Deacons in Holston

Deacons in Holston CONNECTING CHURCH TO THE WORLD

25 years in Ordained Ministry Deacon order created over 25 years ago First deacon ordained into new order – Rev Rebekah Fetzer At present there are: • 16 Full Connection deacons in active appointments (<3% of ordained clergy) • 17 retired • 2 candidates up for commissioning • 2 deacons on leave

Who are our Deacons?

• They are: • • • • • • • • • •

Associate Pastors Teacher Campus Minister Directors of Outreach Ministries Nurse Counselors Youth Director Music Minister Recreational Therapist Director of Conference Camp Ministries

Rebekah Fetzer • Founder and Director of Susannah’s House which is an Intensive Outpatient Recovery Program for mothers in recovery • Associate Minister at Cokesbury • Chair of the Division of Deacons • BOM and BOMEC

Stephanie Parrott • RN and patient advocate at Pediatric Endocrinology Office at E. TN Children’s Hospital • Associate Pastor of Outreach, Discipleship and Family Ministries • Chair of the Order of Deacons • Division of Deacons • BOM and BOMEC • Discipleship Team

Glenna Manning • Recently retired as Pastor of Discipleship at Concord UMC • Served as assistant to the Bishop for ordination services & planning team for Annual Conference • Currently serves • on the BOM and DCOM • as a mentor for candidates for ministry • teaches adult Sunday morning class • freelance writer of study guides for Christian authors

Doug GroveDeJarnett • Serves at Munsey UMC in Johnson City • Associate Minister of Music and Congregational life

Susan Groseclose • Associate Director of Holston Conference Connectional Ministries • Children’s Ministry Team • Nurture Team, Read Together Initiative • Mission Hubs • BOM • Division of Deacons

Kathy Heustess • Director of the Holston Center for Well-Being • Chair of Sexual Ethics Committee • MSW, LCSW

Nathan Irwin • Director of Youth Ministries at 1st UMC Maryville.

• Holston Board of Higher Education Committee • Vision for Deacons in Holston: I would love to see Holston highlight and educate about the role of Deacon particularly the ability to minister long term in a community. I would like to see more people who are called into ministry learn about the Diaconate as a viable option for ministry and not just something less than Elder.

SueLynn Johnson • Minister of Congregational Care at Kingston UMC • Future: “When churches know there will be a request for an Associate Pastor, I would like to see Deacons be considered for these positions since many associate pastors often are doing the work of the Deacon by connecting the church with the world.”

Audrey Madigan • Central UMC Lenior City - Associate Pastor • Discipleship • Development and leadership of Ministry Teams • Develop and oversees divorce, addiction and recovery groups • Congregational Care

Elizabeth Rudisell • Tuckaleechee UMC Director of Children and Youth • Discipleship and family/intergenerational experiences.

• SPED Instructional Assistant at Heritage Middle School.

Ila Schepisi • Director of the Engagement Center for Creative Aging (ECCA) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • Coordinates therapeutic services and programming for families navigating dementia.

• Certified Recreational Therapist with a Specialization in Geriatrics • Grove UMC in Radford, VA as Ministries Chair, Girl Scout Leader, and a member of the Radford University Wesley Foundation Board.

• Holston Board of Higher Education

Diana BrownTaylor • Psychotherapist-Counselor in Private Practice using a holistic perspective.

• Charge Conference is Church St UMC where she serves on the Parish Health Ministry Team, leads small groups and does counseling for several members.

Lovell C Taylor • Created the Chattanooga Institute of Faith and Work (CIFW) as a religious, independent, nonprofit organization.

• Degrees in Health Care Administration and Education • - First Centenary, Minister of Faith and Work

Mary Thompson • Executive Director of Holston Conference Camp & Retreat Ministries.

• Future for Deacons in Holston: DS’s concentrated on promoting the role of the Deacon in DCOM meetings.

• Division of Deacons • BOM and BOMEC • Nurture Ministries Team

Beth Tipton • Campus Minister at UVA Wise • Committee of Investigations • Mission and Ministries Team

Mike Stallings • Concord United - Pastor of Worship and Art. • Directs the Adult Chancel Choir and the adult handbell choir.

• Plans, organizes, and prepares for extra worship opportunities throughout the year.

• Management of a daily devotional series.

• Produce, record, and edit an accompanying daily devotional podcast.

In the health care field Where are deacons bridging the church to the world?

In educational settings In community activism In publishing In the business community

Highlight: Neeley Hicks, Founder of Harper Hill Global

• Took her business and communications backgrounds to create a business ministry model that “empowers the human spirit through media, messaging and mobile solutions aimed at improving lives and relieving human suffering.”

• A deacon in the TN conference • Check out her company at Harper Hill Global

Who is God calling as deacons in Holston?

Those with hearts for ministry, justice, compassion and connecting.

Creators who think beyond the walls and constructs of local church while maintaining and equipping those within their walls to answer the call They are innovators, problem-solvers that seek to reach and include all in the body of Christ.

What do we need?

Cabinet, BOM, DCOMs and elders/congregations to be educated on the call of deacons.

Be able to recognize the gifts and graces of those who might be hearing God’s call as a deacon in order to lift them up and encourage them to answer the call

Equal treatment – we are not less.

Include us in the sacraments – we have distinct roles

Consider us when there are appointments that need pastors whose passions are compassion, justice, or are working to connect church and the world.

Advocate for us, encourage us, and support our ministries by knowing about them, talking about them, and sharing them in your districts.

Let’s partner together to grow God’s Kingdom!