Monthly Newslet ter of Kei th Memor ia l UMC »

The mission of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church is to be a nurturing congregation, growing in faith and discipleship,

witnessing to God’s work in our lives and our world and reaching out to others in service and love for Jesus Christ.

423.745.2612 » information@keithumc.org » www.keithumc.org

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Stewardship “I will be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it with

my prayers, my presence, my gifts, my service and my witness.”

@keithUMC www.facebook.com/KeithUMC KeithUMC

With our Prayers: With our Presence: Sunday School: 130 139

Sanctuary Worship: 145 330

The Gathering: 173 310

Total Worship: 318 640

March 20 March 27

Please remember all members who are homebound,

as well as those who are hospitalized or living in a

skilled care facility.

April 2016

April 10

Children’s Sabbath April 17 April 24

May 1

Senior Sunday

Acolytes

8:30 a.m.

Mandy Jones

10:35 a.m.

Combined service in

The Gathering

8:30 a.m.

Noah Graybeal

10:35 a.m.

Andy & Spencer Sullins

8:30 a.m.

Parker Willis

10:35 a.m.

TBA

8:30 a.m. TBA

2s, 3s & 4s

Nursery Dawne Lay Ashlie Coffie Stephanie Miller Helen Stephens

Children’s

Church Morgan Fesmire Joyce Dumont Shane & Lisa Pledge Kelley Zemer

Greeters Wesley Graybeal

Julianna Peglow

8:30 a.m.

Shirel & Carolyn

Grimmett

10:35 a.m.

Pat Christopher

Carlton Ealy

The Gathering

Haren Family

8:30 a.m.

Dean & Clarice Baggett

10:35 a.m.

Eddie & Faye Morris

The Gathering

Baylor Ingram

Lisa Whitlock

8:30 a.m.

Steven & Janet Burce

The Gathering

Tim Womac

Katie Belk

Ushers

Lyella Borwick

Holland Borwick

Tallulah Borwick

Maddi Burke

Paul Ketron

Bryan Jackson

David Miller

Bob Roseberry

Jack Underdown

Robert Miller

Terry Ulm

Jeff Zabo

Combined Service in

The Gathering

Donut

Church

April:

Men’s Class

May:

Open Door Class

June:

Young Adults

July:

Young Adults

UMW Gift

Card Sales

April:

Dana Higgins

May:

Susanna Wesley

June:

Catherine Keith

July:

Broyles/Sullins/Wilkins

With our Service:

With our Gifts: 2013 - 2015 YTD Average (Feb.) 2016 YTD (Feb.)

Receipts $109,146 $127,392

Expenses $110,462 $130,504

An invitation to Pray Between January 1, 2016, and May 10, 2016, all 131 annual conferences around the globe are offering their prayers on one

particular day for the upcoming 2016 General Conference, a gathering of 864 delegates from around the world.

The Holston Conference’s day is Tuesday, April 12. For 24 hours, we will join our prayers to the chain of conferences in our

global family of The United Methodist Church. The chapel at Keith Church, located upstairs and down the hall from Ensminger

Hall, will be open that day from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for anyone wishing to come to the church to pray.

The designated times for the Cleveland District are 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. We at Keith are urged not only to observe these hours,

but to continue to pray all throughout the conference.

Additionally, in the Holston Conference, congregations will ring their church bells to signal our call to prayer. The bells will ring

from 5:10 p.m. until 5:20 p.m. These times represent the dates of the General Conference session in Portland, Oregon from

May 10 - 20.

Our prayers matter. Thank you for being part of those offering prayers for The United

Methodist Church and the 2016 General Conference.

Download daily devotionals developed by The Upper Room for the 60 days prior to Conference by

registering at http://60daysofprayer.org.

Learn more about General Conference by visiting gc2016.umc.org or gc2016.holston.org.

Let us pray:

Father God, we pray that the General Conference of The United Methodist Church will bring honor and glory to you, to

your son, Jesus Christ, and to your Holy Spirit.

We lift up before your throne all the lay and clergy delegates and their families. While you do not need to be reminded

of who these delegates are, we as fellow believers need reminding. Be with Bishop Taylor; our lay delegates − Del Holley,

Emily Ballard, Becky Hall, John Tate, Bob Lockaby and Karen Wright; and alternates − Joyce Moore and John Eldridge. Also

be with our clergy delegates − David Graves, Kim Goddard, Sandra Johnson, Carol Wilson, Wil Cantrell and Randy Frye; and

alternates − Mark Flynn and Paul Seay.

Please give every person speaking on the floor of the Conference clarity of thought and expression. May each vote be

cast with a sincere prayer and commitment to scriptural principles. May the interaction between the delegates, regardless of

their position on the issues, always manifest the Spirit of Christ.

We realize this is an important time in history, and the United Methodist Church is at a crossroads theologically. When

this conference is over and the districts, local churches, conferences and agencies have to deal with the issues voted on, we

need you to give us wisdom, integrity, leadership and strength to be the Body of Believers we should be.

We pray for traveling safety and good health for each delegate, especially those from other countries, and others

attending the conference.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. Prayer written by The Rev. Bob Hamilton

Keith Youth youth.keithumc.org

C e l e b r a t i n g

N e w M e m b e r s

MINISTRY Childrens

’

Make plans to take part in these upcoming events ...

» District Day Apart & Self Denial: April 9, Decatur

UMC, registration begins at 9:45 a.m., program begins at

10:30 a.m. Child care is provided. Lunch will be served by

Decatur UMW for donations.

» Executive Meeting: April 12, 1 p.m., Conference Room

» Spiritual Enrichment: April 22 - 24, Lake Junaluska

» General Meeting: May 10, 11 a.m., Ensminger Hall

Join us at the monthly meeting of any of our six Circles:

Broyles/Sullins/Wilkins ........ Second Tuesday, 10:15 a.m.

Catherine Keith .................... Second Monday, 10:30 a.m.

Dana Higgins ......................... Second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Jewell .............................................. Second Friday, Noon

Susanna Wesley ...................... Second Tuesday, 10 a.m.

The Sisterhood .........................Fourth Monday, 6:30 p.m.

News

) ( _____ THANK YOU

The names of members and friends listed made contributions to

the Memorial Fund or the fund specified in memory or honor of

the names listed in bold.

EVENTS The UMM invite you to these upcoming events:

Men’s Prayer Group Join us for a men’s prayer group each Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room.

Keith Coffee & Cars Saturday, April 23, 8 a.m., Activity Center, Jamie Lewis, EMT and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Program Manager, will be the guest speaker. He will discuss ways our church can be involved in sheltering and assisting those affected by disaster.

Prayer Breakfast Tuesday, April 26, 8 a.m. at Shoney’s of Athens

For more information about all UMM events, contact Terry Ulm at 744-8120.

Upcoming Youth Events Don’t miss out on youth events! For more information,

call or text Harrison at 507-7492.

Duane French

(Shelby Jean French’s son)

Harry & Betty Newman

Melva Hammer

Juanita Robinson

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Mary Jack Hicks

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Earl Lockmiller

(Sondra Humphreys father)

Tom & Debbie Hamilton

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Charles Parker

Tom & Debbie Hamilton

David & Kathy Robinson

Nourish One Child

Martha Penney

(John Penney’s mother)

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Ted Pless

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Bill Reinkens

Cacky Wentworth-Johnson

Nourish One Child

Stephen Ministry Think Stephen Ministry ...

Stephen Ministers are the front lines of caring

ministry in our congregation. Throughout the

week, as you meet and greet those around you,

think Stephen Ministry. If you see persons who

are downcast or struggling through difficult times, think

Stephen Ministry. Tell them about this special ministry in

our congregation where they can receive the extra love and

care they need to make it through the challenge or crisis

they are facing.

If you would like more information on our Stephen Ministry

and the encouragement we might provide to you or

someone you know, please contact Pastor Dave at

dgraybeal@keithumc.org or 745-2612.

» Wednesday Night Bible Studies for Youth take

place each Wednesday at 6 p.m. Bible study for High

School youth, led by Harrison Hart, will continue the series

on difficult questions of faith called “Can I Ask That?”

Middle School youth are participating in a series “The Way

I’m Wired,” a study on discovering our spiritual gifts led by

Todd Cox.

Mark your calendars and look for more information

from Harrison about these upcoming events ...

» Cleveland District Youth Rally: May - day TBD

» Senior Sunday Service: May 1, combined service in

The Gathering

» Confirmation Sunday Service: May 15, combined

service in the sanctuary

» Middle School Mission Trip: June 10 - 13

» Youth Mystery Trip: July 4 - 7

» Youth Assembly: June 27 - July 1 at Tennessee

Wesleyan, Athens

✶ Join us for Children’s Sabbath Sunday, April 10 as we

celebrate the children of Keith Church. On this day our

children serve in both our sanctuary and Gathering services.

The 10:35 a.m. service will be combined in The Gathering.

✶ The Keith Puppeteers are always seeking new members!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the

puppeteers, join us for practice each Sunday at 4:45 p.m.

✶ Children and Jr. Youth are invited to attend Wednesday

night activities, including Bible study and choir practice

each week beginning at 6 p.m.

✶ The Children’s Council will meet Thursday, April 21 at

6:30 p.m. in Ensminger Hall. This meeting will also be a

Safe Sanctuaries training. Anyone who works with children

at Keith Church is encouraged to attend. Child care will

be provided.

✶ Save the date for VBS 2016: June 27 - July 1.

Pre-Register for KCA Summer & Fall Programs

Pre-register now for Keith Children’s

Academy’s summer and fall programs -

Parents Day Out and preschool.

Applications and information about the

programs are available in the church office

or online at http://keithumc.org/keith-childrens-academy/.

If you have questions or would like additional information,

contact Tracey Hicks, KCA director, at 745-2612 or

thicks@keithumc.org.

We want to thank the Keith Church family for all of your

prayers, your words of condolence, and encouragement

during the loss of my brother, Larry. We are blessed to be

a part of such a wonderful church.

Erbin Baumgardner & Family

A BIG thank you for everyone that participated in the Keith

Talent Show through your talent, prayers, donations and

support. We appreciate your continued support of our

Circle and our ministry.

The Sisterhood Circle

Thank you! By supporting Coordinated Charities, you join

our efforts to provide help and assistance to individuals in

McMinn County. Any donations received, or anything

generated in our store directly helps us help other people

− your neighbors!

From July 1, 2015 - January 31, 2016, we met and

provided counseling on 930 occasions; distributed 2,457

packages of groceries (more than 22,000 lbs.!); and aided

households in McMinn County with $46,641.63 total

financial assistance.

Thank you for your continued support!

Coordinated Charities

We are excited to welcome several new members to the

Keith Church family, including Renee Fisher, Elinor Harwick,

and Patty Snyder, who joined during the 10:35 a.m.

Sanctuary service on March 6; and Ashley O’Daniel and

her sons, Avett and Caleb, who joined March 27 in

The Gathering.

Also, on Sunday, February 21 we celebrated the blessing of

Isabella Hart, the daughter of Shawna and Harrison Hart.

Make Your

Portrait

Appointment

Keith Church is working with Church Life Publishing to

create a new church directory. Make an appointment for

your portrait by calling (844) 595-9341. Portrait dates are

April 11, 12, 13, 21, 22 and 23 and will take place upstairs

in the room across from the Chapel. Each family who

participates will receive a complimentary directory and 8x10

portrait. If you have any questions, please call the church

office at (423) 745-2612.

Congratulations to the Keith Church Puppeteers who were

the top winners of the 2016 Keith Church Talent Show hosted

by The Sisterhood Circle. Congratulations also to the

Horizons Sunday School Class who won the championship

belt for the top Sunday School class entry.

The event raised $1,386 for the Community Resource

Agency of McMinn. Many thanks to all who voted and

purchased concessions to help support this worthy cause.