.

He had a passion for hymns and their history. He loved musical presentations by all his church families. Tom started several outreach programs so children less fortunate and their families could enjoy Christmas. And then there were the plays. Many plays that reached out to those who did not feel comfortable in a traditional service, and they always ended with an invitation to meet His Lord.

Tom served his congregations with the Love of the Lord and he served the Lord with all his heart, mind, and spirit until he returned Home suddenly on March 16, 2015.

c. DouGlas Mayo 1920 – 2014The Rev. C. Douglas Mayo, of Greeneville, passed away early Sunday morning, August 10, 2014, at Laughlin Healthcare Center at the age of 93.

He was born September 4, 1920, in Moscow Mills, MO, a son of the late Rev. R.C. and Clara Dickson Mayo.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Hardin Mayo, and a sister: Emelia Dixon.

Survivors include one brother, Linn Mayo, and two nephews, Gary Mayo and Mike Mayo, all of Texarkana, TX, and two

nieces, Patsy Reilly and Betty Oswalt, both of Florida.Doug was a retired Methodist minister. He began attending Wood Junior College in

Mathiston, MS, during the middle of his senior year of high school.He received a B.A. degree from Emory & Henry College in 1944, and attended Candler

School of Theology from 1946 to 1947. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt School of Theology in 1953. He attended California Graduate School of Theology in Fresno, CA.

He was assigned his first church while he was a student at Wood Junior College, and he went on to pastor several churches including Randolph, Bristol Bradley Street, Allens Memorial in Athens, Beulah-Ridgeway, Colonial Heights in Knoxville, Glen Alpine, Gatlinburg, Jefferson City First, Tyner in Chattanooga, Abingdon, Newport First, Wytheville, St. Paul and Marion First in Virginia, Ebenezer Circuit, and Emory.

He retired June 12, 1986, but continued to preach as long as his health permitted.Doug was active in Masonic activities from the age of 21 and held numerous positions in

both Tennessee and Virginia.Funeral services were held at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home in the chapel, with the Rev.

Charles Hutchins officiating. Interment is in Oak Grove Cemetery.Pallbearers were Gary Mayo, Mike Mayo, Ben Mayo, Richard Meade, Jamie Lively, and

Dan Donaldson.

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ratHa “BuDDy” DoylE McGEE1924 – 2015Buddy was born August 2, 1924, in Vernon, AL, to Jacob and Ellie (Graham) McGee. He was the youngest of four brothers and a sister. He served during World War II in the Army Signal Corp building communication towers throughout India, China and Burma. He spent much of his Army spare time in Methodist missions. He said he dedicated his life to Christ during this time. When he was discharged from the Army, he enrolled at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS earning a B.A. in 1949. He began a life of formal learning and continued this journey with an M. Div. from

Emory University, Candler School of Theology, 1951, and was ordained as a United Methodist Minister. He obtained an M.A. from Scarritt College in 1954; in 1966, an M.A. from George Peabody/Vanderbilt; 1969 Ed.D. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and another M.A. in 1990 in Transpersonal Psychology, University of West Georgia, Carrolloton, GA.

Over his career, he served as a pastor in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. He was a public school teacher and principal, counselor, university professor and administrator. He lived in Western Canada for thirteen years. While there, he assisted Native Canadians with spirituality, addiction rehabilitation and human rights. They honored him by naming him “White Eagle of the North” and enlisted his help in performing Medicine Wheel Ceremonies. He received many awards for his service to community organizations. He attended Jonesborough United Methodist Church and greatly appreciated the acceptance he received from the worship and inspiring music provided by the choir under the direction of Dr. Sharon Rush, pianist, Dough Bennett and organist, John Durham.

As an avocation, he designed and consulted in building energy efficient houses in Canada and U.S.A.

He is survived by his wife Dr. Grace (Sluss) McGee and his children, Dr. Marsha McGee, Monroe, LA, and Keith McGee, Columbus, MS, granddaughter, Jennifer Paden and great-grandchildren. He and Grace often worked professionally together and had the unique opportunity to blend marriage, love and career! Buddy’s greatest attribute and contribution in his lifetime were his compassion, love and acceptance of people. He supported others in their positive growth and development, particularly in the area of the Spirit.

He died at home of a light stroke and heart attack on December 25, 2014, in Jonesborough, TN, at the age of 90. He donated his body to Quillen College of Medicine, ETSU, Johnson City, TN. He was honored at a private service with Reverend Tammy Bales officiating. He would also want to give special thanks for the love and support of Reverends Tammy Bales and Karen Lane and longtime friend Dr. Gordon Goodgame.

roBErt “BoB” aMos ParDuE1921 – 2015The Reverend Robert Amos Pardue, 94, a retired minister who served several United Methodist churches in Knoxville, completed the final step of his “long way home” on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Beverly Park Place Rehab Center. In his 2007 autobiography, titled The Long Way Home, he compared his own spiritual journey to God’s love and forgiveness to the long way home around the Cape of Good Hope taken by the battleship U.S. California on which he served in World War II. The ship eventually reached the U.S. coast, and ten years later, at age 36, Bob “finally entered the

safe harbor of God’s love and forgiveness,” making his decision to enter the Christian ministry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College and in 1964, he graduated

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from Candler School of Theology magna cum laude with a masters of divinity degree. His first assignment to a large church was as associate pastor of Second Methodist Church in Knoxville. He later served pastorates in six Holston Conference districts, including one in Virginia. His last pastorate was in Knoxville at Inskip United Methodist Church during his retirement (2001-2003), having previously been assigned to Inskip from 1981 to 1985.

Throughout his years in the pulpit, Bob became well known for his style of preaching without notes. He revealed that he always memorized his sermons and was able to repeat them later after only a quick read-through. Throughout his career, he was undergirded by the belief that his mission was to communicate the message of Jesus as embodied in his favorite scripture, Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

After serving as a pastor for 41 years, Bob reflected on what his legacy would be. He wanted to leave something to help others realize, as he eventually had, that it was never too late to “find their way home.” He decided that could best be done by writing a “painfully honest” account of his own turbulent life before he himself found the way. He said that if only one person reads the book and turns to Jesus Christ, he would be amply recompensed. His resulting book is available from Inskip UMC for all to read.

Bob is survived by his wife and devoted caregiver Betty W. Atchley-Pardue of Knoxville, his brother Donald Wayne Pardue and wife Barbara Shipe Pardue of Lenoir City, his daughter-in-law Sherri Stansberry Pardue of Morristown, his stepdaughter the Reverend Janice Atchley Cate and her husband the Reverend Dr. Herman Cate, his stepson James R. Atchley and his wife Valerie Atchley, and his granddaughter, three grandsons, and several great grandchildren, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William L. Pardue and Sadie Nina Thacker Pardue, by his wife of 50 years, Margie Wilcox Pardue, by three brothers, William Albert Pardue, Raymond Lloyd Pardue, and Clyde Bryant Pardue, and by his sons Rodney Carol Pardue and Douglas Dwayne Pardue, and Douglas’ wife, Sarah Gardner Pardue.

A service of celebration for Bob’s life was held Sunday, April 19, 2015, at Inskip UMC with the Reverend Dr. Mark Dowell officiating and the Reverend Robert Bean participating. An interment service was held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Lenoir City on Monday, April 20, 2015.

HarolD D. ray 1934 – 2015Harold D. Ray was born November 16, 1934 in a rural area of Jackson County in Middle Tennessee. He was born in the house where his great-grandfather, a Civil War Veteran and his family lived. The historic Avery Trace, the road between Knoxville and Nashville ran near the place of his birth. He graduated from DuPont High School, having no hope of going to college because of finances. But the owner of the drug store where he worked encouraged him to work his way through college. So for the next three summers he harvested wheat and cut and stacked hay in

Kansas and Nebraska. Then working after school and on weekends, he completed two years of pre-pharmacy at Middle Tennessee State College in Murfreesboro. From there he went to the School of Pharmacy at the UT Medical Division in Memphis.

In September 1954, when Harold was 19, he attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville and so moved by the message that he became a Christian. Sensing that God was calling him to the ministry, he withdrew from the School of Pharmacy and went back to Middle Tennessee State where he completed a degree in the spring of 1957. In March of 1956, he began serving as a pastor. He completed his Master of Divinity degree at Vanderbilt in January 1960.

June 29, 1958 was a great day in his life. Early that morning he was ordained Deacon in the Tennessee Annual Conference in Pulaski. That afternoon he married Hilda Fay Huffines at her home church of Hickory Grove Methodist in Smith County. She was the joy of his life. They

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have two sons: Mark is married to Kathy and they live in Knoxville; David died from kidney cancer at age five.

In June of 1960, the Rays moved from Nashville to Telford (near Johnson City) and Harold transferred to the Holston Conference. After serving ten churches in the Tennessee Conference, he served the following in Holston: Telford Circuit, South Cleveland-Grace, Burlington, Harriman-Swan Pond, Norwood, Washington Pike and Tyner. After retiring in 1998, he served eleven years as Visitation Pastor at Burks in the Chattanooga District.

Rev. Ray was also very active in the life of the communities where he served. He was a leader in Ruritan, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs. He was on the Board of Education of Cleveland City Schools, Founding President of the Cleveland Boys and Girls Club and was a City Council Member and Vice Mayor of Harriman. He was a member of the Advisory Committee, which recommended the merger of Knoxville and Knox County public schools.

Harold’s greatest goals were to be a good husband to Fay, a good father to their children and to serve God in a way that he would have no regrets at the end of his life. He enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states as well as Israel, Rome and many other sites. Harold Ray died on May 7, 2015 and took his final journey home. A memorial service was conducted at Fountain City United Methodist Church. Interment was at Defeated Creek Memorial Garden in Carthage, TN. Harold Ray will always be loved by his family and will remain in their hearts forever.

austin l. sHaMBlin 1922 – 2014Austin L. Shamblin, age 91, passed away at his home Wednesday, June 11, 2014. He was a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Logistical Air Command, having served for 24 years, including World War II and Korea. He was also a retired computer programmer who converted Maryville College to its first computerized system and taught computer classes there, and a retired United Methodist minister, having pastored churches in Vonore and Townsend. He was also a volunteer at Blount Memorial Hospital for many years. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Benjamin and Lily Mae Breeden Shamblin; brothers Henegar, Norman, and Bryan Shamblin; sister Dorothy; wife Dorothy Spradlin Shamblin, and son Robert Bruce Shamblin. He is survived by brothers Arnold and Jack (Dona) Shamblin, son Steve (Denise) Shamblin, daughter Nancy (Mike) Shamblin West, grandchildren Luke West, Michael West, and Christine (Chris) Shamblin Clemmer, daughter-in-law Scarlett Shamblin, sisters-in-law Nina Shamblin and Dot Shamblin, and several nieces and nephews. A special thanks to his niece, Connie Catron Miller, caregivers Laura Bell and Dorothy Jenkins, and BMH Hospice for their care of Austin in his final months. Funeral service was Friday, June 13, 2014, at Smith West Chapel, Maryville, TN, with interment at Grandview Cemetery.

Earl MayEs taPlEy1913 – 2014Dr. Tapley was born near Marietta, GA, and grew up on a Cobb County tenant farm. His father was Joel David Tapley, his mother, Emma (Quarles) Tapley. He was one of nine siblings. He began preaching at the age of 13 to anyone who would listen. At the age of 18 he left home and drove a 1923 T Model Ford to Blossom, TX, to preach at a revival. He was then asked to become pastor of the church, a Church of God in Blossom, TX. He was there for a year and saw growth in the church, but left to continue his education.

Dr. Tapley married Ruby Jewell Franklin in Birmingham, AL, in June 1935. He then pastored

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churches in Lindale, GA; Knoxville, TN; and Nashville, TN, over the next several years. During that time, he was working on his education and graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Master of Arts degree with studies in the Divinity School.

In 1946 Dr. Tapley became Vice President of Lee College in Sevierville, TN, which later moved to Cleveland TN, and is now Lee University. He served there for six years and then accepted a position at the University of Chattanooga in 1953. During the next few years, Dr. Tapley was pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago and preaching at Methodist churches in the Chattanooga area. He was ordained as minister in the Methodist Church in the early 50s and has been a member of the Holston Conference until his death. In 1956, he became the first pastor of St John Methodist Church in Chattanooga, which started in a tent in 1956 and then moved into a school auditorium. He served there for about a year and a half during the time he was a professor at University of Chattanooga. That grew into a large United Methodist Church with several hundred in attendance.

In 1957, Dr. Tapley was appointed professor of education at University of Evansville where he served until 1979 in several capacities. He was head of the department of education and dean of the graduate school and served as consultant and accreditation examiner for colleges in the Midwest during his tenure at University of Evansville. He also continued to be active as a minister and served several years as an assistant minister at the Methodist Temple United Methodist Church in Evansville. After retiring from University of Evansville in 1979, he continued as director of international studies and travel. He also continued his ministerial duties at the Methodist Temple and other preaching duties in the Methodist Church.

Dr. Tapley and his wife, Ruby, moved to Dunedin, FL, in 1986 where they resided the rest of their lives. They both served on the staff at Dunedin United Methodist Church for four years. Ruby Tapley went home to be with the Lord March 25, 2004, on her 90th birthday.

Dr. Tapley traveled extensively to more than a hundred countries and every continent except Antarctica. He was cited in Marquis Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. He was involved in the community of Dunedin serving on the city’s Committee on Aging and was elected to the Dunedin Senior Hall of Fame. The mayor of Dunedin declared Nov. 8, 2013, as Earl Tapley Day for the City of Dunedin, his 100th birthday. He has been an active member of the Rotary Club for more than 60 years. Dr. Tapley and Mrs. Tapley always enjoyed attending the Holston yearly conference at Lake Junaluska until they were unable to attend. He is survived by three children, Dwight Tapley of South Bend, IN, Sharon Goodson of Haymarket, VA, Annette Pace of Evansville, IN, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. His funeral was January 2, 2015, at Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, presided by Pastor Dave Baldridge. He is buried along with his wife Ruby at Curlew Hills Memorial Gardens, Palm Harbor, FL.

JoHn GarlanD tHayEr1929 – 2015John Garland Thayer, age 85, died Monday, March 30, 2015. A resident of Gray, Tennessee, since 2012, he was a well-known educator, and United Methodist Pastor. He served Washington College Academy as Dean from 1968-1982, and thereafter worked as an administrator or teacher in the public schools of Washington County, TN. Mr. Thayer retired from teaching in 1994.

From 1987 until 1997, he served the United Methodist Church as Pastor at Liberty Hill and Milburnton in Greene County (7

years), and Vincent United Methodist Church in Washington County (3 years). In 1998, he became Visitation Minister at First United Methodist Church in Johnson City, a position he held until his death.

Prior to moving to Tennessee in 1968, Mr. Thayer was principal of Hayter’s Gap School near

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Saltville, VA, and from 1956-59, was pastor of the Rich Valley United Methodist Church that resulted, under his leadership, from the merger of Bethany, Glenford, Lowland, and Wesley Chapel Methodist Churches north of Abingdon.

Mr. Thayer was also the co-founder and the executive director of the Progressive Community Club (now People Inc.), the first rural community action agency east of the Mississippi authorized to expend Federal Funds under the provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. For this work he was nominated for the Lane Bry ant Community Service Award in 1967.

Mr. Thayer was a graduate of Berea College, East Tennessee State University Graduate School of Education, and Boston University School of Theology. He also did studies in Community Development at Temple University, and held a Doctor of Divinity Degree from American Holistic Institute.

He is the au thor of a Thayer Family History, a pamphlet “101 Questions and Answers about the Constitution” published as a Bicentennial project in 1976, and a book of inspirational poems and stories, Moments of Mystery and Wonder, published in 2010 by Vantage Press, NY.

A member of Tau Kappa Alpha Honor Society, a long-time Ruritan member, and a former Kiwanian, he held many positions and achieved various honors. He was active in community development and in work with youth at Mowglis Summer Camp for boys in New Hampshire (1952-1955 and 1960-1962), in 4-H Club, soil conservation and Boy Scouts. He was listed in Virginia Lives (1964); Community Leaders of America (1968); the 1776-1976 Bicentennial History of Washington County Virginia (1977), Families of Washington County and Bristol, VA, 1776-1976 (1996), and in the Holston United Methodist Conference Journal (1956-1959) and (1987 to the present).

Mr. Thayer lived with his wife, Jean Curtis Thayer, in the West View Community of Washington County from 1968 until moving to the Gray Community in 2012. He was a son of the late Thomas Clifton Thayer and Lola Broyles Thayer, of Abingdon, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four siblings, Hazel, Edward, James, and William.

Survivors include his wife, Jean, twin sons Travis and Trygve Thayer and their wives respectively, Penny Ritter Thayer, of Johnson City, and Tracy Reynolds Thayer, of Lexington, SC, a daughter Laura Thayer Evans and her husband, Mike Evans, of Johnson City, TN, and son, David Garland Thayer and his wife, Valerie Going Thayer, of Knoxville, TN. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Austin and Lindsay Thayer, Jennifer and Michael Thayer, David Evans, and Braden and Brooke Thayer. Other family survivors include a sister, Ellaree, of Abingdon, VA, a brother, Donald and his wife, Eleanor, of Abingdon, a brother, David Kyle, of Hopewell, VA, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Julian FlEtcHEr Walton, sr.1941 – 2014Julian Fletcher Walton, Sr. was born on October 25, 1941, in Sweetwater, TN. A graduate of Hiwassee College and Tennessee Wesleyan College, he received his Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta in 1970.

He was ordained a Deacon of the Holston Conference May 13, 1965, and as an Elder June 13, 1970. Julian began his ministry with an appointment to Riceville Circuit June 3, 1962, until June 6, 1964. He faithfully served eleven other appointments in Virginia and Tennessee during his ministry. He was a member

of many boards and agencies and was always involved in every community where he lived. He served on the Board of Trustees at Hiwassee College, Co-founder of Sweetwater Area Ministries, Campus Minister and Director of the Wesley Foundation in Wise, VA, and taught philosophy at New River College, Dublin, VA.

Julian’s greatest joy was the privilege of serving as pastor of his home church, First United Methodist Church of Sweetwater for ten years. This is where, as a young boy, he was led to Christ by loving Sunday school teachers, and as a college student, he preached his first sermon.

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He jokingly said, “It probably lasted five minutes.” He retired from Asbury United Methodist Church in Greeneville, TN, in 2007, after forty-two years of service. One year later, he was called back as interim pastor for New Hope and Philadelphia where he served four more years.

After retiring from ministry, he became interested in city government and was elected to serve on the Sweetwater City Board of Commissioners where he continued in public service. Julian enjoyed hiking many trails in the Smoky Mountains and running the loop of Cades Cove in younger days. He authored a book in 1989 titled Winter Nights.

In 2012, Julian was diagnosed with a rare type of lymphoma. The next two years he struggled with treatment, going to Vanderbilt each month for photopheresis until that was no longer effective. Treatment continued in Knoxville until his death on September 16, 2014. He was preceded in death by parents Doyle G. and Jewel Early Walton and a son Jay Walton. Survivors include his wife of eleven years, Dolores Jenkins Walton, children, Chris and Vince Walton, and a brother Dennis Walton. Other members of Julian and Dolores’ family are Becky and Jason Upton, Robin and Rick Bowden, Brian and Beth Shope. Grandchildren are Trent Walker, Jayce and Emma Upton, Allie Bowden, Bailey, Cori, Ben, and Sami Shope.

A celebration of Julian’s life was held on Sunday, September 21, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Sweetwater with long-time friends Reverend Mike Hubble and Reverend Charles Maynard officiating. Interment was in West View Cemetery in Sweetwater.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7.

Clergy SpousesBill B. aMBurn 1936 – 2014Bill B. Amburn, 77, of Washington County, VA, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. He retired from the Construction Division of VDOT on October 1, 2009, where he was an employee for 46 years. He also worked in location and design and information technology while at VDOT. Bill was an avid fan of the Volunteer High School Bearcats, Tennessee Volunteers and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved nature in general and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He possessed a wealth of information about plants, flowers, trees and wildlife. Bill grew up in Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church and was a member of Hunt Memorial United Methodist Church for many years. On Palm Sunday 2013, he and Mary joined First Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, M.R. “Dink” and Vadna Lambert Amburn. Survivors include his wife, Mary Wood Amburn, one daughter, Terri Amburn Thompson, and special friend, Ronnie Bunch of Knoxville, TN, one son, Scot Amburn and wife, Kim of Kingsport, TN, one grandson, Caleb Amburn, and one granddaughter, Alex Amburn. The funeral service was conducted Friday, June 27, 2014, at Mountain View Cemetery with the Rev. Ronnie Brewer officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Jeff Oliver, David Lamm, Lance Wood, Thomas Wood, John Wood and Bill’s friends at VDOT.

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GrEGory Mark isoM1957 – 2014Gregory Mark Isom was born on February 26, 1957, in Athens, AL. After moving to Jefferson City, TN, he met and married the Rev. Ginger Howe Isom on April 30, 2005. Greg was an avid history buff and enjoyed being a part of the reenacting community. He was a founding member of the Greene County Wood Ministry out of Christ United Methodist Church, a ministry that has grown in 7 years to deliver over 1000 loads of firewood to residents in need. Greg was very active in Greeneville, known for portraying Father Christmas, helping with town events, and for

walking his and Ginger’s two Great Pyrenees dogs downtown. He loved meeting new people and connecting the church with the community. For Greg, strangers were simply friends that he had not yet met. Greg died on August 4, 2014, at the age of 57 after a five-month battle with pancreatic cancer. A Celebration of Life was held at Christ United Methodist Church, Greeneville, TN, on August 9, 2014, with the Rev. Dennis Loy officiating. It was his and Ginger’s wish that his body be donated to Restore Life, USA, for cancer research, after which the cremains were returned to Ginger. In addition to being survived by his wife, he is also survived by his parents, Joe and Jo Ann (West) Isom, one brother, Wes Isom, his four children, Lauren, Joseph, Luke, and Brenden, and one grandson, Bryant.

virGinia ann “Jan” taylor Mccartt1923 – 2015Virginia Ann “Jan” Taylor McCartt, 91, of Kingsport, TN, died peacefully at Baysmont Retirement Home on Tuesday, March 3, 2015. Jan was born on May 10, 1923, in Morristown to the late Hugh M. and Mary Louise EskridgeTaylor. Her maternal grandfather, Dr. T. J. Eskridge, was an esteemed member of Holston Conference. Jan was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport.

Jan was a lifelong resident of East Tennessee and a lifelong Methodist. With her husband, Rev. J. Spurgeon McCartt, she

served churches throughout East Tennessee and then lived in Kingsport for the last 22 years. They also lived in Wellsbourne, England, for two years and traveled extensively. They had been married for 71 years

A graduate of Morristown High School in 1941, Jan was valedictorian and editor-in-chief of the newspaper. She also was twirling drum major for the Morristown High School Band, which performed at the 1940 World’s Fair in New York City. She graduated from Tusculum College in 1944, with an honors degree in biology.

For more than 60 years, Jan was an active member of the United Methodist Women and served as treasurer, secretary, and president of the Holston Conference United Methodist Women. She was a master quilter and seamstress and a creative baker and cook. She made beautiful and unique quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jan is survived by her husband and children Peg Hess (Howard), Anne McCartt (Michael Curcio), and Jim McCartt; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She is survived by two sisters, Katherine (Edgar) McDaniel, and Betty Lee (Charlie) Thompson, and sister-in-law Willie Love Taylor. She will be remembered with love by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was conducted on March 3, 2015, at First Broad Street Church with Rev. Mickey Rainwater and District Superintendent David Graves officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport.

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Jay roBErt roGErs1935 – 2014Jay Robert Rogers, 79, a resident of Mountain City, GA, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2014, at the Murphy Medical Center in Murphy, NC. He was of the United Methodist faith and a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Mr. Rogers was born in Cleveland in 1935 where he attended elementary school and graduated from Bradley Central High School, class of 1953. After his discharge from military service in 1962, he was employed at the Cleveland Daily Banner, working with Pledger Wattenbarger and Syd Gould. He then transferred to the Jennings Daily News in Jennings, LA where he served as Classified Advertising Manager. He also served as Vice President of the Evangeline Stations for seventeen years.

He attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA, where he earned his B.A. in Social Studies and Secondary Education in 1974. He also attended Emory University in 1979, earning his Master of Divinity and was ordained in The United Methodist Church at the Louisiana Conference. He served churches in the Louisiana Conference, North Georgia Conference and Holston Conference.

He was a lifetime member of The American Legion Post 220 in Georgia and lifetime member of the VFW, Post 3686, in Jennings, LA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse William and Ethel Estelle Goins Rogers. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Jean Rogers of Mountain City, GA, and children, Jay Shannon Rogers, and Melissa Monique Rogers.

Graveside services were held Thursday, May 29, 2014, in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.

WallacE WaynE sHirlEy1928 – 2014Wallace Wayne Shirley was the middle son born June 12, 1928, to Earl and Grace (Davis) Shirley of Rutledge, TN. After graduating from Rutledge High School in 1946, Wayne attended Carson-Newman College and then in 1988 received an honorary Doctorate Degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College. A summer job with Citizens Bank and Trust Company of Grainger County led to a banking career spanning some 63 years. Wayne was a former Deacon of Rutledge Baptist Church and a treasurer and trustee of Rutledge Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the

Grainger County Gideon Camp, a charter member of the Grainger County United Way, and a strong supporter of the Clinch Powell RC&D, past member of Rutledge Lions Club, supporter of the Relay for Life, a member of the American Legion, and a veteran of the Korean War.

Following his marriage to Betty Kay Anderson in 1965, he became an active member of Rutledge United Methodist Church, holding many leadership positions within the Methodist denomination. Betty, being called into the ministry in 1990, relied on and enjoyed the support of this new clergy spouse.

Wayne and Betty were the parents of two children, George Patrick Shirley born to them in 1968 and Mary Grace Shirley born in their hearts and lives from Holston Methodist Home for Children in 1972.

Wayne was an avid Tennessee Vol Fan and followed both Ladies’ and Men’s basketball teams as they played many tournament games as far away as Washington state. Before losing a shoulder to cancer in 1977, he was a fisherman in all kinds of weather ... it was then that his attention turned to playing horseshoes and puttering around in the yard.

Wayne Shirley passed away at age 86 on October 6, 2014. His funeral was October 9, at Smith-Reagan Funeral Home in Rutledge, TN, with The Rev. Jeff Wright officiating. Interment followed at Grainger Memorial Gardens with The Rev. Ryan Davenport officiating.

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Mary katHryn tHoMas 1924 – 2014Mary Kathryn Thomas was born February 19, 1924, in Strawberry Plains, TN. Her father’s name was Otis Graves and her mother’s name was Eunice (Lusk) Graves. She graduated from Carter Elementary and Carter High School in Knox County. She entered the University of Tennessee in the fall of 1941, but had to drop out because the U. S. Navy took over the University for training programs in WW II. During the War, she worked at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In the early 1950s, she enrolled in Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, to complete her

education, graduating with a Degree in Early Childhood Education in June of 1954.Mary Kathryn, victim of a failed marriage, married the Rev. William B. Thomas, also

the victim of a failed marriage, on August 8, 1965. From her first marriage there was a daughter, Karen Smith Hill, of Sevierville, TN, and four grandchildren and several great, great grandchildren all of the Sevierville area.

She was quite a seamstress, making her own wedding dress when she married Bill. She was also quite talented working in ceramics. She was an elementary school teacher for almost 30 years and loved the teaching profession. After forced retirement, because of her health, she taught a class of Afro-American women some of the history of our country.

Mary Kathryn came down with Multiple Sclerosis midway through her life, but continued teaching until it became too difficult for her to do. The last 10 years of her life, she was a permanent bed patient. She breathed her last breath so peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. She fought a courageous battle against MS for years. Her demeanor during this time was such that she was an inspiration to those who came to visit her. She was so appreciative for all those who helped her along her way. As a pastor’s wife, she dearly loved the parishioners and they retuned that love so beautifully. She and Bill were graciously granted almost 50 years together.

Her funeral service was on Saturday evening, October 11, 2014, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Cleveland, TN, with the Rev. Mike Travis, a long-time friend, officiating. Her remains were interred in Chattanooga Memorial Park Cemetery in Chattanooga, TN.

“For the Beauty of the Earth, for the glory of the Skies, for Your Love which from my birth over and around me lies. Lord of All to you I raise this my hymn grateful praise.” That was Mary Kathryn.

Marian Patricia “Patti” trEaDWay1940 – 2014Marian Patricia Treadway was born in Harriman, TN, on June 30, 1940. She was known by “Patti” to all who knew her. She graduated from Harriman High School in 1958 and attended Tennessee Tech University for two years enrolled in the School of Business. She had met her love Danny while in high school and they were married June 21, 1959.

Patti was a musician. She played the flute and piano. She played in both the Harriman High School and Tennessee Tech bands. She continued playing, especially the piano, until about ten years ago

when her health caused her to lay aside her playing. She played in churches that her husband Danny served over the years. Patti also had a beautiful singing voice she used whenever she could, singing solos and in church choirs.

Patti was born to Ralph and Martha Runion Patton who proceeded her in death. She is survived by her husband Rev. Danny Treadway. They were married 55 years. Her children are

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Mike Treadway and wife Susan from Friendsville, TN, Bobby Treadway, Maryville, TN, and Karen Russell, Louisville, GA. Grandchildren, Michal Wiwczaroski and husband William, Matthew Russell and Mark Treadway, great-granddaughter, Lily Russell, one sister, Glenda Delaney of Trussville, AL, and 2 nieces.

Her love for her family was always apparent in all she did. She loved life. While in South Georgia, nothing pleased her more than to be at Epworth By The Sea among her beautiful live oak trees and all the serenity that God provided. She would “manufacture” reasons to make that trip whenever she could. In 2003 when she and Danny retired and moved back to East Tennessee, she had to give up her residence near the coast for a place in the mountains where she grew up. That produced new challenges and opportunities. In the last few years her failing health prevented her from being out and about, but make no mistake, she knew what was going on and indeed was a prayer warrior at home. Patti died July 24, 2014, in Maryville, TN. Her funeral was held at McCammons-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, with interment in Cloyds Creek Cemetery, Greenback, TN.

She loved her Lord and was faithful to him her entire life. She lived a life that truly blessed all who knew her, and we have those memories that will never die. Thank you, South Georgia Annual Conference and Holston Annual Conference, for giving us a home.

laura ElizaBEtH rainWatEr trunDlE1935 – 2014Laura Elizabeth Rainwater Trundle was born and grew up on the Marshall Farm on Middle Creek Road in Sevier County. She was love and kindness, songs and music, joy and laughter, wit and wisdom, smart as a whip and pretty as could be.

While attending Sevier County High School she became their first female drum major, and graduated Valedictorian of her Class of 1953. Laura entered Maryville College and began her studies in music and piano, later transferring to the University of Tennessee to be with John.

Laura’s first date with John Nelson Trundle confirmed her as a woman of patience as John preached to her every sermon he knew on their first date. Despite that, or maybe because of that, they fell in love and married on Monday, June 6, 1955, at Middle Creek Methodist Church in Sevier County. After a three-day honeymoon, John received his first appointment at the Chattanooga Annual Conference of the Methodist Church and began his ministry at the Greenback Circuit. John and Laura started summer school at UT on Monday June 13, 1955, and both graduated in 1956. The Tennessee Volunteers never had greater fans than John and Laura. With season tickets to all the Vols games, you could find them in the stands dressed in orange and white cheering on their favorite team.

Laura exemplified love. She loved John and her family; all children and had a special love for the students she had the pleasure of teaching. She loved the mountains and fresh-cut flowers. She enjoyed traveling and always wanted her four children to visit all fifty states while they were growing up and she and John made that happen. Later on, Laura accompanied John to ninety plus foreign countries and John traveled to even more in his mission work.

Constantly trying to make things/life easier for all those she met, Laura had a no-nonsense way of approaching life which served her well. A great conversationalist, Laura was always at ease. With a broad smile and sparkling eyes, she captivated the moment.

Estonia, and the plight of the people living there, became her passion as she joined John in his important mission of helping build the largest Methodist seminary in Europe, the Baltic Mission Center in the capital city of Tallinn. Laura and John had a personal friendship with Rev. Olav Parnamets, Superintendent of the Estonian United Methodist Churches. He was, quite often, a guest in their home and enjoyed many delicious meals at their table. Laura was an excellent cook and fresh vegetables from their garden were always present.

During her last night, her children spent the night by her side. David read to her from the

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Upper Room. Nancy, Linda Anne, David, Anne, and Anna gathered ‘round her bedside and knowing what would please their mother most, they began singing to her the happy tune from Mary Poppins, “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” Then a softer version of “Rocky Top” filled the air as they visited their mother for the last time. In the morning light, after John and son John came to be by her side, she began to slip away. Her entry into heaven was triumphant and her passing was just as she would have wanted it with family by her side and the sweet presence of God filling the room.

Her favorite scripture was Psalm 121 (KJV) and her favorite hymn was O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

The epitome of womanhood, Laura left a legacy that is rich and full, something most women only dream about.

Surviving Spouses

katHalEEn BatcHElor BarkEr1915 – 2014Kathaleen Batchelor Barker, born June 24, 1915, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at age 99. Born in Muscadine, AL, the oldest child of Lula Ann and Leonard Batchelor, she grew up near Haleyville, AL, where she met her future husband and lifelong sweetheart, Horace N. Barker, when both were toddlers. Kathaleen always loved to travel and was ever ready to go on to the next adventure. When she and Horace retired from Hiwassee College in 1980, they began competing in race walking and won medals in the Senior Olympics. She was three times Tennessee state champion in her age group and twice finished in the top five nationally. A lover of children and believer in the importance of learning, she taught first and third grades at Madisonville Elementary School for many years until retiring in 1965 to help care for her mother. Her own elementary education near Haleyville required her to walk two miles to and from school each day, with time off during the harvesting season to pick cotton. She worked in a grocery store during high school and her first three years of college. She completed her BA degree when she was 38, the year her youngest child started first grade. As the wife of Hiwassee College president Dr. Horace N. Barker, she was “first lady” of Hiwassee from 1955 until 1980. During this time, she was also active in church and community, including being president of Buckner Memorial United Methodist Women and the Madisonville Women’s Club and leader of a Girl Scout Troop. From 1944-1947 she was a young mother while husband Horace was pastor of First United Methodist Church of Madisonville. She was preceded in death by husband of 68 years and dear friend, Horace N. Barker Sr., parents, Leonard and Lula Ann Batchelor. She is survived by son, Horace N. Barker Jr. of Chattanooga; and daughter, Kathaleen Ann Barker; granddaughters, Juana R. Barker and Rose Barker; great-grandsons, Gabriel Barker, age 9, and Alexito Martinez-Barker, age 3, all of Knoxville. Funeral services were held Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Hiwassee Performing Arts Center, Hiwassee College Campus with interment in the Hiwassee College Community Cemetery.

vivian c. BittinGEr1923 – 2015Vivian C. Bittinger, 91, of Bristol, TN, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, TN. She was born in Stanley, IA, on March 14, 1923, a daughter of the late John and Correne Maley Campbell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dale Bittinger; two brothers, Allister Campbell and James Campbell; and sister, Pauline Smith.

She was a native of Stanley, IA, and moved to Bristol in 1984. She was a part time church

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secretary and taught school for 3 years. She was a Sunday school teacher and active in all phases of church work. She was a member of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church.

Vivian is survived by her two sons, Allen D. Bittinger, wife Carol and Marvin D. Bittinger, wife Brenda; four grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

The funeral service was held February 20, 2015, at Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church in Bristol, VA, with the Reverend Laura Plaster officiating. The committal service and interment were held Saturday, February 21, 2015, at East Tennessee Cemetery, Blountville, TN.

carol JunE roBErtson cookE1933 – 2014Carol June Robertson Cooke, 81, of East Ridge, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014, in a local nursing facility. Mrs. Cooke was a housewife and enjoyed playing golf, fishing and working in her flower garden. She was a member of Gateway Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of 23 years, David Cooke, of East Ridge, stepson and wife, Martin and Sherri Cooke, step grandson, Steven Cooke, and step great-granddaughter, Charley Madison Cooke, all of Cleveland. June’s memorial service was held Friday, July 25, at Gateway Baptist Church with the Rev. Marvin Howard officiating. Interment was private.

oPal sPivEy EDWarDs1923 – 2014Opal Spivey Edwards, 90, of Bedford passed away Friday, July 25, 2014 at Bedford County Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Reverend Warren Jefferson Edwards.

Born December 5, 1923 in Galax, VA, she was the daughter of the late James Fred Spivey and Marietta Hall Spivey.

Opal spent 25 years working beside her husband who pastored Gladeville United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Churches of the Grant Virginia Circuit, and Rocky Gap United Methodist Church until his death in October of 1970. She stood

by him during the completion of his Deacon Certification at Emory University as well as participated in his ministry throughout his career. When he died at age 46, the people of the Holston Conference looked for a way to keep Opal involved and offered her a position with Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, TN.

Opal also worked another 25 years in various positions for Holston UMH, primarily as a houseparent for children of all ages. She performed the functions of a surrogate parent and in many cases provided the only positive parenting many of the children had experienced. Many of her kids still contacted her. Her last position at HUMH before retiring was working with adolescent girls in a group home setting. Not only did she work with these girls, she helped raise them and did it with love and devotion. After formally retiring in 1995, she continued to work part time in foodservice many times cooking favorite meals for the “kids” until 80 years of age. She loved her work and when she finally decided to leave, she continued to serve others through her community and Christ UMC in Greeneville before moving to Bedford, VA, in 2009 due to her health and to be near her daughter.

Opal was featured in the Virginia Health Care Association’s Who’s Who in Virginia’s Long Term Care while living at the Bedford County Nursing Home. She also received an award from her peers at BCNH as the most supportive member of their community. She had a gentle spirit with a big heart and a life mission to help others, and she always wore a smile and had positive words for everyone she encountered.

In addition to her parents and husband, Opal was also preceded in death by a daughter, Connie Sue Edwards, a sister Iva Lee Melton, and three brothers, Arthur, David, and Guy Boyd Spivey. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Edwards and her husband, Jim Sikkema

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of Bedford, two sisters Ila Mae Largen, and Geraldine Bullion, both of Galax, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were conducted Saturday September 6, 2014, at Gladeville United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Ralph Kidd, Senior Pastor of Pleasant View UMC, officiating and at Bedford County Nursing Home on September 15, with Art Masker, former Director of Holston UMH, officiating. Inurnment was in the Gladeville UMC cemetery.

MarGarEt McMillEn lancastEr1922 – 2015Margaret McMillen was born in Hinkle, GA, the daughter of William and Gracie McMillen. She was the oldest of eight children. As the oldest child, she often had the joy and responsibility of caring for her younger brothers and sisters.

Margaret married the Rev. Lawrence Lancaster at Lookout Mountain, TN, in Wildwood Methodist Church. They were blessed with the birth of their three daughters, Cynthia, Gloria, and Anna. Through the years, Lawrence and Margaret served a number of Methodist churches prior to their retirement in 1979.

Their ministry spanned over fifty years in the Holston Conference. They then joined the staff of Asbury United Methodist Church in Greeneville, TN, where they served as a ministers of visitation team. While at Asbury they helped form The Pep Club “people serving people,” a senior citizen group that still meets today.

Margaret was a member of the Greeneville Ladies’ Garden Club. She was on numerous occasions president of the United Methodist Women. She began teaching Sunday school when she was a teenager on Lookout Mountain and continued to teach throughout their ministry, and she enjoyed singing in many of the church choirs. She worked in and outside the home as an accomplished seamstress and cook. Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She served on the resident advisory board at Grayson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Independence, VA. She loved to write stories about her childhood and years of service as a United Methodist minister’s wife. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church in Galax, VA.

Margaret McMillen Lancaster, 92, died at the Grayson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Independence, VA, on January 17, 2015.

Survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Bates of Johnson City, TN, Rev. Gloria and Gary Rhudy and Anna and Bobby Cox, all of Independence, nine grandchildren and twenty-eight great grandchildren. She is also preceded in death by son-in-law, Paul Bates.

The funeral was held at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, VA, on January 21, 2015, followed by the committal service with internment in the Independence Town Cemetery, behind the First United Methodist Church of Independence, where Lawrence and Margaret served for eight years. The Rev. Janet Richardson officiated with several grandchildren assisting. During the service, several of Margaret’s favorite hymns were played or sung. They included Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place, Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, The Rock That Is Higher than I, Church in the Wildwood, and When We All Get to Heaven. Several of her grandchildren shared that their grandmother left a grand legacy of faith, love, service, generosity, joy and laughter. These legacy gifts are passed on to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many family members and friends who knew and loved her. It is with great joy that they now celebrate in knowing that Margaret enjoyed her grand reception into heaven, where she beheld the face of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and is reunited with her life-long husband and companion, Lawrence.

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ErMa D. lanE1927 – 2015Matthew 25:21 “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Erma Virginia Depew Lane, 87, Gate City, VA, passed away with her family by her side on Friday, February 6, 2015, after a brief battle with cancer. Born in Greene County, TN, she was the daughter of the late John and Fannie Charlton Depew and grew up in the Fordtown community of Sullivan County.

She lived the rest of her life for 68 years in the Manville community of Scott County, VA, where she was a pillar of her community. She was an active member of the Manville Community Center. She was a life-long, faithful member of Alley’s Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher, UMYF counselor, and in any way she was called upon to serve during her 65 years of membership. She also served beside her husband while he was Pastor of Midway Memorial United Methodist Church for 20 years.

She was a dedicated and beloved wife to her husband of 56 years, the late Rev. Claude Lane. She was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and cousin to all of her family, and a very special friend to so many people. Her joy in life was tending to the needs of others.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Roy, and Charlie Bradley Depew. Also preceding her in death were cherished in-laws, Amos and Pearl Bellamy Lane, Thelma Templeton, and Helen Calhoun, treasured aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and friends and neighbors.

She is survived by her “precious” children, her son and wife, Dwight and Betty Lane, Gate City, VA, her daughters and husbands, Lynn and Walter Cassell, Weber City, VA, Pam and Rob Hager, Kingsport, TN, her “beautiful” granddaughters and their husbands, Jessica and Andy Barnett, Greeneville, TN, Meghan and Matt Grant, Lynchburg, VA, Robyn and Tyler Campbell, Greenville, SC, and Mallory Lane, Wilmington, NC, and her “very special” great-granddaughter, Kiley Nichole Grant, Lynchburg, VA.

Also surviving are her special brothers- and sisters-in-law, Rev. Paul and Christine Lane, Kingsport, TN, Rev. Daryl K. and Betty Williams, Sweetwater, TN, Phil and Shelby McConnell, Kingsport, TN, Calvin Calhoun, Gate City, VA, and Carl Templeton, Kingsport, TN. She is also survived by a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 8, 2015, in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of Gate City Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Cloud officiating. Honorary ministers were her very dear brothers-in-law, the Rev. Paul Lane and the Rev. Daryl K. Williams. Special music was provided by Ben and Sherry Christian, Lisa McConnell Edwards, and Bob McConnell.

Gravesides services were conducted Monday, February 9, 2015, at the Pendleton Family Cemetery in the Manville community of Scott County. Nephews and great- nephews, Larry Calhoun, Roger Lane, Mitchell Williams, and Phil McConnell, Jr., Jamey Calhoun, Craig and Michael Lane, Jason Horne, Michael, Christopher, and Logan McMeans, Rusty and Tom Pendleton, John St. Martin, Brian Williams, Brad and Ryan Davidson, Drew Grap, and Luke McConnell served as pallbearers. Her very dear friends at Alley’s Chapel and “Her Manville Boys” served as honorary pallbearers.

A special word of appreciation is expressed to the medical community who have cared for her over the years, Dr. Steve Adkins and Holston Medical Staff and Weber City Pharmacy, and in her most recent illness with cancer, Caris Healthcare. In addition, in Erma’s own words, “I want to thank each and every one for their acts of kindnesses and for their prayers for me and my precious family during this difficult time.”

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Mary alicE ruBlE laWson1925 – 2015Mary Alice was born March 6, 1925, to John Wesley and Ida Mae Brooks Ruble in Ohio. She went home to be with the Lord January 5, 2015, while in the hospital at Jefferson City, TN. Though her last earthly home was in Jefferson City and she packed for that move, as she did for each of the moves that were made as a pastor’s wife, her last move was directed by God the Father rather than the Bishop and she didn’t have to pack.

The wife of Rev. Luther Lawson, “The Dutchman,” dad’s favorite nickname for her was ever the supportive preacher’s

wife. Mary did attend a school of music and evangelism for a while but left to be a preacher’s wife and over time the mother of six children, Glenda Ruth Byrd, Donald Wayne Lawson, Rev. Luther Rodney Lawson, wife Nedra, Melford Wesley Lawson, wife Charlene, Vera Dawn Moore, husband Tommy and Teresa Mae Lawson. Mary was very proud of each of her seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mary was an accomplished musician, (she only was able to play seven or eight instruments that we could remember) and vocalist, so much so that she served unofficially as Dad’s minister of music in every appointment that he served in over 68 years of ministry. She was a loving mother and guide to her children, which is evident in each of their accomplishments. Mary was also a precision seamstress, which was evident in that she and the girls were always being complimented on the pretty dresses that they wore. Even after her eyesight began to fail, she continued to knit sweaters and caps for newborn babies. We are not sure anyone knows how many she made and mailed out.

Though mom lived to be 89 years young she like to remind us that, since her doctor told her that she would not be an old woman until she reach the age of 90, she was not yet an old woman.

Mary Alice’s going home celebration was held at Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City, TN, January 9, 2015, with her son Rev. Luther Rodney Lawson and Rev. John Pinkston officiating. Her earthly body rests in Oak Hill Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN. Her eternal body resides with the Lord Jesus Christ.

carriE stEaDMan louDy 1935 – 2014Carrie Steadman Loudy, 79, of Rogersville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Carrie was the only girl in the large Steadman farming family. The day she was born her dad was out in the field with her older brothers. When word came to Mr. Steadman that his eighth child was a girl, he was said to have taken off his hat to wipe his brow, and while collapsing on a bale of hay said, “Well, finally!” Carrie loved school, especially spelling and math and had two beloved teachers, her fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Pendleton and her seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Clarice Peters. From fourth grade on, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. After graduating from East Tennessee State College with a degree in education, she began her career as a home economics teacher in Sullivan County. It was in Sullivan County that she met and married Reverend Roy E. Early and enjoyed her role of preacher’s wife during that time. After Reverend Early’s passing, she met and married Robert Loudy. During her years as Mrs. Loudy, she taught first, third and eventually fourth-graders at Bulls Gap Elementary for nearly 30 years.

She was preceded in death by her father George Kirkpatrick Steadman Sr. and her mother Myrtle Cordia Steadman; brothers, Harry Steadman; Howard Steadman; Bill Steadman; and Lee Steadman.

She is survived by her husband, Marion Rex LaRoy; her children, Roy and Janet Early, Powder Springs, GA; Kirk and Stephanie Loudy, Rogersville, TN, Bobby and Patty Loudy,

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Knoxville, TN, Carolyn and Larry Rogers, St. Clair, TN, Janice and David Lyles, Gray, TN, Brent and Misty Loudy, Rogersville, TN. She is also survived by her brothers G.K. Steadman Jr., Church Hill, TN, Ronald Flem Steadman, Kingsport, TN, and Carl Alva and Anna Frank Steadman, Morristown, TN. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Loudy considered Rex’s two grown sons, Darrel and Cathy LaRoy of Gadsden, AL, Mike and Delores LaRoy of Rogersville, TN, with their children and grandchildren to be her own as well.

The family is very grateful for everyone who helped in caring for Carrie during her time of illness.

Mrs. Loudy’s funeral service was held Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Christian Sells Funeral Home in Rogersville, TN, with Rev. John Parrott officiating. Interment was at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Kingsport, TN.

PEGGy ann Wills MarsHall 1925 – 2014Peggy Ann Wills Marshall passed away at home on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in Cary, NC. She was born on March 23, 1925, in West Grove, PA, to Bert Wilson Wills Sr. and Ena Longacre Hornsby. When Peggy was 12, the family moved from Pennsylvania to Chattanooga, TN, where she spent her formative years. After attending Missionary Ridge School followed by City High School where she was on the tennis team, Peggy attended the University of Chattanooga and later, Averett Junior College where she was voted “Most Athletic” and president of her class. After one year at Averett, Peggy’s father died and she returned home to be with her family. Peggy worked in a variety of places beginning with Peerless Woolen Mills, followed by Burton Franklin Machinery, TWA and lastly Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, WA, during World War II. Peggy’s first husband of five years, David L. Davis died in a car accident. Six years later, she met Harrison Marshall, a young Methodist minister in the Holston Conference specializing in youth work. They formed a creative “team” for years to come, crafting and planning together some of the most wonderful children’s sermons, church trips and camps. They served in Athens, TN, several churches in Chattanooga, TN, and both Mafair United Methodist Church in Kingsport, TN, and Abingdon United Methodist Church in Abingdon, VA. Peggy loved making things for friends and family, and she will no doubt be remembered every Christmas for years to come when her customized ornaments are hung on trees across the South. Peggy will be missed by her children, Harrison Marshall Jr. of Cary, NC, and Ann Wills Marshall of Amherst, MA, three grandchildren, Madeline Marshall Hanke, Eleanor Cecile Marshall, and Marshall Alexander Hanke, her siblings, Betty Wills Franklin and Dr. Bert Wilson Wills of Chattanooga, TN, and Patricia Wills Puett of Dunwoody, GA, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Peg Marshall was held on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at the Abingdon United Methodist Church in Abingdon, VA, with the Rev. David St. Clair and the Rev. Robert Countiss officiating.

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EunicE MccoMas1921 – 2014Eunice McComas was born in Knobbs, MT, March 13, 1921 to Oscar and Nora Knipfer (Turbiville), and finished her journey on this earth August 1, 2014. She started her walk with her Lord at a very young age, and continued that walk faithfully thru her life, helping her husband, The Rev. Howard E. McComas, with his ministry. She led many Bible schools, directed countless Christmas programs, and led many youth groups in the churches where they served.

A highlight of her life came at the age of 85 when she went on a mission trip to Haiti and held a daily two-hour Bible class in a boys’ school doing all the planning of the lessons for each day she was there.

She continued to serve thru the final year of her life in a nursing home, witnessing to the employees and visitors, many asking her to pray for them after hearing her stories.

auDrEy MarcElla sEay ParHaM1933 – 2014Audrey Marcella Seay Parham, 81, of Mosheim, TN, died unexpectedly December 6, 2014. She was a homemaker. Born in Mosheim, she was the daughter of the late Bruce and Nuckie Hartman Seay. She was a graduate of Mosheim High School and played basketball. Mrs. Parham was a member of Hartman’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Her grandchildren affectionately called her “Mammy,” and they were her pride and joy. She enjoyed push-mowing her yard, working in her flowers, and decorating her home for the holidays throughout the

year. Her children and grandchildren gathered at her home every Sunday for lunch following church, and it was a time that she and her family treasured spending together. She is survived by four children of Greene County, Cindy Luttrell, Beth Ricker, Milton Parham, and Marty Parham, and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Rev. James W. “Pete” Parham, who died in 2000. They were married October 2, 1959. She enjoyed accompanying him during his 40 years of ministry, primarily in the Methodist denomination and occasionally would fill in as pianist. Mrs. Parham served as a pianist for years at Hartman’s Chapel, was an active member in her church, enjoyed reading her Bible, and watching gospel programs. Her funeral was held December 10, 2014, at Hartman’s Chapel United Methodist Church with interment in the church cemetery. The Rev. Jim Fain and The Rev. Don Petty officiated.

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MartHa suE QuillEn1931 – 2015Martha Sue Hawn Quillen, born December 10, 1931, in Knoxville, TN, to Mabel Hawn, died of natural causes on February 1, 2015, at Williamsburg Villages. Sue had resided at Williamsburg Villas since September 2013, after she experienced a stroke and was no longer able to remain in her apartment. Sue was married to the Rev. Claude Dexter Quillen on April 5, 1953, and they served in ministry through The United Methodist Church until Claude’s death in 1991. Sue was noted for her gift of hospitality and her cooking skills. She enjoyed staying in

contact with church members and friends she made while in ministry with her husband. Sue loved being involved in conference work and she was a mentor/friend to several new ministers throughout her life. Sue’s memorial service was held on February 14, 2015, with the Rev. Tom Robins officiating, and she is buried at Henry Haynes Cemetery at Hendron’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Knoxville.

lillian russEll Murray sExton1927 – 2015Lillian Russell Murray Sexton, age 88, went home to meet Jesus and her family in heaven on Friday, March 27, 2015.

Lillian was a very caring lady with a good heart. She was a strong person who always put God first. Mom-mom loved her family and enjoyed playing her guitar and singing gospel and old country songs with them. The grandchildren always enjoyed receiving clothes from her for Christmas or special occasions. Lillian spent most of her work career in retail clothing sales and had a great eye for keeping her family in fashion. They could also

count on her to “tell it like it is.” Lillian was a faithful member of the Marion Church of the Nazarene and attended as long as her health allowed.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Murray, and second husband, Rev. Charles Sexton, parents, Charles and Ola Mae Russell, children, Debbie Owens, Kenny Murray and Darryl Murray, and grandson, Jamie Owens. Lillian is survived by her daughter Donna Vernon and husband, Dennis of Marion, VA, seven grandchildren Christie Wright, Fredericksburg, VA, Julie Shumate of Independence, KY, Bryan Vernon of Marion, VA, Staci Owens of Orlando, FL, Ashley Courchesne of San Antonio, TX, Aaron Murray and Breanna Murray of Norfolk, VA, six great-grandchildren, and very special friend and caregiver, Trudy Blevins.

Lillian’s funeral service was held Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at Seaver-Brown Chapel with burial following in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, VA.

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JEWEll HuMBErD stErcHi1924 – 2015Jewell Humberd Sterchi, 90, of Athens, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. Born in Morristown on July 18, 1924, Mrs. Sterchi graduated from Lane High School in Charlottesville, VA. She was the organist at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church for 52 years. She also served as executive director for the Athens Area Council for the Arts in 1984 and 1985.

She married Russell Hughes Humberd of Cleveland on Feb. 12, 1944. They had four children: Ann Starr, Donna Humberd, Tom Humberd, and Joy Lauderdale. After Russell’s death in 1982, she married Gordon Andrew Sterchi on June 16, 1990, and added Drew Sterchi, David Sterchi, Suzan Russell, and Greg Sterchi to her family.

She is survived by her children, Ann, Tom, and Joy; stepchildren, Drew, Suzan, and Greg; grandchildren, Kate Myers Coble, Andrew Russell Humberd, and Jonathan Greenwell-Humberd; and great-grandson, Aiden McClain Coble.

A memorial recital by Dr. John Coble was given at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 14, 2015.

Wava GEnEviEvE HalE tEilMann1922 – 2014Wava Genevieve Hale Teilmann was born October 18, 1922, in Comer’s Rock. VA. She died July 8, 2014, at her home in Blacksburg. VA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gunnar Johan Teilmann, Jr., her parents Arlie Taylor and Lucious Hale, and sister Rita Hale Neal. She is survived by her children, Beth Atkins (husband Ken), Johanna Perry (husband Jim), Evalin Price (husband Joe), son Gunnar J. Teilmann, III, “Tiga” (wife Therese). She had 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Wava grew up in the Comer’s Rock community, attending Mt. Zion Methodist Church where she learned about God and met Jesus, her Savior, who would lead her through her life. She graduated from Elk Creek High School and went on to Hiwassee College, East Tennessee State Teacher’s College, and Scarritt College for Christian Workers (during the WW II years).

Gunnar Teilmann came into her life at a Holston Conference Youth Assembly in 1943, when she was Conference Youth President. In those years, she was also on the committee for the reunification of the Methodist Church North and the Methodist Church South, and the renaming of the youth organization to be the Methodist Youth Fellowship.

Gunnar and Wava were married on January 1, 1944, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Lundy in Sweetwater, TN. Within the next month, Gunnar received his commission and deployed overseas as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. He was captured by the Germans in August 1944, and imprisoned for nine months until the end of the war. During this time, Wava attended Scarritt College to prepare herself for their future in ministry.

After the War, Wava and Gunnar settled in Tazewell, TN, where they joyfully served the Methodist congregation there. Beth and Johanna were born there in 1946 and 1948. During that time, Gunnar attended a National MYF Convocation in Ohio and felt the call to fulltime overseas missionary service. So in September 1949, they embarked via freighter from New York for what was then the Federation of Malaya.

Wava was not just Gunnar’s partner in ministry, she was herself totally immersed in serving God in whatever way she could, as they served churches in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, and Singapore. From 1966 until 1980 Gunnar was the Director of the Churches’ Counseling Center and the Samaritans of Singapore Suicide Prevention Service, with Wava always by his side to support and care for him and the family. After 31 productive years, they retired in 1980 to Blacksburg where Gunnar served as Associate Pastor at BUMC until his death in

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1987. Wava continued to be an active member of the church and was in touch with friends and former coworkers in Holston until her later years. She made several trips back to Malaysia and Singapore until she was no longer able to make the long journey.

During Wava’s last few weeks, she coped with leukemia, was on hospice care in her home, and enjoyed receiving family and friends. She would muster every ounce of energy to talk with those who called or visited, wanting to be sure that each person felt loved and cherished. Often, despite her weakness, she would burst into song, her favorite being An Unclouded Day, and God Will Take Care of You. It was because of great love of hymns that the family chose to have a hymn sing at her visitation evening.

Wava’s life was celebrated with a hymn sing and a service of worship at BUMC, with lots of music, tears, and laughter. Her ashes were mixed with Gunnar’s, per her request, and buried together, while the family celebrated with Holy Communion and sang together.

Gunnar and Wava’s children wish to thank all who have expressed their love and sympathy since their passing to Glory!

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015 ● 8:30 a.m.Stuart Auditorium

Morning Worship with Holy Communion

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:10 & 11 (NIV)

Prelude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

Prayer The Reverend Sandra J. Johnson

*Hymn of Praise #601 “Thy Word is a Lamp” thy word

Bible Study The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts! We lift our hearts and open ourselves to God’s Spirit!

As we give thanks for the Holy Meal we are about to share, Let us raise our hands in praise. (All raise hands)

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea Creation’s revealing Your majesty From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring Every creature unique in the song that it sings

You are amazing, God, and so with your people on earth and all the saints who surround us we all join in exclaiming:

(Congregation sings together) Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God All powerful, untameable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God

Amazing are you God, and blessed in your Son Jesus Christ, As a mother tenderly gathers her children, you embraced a people as your own and filled them with a longing for a peace that would last and for a justice that would never fail.

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In Jesus’ suffering and death you took upon yourself our sin and death and destroyed their power for ever. You raised from the dead this same Jesus, who now reigns with you in glory, and poured upon us your Holy Spirit, making us the people of your new covenant.

On the night in which Jesus gave himself up for us, Jesus took bread and wine, Gave thanks to you, and shared the holy meal with his disciples saying:

(All sing, Presider holds up first the bread and then the cup)

This is the bread of life broken for you This is the cup that holds the wine of the new covenant This is the love of Christ poured out anew This is the Son of God who died for you

Before you eat, Before you drink Take a long look inside And tell me what you see He said, Do this in remembrance of Me. Do this in remembrance of Me

And so, in remembrance of our God’s amazing acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves, the sacrifice of our own lives, to be Christ’s body in the world, As together we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

(All sing) I will remember the cross that You bore for me I will remember the crown that You wore for me. I will remember the reason You suffered and died.

This is my body given for you This is the cup that holds the blood of the new covenant This is forgiveness, simple and true This is the way that I have made for you

This is the way you have made, for us and for your church, for the nourishment and sustenance of our lives. And now, Gracious Father, pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be strengthened and enabled to be his body in ministry for this broken and hurting world.

Gracious God, by your Spirit make us one: Make us one in Christ, One with each other, And one in ministry to your precious world, All the days of our lives.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, now and forever. Amen.

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Worship Participants: The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District

The Reverend Sandra J. Johnson, Abingdon DistrictCelebrant and Soloist ~ The Reverend James A. Sherrod, Central UMC,

Knoxville DistrictMusic Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District

Organist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon District

Acknowledgments The Great Thanksgiving Musical Version, written by Dawn Chesser, ©2015 Discipleship Ministries. Portions of prayer adapted from “An Alternative Great Thanksgiving for General Use” Copyright © 1972 The Methodist Publishing House; Copyright © 1980, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1992 UMPH. Used by permission.

Indescribable, written by Laura Story and Jesse Reeves, Copyright 2004 worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP)/ sixsteps Music (ASCAP)/ Gleaning Publishing (ASCAP) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing).

In Remembrance of Me, written by Cheri Keaggy. Source, All the Best Songs of Praise and Worship (Lillenas, 2001)

And now with the confidence of children of God let us pray together the prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us to pray

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Worship Music during Communion The Reverend James A. Sherrod

*Hymn of Faith “Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone” aMazinG GraCe/toMLin

*Benediction Rev. Johnson

Postlude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

*Please stand as you are able.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015 ● 11:05 a.m.Stuart Auditorium

Retirement Recognition“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them

and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace

God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Corinthians 9:3-15 (NLT)

Prelude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

Call to Worship Wesley House Gospel Choir

Prayer The Reverend Kimberly M. Goddard

*Hymn of Adoration #363 “And Can It Be that I Should Gain” saGina (verses 1, 3-5)

Recognition of Retirees Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor Reverend Goddard

As the name of each person retiring is read and he or she comes forward to be greeted by the Bishop, we ask those who are from a church this person has served or who have been in ministry with this person to stand where you are and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for his or her years of service to The United Methodist Church and Holston Conference.

Reading of the Names The Reverend Daniel H. Taylor, Jr.

Bishop Taylor/People:

Brothers and sisters in Christ, you came to us from congregations where the Spirit of the Lord was upon you; and you were charged to preach to the brokenhearted, to visit the captive, to anoint those who were bruised. These things you have done.

We thank God for the community of the faithful in which the Word of God found response. Countless persons have depended upon you for help. In the providence of God, you know that both suffering and joy can be God’s way of teaching and healing.

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At your ordination, you received authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church of God, to preach the Word, to celebrate the Sacraments, and to Order the life of the Church. At your consecration, you received authority to equip the people of God, and to embody the unity of the congregation’s worship with its life in the world. By God’s grace you did many things that seemed to be beyond your power.

We thank God that you were given the vision to be faithful. Death and illness have not come on schedule. The truth has not always been easy to preach. We know something of the grace by which you have lived, And we thank God for your vision.

Never think lightly of the great good that God has wrought through you. Continue to be true to your calling. May God’s love and power be with you always.

Let us pray together. God of grace, you fill your servants with the vision. You empower your servants with your Spirit. We give thanks for the ministry of these women and men, and for the ways in which you have ministered to us through them.

Give them a sense of your abiding presence, that they may continue to love and serve you, and ever grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Glimpses of Ministry from the Retiring Class A video capturing thoughts from our retiring clergy.

Anthem Wesley House Gospel Choir

Passing of the Mantle

A representative of the retiring class and a representative of the new full member class kneel. The Bishop takes the mantle (stole) and places it on the shoulders of the representative of the retiring class, saying:

In the book of Kings, we read of the Prophet Elijah’s ministry. The mantle, symbolic of submission to God, fell upon the younger prophet, Elisha, and the spirit of Elijah rested upon Elisha.

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The representative of the retiring class rises and places the mantle on shoulders of the representative of the new full member class, saying:

I transfer this mantle from our generation to the young, indicating thereby that the responsibilities and dedication of the older generation will be caught up and carried on by the young, and the spirit of today’s Elijahs will rest upon today’s Elishas.

The representative of the new class rises, turns to the retiring class, and says:

We who come after you take up the mantle which falls upon us. May we inherit a double share of your spirit.

The Bishop responds: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

*Hymn of Praise “10,000 Reasons” redMan

*Benediction Bishop Taylor

*Choral Benediction Wesley House Gospel Choir

Postlude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

*Please stand as you are able.

Retirement Recognition Participants:Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop, Holston Area,

The United Methodist ChurchThe Reverend Kimberly M. Goddard, Vice Chair, Board of Ordained Ministry,

Kingsport DistrictThe Reverend Daniel H. Taylor, Jr., Director, Clergy Services and Conference Secretary,

Knoxville DistrictPassing the Mantle ~ The Reverend Stella Roberts, Retiring Elder, Oak Ridge District

The Reverend L. Ashley Sullivan Helton, Incoming Elder, Knoxville DistrictMusic Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District

Organist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon DistrictMusicians ~ Wesley House Gospel Choir, Knoxville District

Mr. Ryan Parker, Director

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2015 rEtirEEs

Name Years of Service

James R. Bailes ....................................................................... 43.00Edwin E. Cunningham, Jr. ...................................................... 23.00Frederick A. Ferguson ............................................................. 43.00Katherine Hale ........................................................................ 14.00Brent R. Hall ........................................................................... 43.00Charles H. Heck ...................................................................... 11.00Clyde W. Hester ...................................................................... 22.00Jeannie Higgins ........................................................................15.00Haskel Paul Hite, Jr. ................................................................ 25.50Michael T. Johnson ................................................................. 32.00Janice Marie Keebler .............................................................. 30.00Kenneth W. LaDuke ............................................................... 29.00David A. Lord ......................................................................... 24.00Bruce S. Marston .................................................................... 26.00Dixie J. Miller ......................................................................... 12.00Robert Steven Parker .............................................................. 23.00Mary L. Parson ........................................................................ 18.00C. Ray Penn ............................................................................ 33.00Brenda A. Poole ...................................................................... 11.00Luther W. Roberts .................................................................... 6.00Stella M. Roberts .................................................................... 41.00Jerald W. Russell .................................................................... 44.00John M. Slater, Jr. ................................................................... 5.00David G. Smith ....................................................................... 28.00Donald C. Thayer .................................................................... 24.00David R. Vaughn .................................................................... 39.00

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JaMEs r. “JiM” BailEsSpouse: Diane Favorite Hymn: Make Me A Channel of Your Peace Favorite Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:1-14 and Luke 4:16-21I was born into grace, life and love. Graced to receive the God-Spirit breath of life, created as all people in God’s image and likeness. Graced by my parents, Frank (Red) and Virginia Bailes, sisters Kathy, Brenda and LeeAnn and brother John and their families. Graced by our home churches, Lincoln Park and Macedonia in Knoxville. Especially graced by meeting a young Diane Elaine Smelser (not long after to add the last

name of Bailes).Graced by a childhood and early youth pursuit of a sports writing career like my Dad.

Graced by a spiritual awakening to Christ in early teenage years, as the Church became the heart and soul of our family life. Then graced by a youthful clear, persistent, gentle, compelling, would-not-go-away call to ministry. Accepting God’s call. Graced by God continually fulfilling God’s assurance that with God’s call comes God’s promise of presence, grace, and strength.

Graced by my family and friends as they heard the surprising word of my call. Graced by high school, college, divinity school and graduate school. Graced by ordinations by Bishop L. Scott Allen as a Deacon in 1972 and Elder in 1975.

Graced by ministerial appointments to Lake City-Briceville (including summer youth directors Gil Smith and Dennis Newman) where we were doubly graced with the birth of Whitney Brooke Bailes on an early Christmas morning; Ebenezer, Knoxville (and the church relocation and acceptance of mission to rapidly growing community); graced and challenged by a “call within the call” to the city and the poor; Church Street, Knoxville Associate (helping train two future Bishops, having my life changed by people and experiences); First Church, Sevierville (and God opening some doors and dismantling some walls); Washington Pike, Knoxville (from escorting Cas Walker to the cemetery to Urban Family Outreach and school mentoring, HIS LAST WEEK, and the Christ servant bowl and towel); Kern Memorial, Oak Ridge (the first Holston Church to have a cross-racial ministerial appointment, a church maintaining that heart and soul) and Emerald Avenue, Knoxville and the Emerald Youth Foundation (Kingdom moments daily if not more often). Graced, double and triple-graced by Whitney’s marriage to Jesse (James. THE Jesse James) and three years later, the birth of Piper Henley James, our two year-old blonde curly-haired joy.

Through many years, the wondrous often goofy grace of “The Buddies” and our Matthew 25 buddies who revealed Jesus to us (April, The Chief, Royetta and Richard, Josie and Gary, Krazy Kenneth, Pops, Junior and Penny, and so many, many others.). Graced by the Holston Conference and The United Methodist Church.

And now, July 1, 2015, the first official day of retirement, 50 years to the day (Jubilee!) of accepting God’s call, July 1, 1965. Grace, Life, Love. O to God that I have shared some of the grace, life and love of Jesus Christ granted me!

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EDWin E. cunninGHaM, Jr.Favorite Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Favorite Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26In 1975 I was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church; however in 1992 God led me to The United Methodist Church and I have been joyously at home ever since. I have been the local pastor of the Bethel United Methodist Church for twenty-three years and we together have practiced the love of Jesus for each other. Even though I am entering a retired status, I will still get to serve part time at the Bethel Church. Praise God!

FrEDErick a. “anDy” FErGusonSpouse: Celia Favorite Hymn: And Can It Be that I Should Gain Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:15The great blessing of my lifetime of ministry has been the people who have shared this journey.

In every church, there have been people, far wiser than me, who loved their church far more than they loved any position or party or even their preacher. Their guidance and wisdom solved many challenges and avoided many pitfalls.

I have had the privilege of working with the best staff-persons to be found in Holston. Ordained or lay, they also brought their wisdom and faith in Christ. In addition, they brought creativity and hard work. I wish them the best in the coming years of their ministries.

Across these years, my wife Celia has been a constant support and wise voice. She thought she was marrying an engineer; she got a preacher instead. (Now, I wonder what retirement will turn into ...)

One special joy has been the willingness of members and staff to share the faith in Christ, which motivates them. On many occasions, the best plans or decisions were made after we had gotten diverted to share our bedrock faith. Sharing that, everything else would follow easily.

While I believe that the church faces great challenges in the coming years, I still find people hungry for the Good News, which is Jesus Christ. The Church remains necessary to this world; there is no other hope that can bear the weight of this world’s need. Thanks be to God!

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katHErinE HalEFavorite Hymn: You Raise Me Up Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. It’s not something you did that you can be proud of. Instead, we are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live out our lives.

The first ministers to mold and shape my life were my parents, Bill and Bobbie Cain. They receive credit for not only connecting

their daughter to Methodism, but most importantly for nurturing her with the love of Jesus Christ through grace-filled examples. Throughout my childhood and youth years, there were a number of ordained clergy who shepherded me along life’s pilgrimage, particularly Rev. Robert L. Hilten (and Sarah) in the youth chapter. In adulthood, Rev. Tom Ballard and Rev. Dennie Humphreys helped me unwrap and embrace the challenge of ministry as a second career. My first church will always be considered Clinton UMC, Clinton NJ (New Jersey Conference). The good people of Clinton helped a Southern gal appreciate how God works in mysterious and wonderful ways through people involved in ministerial venues of parish ministry locally, nationwide, and globally. In my appointments in Holston Conference—Colonial Heights UMC, Kingsport; Auburn UMC, Riner, VA; and Wears Valley UMC, Sevierville—God has blessed me with the privilege to have walked and worked alongside amazing disciples who have reached out to the least, last, and lost! Through it all has come the limitless joy and an awesome challenge to stay in love with God, and to do all the good one can to neighbors and strangers. The favorite song, You Raise Me Up, provides the musical message that God through the love of Christ raises a person up to stand on mountains and walk on stormy seas. The message resonates a spiritual truth: God through the love of Christ works through people—family, clergy, and church families. Simply, it is people, the community of faith, who have helped me through their ministry to hold on to the Way, while I encourage others to embrace and maintain the truth of Christ that resides in the soul. I will be eternally grateful for the privilege of being called “shepherd” on behalf of the Great Shepherd. The hope is my ministry has enabled (and will continue to enable) others to see and experience the difference Jesus Christ holds for their spiritual journeys. If such a message guides individual lives, I believe God will produce fruit for the kingdom, and in turn, we will continue to grow spiritually in the now, in the forever, and for always.

BrEnt r. HallSpouse: Vicki Favorite Hymn: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing Favorite Scripture: Zechariah 4:6“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”God is faithful and true. His mercy endures forever. Jesus has truly shown us a God worth loving and serving for time and eternity. These 43 years of being “a laborer together with God” have brought me many more blessing than I can name.

I was blessed by praying parents who at my baptism committed me to Christ for the Christian ministry. They never told me this until I received the call during my sophomore year of college. They said, “We believed God would tell you if He wanted to call you into the ministry.” Then

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my mother added, “Besides, you always mumbled so much we didn’t know if people could hear you if you did preach.” I thank God for loving, praying parents who helped me find “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

My dear wife, Vicki, is the greatest blessing in my life after Jesus Christ. In the summer of 1965, we both came alive to God through faith in Jesus Christ. When I received the call into ministry, I asked Vicki to pray about how that call would impact her life. Did she still want to marry me? The next day she said, “I prayed and I am ready to serve Christ wherever He leads.” She is the joy of my life. Whenever we left a church, the message was always the same from the people, “Brent, we are going to miss you; but we are really going to miss Vicki.” She is a wonderful Christian and a devoted wife and mother.

I have been blessed with three wonderful children who have grown up to be the kind of people who bring pride to a father’s heart. They are all three happily married and have graced us with five of the finest grandchildren in the world. I have pictures!

What a blessing it has been to serve in the Holston Conference which adopted me out of the old Louisville Conference in Kentucky. I was transferred into the Holston Conference with the help of Dr. Kyle Tomlinson and Bishop Scott Allen. I love Holston Conference and it was definitely the right place for me.

I have been blessed to serve God’s people in seven churches. Each church was special and helped me grow as a Christian and as a minister of the Gospel. My first appointment was at Dunlap United Methodist in the Sequatchie Valley. The people there took a twenty-four year old, wet behind the ears, minister and together we sought the leading of the Holy Spirit. It was a great seven years full of precious memories and long-standing friendships. From Trinity, Oak Ridge, to First Broad Street, Kingsport, to Central, Radford, Virginia, and then to Asbury, Greenville, on to Brainerd in Chattanooga and my current appointment at Concord, Knoxville, God has always been faithful. The lay people are my heroes. I have been inspired by them and have learned what it means to follow Jesus by watching them carry on in both the good and bad times.

God is good! All the time, God is good!

cHarlEs H. HEckSpouse: Martha Gail Favorite Hymn: How Firm a Foundation Favorite Scripture: John 3:16I came into the ministry at a later time in life. I waited until I retired from my public work so I would have one-hundred percent time to devote serving God and the church congregation. I had served the churches as Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader, Assistant Sunday School teacher, certified Lay Speaker and treasurer of Lord’s Acre.

In my nearly ten years as a minister, it has been a privilege to have served Mt. Carmel UMC at Mosheim, St. Clair UMC and Talley’s Chapel UMC and at my current appointment of Persia and Pleasant Hill. I have never regretted any mile I may have traveled in service to the Lord.

My favorite hymn that I listed has so much meaning in them. How Firm a Foundation tells us all the assurances God offers us through His Son Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is what it is all about … God’s love for everyone.

Although I may have reached the “technical retirement age,” it is my desire to continue in the ministry as long as God has plans for me.

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clyDE W. HEstErFavorite Hymn: It Is Well With My Soul Favorite Scripture: Psalm 37:3I just want to thank the Holston Conference and the leadership for the educational opportunities which I have been given since my first interest in the United Methodist ministry. I first entered the UMC in 1989 and being a minister, immediately began to pursue an avenue of service for God and the church.

I have been afforded many opportunities for which I have been grateful, as some of the best seminary teaching by many of our more illustrious professors, including Dr. Jones at his home and

Mickey Effird. It has been a wonderful experience for me in my many diverse and challenging appointments. I have acquired from my congregations a tremendous amount of knowledge for which I am grateful. I have often said, “You can learn something from everyone you meet, even if it is just their name, to say the least. I have also stated that if the congregation ever found out that I was learning probably more from them than they realized, they would almost certainly charge me instead of giving me a salary. Ha! Ha!

My favorite song is, It Is Well With My Soul. And my favorite Scripture is Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the LORD, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

I could go on and on, but I feel that “Nuff Said.”

JEanniE HiGGinsFavorite Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Favorite Scripture: Philippians 1:6I have been blessed all my life to know faith-filled families. I was born into such a family where my parents were my first and most important teachers. My parents were active members in the EUB Church (Mt. Hebron) which later became a UMC congregation. My career began as a certified Christian educator before I was consecrated as a Diaconal Minister and later ordained as a Deacon in full connection in 2000. My career was spent in two churches: Trinity UMC in Greeneville (9 Years) and Asbury UMC in

Greeneville (22 years.)I have been blessed to serve countless families in these two great churches. From birth–

through celebrating baptisms; teaching the children, creating Vacation Bible Schools; coordinating confirmation experiences; leading youth groups and retreats; teaching Disciple Classes and countless small groups in local churches, district, conference and national workshops settings; training teachers and workers who would lead or teach all age levels–it has been my privilege to proclaim the gospel in a wide variety of ways. I have developed relationships and friendships that have spanned generations. And at the end of life, I have been privileged to visit, love and finally celebrate the lives of countless saints of the church!

While serving in the local church, I have served in many leadership positions beyond the local church, serving the district, conference and jurisdictional levels. For many years, I enjoyed leading and training Christian Educators in our Conference and across the nation in workshops as a contract worker with the United Methodist Publishing House while also serving on the staff of a local church.

It has been my privilege to know and learn from many fine people in my life who encouraged and helped me. Gratefully, I have been able to pay forward by mentoring several women in the ministry as well as serving on the District Committee and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. My life has been deeply enriched by these numerous relationships and friendships that I have been privileged to form.

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In the last decade, I have been drawn to the people of South Sudan where I have been in relationship that was first formed through the Lost Boys of Sudan.

I have learned much and I have loved and been loved in these years of servant ministry. I am confident “of this very thing, that He who began a good work in (me) will be faithful to complete it.”

HaskEl Paul HitE, Jr.Spouse: Patty Favorite Hymn: Spirit in the Sky Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 1:18I am so glad that I answered God’s call into the ministry forty-one years ago at Rock Springs United Methodist Church and grateful The United Methodist Church allowed me to fulfill this call for thirty-nine years in its pulpits across three states. It has been a roller coaster ride over these many years with some breath-taking highs and some heart-wrenching lows. Now I know what my mother meant when I told her of my call, “Are you crazy?” and

sometimes upon this ride, I call back to her, “Yes I am, but no more than God was for calling me.” In each situation, God has blessed me and has given me far more than I deserve, a loving wife, two wonderful children, two spoiled grandchildren and a great church to serve. I owe a lot to many people for putting up with me and sharing with me in this ministry from my first charge of Oakland - Mt. Pleasant in the Morristown District to my present charge of Clearview - Dennison in the Tazewell District. It was my mentor, Brother James “Jim” Adcox, and my brother, Stanley, that gave me direction, comfort and strength the most in my church ministry; but it was and is my beloved wife that has stood firm with me in all these years. She has truly been my strength and comfort. Now, in my retirement, I pray to be her strength and comfort in her time of need.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray the best for you.

JanicE MariE kEEBlErSpouse: Bob Favorite Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness Favorite Scripture: John 10:10Retirement is as unique a phenomenon as the person who enters into it. For me, retirement is about finally taking that sabbatical we talk about so much! I have worked continuously since I was 18 years old, possibly because I was an incurable workaholic. At age 62, I am still young and healthy enough to work, but thanks be to God, I am delivered from my addiction to work. For everything, there is a season.

I look forward to spending lots of quality time with my grandchildren, family and friends that have loved me in spite of my unavailability. I look forward to picking up where we left off, to strengthening the ties that bind, and to making new friends. Camping, hiking, gardening, traveling, and “hanging out” on the back porch are just a few of my favorite things that I will now be able to share with the love of my life, Bob Keebler.

For many years, I was caught up in a restless quest for self-fulfillment. I pursued careers in education and business before I finally yielded to God’s calling upon my life. It was in and through parish ministry that I found my heart’s vocation. As I prepare to depart from the formal occupation of ministry, I know that I will always be a minister, wherever I go, and with whomever I intersect. It warms my heart to anticipate serving in a variety of ways in the years

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ahead, whether guest preaching, leading a spiritual retreat, mentoring new clergy, or baptizing babies!

Thank you, Holston Annual Conference, for loving me into the calling that God placed on my heart. Thank you, bishops, district superintendents, and lay servants who shaped my ministry by your competent and caring leadership. Thank you to the eleven congregations and four districts with which it was my honor to serve. I wish to extend a special word of appreciation to the three congregations of the newly formed Holston Gap Parish where I spent the last eight years of my ministry helping to keep us all afloat! You received me and mine into your hearts and lives, no holds barred. Together we discovered what it truly means to be the Body of Christ.

DaviD a. lorDSpouse: Kathryn Lee Favorite Hymn: Because He Lives Favorite Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14What an exciting journey! Beginning with a little grey-haired lady inviting a 10-year-old boy to Vacation Bible School, where he met Jesus; then a teenager at a Methodist Youth Camp in Florida, sitting on the dock one evening and suddenly knowing that God was calling him to preach the Word.

Fast forward – when I was 47, Kathryn and I loaded up all our worldly possessions and three teenagers, and moved to Atlanta for

seminary.I am grateful, first to God for sending Jesus to live, die, and rise again for my salvation, and

for calling “even me” to labor for the Kingdom. God has blessed over and over again. It has been exciting to see over a dozen youth and adults answer God’s call to ministry.

I am grateful to Kathryn and our “munchkins” for their love and understanding through the years. The lot of a pastor’s spouse and the PKs is never an easy one and all too often is taken for granted.

Also, I am thankful to The United Methodist Church for offering me opportunities to “flesh-out” God’s calling and to the wonderful people of the churches that I have been blessed to serve in the Holston Conference, including Lake City, Briceville, Dutch Valley, Valley View, Fincastle, Second UMC, and most recently, the ten years that we were privileged to serve at Bookwalter UMC in north Knoxville.

Now, after over 40 years in ministry, as this new chapter in my life unfolds, I await God’s guidance and direction.“Here am I, Lord, send me!”

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14)

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BrucE s. MarstonSpouse: Mary Ann Favorite Scripture: John 8:32 John 13:34 Proverbs 17:22I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Holston Conference. I have had three good appointments spanning 26 years (1989-2015) and served with great people who became my friends and extended family.

My first appointment was Kodak Circuit (Oak Grove & Henry’s Crossroads). They warmly received me and we had a

great time together.In November 1991, I was appointed to Halls Crossroads in North Knoxville to start a new

church. Two churches, Halls Central and Aldersgate, had tried a few times to merge since 1954; a new opportunity emerged when a neutral site, Grace Baptist Church’s building, came up for sale. Dr. Darris Doyal, our District Superintendent, developed a plan to treat this as a new church start and not a merger. The two churches voted to close and form a new church that was later called Christ UMC. With the two churches working together, a large influx of new people and being in a growing area, the church has been able to experience continued growth ever since.

But as we planned at Christ UMC to do our third major construction project, I decided I did not have enough time left to see this project through and wanted to leave while the church was still debt free. So with much, much wavering and almost 22 years with people with whom I shared a deep bond, I reluctantly decided to request a new appointment.

In June 2013 I was appointed to another good church, Alcoa First UMC, but on a personal level it was a very challenging two years. The two people that I learned the most from about how to do church, by eavesdropping on them from the backseat on the way home from church, my parents Chester and Emily Marston, died. The best person I have ever known (besides Jesus), who had been healthy her whole life, my wife Mary Ann, had an aotic aneurysm repair, aortic heart valve replaced, breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and a rare autoimmune disease aortitis. All of this in the past two years.

Even though we were so new to the Alcoa church and I could not do all I would normally do, the church has been great to us, very understanding, supportive and they have showered us with concern, cards and tons of food. I don’t know if we are better persons for it but we certainly are bigger.

I can’t really narrow songs or scriptures down to a favorite; I have really tried to avoid favorites in church and have really enjoyed the variety of music, scriptures, experiences and people. Three scriptures, however, do represent major themes of my ministry: John 8:32 (truth), John 13:34 (love), and Proverbs 17:22 (laughter)–taking the teachings of Jesus seriously but not ourselves.

It has been a good journey. Though everyone has not yet been made “perfect in love,” overall we have received much love, support and friendship; we just regret never having enough time to spend with the people we have met along the way.

We have been very fortunate. God has richly blessed us. We are on the road back to health and now we look forward to a new phase of ministry.

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DixiE J. MillErSpouse: Steve Favorite Hymn: Be Thou My Vision Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13After hearing the call to ministry for several years, I finally answered at Annual Conference 2002. Serving my home church/charge for some 30 years as pianist, Lay Leader, Sunday School teacher, and Lay Speaker was preparing me for serving as a Local Pastor. My time at ALPS (Appalachian Local Pastor School) was not just a place to go to complete the required 20 Course of Study classes but it also was a place where the Holy Spirit was actively

at work. I have memories that are truly precious to me and friendships that stretch from Maine to Texas to Minnesota. The leadership and instruction we had were top-notch, too. I am grateful for the opportunity to have completed the Course of Study through ALPS at Union College in Barbourville, KY.

As a Part-Time Local Pastor, I also served as the Administrative Assistant to the District Superintendent for the Morristown District. Thank you, Richard Patterson, Mickey Rainwater, Clark Jenkins, Don Nation and Tom Ballard. You helped me to grow in so many positive ways.

Serving in a full-time position at the District Office in addition to serving one congregation for 11 years and currently serving two congregations took a tremendous amount of time away from my family. I would be remiss if I did not thank my wonderful and supportive husband, Steve; my one remaining brother and his family; my sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughters and all those who have mentored me along the way: Brenda Woods, David Brannock, Kenny Connor, Ginger Isom, Dennis Loy and countless others that allowed me to bend their ears.

I look forward to what God has planned for the future!

roBErt stEvEn ParkErSpouse: Sherry Favorite Hymn: It is Well With My Soul Favorite Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20Looking back on my Christian journey, I often said. God called me at the young age of thirteen or fourteen to get me many years later at 42. I can remember walking out of a movie and thinking, “Is God calling me to preach?” Being very young and shy, this was unthinkable. So at 17, I did receive my license to preach. However, I didn’t fully answer the call until 1990 at the age of 42.

Being a city boy from Chattanooga, my first appointment was to five churches on the Riverview Circuit in the Morristown District. When I told my pastor at Tyner, Charles Burnett, where I was going, he laughed and said, “They will never know when you are gone fishing.” At that appointment, two significant things happened. First, I decided to attend seminary at Candler and secondly, something I never dreamed of, is that I would meet my future wife Sherry.

After my first year of seminary, we were married and began our new life together at the Philadelphia - New Hope Charge. In my career as a pastor, I have served for 25 years and 13 churches. Sherry and I have met many wonderful people along our journey and even though I am no longer their pastor, we have remained friends with them. It has not always been easy especially during those school years when money was scarce but God would always provide.

Over my journey, I am thankful that God had enough confidence in me to bestow this honor upon me, allowing me to serve in this calling. I admit I have not always been obedient but God has always been faithful. While Sherry and I are retiring from full time ministry, we hope to continue to serve the church and the world in ministry as long as God calls.

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Mary l. ParsonFavorite Hymn: Because He Lives Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2:8At the age of eight, I preached my first sermon to the roses in my grandmother’s garden. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew that one day I would be a preacher. This journey into ministry took many turns. Some good, some not so good. However, I am grateful that God did not give up on me. It is those bumps in the road that helped me to be a more compassionate and loving pastor. On the very day I turned 50, I entered Candler School of Theology, and what a journey I have been on since

then. After ordination in June of 1997, I have had the privilege of serving five wonderful congregations. Each of these congregations has helped me to grow as a person, a pastor and a leader. My boxes are now packed (I hope for the last time), and I am looking forward to what God now has in store for me in retirement.

I am very grateful for the blessings I have received from friends, the district superintendents I have served under, and the Holston Conference who made this journey possible. I am also grateful to my daughter, Tani Shaner, my grandchildren, and my sister. In their own special ways, they offered me their support and encouragement all along this exciting journey.

c. ray PEnnSpouse: Gretchen Favorite Hymn: This is My Task (EUB Hymnal) Favorite Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15My journey began at the Loda UMC in Loda, IL, population 520. It became my family of love to balance out a family where all of the adults disliked one other. My father and I could go a year and say no more than five sentences to each other. The men in the church decided I needed a father substitute, so each year just before the Father-Son banquet a man would call me and tell me he had bought too many tickets and would I help him out by coming

as his “extra” son.I owe my call to the ministry to Marvin Snapp, a lay pastor, who allowed me to help him

serve communion and make hospital calls. After church one day he said, “I think God has a special hand on you.” I also thank Bishop Loder who came to our Methodist camp meeting on Christian Vocation. My hand shook as I checked the box next to “I desire to enter full time Christian Ministry.”

I owe my love for learning to McKendree College, at that time an unaccredited Methodist school in Southern Illinois. When my English prof heard I was going to be a minister he said, “Penn, I hope I don’t have to check my brain with my hat to get through your sermons.” I don’t think I have let him down. The intellectual curiosity and study skills forged at McKendree enabled me to earn seven degrees.

I served my first charge at age 19 while in college. I learned much from these two churches. First, never say to your two teenage ushers “we will now collect our Tithes.” They took me literally and placed their ties in the offering plate! I learned that not all comments on the sermon are encouraging. Each Sunday after the service, Mr. Whorley would shake my hand and say, “Nice day, isn’t it.” But one Sunday he said, “Where did you get that sermon?” When I said somewhat flustered, “I guess I got it out of my head.” He responded: “Should have left it there!”

With the exception of two years spent as a seminarian in the Christian Church, I have spent the bulk of my ministry in 15 United Methodist Churches.

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My pilgrimage shifted from the pastoral ministry to two universities as professor and sometime official or unofficial chaplain. The reason why came down to the fact that I entered the ministry to preach, teach and do pastoral care only to find that being an administrator crowded out what I do best. The confirmation that my teaching has born spiritual fruit came in a teaching evaluation filled out by a student in one of my classes, “Your exams made me cry but I rededicated my life to Christ in your class.” I have had the opportunity to help four students prepare for the ministry.

I spent 11 years at Radford University teaching communication courses and 13 years at Lincoln Memorial University teaching all 16 of the courses in philosophy and religious studies. I think that my teaching style may be more boisterous than most professors’; one young woman, after being in class for two weeks, came up after class and asked me, “Do you ALSO act on the stage?”

The goal of my preaching and teaching can be expressed by a line from an early Methodist hymn, “to unite those two so long disjoined: knowledge and vital piety.”

BrEnDa a. PoolESpouse: Larry Favorite Hymn: I love them all! Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 John 3:16The Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever. I never dreamed the Lord would call me into the ministry, yet He has blessed me in so many ways. I have been so blessed in that each church I have pastored has been “home” with the congregation as family, first at Lake City UMC (now Rocky Top, TN), Dutch Valley at Clinton, TN, and Swan Pond UMC in Harriman, TN.

My status as retired does not mean no longer pastoring, since I will continue as pastor at Swan Pond UMC in the Oak Ridge District, where I have been for the past six years. I have been blessed to have worked on two mission trips to Saaghun, Mexico, and Unalaska, Alaska; to have been a part of ICYC at the University of Ulster in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, and a youth gathering at the University of Tennessee; and to have traveled with Bishop and Delphine Swanson on their first Holston trip to Israel. My husband, Larry, is always so willing to send me to the ends of the earth!

My favorite hymns and scriptures are many, yet, scripturally, I cling to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me,”and recognize that the love of God in Jesus Christ shown in John 3:16 is the message the world needs to hear. If we could all learn to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength and our neighbor (including our brothers and sisters in Christ) as we love ourselves, the world could become like Heaven on earth. After all, as I Corinthians 13 tells us, “Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love–and love never ends.”

May the Lord bless all who lead God’s people including those in retirement.

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lutHEr W. roBErtsSpouse: Diana Favorite Hymn: He Touched Me Favorite Scripture: John 3:16Retirement … Where has the time gone?

Being a “part-time” local pastor has been the greatest blessing that I could have. Prior to becoming a pastor in the United Methodist Church, I was active in the Abingdon United Methodist Church in Abingdon, Virginia. I was active in Sunday School, Bible Study, Choir and the Community Christmas Dinner program. I also had the great privilege of being a chaperon for our

youth to the annual Resurrection program in Gatlinburg, TN. It was at one of those events that I received the call to ministry. I discussed it with my pastor Bill Rowland and he said, “I am not surprised, just that it took so long!”

After “Licensing School” at Buffalo Mountain in Johnson City, TN, I was appointed to the Lebanon United Methodist Church in Chilhowie, VA. I served as their pastor for seven wonderful years. Christ’s church grew and we had several baptisms and professions of faith. The people were warm, friendly and loving and we had a great mixture of ages from infants to senior adults. They encouraged me, overlooked my mistakes, and helped me grow in faith and love as we worshipped and served the Lord.

After seven years, I was appointed to the Wallace/Wyndale Charge in the Abingdon District. I have truly been blessed again with two wonderful church families that have welcomed me and my family into their hearts and homes. God has been good! We have experienced baptisms, professions of faith and rededicated lives. Our attendance has grown and our witness to our community has grown as well. We have provided food for families in our communities through the “Back Pack Program” at the Wallace Middle School. This year we are sending food home for the weekends, feeding approximately eighty-six children every other week through this outreach program.

I have truly been blessed to serve as a local pastor in The United Methodist Church. I want to thank my wife who has stood beside me, encouraged me, and lifted me up when I needed it. I am seventy-two years old, but I pray that I can continue to serve my Lord and Savior as a local pastor for as long as my health and strength hold up.

My favorite scripture is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” My favorite hymn is He Touched Me.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS!

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stElla M. roBErtsSpouse: Sam Favorite Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Favorite Scripture: II Corinthians 5:16-21I once feared that retirement would be like a dark and stormy night, marking the end of so much that has been invigorating, challenging, and life giving for me. However, now that I am almost there, I find that it is not dark and stormy at all, but is rather a bright and sunny time of hope and joy for what will be, and profound gratitude for what has been. Certainly, I will miss the special pastoral relationships formed in the churches I have

served throughout my ministry, but I look toward this chapter of life with excitement and expectation for the new opportunities and possibilities, which might be ahead.

When Sam and I moved from West Virginia to the Holston Conference in July 1986, we never imagined that this would be our church home for over 25 years. But we were welcomed as family and have enjoyed wonderful experiences and relationships ever since that time. To the congregations of Keith Memorial UMC in Athens and First UMC in Oak Ridge, the churches and people of the Knoxville District, and the staff and leaders of the Holston Conference, I thank you for all of the ways you shared in ministry and mission – working with me, encouraging me, forgiving me, and loving me as I sought to be a channel of love, grace, and peace among you. I have appreciated the opportunity to work for many years with the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and through that work, to get to know so many truly gifted people who have heard and responded to God’s call upon their lives to serve as licensed and ordained ministers. I will be forever grateful for all the colleagues with whom I’ve been privileged to work in Holston, as well as in New Jersey and West Virginia. I count it a blessing to have served alongside you all through these years together. Finally, I give thanks for my husband, Sam, who has been my partner in ministry, in life and love for over 40 years (so far). For all of these gifts of Grace, I thank God!

JEralD W. “JErry” russEllSpouse: Judy Favorite Scripture: I Corinthians 12:7My heart is filled with gratitude to our United Methodist family and Holston Conference. In particular, for the opportunities I have been afforded. I have been nurtured and, through the formation, been given the opportunity for service to Christ and His church.

As a child, I was influenced by Rev. Bob Walker and later by Rev. Charles Lippse. Lay persons such as Andy Sprinkle and Helen and Bob Large helped me in having that heartwarming experience of trusting in Christ and Him alone for forgiveness

of my sins and eternal life in Him. What a blessing it has been to enter into a relationship that fashioned and formed me in this Love of Christ and to see and love the world as Christ does!

Holston Conference recognized God’s call on my and Judy’s life and offered us the wonderful privilege to serve in Pastoral Ministry and Missionary service. We have served all sizes of church from inner city, to rural mission church, to our last 25-year assignment at Fairview. God has been found faithful in every way and the people in each locality have helped us.

“The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” I Corinthians 12:7. This scripture verse has been my marching orders and in the words of John Wesley allowed me to see “the World as my parish.”

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If I had a word for Holston Conference, it would be to remember that “We’ve a Story to tell the Nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, And the dawning to noonday bright; And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, The kingdom of love and light.”

Holston, recall the words of John Wesley. “I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.” Also, acknowledge that the world has now come into our communities and parishes. People from other countries and cultures are now near our places of worship.

I truly believe that God has been so faithful in our past and as individuals and as a church, we must win the next generation to Christ. We must tell others what Christ has done for us.

“Jesus said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” Mark 5:18-20

I remain amazed that Jesus would not only redeem me, but call me to be a follower and to share the Good News of what He has done and desires to do in the lives of others.

“The best of all is, God is with us!”

JoHn M. slatEr, Jr. Spouse: Tana Favorite Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light Favorite Scripture: Acts 17:22-31News of my retirement may come as a surprise. This is not the way life was supposed to unfold. Certainly, retirement was not a consideration when Ken Henderlight and I sat down for the first time in 2005 to discuss the possibility of ministry in the Holston Conference. I always anticipated that mandatory retirement would be my lot, and I was pleased when it was raised to age 72. Circumstances change, however, and my call to ministry in

the name of Jesus Christ now leads me to address the present and real needs of my family, the challenges facing the Holston Conference, and the urgent needs of the good people of Oliver Springs and Jonesville congregations, by changing my focus away from full-time pastoral ministry.

Several months ago, one of my precious, loyal mentors asked me if, knowing what I now know about pastoral ministry, I would still make the decision to leave secular employment, participate in the candidacy process, attend seminary, and serve local congregations. My immediate answer was, “Absolutely! This has been the most rewarding spiritual experience of my life.” Throughout my relationship with The United Methodist Church I have been truly blessed by the opportunities, support, mentoring and discipline afforded me by United Methodists in five Conferences, and by Asbury Theological Seminary, and by my long-suffering wife, Tana, my daughters and their families, and, especially, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of Jesus Christ.

As I transition to the secular fiction of retirement I continue to ask for your prayers that I may continue to be the face and hands of Jesus to those I meet every day, that I may, in some way, continue to be a blessing to a local congregation of The United Methodist Church, and that Tana and I will enjoy many more decades of service to each other and to others, in Jesus’ name.

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DaviD G. sMitHSpouse: Sherry Favorite Hymn: My Hope Is Built Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

In the spring of 1983, I finally quit resisting the call of God to go into the ministry. I finished the work at the University of Tennessee and graduated in August. I was accepted by Candler School of Theology and entered school at the end of the month. In November of that year, I received my first assignment to the Benton/Mt. Hermon charge. Since then I have been blessed to serve one appointment in the Oak Ridge District and five

appointments in the Maryville District. It has been a wonderful and fruitful journey. I have been blessed to meet and serve with many faithful laypersons as I have sought to be faithful to my call. After thirteen years at the Sevierville Parish, I felt that it was time for a new challenge. The appointment available to me was a part time appointment that seems to be a great opportunity. Therefore, I have come to this stage in my journey where I find it necessary to retire from active status to be able to continue the challenge ahead of me. I sincerely believe that God is not through with me yet and important work waits to be done.

DaviD r. vauGHnSpouse: Brenda Favorite Hymn: Crown Him With Many Crowns Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:4-6 Romans 12: 9-13As I was trying to get a handle of the call into the ordained ministry, I prayed and sought God’s wisdom. I wanted to be sure that as a green pastor I would be following God’s will for me. Another person, not knowing, would confirm my call into the ministry. Johnny Cash had just completed his movie. Gospel Road, and was promoting the movie and its sound track. It spoke

to me of God’s call on my life. This movie and sound track were used by God to point me in the direction I needed to go. After accepting God’s call, I prayed that I may meet Johnny Cash sometime to thank him for his word in music that revealed God’s call to me.

In 1976, I met Johnny Cash at his Virginia home. I took a long walk with Johnny Cash and shared how God had used him, his music, and words to capture my heart and send me down “The Gospel Road.”

At this Holston United Methodist Annual Conference, I will take retirement after 39½ years of Christian service. I have been extremely blessed through serving 15 churches in Southwest Virginia and in East Tennessee, and through other areas of ministry – team leader of eight short-term mission trips, Dean of Holston Conference’s Local Pastors Licensing School, and student pastor at the Southwest Virginia Community College.

I thank God every day for this road I have traveled. I am very thankful for my family and their love and support given me throughout my ministry.

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015 ● 8:30 a.m.Stuart Auditorium

Morning Bible Study and Holy Communion“Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk

along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.”Psalm 119:33-35 (NLT)

Prelude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

Prayer The Reverend Jeannie Higgins

*Hymn of Praise “Love the Lord Your God” Brewster

Bible Study The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur

Holy Communion The Reverend James R. Bailes

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your heart! We lift our hearts to God! Let us thank the Lord our God. Hear our prayer, O Lord.

Prophetic God, you have created us in your image and charged us with stewardship over your creation.You have shown your mortals what is good, and what the Lord requires of us: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you.You have called us to love you with all our hearts and all our souls, and all our strengths and all our minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.You have made covenant to be our sovereign God and we have promised to be your people.And so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we join in singing praise to you:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

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Merciful God,

In your Son Jesus Christ you called us to more than stewardship over your creation: You called us to live as servants to all.

By your example you showed us how to love one another as you loved us: You gave living water to a Samaritan woman, restored life to the daughter of a Synagogue leader, and shared supper with a tax collector.

By your Word you cleansed a leper, healed the servant of the Centurion, and showed compassion to a Syrophoenician woman.

You taught your disciples that you came not to be served, but to serve.

How thankful we are for Christ Jesus, your Word made flesh.

Gracious God, we remember how Christ Jesus gave himself to all who needed him, especially the children whom he invited to come to him, and how at his last supper with his friends, he took the loaf of bread, and after thanking you, broke it, saying, “Take this and eat, for this is the bread of life, given for you. Eat this, remembering me.”

And after supper he took the cup of wine, and after thanking you, gave it to his friends saying, “All of you share in this drink, for this is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and many others, for the forgiveness of sins. Drink this, remembering me.”

How grateful we are, remembering how Christ Jesus gave himself for all who needed him, how Jesus gave himself for us!

Mighty God, we humbly call upon you to pour out upon us now your Holy Spirit. Pour out peace, Pour out wisdom, Pour out comfort, Pour out justice, Pour out compassion, Pour out power, Pour out love. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us all, that we may be one with Jesus Christ and one with each other.

Open our eyes to see all the children of the world as your precious creation, and grant that we may continue the ministry of our Lord Jesus and give ourselves to this present age with vision and purpose as we work to reduce poverty in our own communities and across this great global neighborhood that we share.

Pour out your spirit upon us, O Lord. Amen.

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Worship Participants: The Reverend Stephen B. DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville District

Liturgist ~ The Reverend Jeannie Higgins, Morristown DistrictCelebrant ~ The Reverend James R. Bailes, Emerald Avenue UMC, Knoxville District

Music Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville DistrictOrganist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon District

Musicians ~ Abel and Nicole Carrico and the Holston UM Home for Children, Morristown District

Acknowledgments Communion liturgy was prepared by The Reverend Dr. P. Dawn Chesser, Discipleship Ministries.

Presider raises bread and breaks it saying: The loaf we break and share, the bread of life that makes us one.

Presider raises cup saying: The cup of the new covenant in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Giving the Bread and Cup

Worship Music during Communion Abel and Nicole Carrico and Holston UM Home for Children Students

*Hymn of Commitment “The Stand” houston

*Benediction Reverend Higgins

Postlude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood

*Please stand as you are able.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015 ● 9:00 a.m.Stuart Auditorium

Service of Ordination, Commissioning, Recognition and Sending Forth

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me the Father will honor.” John 12:26 (NRSV)

ENTRANCEPre-Service Music, 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. The Lake Junaluska SingersPrelude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood*Processional Hymn #715 “Rejoice, the Lord is King” darwaLL’s 148th #327 “Crown Him with Many Crowns” diadeMata

*Greeting and Prayer Bishop Mary Virginia TaylorThe bishop greets the people and they respond:

The grace of Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.Let us pray.Eternal God, by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit you gave to your apostles many excellent gifts. Give your grace to all servants of your church, that we may with diligence and faithfulness fulfill our various ministries. Grant that we your people may follow where you lead, perfect our ministries, and live in joyful obedience to your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

RECOGNITION OF COMMON MINISTRY AND REAFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM

As the people remain standing, the bishop begins:Ministry is the work of God, done by the people of God. Through baptism all Christians are made part of the priesthood of all believers, the church, Christ’s body, made visible in the world. We all share in Christ’s ministry of love and service for the redemption of the human family and the whole of creation.Therefore, in celebration of our common ministry, I call upon all God’s people gathered here:

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The bishop may pour water into a basin and say:Remember your baptism and be thankful.We remember our baptism and affirm our common ministry.

All people are seated.

PRESENTATIONThe conference Lay Leader and the Chairperson and representatives of the Board

of Ordained Ministry present to the bishop those who are to be commissioned, ordained, and recognized. Each candidate stands as their name is read:

Mr. Del Holley, Conference Lay Leader On behalf of the laity of local congregations who have examined and approved these candidates, The Reverend Stella Roberts, Chair, Board of Ordained Ministry and on behalf of the Board of Ordained Ministry of this annual conference, which has recommended these persons, and this annual conference, which has approved them, we present The Reverend Nancy Hobbs, Chair, Division of Deacons this person to be commissioned for the work of a deacon: Thomas Drew McCallie The Reverend David Graybeal, Chair, Division of Elders these persons to be commissioned for the work of an elder:

Teresa Atkins McClure Linda Lawson Bass Harrison Bell Thomas John Burdine James Todd Chancey Debra Dickerson Timothy S. Hankins Wayne Hickman Carl T. Marshall Caleb Pitkin E. Creighton Smith, II C. Scott Spence Magan Stubblefield

The Reverend Dale Gilbert Co-Chair, Division of Local Pastors and Associate Members these persons to be recognized as associate members of this annual conference: J. Glenn Moseley Edwin G. Blair W. David Hall The Reverend Rebekah Fetzer, Chair, Order of Deacons these persons to be ordained deacon: Joseph Michael Stallings Mary Carol Thompson

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The Reverend Donald Swift, Chair, Order of Elders and these persons to be ordained elders:

Aaron Dana Atchley Amy Rebecca Aycock Ryan Andrew Davenport Caleb Raymond Frazier Evelyn Boutz Harris L. Ashley Sullivan Helton Darren Lee Kitts Jacob Paul Reedy William R. Shelton, II Elizabeth Sullivan

this person whose orders will be recognized as elder: Linda Isadore McDaniel

After all the candidates have been presented, they remain standing, and the bishop says:

These persons are by God’s grace to be commissioned or ordained to ministry in Christ’s holy church. Those authorized by the Church to inquire about them have discerned that they are persons of sound learning and of Christian character, and possess the necessary signs of God’s grace, and have demonstrated a profound commitment to serve Jesus Christ. Therefore, we believe them to be duly called to serve God.We ask you, people of God, to declare your assent to the commissioning or ordination of these persons.Do you trust that they are worthy, by God’s grace, to be commissioned or ordained?We do! Thanks be to God!Will you uphold them in their ministry?With God’s help, we will!

THE GENERAL EXAMINATIONAll remain seated except the candidates and the Bishop,

who stand facing one another. The Bishop examines the candidates for commissioning or ordination:

My sisters and brothers in Christ, you have been called to a commissioned or ordained ministry. The church now confirms your calling.As commissioned or ordained ministers, you are to be coworkers with the laity, bishops, deacons, diaconal ministers, deaconesses, home missioners, commissioned ministers, local pastors and elders.

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Remember that you are called to serve rather than to be served, to proclaim the faith of the church and no other, to look after the concerns of God above all.So that we may know that you believe yourselves to be called by God and that you profess the Christian faith, we ask you:Do you believe that God has called you to the life and work of ordained ministry?I do so believe.Do you believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?I do so believe and confess.Are you persuaded that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain all things necessary for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and are the unique and authoritative standard for the church’s faith and life?I am so persuaded, by God’s grace.Will you be faithful in prayer, in the study of the Holy Scriptures, and with the help of the Holy Spirit continually rekindle the gift of God that is in you? I will, with the help of God.Will you do your best to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ?I will, with the help of God.Will you, in the exercise of your ministry, lead the people of God to faith in Jesus Christ, to participate in the life and work of the community, and to seek peace, justice, and freedom for all people?I will, with the help of God.Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, accepting its order, liturgy, doctrine, and discipline, defending it against all doctrines contrary to God’s Holy Word, and committing yourself to be accountable with those serving with you, and to the bishop and those who are appointed to supervise your ministry?I will, with the help of God.

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The bishop addresses the candidates:May God, who has given you the will to do these things, give you grace to perform them, that the work begun in you may be brought to perfection. Amen.Anthem The Lake Junaluska Singers

PROCLAMATIONScripture ReadingSermon Bishop Taylor*Hymn of Commitment “Take My Life” toMLin

As the hymn is sung, the candidates for commissioning move to the stage and face the bishop. Bishop Taylor says to the congregation:

CHARGE TO PERSONS BEING COMMISSIONEDBishop Taylor says to the congregation:

By affirming the covenant of baptism, all members of Christ’s holy church pledge to serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.Christ gave all of us this command: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” We have asked, and the Lord has answered.These sisters and brothers know our Savior’s concern for God’s people, see the plentiful harvest, and are ready to respond generously to the Lord in the words of the prophet: “Here I am; send me.”Urged on by the love of Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, they now come to declare in public their desire to live out the covenant made at their baptism by binding themselves to the service of God under the supervision of the bishop and the guidance of ordained colleagues and by being appointed to share as servant leaders in the body of Christ.Today we commission them to service as they continue to prepare for ordained ministry among us.

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THE PRAYER OF COMMISSIONINGThe candidates kneel.

The bishop, extending arms over all of the candidates, prays:God of the apostles and prophets, of the martyrs and teachers, you raise up men and women to be apostolic leaders in your church. By your Holy Spirit help these, your servants, to understand and live the mystery of your love with boldness and joy. Deepen their sense of purpose as they exercise commissioned ministry. Empower them, and those who will walk with them to guide their ministry, together with all of your people, to heal the sick, love the outcast, resist evil, preach the Word, and give themselves freely for your name’s sake.

Teresa Atkins McClure Linda Lawson Bass Harrison Bell Thomas John Burdine James Todd Chancey Debra Dickerson Timothy S. Hankins Wayne Hickman Carl T. Marshall Thomas Drew McCallie Caleb Pitkin E. Creighton Smith, II C. Scott Spence Magan Stubblefield

The bishop laying both hands upon the shoulders of each candidate prays:Pour out your Holy Spirit upon Name. Send him/her now to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to announce the reign of God, and to equip the church for ministry, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Those being commissioned receive their certificates and Bibles. All are seated after being commissioned.

*Hymn of Commitment “Lead Me, Lord” Goodine

RECOGNITION OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERSAs the hymn is sung, those to be recognized as associate members move to the

stage and face the bishop. The bishop addresses them:After fulfillment of all of the requirements and after due examination of your call and ministry, we now welcome you as associate members of this annual conference. You have given assurance of your faith and Christian experience.

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You have committed yourself to uphold faithfully The United Methodist Church and to the work of a pastor under appointment of the bishop. We rejoice that you have been called to serve among us, and pray that God may guide your ministry. Edwin G. Blair W. David Hall J. Glenn Moseley

As each candidate comes forward, the bishop greets each one:Name, we now recognize you as an associate member in the Holston Annual Conference.

The newly recognized associate members receive their certificates and Bibles and return to their seats.

EXAMINATION OF DEACONSThe deacon candidates move toward the bishop as directed.

The bishop examines the deacon candidate:A deacon is called to share in Christ’s ministry of servanthood, to relate the life of the community to its service in the world, to lead others into Christian discipleship, to nurture disciples for witness and service,

Here a large Bible may be lifted by an assistant. to lead in worship, to teach and proclaim God’s Word, to assist elders and appointed local pastors at Holy Baptism and Holy Communion,

Here a towel and basin with pitcher may be lifted by an assistant. to interpret to the church the world’s hurts and hopes, to serve all people, particularly the poor, the sick, and the oppressed, and to lead Christ’s people in ministries of compassion and justice, liberation and reconciliation, even in the face of hardship and personal sacrifice. These are the duties of a deacon. Do you believe that God has called you to the life and work of a deacon?I do so believe.

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The bishop asks the candidates for ordination as deacon:Will you, for the sake of the church’s life and mission covenant to participate in the order of deacons? Will you give yourself to God through the order of deacons in order to sustain and build each other up in prayer, study, worship, and service?I will, with the help of God, and with the help of my sisters and brothers in the order of deacons.

LAYING ON OF HANDS AND PRAYER FOR DEACONSThe bishop, facing the ordinands, calls the people to prayer:

As these persons are ordained by God and the church for the ministry of deacon to which we believe they have been called by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for them.

The people pray for them in silence.The bishop, with hands extended over those being ordained, prays:

We thank you, Living God, that in your great love you sent Jesus Christ to take the form of a servant, becoming obedient even to death on the cross, and now resurrected and exalted in the heavens. You have taught us, by his word and example, that whoever would be great among us must be servant of all.Give these servants grace to be faithful to their promises, constant in their discipleship, and always ready for works of loving service. Make them modest and humble, gentle and strong, rooted and grounded in love. Give them a share in the ministry of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Joseph Michael Stallings Mary Carol Thompson

Candidates for ordination as deacon and their sponsors and spouses move into position, and deacon candidates are invited to kneel before the bishop one at a time as directed.

Those who are to join in the laying on of hands will stand with the bishop. Family members and friends are invited to stand where they are for silent prayer during the laying on of hands for the ordinand.

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The bishop lays both hands on the head of the ordinand, praying:Almighty God, pour upon Name the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a deacon in Christ’s holy church. Amen.

Immediately the candidate places hands on a Bible as the bishop lays hands on the hands of the candidate and says:

Name, take authority as a deacon to proclaim the Word of God and to lead God’s people in ministries of compassion and justice; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The ordinands receive their stoles and certificates and returns to their seats.*Hymn “Use Me, Send Me” rhodes

EXAMINATION OF ELDERSThe elder candidates stand.

The bishop examines the candidates for ordination as elder:An elder is called to share in the ministry of Christ and of the whole church: to preach and teach the Word of God

Here a large Bible is lifted by an assistant.and faithfully administer the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion;

Here a paten and chalice are lifted.to lead the people of God in worship and prayer; to lead persons to faith in Jesus Christ; to exercise pastoral supervision, order the life of the congregation, counsel the troubled, and declare the forgiveness of sin; to lead the people of God in obedience to Christ’s mission in the world; to seek justice, peace, and freedom for all people; and to take a responsible place in the government of the Church and in service in and to the community.These are the duties of an elder.Do you believe that God has called you to the life and work of an elder?I do so believe.

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Will you, for the sake of the church’s life and mission, covenant to participate in the order of elders? Will you give yourself to God through the order of elders in order to sustain and build each other up in prayer, study, worship, and service?I will, with the help of God, and the help of my sisters and brothers in the order of elders.

LAYING ON OF HANDS AND PRAYER FOR ELDERSThe bishop, facing the ordinands, calls the people to prayer:

As these persons are recognized or ordained by God and the church for the ministry of elders to which we believe they have been called by the Holy Spirit, let us pray for them.

The people pray for them in silence. The bishop, with hands extended over those being ordained, prays:

We praise you, eternal God, because you have called us to be a priestly people, offering to you acceptable worship through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Apostle and High Priest, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. We thank you that, by dying, Christ has overcome death and, having ascended into heaven, has poured forth gifts abundantly on your people, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up Christ’s body, and to fulfill your gracious purpose in the world.Give to these your servants the grace and power they need to serve you in this ministry. Make them faithful pastors, patient teachers, and wise counselors. Enable them to serve without reproach, to proclaim the gospel of salvation, to administer the sacraments of the new covenant, and to offer with all your people spiritual sacrifices acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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Candidates for ordination as elder and their sponsors and spouses move into position, and elder candidates are invited to kneel before the bishop one at a time as directed.

Those who are to join in the laying on of hands will stand with the bishop. Family members and friends are invited to stand where they are for

silent prayer during the laying on of hands for each ordinand. Aaron Dana Atchley Amy Rebecca Aycock Ryan Andrew Davenport Caleb Raymond Frazier Evelyn Boutz Harris L. Ashley Sullivan Helton Darren Lee Kitts Jacob Paul Reedy William R. Shelton, II Elizabeth Sullivan

The bishop lays both hands on the head of each ordinand, praying:Almighty God, pour upon Name the Holy Spirit, for the office and work of an elder in Christ’s holy church. Amen.

Immediately the candidate places hands on a Bible as the bishop lays hands on the hands of the ordinand and says:

Name, take authority as an elder to preach the Word of God, to administer the Holy Sacraments and to order the life of the Church; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The ordinands receive their stoles and certificates and return to their seat.

RECOGNITION OF ORDERSThe candidate and spouse and sponsors come forward.

The bishop addresses the elder whose orders are to be recognized.After due examination of your call and ministry in another part of Christ’s holy church, we now welcome you to this communion. You have given assurance of your faith and Christian experience. You have renewed the vows of your ordination and committed yourself to uphold faithfully The United Methodist Church. We rejoice that you have been called to serve among us, and pray that God may guide your ministry. Linda Isadore McDaniel

The candidate comes forward. The bishop greets the candidate.Name, we now recognize you as an elder in The United Methodist Church.

The candidate receives her certificate and stole and is seated.

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Anthem The Lake Junaluska SingersDistribution of Appointment Books

The ushers will provide appointment books for lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference.

Question of Clergy Character Reverend RobertsThe Fixing of Appointments Bishop Taylor, District Superintendents, and District Lay LeadersA Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (in unison) No. 607 I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low by thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou are mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.*Hymn of Commitment #95 “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” oLd 100th

*The Dismissal with Blessing Bishop Taylor As Jesus sent the disciples out in the countryside to preach and to heal, so Christ sends us out to speak words of hope and to heal human hurts today. We accept this mission to be God’s people in the world. Go on your way, rejoicing in the presence of God’s Spirit, and in the power of the gospel of love and hope. For yours is the glory, O God, now and forever! Amen. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. We are sent in the name of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen.*Adjournment Bishop Taylor*Recessional Hymn of Praise #159 “Lift High the Cross” CruCifer

Postlude Mr. Bryan K. Underwood*Please stand as you are able.

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Worship Participants:Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop, Holston Area,

The United Methodist ChurchDirector of Liturgy and Assisting Deacon for Bishop Taylor ~

The Reverend Glenna Manning, Concord UMC, Oak Ridge DistrictMusic Leader ~ Mr. Wesley Rouse, Fairview UMC, Maryville District

Organist ~ Mr. Bryan K. Underwood, First UMC, Marion, Abingdon DistrictTrumpeter ~ Mr. Warren Clark, Bookwalter UMC, Knoxville District

Musicians ~ The Lake Junaluska Singers, Lake Junaluska, North CarolinaDr. Melodie Galloway, Director

Thank you:

Stoles: Stoles presented to those being ordained were provided by the congregations where they are currently appointed.

Bibles: Bibles presented to those being commissioned were provided by their home districts.

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Historic Examination of Full Membership in the Annual Conference

Those being ordained this morning answered the following Historic Questions during the Clergy Session on Sunday afternoon of Annual Conference. 1. Have you faith in Christ? 2. Are you going on to perfection? 3. Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this life? 4. Are you earnestly striving after it? 5. Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God and His work? 6. Do you know the General Rules of our Church? 7. Will you keep them? 8. Have you studied the doctrines of The United Methodist Church? 9. After full examination, do you believe that our doctrines are in harmony with the Holy Scriptures? 10. Will you preach and maintain them? 11. Have you studied our form of Church discipline and polity? 12. Do you approve our Church government and polity? 13. Will you support and maintain them? 14. Will you diligently instruct the children in every place? 15. Will you visit from house to house? 16. Will you recommend fasting or abstinence, both by precept and example? 17. Are you determined to employ all your time in the work of God? 18. Are you in debt so as to embarrass you in your work? 19. Will you observe the following directions?

a. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never trifle away time; neither spend any more time at any one place than is strictly necessary.

b. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them; not for wrath, but for conscience’ sake.

2012 Book of Discipline, Paragraph 336

The Service of Commissioning, Recognition, and OrdinationThe United Methodist Church

The acts of ordination and commissioning, as well as consecrating and certifying, are anchored in the sacrament of baptism and the ministry of the baptized. These sign-acts are based on what is already implicit in baptism and rest upon the essential ministry given to all Christians in baptism. Within the church community, there are persons whose gifts, evidence of God’s grace, and promise of future usefulness are affirmed by the community and who respond to God’s call by offering themselves as ordained and licensed ministers.

There are four categories of persons who have responded to God’s call and are set apart for ministry.

Recognition of Associate Members – These persons are full-time local pastors within the annual conference who are a part of the itinerant ministry of the church and are available on a continuing basis for appointment by the bishop. These persons must have reached 40 years of age, have served four years as a full-time local pastor, must have completed the five-year Course of Study for ordained ministry in addition to the studies for license as a local pastor, have declared their willingness to accept continuing full-time appointment, and other requirements for licensing and election as an associate member.

Commissioning – This act may be compared with the experiences of the early church in Antioch when the Holy Spirit instructed the community to “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2) The act of commissioning relates persons to the annual conference as provisional members. These persons are being sent for service within the annual conference. Provisional members may be preparing for ministry as deacons or elders.

Deacons in Full Connection – These persons are ordained for the purpose of leading the Church in servanthood in the church and the world and to embody the interrelationship between worship in the Church and service to God in the world. Deacons are non-itinerant clergy called to ministries of word, service, compassion, and justice. They are members of the annual conference in full connection and become members of the Order of Deacons. The ministries of the deacon are symbolized by the Bible (Word) and the basin and pitcher (service).

Elders in Full Connection – These persons are ordained for ministries of word, sacrament, and order. They are itinerant clergy subject to annual appointment by the bishop to lead the gathered community in the celebration of the sacraments and the guidance and care of the church’s communal life. Elders are members in full connection of the annual conference and become members of the Order of Elders. The ministries of the elder are symbolized by the Bible (Word), chalice and paten (sacrament), and The Book of Discipline (Order)