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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Youth band members enjoy chips and salsa in Jenny Cross's office on Wednesday night during Youth Band practice. Youth band meets each week during the school year to rehearse and prepare for worship at Night Life and Youth Ministry events. 

Ties that Bind 

What did you do on your summer vacation? Church Streeters were BUSY, in ministry, mission, discovery, and care all summer long. Check out what you may have missed in our first quarterly reflection "Ties that Bind: Ministry Moments at Church Street UMC".

+ Click here to view the whole publication online. 

Located in downtown Knoxville, Green Magnet serves students in grades K-12 with 85% minority enrollment. As an experienced educator, principal and passionate child advocate, Principal Jessica Holman understands the daily struggles her students face in the classroom. She will share with us the victories, obstacles and ongoing challenges the school experiences.

All are invited to join United Women in Faith in the Parish Hall on Tuesday, September 13 at 11 am, lunch to follow. Make lunch reservations no later than Friday, September 9 by calling the church office at 865-524-3048.

Register for your free tickets to see Kate Bowler in the Church Street nave on October 2 at 6 pm. The event is free and open to the public, thanks to Church Street's Bishop Lecture Series endowment, but a ticket is required. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. If you plan to pre-order one of Kate Bowler's books for pick up on October 2, please register and share your book order information no later than September 15.

+ Click here to register and pre-order books.

There will be a Church Conference on Sunday, October 23, at 12:30 for the membership to vote on columbarium project. Please watch The Messenger for more information in upcoming weeks.

The CDC Covid Community Level was last updated to high in Knox county. Please see the chart below for the CDC's recommendations when the level is at high.

*The COVID-19 community level is determined by the higher of the new admissions and inpatient beds metrics, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.

Advent Devotion Writers Needed! You are invited to participate in this year’s Advent Devotional booklet, written by members of our congregation to be used as inspiration during this joyous time of the year.

Each devotion is a short reflection of your thoughts, feelings and/or personal experiences pertaining to this season. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what the birth of Jesus means to you and to share your love, hope and faith with others. These inspirational stories are provided to our congregation and homebound members (in printed booklets for the latter), and are offered to viewers of Rejoice! and our YouTube congregation. They are a blessing for many and will be shared digitally this year!

Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent, the booklet will feature devotions for every day through Christmas Day. Your devotion should include: a title, a scripture verse with reference, a devotion text of no more than 250 words, and a closing prayer.

Soup Kitchen is rooted in the desire to experience Christ in our community and to share God's love with all.

We will resume Soup Kitchen's full 'Love on a Tray' meal on November 3. Our ministry shifted during the pandemic, but we remained committed to feeding our neighbors. As we return to serving buffet-style meals, we need extra help! Our expanded menu includes a main dish like meatloaf, pork chops, or baked chicken, with filling sides for our guests. 

We have various volunteer roles that do not require helping every Thursday, and many volunteers serve just once a month.

DISHWASHERS: Ever wanted to work an industrial dishwasher?! This job is as important as food preparation and you’ll serve alongside the likes of Jim Boehms and Frank Word. Two to three dishwashers needed each week from 9 am to 1 pm. 

TRAY SCRAPERS: This job is guest-facing as you scrape guest trays before they go into the dishwasher. Two volunteers needed each week from 11 am - 1 pm.

HUNTER/GATHERERS: If you have ever wanted to help with Soup Kitchen, but are not available on Thursdays, here is a way to help! Early each week, food items (such as meat and bananas) need to be picked up from United Grocery Outlet and brought to the church. One volunteer is needed each week and the effort can take up to two hours on your schedule. A seasoned volunteer can assist in your first shop.

SERVERS/CLEANERS: Help serve our guests at the buffet and assist with clean up afterwards. One or Two volunteers needed each week from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

SUBSTITUTE BARISTAS: This is a great place to serve for an extrovert. Greet our guests while serving coffee and other beverages from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. We always need a few back-ups for regular volunteers.

To learn more or to enlist:

Call volunteer coordinator Julia Kelley (865) 228-0554 OR

Mary Cartwright (865) 406-4111 (first Thursday)

Ann Reego (865) 680-8288 (second Thursday)

Jenny Cheatham (865) 207-4274 (third Thursday)

Mary Jane Rogers (865) 789-3193 (fourth Thursday)

The TN Valley District will welcome another visit from Bishop Wallace-Padgett on October 27. We know she has much to share with us. Clergy and laity are invited to join us from 1 - 2:30 pm at Central UMC, Lenoir City (in the sanctuary). If you cannot join in-person, the district will be streaming her message on FaceBook LIVE. 

Memorial

John Pearson

Conversations on Race: Dr. Len & Pat Bellingrath

Honorariums

Barbara Paulson

Music Ministry: Robert Wilson

Rev. Jan Buxton Wade

Building Fund: Dr. Cecil & Caroline Rowe, George & Deborah Crawford, Ed & Valerie Nicholson, Dr. Len & Pat Bellingrath, Kay Luttrell, Betty Houser, Suzanne Matheny, Judy Penry

Altar Flowers

The Chancel Altar Flowers are given in loving memory of Charles and Ellie Rader by their children and grandchildren.