19
Aug 2018
Submitted by Laura Nutzell, Social Media Coordinator Years ago when I was kid, I remember getting the mail for Mom. Once a month I’d see the brightly colored pages of the “Messiah Messenger” in the mailbox. Mom would read the entire newsletter, and put the calendar page on the fridge. But with time and technology, we moved to email, and used the print version less. (But until the day the she passed away, Mom always put the Messenger calendar page on the fridge. ❤️) When we are ready to call a new......
Read More
02
Aug 2018
On July 17, Messiah’s Congregation Council tabled a vote on a proposed alcohol policy until August 21. The proposed policy is included below so that comments might be collected. If you have a comment, you may either place a written comment in the president’s mail slot or share your comment with a member of the Council....
Read More
01
Aug 2018
We are continuing to check off items on the Transition Checklist. While it may feel like nothing is happening, there is a lot going on behind the scenes. We are closer to being ready to call a new minister....
Read More
01
Jul 2018
Submitted by: Raymond and Georgia Phillippi, MLC Delegates Georgia likes to say that we are Synod Junkies and that is very true as we get a kick out of attending the assemblies as guests if nothing else. This year we were privileged to be your voting members at the assembly and for that we thank you. The theme of this year’s assembly was “Reformation 500 – Now What.” Besides the regular business of the assembly, we spent time discerning the future of the Southeastern Synod. Bishop Gordy has announced that he intends......
Read More
17
Jun 2018
Submitted by Mary Sophia Hawks, Parish Nurse In September, Jane Mason will begin leading a grief support group. Jane has a wonderful background in hospice, and has developed a grief support group for all kinds of grief. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a job, a pet, a mentor, or a life change, all are welcome. Community Cares will be bringing in a speaker on caregiving, more information to come. Messiah will be hosting a Health Fair on Saturday, October 6, 2018. (No UT game that day!) I am so......
Read More
05
Jun 2018
By: Pastor Larry Richardson, Interim Co-Minister One of my duties as interim co-pastor is to converse with members and former members in an attempt to determine how the congregation got from “there” to “here.” (The starting place is the decline in membership and worship attendance since 2012.) I started by contacting as many former members as I could and asking them to share with me their reasons for leaving Messiah. This information helps Pastor Norma and me (and you) chart a course of future action that will minimize the number of people......
Read More
03
Jun 2018
Messiah’s Cottage Meetings have been completed. There were thirteen Cottage Meetings held between April 15 and May 13. These meetings were attended by 97 people, in small groups of between 6 and 10 attendees. Many thanks to the facilitators: Pastor Larry, Debbie Hampstead, Pastor Norma, and Marta Murrell; and many thanks to the hosts: Norm & Doris Featherston, Illy Wood, Georgia & Ray Phillippi, Mary Ellen Whitson, Larry & Deanna Moeller, Debbie & Bob Hampstead, Tim & Marta Murrell, Jaclyn Levy and Beth Ford & Mike Driskill. Discussion themes were varied. They......
Read More
12
May 2018
We, here at Messiah, are now in Step 3 of the Transition process. Step 1 Current pastor resigns or retires … A celebration of ministry together. Step 2 Congregation receives Transition/Interim Pastor(s). Step 3 of the Transition period includes a discernment process. During this time, the congregation, along with the Transition/Interim Pastor(s), addresses any issues and/or concerns that need resolution prior to initiating the call process. Also, during this time, the Transition/Interim Pastor(s) provide continuity for pastoral leadership and care. The role of the Transition/Interim Pastor(s) includes assisting the congregation in......
Read More
11
May 2018
Both Pastor Larry and I have had specialized training in Interim Ministry. In our training (from different trainers, times and places) we were taught about the Five Primary Areas of Focus for Interim Ministry. We believe that it might be helpful for all of you to understand what Interim Ministry encompasses. Below is a brief description that we hope will help. Blessings to all as we travel this road of transition together, Pastor Norma Five Primary Areas of Focus during the discernment period of Transition Helping to organize and frame the work......
Read More
10
May 2018
I am daily amazed at the connections that I discover in my life. How often have you discovered a relationship between people who did not know each other? Or, do you find that the same issues being discussed at work show up in the news or in discussions with friends? This week I found overlap in a reading that I was studying for Leadership Knoxville and our journey here at Messiah. We have a textbook called Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership, Practicing the Wisdom of Leading by Serving by Sipe and Frick.......
Read More