Ten of the twelve Knoxville Circuit congregations gathered at Praise Lutheran Church, Maryville, on Sept. 28 for their first convocation. Pastor Derek Roberts of Praise Lutheran described it as “a larger gathering of circuit congregations during a year without national or district conventions…providing a chance to celebrate each congregation’s ministry.”
Pastor David Graves of St. Paul, Wartburg, and Knoxville Circuit Visitor, opened the Convocation with a devotion. “This idea began four years ago. The LCMS Handbook specifies that it should be held on a non convention year, so 2024 was the first opportunity (factoring the delay caused by covid),” he said.
Throughout the day, congregational representatives shared updates on their ministries. Special guest Mid-South District President Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola addressed the decline in seminary graduates and the growing need for church workers, urging attendees to identify and encourage potential candidates for ministry.
The Convocation concluded with Divine Service in the new Praise Lutheran sanctuary.
Ministry Highlights
Sharing the Gospel through Lutheran Education
Ms. Jessie Irwin, Principal at First Lutheran School, Knoxville, presented a brief history of First Lutheran, which was founded in 1869. Today, First Lutheran offers Christian education for students from ages 1 year old through eighth grade. “We educate the whole student, from God’s Word to academics to the physical body and the arts,” Ms. Irwin said. She asked attendees to promote the school, pray, and donate to help offset tuition costs.
How the Vocations of Deaconess, DCE, and Parish Nursing Heal Body, Soul, and Spirit
Deaconess Christina Childers from Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, shared how the role of a deaconess is defined within the Lutheran Church. “I go back to Genesis and the creation of man and woman to help describe what a deaconess does. I like to think of a deaconess in pursuit of her Biblical role as a helper, as a career,” she said. She encouraged congregations to prayerfully consider the role of women in their church and connect with the deaconess programs at our two seminaries.
Praise Lutheran Church, Maryville, Director of Christian Education Shelli Haynes shared her journey into Christianity and Lutheranism in California, as well as the history of DCE ministry in the LCMS. DCEs are Christian educators who work with pastors to teach the faith to children, youth, and adults. At Praise Lutheran, DCE Haynes works with families and volunteers to administer and teach youth and Sunday school programs, family events, and church activities.
On behalf of Parish Nurse Karen Barkley of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wartburg, Mrs. Kim Kennedy shared about the work of a parish nurse. Typically, a parish nurse is a Registered Nurse that helps fulfill the healing function within the church, caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of members. The Faith Community Nursing Certificate is offered at one of our Lutheran colleges, Concordia University, Mequon.
Food for the Hungry in Knoxville and Sharps Chapel
On behalf of the Holy Smokers at Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Brian Strobel recounted how they reach out and connect with members of the church and the community through food events serving groups like the Day Reporting Center corrections facility, Water Angel Ministries, and church events. “It’s not just about the food, but the food is an entryway to sharing the Gospel of Christ in new places,” said Pastor Danny Anderson.
Members of Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Sharps Chapel, found an opportunity to feed senior citizens in need with wrapped boxes of food–in some cases the only gifts they receive on holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. They also give gift bags to elementary school children and have collected over 2,100 rolls of toilet paper to serve 200 families who can’t purchase toilet paper with food stamps.
Grocery costs have gone up exponentially, and members of The Point Knoxville have partnered with a former Baptist minister to provide low-cost food and free produce to low-income families in Knox County via a mobile grocery store. Pastor Adam Woldt quoted a fellow pastor in saying, “In a time of crisis, you need something free. In a time of need, ‘free’ robs you of your dignity.”
Finding Joy in Hardships with Disaster Relief
Rich Cole from the Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) Disaster Relief Team responds to natural disasters of any kind. When disaster strikes, the team reaches out to local LCMS churches to uncover needs with churches, communities, and people. “I don’t know what hurts more at the end of the day: my arms from working, or my cheeks from laughing and crying with the people we’ve come to help,” he said.
Long-Term Support for Ministry Work
Due to the generous donations of several members, Faith Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge, started an endowment fund. With income generated from the fund, Faith is able to give financial gifts to support local ministries as well as non-local ministries (including donations to St. Paul Sevierville and Praise Lutheran Maryville for special projects). “We love supporting our sister congregations,” said Rev. George Smith, Associate Pastor at Faith.
Offering life-affirming alternatives to abortion in Blount and Sevier Counties
The Pregnancy Resource Center (servicing all of East Tennessee but with offices located in Maryville and Sevierville) offers life-affirming alternatives to abortion via two locations and a mobile clinic. In serving 287,000 families last year, the PRC impacts lives here on earth and forever in eternity. Many LCMS members volunteer at or donate to the PRC, including a circuit-wide fundraiser in January 2023 held at Grace Lutheran Church. “There is hope,” said Valerie Millsaps, Executive Director. “Pray, give, serve, and connect with us. Men and women can get involved. We need you.”
The End or the Beginning?
In response to the Convocation, attendees were thankful and enriched by the presentations as well as the Divine Service with all the circuit’s clergy processing and participating in the worship. Circuit Visitor David Graves recapped the event saying, “It was well received. Even though the next year to hold a Convocation according to the LCMS handbook isn’t until 2027, I heard feedback that we should get together yearly.” Gloria Schulz attended the Convocation as a member of First Lutheran Church in Knoxville and echoed Pastor Graves. “This was truly wonderful! We need to have one of these every year,” she said.
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