2020 Convo

Ministers’ Convocation February 17-19, 2020 Pigeon Forge, TN

The True Meaning of Convocation …

Each year Holston Conference clergy gather for an annual “Ministers’ Convocation.” But what IS a “convocation?” The dictionary describes it as “a gathering, an assembly, usually of academics or clergy.” And, yes, our Holston Ministers’ Convocation is a gathering. One of the joys of this annual event is the opportunity for fellowship and a chance to re-connect with our clergy colleagues. But it is much more than that.

In the TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?“ And Linus responds with a monologue that includes scriptural references to the “good tidings of great joy.” In our Convocation, we come together, hopefully with joy, for new ‘tidings’ from our speakers; helpful additions to our store of life-long learning that will enable us to grow in our knowledge and faith.

This year our theme will focus on health and growth. We have heard your feedback from previous years. “How will this stuff help my struggling downtown church?” “What does all this have to do with my little rural congregation?” Jeremy Troxler, former director of the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative at Duke Divinity School, will discuss the unique problems faced in rural churches. Jasmine Smothers, pastor of First UMC, Atlanta, will talk about the challenges faced in downtown churches, and Carey Nieuwhof, author, blogger, and pastor of Connexus Church in Toronto, will offer creative solutions to problems faced by ALL of our congregations in these trying times.

So we invite you to join us in this effort to help our churches, not just to survive, but Flourish! Don’t miss this opportunity for good (and helpful!) tidings of great joy!

Schedule (Note: all events take place in Quartet Ballroom—Dobro, Harp, Ukelele)

Monday, February 17, 2020

1:00 p.m. Registration begins Convention Center Lobby (Room reservations at hotel desk after 4 pm – some may be available early) 3:30 p.m. Welcome & Announcements

Devotional Music ~ Willie Kitchens

Plenary I ~ Carey Nieuwhof 5:00 p.m. Dinner on Your Own (several restaurants within 1 block) 7:00 p.m. Worship and Holy Communion:

Preaching ~ Rev. Jasmine Smothers 8:30 p.m. Registration Continues Convention Center Lobby

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 7:00 a.m.

Breakfast at hotel

(included w/room reservation)

8:30 a.m. Announcements

Devotional Music ~ Rev. Willie Kitchens 9:00 a.m. Break 9:15 a.m. Plenary II ~ Rev. Carey Nieuwhof 10:30 a.m. Break 10:45 a.m. Plenary III ~ Rev. Carey Nieuwhof 12:00 p.m. Lunch Break 1:45 p.m. Devotional Music ~ Rev. Willie Kitchens

Plenary IV ~ Rev. Jeremy Troxler 3:00 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. Plenary V ~Rev. Jasmine Smothers 4:30 p.m. Free time and Dinner Break 7:00 p.m. Commisioning of AT Circuit Hiker ~ Michele Gourley

Worship: Preaching ~ Rev. Jeremy Troxler

Special Offering for Camp in the Community Immediately after worship Reception in hotel lobby & breakfast room

CEUs 2.0 CEUs given for full participation and receipt of evaluation form.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:00 a.m.

Breakfast at hotel

(included w/room reservation)

8:30 a.m. Announcements

Devotional Music ~ Rev. Willie Kitchens

Plenary Session VI ~ Rev. Jasmine Smothers 9:45 a.m. Break 10:00 a.m. Plenary VII ~ Rev. Jeremy Troxler 11:15 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m. Closing Worship & Holy Communion Preaching ~ Susana Lopez Holy Communion ~ Bishop Taylor

Medical Emergency If you have a medical emergency, call 911.

The nearest hospital is: LeConte Medical Center 742 Middle Creek Road • Sevierville, TN 37862 865-446-7000

Take Henderson Chapel Road to left on the Parkway/441.

Go 1.7 mi. to right on Collier Road, then go 1.5 mi. to left on Veteran’s Blvd. Go 1.1 mi. to right on Blanton Road, then 0.4 mi. to left on Middle Creek Road.

Child Care The Holston Foundation is generously underwriting the cost of child care again this year, so there will be NO COST to families. We will be using the large family suite at Music Road Hotel on the first floor.

First Sevierville staff will again be providing our child care service. Snacks and lunch will be available for the little ones. The child care schedule will cover all the plenaries, and worship sessions. You can pick up a child care schedule at registration, and it will also be included in the workbook. Be sure to check the box on the registration form if you need child care.

Plenary Speakers Carey Nieuwhof

Jasmine Rose Smothers

Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. He’s the author of several best-selling books, including his latest, Didn’t See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects But Everyone Experiences which has spent months at #1 on Amazon in Christian leadership. He holds degrees in law, theology and history.

Jasmine Rose Smothers currently serves as the Lead Pastor of the historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church. She is the first female, the first person of color, and the youngest leader in the congregation’s 172-year history.

Jasmine’s love for the urban center of the City of Atlanta; her dedication to inclusive church communities; and her call to help lead people to abundant life makes her appointment to Atlanta First a perfect fit!

Carey speaks to leaders around the world about leadership, change and personal growth. He writes one of today’s most widely read Christian leadership blogs can be found at www.CareyNieuwhof.com and hosts the top-rated Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast where he interviews some of today’s best leaders. His podcasts and blogs are accessed by millions of leaders each year.

Previously, she served as Associate Director for Congregational Vitality through the Office of Connectional Ministries in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In this role, Rev. Jasmine partnered with congregational leaders to equip them for maximum effective ministry in church and community. Rev. Jasmine served as the primary staff resource for several ministry initiatives including working to increase the vitality of congregations; racial-ethnic ministries; and the development of young clergy leaders.

Carey’s previous books include Lasting Impact: 7 Powerful Conversations That Will Help Your Church Grow, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, co-authored with Reggie Joiner.

Jeremy Troxler Jeremy Troxler is Margaret’s husband, Ada and Della’s daddy, an ordained elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, lead pastor of Guilford College UMC in Greensboro, NC, a child of his family’s tobacco farm, a former Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, a graduate of Duke Divinity School, a lover of books and the outdoors, the owner of a rambunctious beagle mutt named Jasper, and a grumpy cat named Skittles, and a fan of the Atlanta Braves.

She has served the United Methodist Church as a member of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race; the Ministry Study Commission; and several task forces on Ministry with Young People. Rev. Jasmine is a 2015-2016 Lewis Center for Church Leadership Community Fellow. Rev. Jasmine currently serves as a member of the United Methodist Church’s Commission on a Way Forward and is a 2018 alum of LEAD Atlanta.

Special Offering Recipients Our offering this year during Tuesday night worship will go to CAMP IN THE COMMUNITY due to the apparent theft of three trailers packed with supplies and games for children, valued at $60,000 and acquired through the generosity of church members over the last eight years..

Jeremy previously served in ministry as pastor of Spruce Pine UMC in the mountains of western NC, as the Director of the Thriving Rural Communities Initiative at Duke Divinity School, as pastor of Maggie Valley UMC in Maggie Valley, NC, and as the President’s Assistant serving on the island of Jersey within the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

Campers play 9 Square in the Air, one of the missing games.

Music Director

Registration Name ____________________________________________________

Alan Eleazer Alan Eleazer is currently serving as adjunct instructor of voice at Maryville College and is also a career professional musician.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Music degree in Sacred Music and Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He directs the Maryville College Community Chorus and the MC Lads, a vocal ensemble. Previously he served as assistant professor of music at Hiwassee College where is was the Director of Choral Activities and taught music theory, history, and conducting, and has served in adjunct positions at Pellissippi State and Roane State Community Colleges. He is also an active church musician presently serving as Director of Music at Broadway United Methodist Church in Maryville.

Mr. Eleazer twice received the Distinguished Faculty Award at Hiwassee College and was cited by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education for exemplary teaching in 2010 and again in 2013.

Mr. Eleazer is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, The Music Educators National Council, the Order of St. Luke, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Devotional Music Willie Kitchens Willie David Kitchens, Jr., fell in love with music at an early age. At age seven, Kitchens began singing at community churches with his sisters and his father, a guitarist with the gospel group Five Sons of Calvary.

Willie Kitchens, Sr. taught his son to play guitar when he was ten, and at sixteen the younger Kitchens joined the Five Sons of Calvary as bass guitarist and background vocalist.

With the Five Sons, Kitchens performed with groups including the Swan Silvertones, the Brooklyn All-Stars, and the Jackson Southernaires. At age twenty-four, Kitchens began to concentrate on gospel performance. Over the years, he taught himself to play the harmonica, piano, and electric keyboards, ministering everywhere from “Bobby Jones Gospel” to colleges, to prisons.

In 1995, Kitchens became Music and Performing Arts Director for the Bethlehem Center, a ministry in inner-city Chattanooga; there he created a traveling youth choir for children from two to eighteen years of age and opened the Bethlehem Recording Studio for the Bethlehem Center’s radio and television programs. He serves as minister of music to the BethlehemWiley United Methodist Church.

Preferred name for name tag: _________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ City, State Zip _______________________________________________ Phone _________________________ Cell _______________________ E-mail ____________________________________________________ Charge _______________________________ District______________

CHILD CARE o I need child care during Convocation.

Name ____________________________________ Age _____ Name ____________________________________ Age _____

PROGRAM REGISTRATION FEE Early Bird Registration (by Jan. 14) Regular Program Fee (Jan. 15-Feb. 5) Late Registration (after Feb. 5)

$ 95.00 per person $115.00 per person $125.00 per person

$________ Program Fee Paid o Early Bird o Regular o Late

PREFERRED: Register On-Line at convocation.holston.org

or Make check payable to HOLSTON CONFERENCE Send completed form and check to: Holston Conference UMC Attn: Wesley Leadership Institute P.O. Box 850, Alcoa, TN 37701-0850 Phone: 865/ 690-4080 Check Number __________ If you wish to pay for your registration with a credit card, you must register on-line. (Paypal account not needed to register.)

Note: Cancellation must be made before February 13, 2020, to receive a refund.

Room reservations are separate and made directly with Music Road Resort.

See hotel registration details below.

ROOM RESERVATIONS To reserve your hotel room for Convocation 2020: 1. Make a reservation online by clicking the following link, which will take you directly to your group block in our reservation system: http://bit.ly/Holston2020 OR 2. Call 1-855-790-4646 and mention the Group Booking ID “10245” to our reservation agent.

Please note, use this option if you’re interested in booking additional days, whether before or after the blocked group dates, or if you would like to reserve multiple rooms at the same time.