The Circuit Writer

November, 2011

Wanda Payne, Editor

Reverend Buford Boo Hankins

with a heartfelt reminder

Dear Friends,

I talked with Fred Dearing just before he and Libby left to go back to Sudan two weeks ago. He said that one of the first things they will do when they get back is start the Children�s Home in Yei. This is a dream we have had since going to Sudan in 2009. Holston Conference Mission offerings last year will fund this vital ministry. There are 1000�s of orphans left from the brutal war for independence in South Sudan. The United Methodist Church will begin in a small way by building a facility for ten orphans, and as God desires, grow from there. Some of those who helped develop the vision for this home are Art Masker and Sam Puckett from Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, TN. We cherish their commitment to ministry to children here in Holston Conference and Sudan.

Sunday January 29 is a Fifth Sunday and traditionally we have received a special second-mile offering for Holston Home. Let me encourage you to consider this 116 year old ministry right here in our own backyard. On any given day they touch the lives of over 400 children. Last year more than 50 children made a profession of faith and were baptized.

James 1:27 says, �Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.�

Blessings,

Pastor Boo

I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do. John 17:4

Jimmy Butler, Paul Gobble, Frank Grayson, and Ruth Hawkins were all members of First United Methodist Church, all individuals who contributed greatly to their communities, all persons of distinction who made us all proud they were part of our church family.

Paul Gobble was a brilliant number cruncher who graduated near the top of his class from Northwestern University. A staunch conservative with an analytical mind that enabled him to serve hundreds of underprivileged in our area by managing four complexes of government �subsidized housing. He did all this while serving several years as an alderman for Mountain City and co-managing a radio station. In addition, he was also the center of a family that included his three sons and two daughters, along with his wife and their six grandchildren.

Jimmy Butler is hard to think of as an individual since he was known most of his life as one of the unique and talented Butlers. Although he spent the last 17 years without his immediate family, he was never alone. Known mostly for his charming personality and brilliant musical talent, he also loved beautiful things, fine china, good silver, gorgeous flowers, and first-rate cuisine. He shared that passion with friends as he continued to give dinner parties into the last year of his life. Jimmy not only �put on the dog� with table appointments, but entertained everyone in the room with his eccentricities that included a bright pink sports coat and an extraordinary memory that enabled him to tell hilarious stories involving the many �characters� from local history. It�s also interesting to note that some of Jimmy�s most ardent fans are the JCHS Band students to whom he gave the gift of music - admiration every teacher treasures.

Frank Grayson will always be known in this little community as a master fiddler, but he was more than that. He was an old fashioned gentleman and a good son, husband, and father, qualities which endear a man not only to his family, but also to his community. Everyone who�s heard Frank play �Lee Highway Blues� will always remember that experience. One of our richest stories around local music features a fiddle showdown between Frank and the Stanley Brothers� fiddler in the forties. The story goes that after Frank and his Tennessee Merrymakers played, Carter Stanley claimed they were out of time, so the contest was quashed. Everyone in the old high school gym that day knew why the professional fiddler didn�t play - he was no match for Frank .Frank Grayson left his mark on this community by honing his talents and using them to make us proud.

Ruth Hawkins was the quintessential daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and neighbor, a beautiful LADY on the inside and out. A gifted decorator, seamstress, cook, and gardener, she used her talents to create a pleasant environment and upbringing for her family. She spent much of her life caring for the needs of others always with a cheerful demeanor and a heart full of love. One of her most beautiful contributions to the community is the commemorative quilt, depicting the county bird, tree, crop, and flower which she designed and made for Johnson County and is presently on display in the Courthouse.

All of these Methodists, contributing members of our community, beloved family members and friends, they will all, all be missed not only by those to whom they were near and dear, but also by the community that they enriched with their lives, their talents, and their very presence.

FUMC FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONCERNS

PRAYER LIST: Beverly Auber, Christie and Frank Bailey, Paul Barr, Nancy Burt, Beryle and Bernie Cowan, Gertrude Cox, Sandra DiMaop. Ler,ot Digger. Bittue Dimcam. Ted Hendricks, Pat Gills, the family of Frank Grayson, Ruth and Joe Hawkins, John Martino, Johnny Miller, Wanda Murray, Pauline Johns Nihill, Carrie Parker, Ronnie Perkins, Lynda Pika, Wilma Rhymer, Rose Tester, Marjorie Vanover, Hill Ward, Tom Weatherford, Clara White, Mary Wills, and Norma Wills

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: Thanks to many contributions from church members and others along with lots of volunteer hours under the dedicated leadership of Sue Evans and Jill Bontrager, the Unique Boutique grossed over $14,000 by the end of 2011. If you are participating, thank you so much for helping this important mission. If you are not participating, please consider how much good your contributions could provide for the community organizations and individuals who benefit from the affordable Boutique merchandise and profits.

PANTRY FUND: Bobbie Smith, Pantry Fund Coordinator, reported to the Board on January 11 that she had distributed $17,367 to community members in need during 2011. Of this amount, $4,000 was provided by the Bazaar profits and $2,000 by the Unique Boutique. The remainder was donated by individual members. This amount includes the Thanksgiving bags and gift cards. Bobbie is now accepting donations for the Kevin Eller Music Education Fund. Kevin will be graduating from JCHS in May and hopefully the lessons we have provided will help him get a music scholarship.

FIFTH SUNDAY OFFERINGS: The Administrative Board voted on January 11 to observe the Holston Conference tradition of taking a special offering for the Holston Home for Children each fifth Sunday of the year, the first of which will be January 29. Rather than passing the plate twice, special envelopes will be provided in the entrances for this offering.

PRAYERS & CONCERNS: During the Sunday morning service, members are now being asked to list their prayer requests on clip boards placed at both entrances. Since attendees and leaders have not always able to hear the names called out.

THE UNSUNG HEROES: From July 18�January 25, FUMC has comforted seven bereaved families for by providing services for some and food for all. Pastor Boo Hankins has carried a heavy load with visiting the sick, comforting the bereaved, and giving consoling eulogies for the survivors. Dick Walsh, along with the musicians Sandra Fortune, Nancy Tolliver, and Lisa Zeggert have all been called upon to plan and participate in these services. The Food for Friends leaders including Sue Evans, Mary Ann Worley, Merle Gill, Wilma Smith, and Jane Ann McGee, have all planned and delivered some type of food service for each of these families; Alice Glenn and Sue Evans worked with most of the services to plan, set up, prepare, and clean up after each one, and Evelyn Cook delivered two of her brilliant and cheering eulogies. Even though the last six months have been emotionally and physically draining, I have never been prouder of my church family. All who were able have contributed in some way, and many, such as those named here, went well beyond the call of duty. So thank you, FUMC Family. Well done thou good and faithful servants.

THOSE AMAZING EDUCATORS: The beginning of the year is a good time to recognize the Sunday School team, those individuals who show up every Sunday to help us all grow in our spiritual lives. Nursery Workers: Daisy & Eddie Cobb, 4yr.-1st Grade - Jill Bontrager; Rotation, Mountain Top Journeys: Judy Walsh, Dan & Merle Gill, Terri Angel, Catherine Tierney, Carol Huff (replacing Tierney) and Carol Winningham; Open-Door- Robert Hensley and Short-Term Journeys - Warren Stewart, with George & Marilyn Hall, Roger Davis, & Evelyn Cook serving as subs. AND, of course, their wonderfully dedicated and hard-working teacher AND leader, Mary Ann Worley. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

2012 FUMC Schedule & Calendar

PLEASE NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change if necessary

FUMC Choir Practice, Wednesday evenings 6pm in Sanctuary

FUMC Administrative, Second Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Open Door Sunday School Class

United Methodist Women, First Thursday of each month at 6pm in Fellowship Hall

United Methodist Men, Second Saturday of each month, 9pm; Location TBA

February 22 Ash Wednesday Service 7pm in Sanctuary

March 18 One Great Hour of Sharing�Special Offering taken for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)

April 1 Palm Sunday Service with Procession of the Palms (children and youth)

April 2-6 Holy Week with 12 noon services provided by Ministerial Association and light lunches by UMW, 11:30

April 5 Maundy Thursday - Seder Dinner and Tenebrae Service

April 8 Easter Sunday - special music and service

July 16 - 20 Vacation Bible School - Convenes each morning 9:30�12:00

July 22 Summer Fellowship Picnic & VBS Culmination

October 20 (tentative) Annual Bazaar with Booths, Boutique, and Chicken Dinners

December 9 Christmas Cantata & Program during 11a.m service , Holiday Fellowship Luncheon following

December 24 Christmas Eve Service, 5pm with Communion, Scriptural Readings, & Music