Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop Rev. Dr. Adam E. McKee, III, District Superintendent Lori Hopper, Administrative Assistant, Editor MAY/JUNE 2016 183 Lafayette Drive Oak Ridge, TN 37830-6898 Office: 865-482-3209 * Fax: 865-483-4515 District email: [email protected]Jesus Is A Bridge Over Troubled Water Peter answered him, “Lord, if it you command me to come to you on the water.” He said come, So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. (NRSV Matthew 14: 28-29) In our Christian walk, we will go through different seasons. There are seasons where we are experiencing the good times: blessings one after another. But there are also seasons where it feels as if we are going through back to back difficulties. Indeed, no one is exempt. When I am troubled I often think of the song Bridge Over Troubled Water. A few of the lyrics are as follows: “When you are weary, feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, I’m on your side, when times get rough, And friends just can’t be found, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down” In a technical sense, a Bridge is a connection between two points. A bridge helps us to crossover what may be an obstacle. A bridge provides passage over a body of water, a highway, or mountain terrain. From a human condition of existence perspective, Troubled Water can easily represent an afflicted state of being. One may be fearful, agitated, anxious, bothered, vexed or harassed. As I reflect on human life with its countless difficulties and numerous problems a few situations come to mind which may be classi- fied as Troubled Water experiences: When you go to the doctor and the diagnosis is not favorable, you are facing Troubled Water. When your heart is broken into a mil- lion pieces, you are facing Troubled Water. When you have lost your job and have no means of supporting your family, you are facing Troubled Water. But in spite of it all, there is Good News. You see when we use the phrase “Jesus is A Bridge Over Trou- bled Water” We are saying that he is a means of transition. In time of need Jesus is that solid foundation upon which we stand. He becomes our Bridge who enables us to go from where we are to where we should be. According to our text, there was a time in the Life of Simon Peter that in a very real sense, he needed a Bridge Over Troubled Water: As it was for Peter, there may come a time when find ourselves Facing Troubled Water. The Question is how should we respond? For your consideration, I offer three simple steps that may enhance our abilities to overcome Troubled Water: We Must Steady Our Fears: When the disciples spotted Jesus walking on water they became afraid. Some thought that Jesus was a ghost. Peter overcame his initial fear by calling out to Jesus. There is no shame in calling on Jesus. He is a very present help. In the book Jesus and the Disinherited, the late Theologian Howard Thurman states that fear is one of those persistent hounds of hell that plague people. Fear is often based on a sense of hopelessness and isolation. With Jesus in our lives we can steady our fears. We are not alone! We have Blessed Assurance in the character, ability, strength, and truth of Jesus. We Must Step Out On Faith: Believe IN Jesus: Believe in His Word. Every one has a belief system, something they accept as true and real. Jesus is real. With a firm conviction in Jesus, say to yourself as recorded in Philippians 4:13, ” I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Go ahead follow Peter’s example and take that step of faith. Let us follow Peter’s example. We Must Stay Focused On Jesus: Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fellowship with other believers are examples of activities that can greatly enhance our ability to stay focused on Jesus. Especially during times of trials and testing. As long as Peter was fo- cused he was able to walk on water! “But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened and beginning to sink HE CRIED OUT. LORD SAVE ME.” Peter illustrates the importance of making Jesus the main focus in our lives. After all, Jesus is a Bridge over Troubled Water. Grace and Peace, Adam
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Mary Virginia Taylor, Resident Bishop
Rev. Dr. Adam E. McKee, III, District Superintendent
IT’S PICNIC TIME IN THE OAK RIDGE DISTRICT! CLERGY, ACTIVE AND RETIRED, PLEASE JOIN US FOR A FAMILY PICNIC
Tuesday, May 24, 4:00-7:00pm
Cove Lake State Park We will meet in Picnic Shelter #1.
PLEASE BRING A COVERED DISH TO SHARE. Drinks, ice and all tableware will be provided by the District.
Please make plans to bring your family to join us for this evening of fun and fellowship and a time to say good-bye to our clergy friends leaving the district in June.
Cove Lake State Park is located just off I-75 at Exit 134 in Caryville.
http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/cove-lake
THE ACADEMY For Spiritual Formation
Emory & Henry College July 24-29, 2016 Designed for
Women, Men, Laity, and Clergy
To register visit: http://academy.upperroom.org/events/five-
day-academies Scroll down to HOLSTON Five-Day Academy
Senior High Assembly
For youth who have complet-ed grades 9 through 12.
Junior High Assembly For youth who have completed grades 6 through 8
June 27-July 1, 2016
Two separate events, one fantastic week at one location!
Tennessee Wesleyan College, Athens, TN
Each assembly is a week of discipleship featuring awesome
worship, awesome people and one awesome God. It's joining together with others your age to learn, grow, and laugh.
It's waking up and worshiping through word and song. It's coming to an event and leaving with a "family". It's an oppor-
tunity to open up, to get real, to focus. It's a chance to shift
your thoughts, your actions, and your life from things of this world to the heart of Jesus. After all, true worship takes place
when all people within a community seek the presence of God and are accepting of each other. That's the biggest part
of Assembly.
For more information, click here: holston.org/ministries/youth/
Holston Conference Native American Ministries Team
Presents our 18th Annual GATHERING
September 23-25 Coker Creek Village
Tellico Plains, TN For more information on The Gathering, visit our website:
http://thegathering.holston.org
GLOBAL UNITED METHODIST CLERGYWOMEN GATHERING
August 29-31, 2016
ONE: Birthing a Worldwide Church Hilton-Americas Hotel and Conference Center,
Commentaries: Interpreter’s Bible, New Inter-preter’s Bible; William Barclay: Romans; Preach-ing Through the Christian Year, Life Application Bible (Acts), The Abingdon Women’s Preaching Annual (Year B)
Books on Preaching, Church Administration, Black Preaching, Evangelism, Devotional, Stewardship,
and more by authors that include: Adam Hamil-ton, Barbara Brown Taylor, Fred Craddock, Geor-
gia Harkness, Cleophus LaRue, Peter Gomes, J.
Ellsworth Kallas, Ben Campbell Johnson, Karla Kincannon, Tom Long Eugene Peterson, Walter
Wink, James Howell, Henri Nouwen, and many more.
Biblical Reflections for Families of Cancer Patients
(Nancy Regensburger: Walking Through the Wa-
ters.)
Clergy Women: An Uphill Calling (Zikmund, Lum-mis, and Chang); Those Preachin’ Women (Ella
Mitchell, editor)
Many more available.
If interested, please call or email Cheryl Caruso at 276.768.9326 or
If you would like to submit a guest article or have an event you would like published in the district newsletter,
please submit to [email protected]. If you know of anyone who would like to be added to the distribution list to receive the Oak Ridge district newsletter via email, please contact the district office with their name and
email address.
MAY 2016
20 DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
21 BASIC EARLY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING, Fairview UMC, Maryville, 9:00am
24 DISTRICT CLERGY FAMILY PICNIC, 4:00-7:00pm, Cove Lake State Park
26 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON ORDAINED MINISTRY, First UMC, Oak Ridge
30 MEMORIAL DAY - CONFERENCE AND DISTRICT OFFICES CLOSED
31 HANDS-ON MISSION SEWING KITS DUE IN DISTRICT OFFICE
31 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON SUPERINTENDENCY, 6:00pm, District Office
JUNE 2016 2 DEADLINE FOR CCYM NOMINATIONS
5-8 HOLSTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Lake Junaluska, NC
11 WESLEY HOUSE GOLF TOURNAMENT, Egwani Farms
22 MOVING DAY FOR TRANSITIONING PASTORS
27– 7/1 HOLSTON CONFERENCE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH ASSEMBLY
JULY 2016
4 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY - CONFERENCE AND DISTRICT OFFICES CLOSED
13-16 SOUTHEASTERN JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE, Lake Junaluska, NC
24-29 THE ACADEMY FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION, Emory & Henry College