Reed is guest lay preacher at Upper Room chapel service

David R. Reed of Martin First UMC and chair of the Communications Action Team of the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church, was the guest lay preacher at an Upper Room chapel service on July 27 in Nashville. “Words: A Means of Power and Grace” was the title of his message.   The chapel service was for staff of the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) and The Upper Room, according to Rev. Tom Albin, Dean of The Upper Room Ministries and Ecumenical Relations, who...

Wind storm brings down steeple of Big Sandy UMC

Big Sandy UMC in Big Sandy, TN in the Paris District lost its steeple to a surprise wind storm on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Thankfully, no one was at the church at the time, reported Rev. Joseph A. Walker, Sr., who explained that the steeple broke numerous rafters and damaged decking when it crashed onto the 104-year-old church’s roof.   Walker estimates the sawmill oak steeple with metal siding weighs 400 to 500 pounds. The cross on top of the steeple penetrated the church’s roof...

District Superintendents applaud Paris District for 99.68% payout of apportionments

  Editor’s Note:   The Paris District of the Memphis Conference had a 99.68 percent payout of apportionments for the year 2009. This was announced as part of the District Superintendent Report presented at the 2010 Memphis Annual Conference in June in Collierville, TN.   The Report, delivered by Cabinet Dean Dr. Rick C. Dye, superintendent of the Paducah District, “applauded” the Paris District and said, “We all need to be reminded that it can be...