Senior Spotlight: Claire Holladay

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2024!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Claire Holladay!
What high school are you graduating from?
West High School
What are your plans for next year?
Attending Auburn University in the fall and majoring in business
What is your favorite bible verse?
Psalm 121: 1-2
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chipotle burrito
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Everything will work out in the end! Do not dwell on things you cannot control.
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
I would say: 1. Interstellar 2. Pride and Prejudice 3. Raiders of the Lost Arc
What is your top book recommendation?
The Silent Patient
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
My first SLA with both of my sisters
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
All the new experiences I will get to have!
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Senior Spotlight: Luke McCluskey

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2024!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Luke McCluskey!
What high school are you graduating from?
THE Central High School
What are your plans for next year?
I’m attending UTK in the fall of 2024 to major in graphic design.
What is your favorite bible verse?
Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fried chicken sandwich & fries
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Hang in there, kiddo. Don’t give up hope.
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
Spider-Man: No Way Home, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
What is your top book recommendation?
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
Choir Tour 2019, New York City, NY
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
Getting better at doing what I love to do
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Senior Spotlight: Ainsley Lamar

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One of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors.  Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2024!  Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Ainsley Lamar!
What high school are you graduating from?
Alcoa High School
What are your plans for next year?
Attend college for film production/arts management
What is your favorite bible verse?
Esther 4:14
If you could choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
fettuccine Alfredo with a Caesar salad
If you could give some advice to your younger self, what would it be?
There is no way to make everyone happy, so there is no reason you should spend your own happiness to try
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
La La Land, 101 Dalmatians, and Mamma Mia here we go again!
What is your top book recommendation?
Little Women
What is your favorite Church Street memory?
My favorite Church Street Memory is the mega sleepover we had at MAD last year with all my seniors and friends together in the sunday school classroom.
What are you most excited about going into the next season of your life?
I am excited to meet new people and work towards my own passions/goals!
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April Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • NightLife – We are studying the parables of Jesus! Come and join us for our LAST REGULAR NIGHTLIFE of the school year!
  • Mark your calendar for some special upcoming events!
  • Final registration for summer is May 15!

NightLife

We are in our last NightLife study of the school year. How on EARTH did that happen? This semester has flown by.

We are doing a study on the Parables of Jesus. This Sunday is our last regular NightLife of the year. We are closing out our Parables study with the Prodigal Son. This is a story that most of us are familiar with, but it is always good to revisit and draw near to the teachings of Jesus.

Special Events

We have several special Sundays and events coming up over the next few weeks. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!

  • Monday, May 6 – Senior Banquet (6:30 PM – a time to celebrate our graduates, all are invited!)
  • Sunday, May 12 – Senior Sunday (both services)
  • Sunday, May 19 – End of the Year Party (5:00-7:00)

*We will need volunteers to help us make the Senior Banquet really special! If you are willing to help, please let Jenny know!

Senior Banquet Registration

Summer Newsletter

Summer is just around the corner! We’d love for you to join us for all our summer programming. Use the link below to check out our newsletter and register.

  • Operation Backyard – June 28-29
  • Ocoee Rafting – June 30
  • MAD in the City – July 7-11
  • Smokies Game – July 28

Final Registration Date: May 15

Summer Info

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Sunday School Breakfasts

NightLife Dinners

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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March Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • Holy Week – worship opportunities below!
  • Graduating Seniors – Senior Info form is due this Sunday! And Scholarship Applications are due April 7.
  • Join us on April 6 for a Great Day of Service with other downtown churches! We need LOTS more hands!

Modified NightLife Schedule

Thursday, March 28 ~ Maundy Thursday
7 p.m. in the Nave and online

Friday, March 29 ~ Good Friday
12 p.m. in the Nave and 7 p.m. online

Sunday, March 31 ~ Easter Sunday
Sunrise: Courtyard facing Henley Street (breakfast to follow in Parish Hall)
8:30 & 11 a.m.: Parish Adult Choir and the Tennessee Brass, Nave
11 a.m.: Online at www.youtube.com/churchstreetumc

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for more ways to prepare for Easter. Social links are below!

Senior Info

Attention all Graduating Seniors! We have lots of information for you about the season ahead.  We want to honor and celebrate you.  So, please fill out our Senior Info form, apply for Scholarships, and mark your calendar to lead worship on May 12!

Senior Info Due Date: March 24 (this Sunday!)

Application Due Date: April 7

Senior Info Form

College Scholarships

Great Day of Service

Every year, Church Street organizes the Missions Day of Service and this year, we’ve partnered with other Knoxville churches to pull off a GREAT Day of Service on April 6!

This collective effort will be kick-off at Church Street in Downtown Knoxville and projects vary based on your interest, availability, age, and location. There’s plenty room and opportunities for you to join this ecumenical effort!

Click the link below to learn more about our service opportunities and to register!

Great Day of Service Info

 

Summer Newsletter

Summer is just around the corner! We’d love for you to join us for all our summer programming. Use the link below to check out our newsletter and register.

Operation Backyard – June 28-29

Ocoee Rafting – June 30

MAD in the City – July 7-11

Smokies Game – July 28

Summer Info

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Sunday School Breakfasts

NightLife Dinners

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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February Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • There will be no NightLife on Sunday, March 10 due to Spring Break.
  • Lenten Worship Night is March 17!
  • Seniors – don’t forget to complete our online forms!
  • Summer Registration is out! Earlybird is April 21 and regular registration is May 15.

Lenten Worship

On Sunday, March 17 we will have our annual Lenten Worship Night.  We will begin with dinner downstairs as usual, then move to Parish Hall and the Nave for a night of prayer, reflection, and worship.  This is a way for us to be intentional about growing our faith and drawing closer to Christ in the heart of Lent.  We hope you’ll join us!

Senior Info

Attention all Graduating Seniors! We have lots of information for you about the season ahead.  We want to honor and celebrate you.  So, please fill out our Senior Info form, apply for Scholarships, and mark your calendar to lead worship on May 12!

Senior Info Form

College Scholarships

Bring a Buddy Recap

Last Sunday, we had SO MUCH FUN at Bring a Buddy NightLife! What a joy to have so many friends join us for the night. Here are a few things to remember:

Friends are always welcome. It doesn’t have to be an official Sunday for you to bring someone with you.

We had a great discussion about our Spiritual Gifts. This coming Sunday, we will have a follow up discussion. Come ready to learn more about your specifics gifts!

If you weren’t here Sunday night, use the link below to access our Spiritual Gifts Inventory & Assessment. Parents — feel free to do this test yourself so you and your students can share together!

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Summer Newsletter

Summer is just around the corner! We’d love for you to join us for all our summer programming. Use the link below to check out our newsletter and register.

Operation Backyard – June 28-29

Ocoee Rafting – June 30

MAD in the City – July 7-11

Smokies Game – July 28

Summer Info

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Sunday School Breakfasts

NightLife Dinners

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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REZ24 – Cancellation

REZ24

Good evening friends!

We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel our travels to Resurrection this weekend. The current conditions of Knoxville roads combined with the forecast of additional precipitation and freezing temperatures from tonight on makes travel unwise and potentially unsafe. This is not a decision that has been made lightly, and we are disappointed that we cannot participate as we had planned.

One aspect that makes this particularly difficult is that our youth band was slated to perform live at the Friday evening session. I have spoken with the Resurrection Production Team, and they are going to play our audition video during the session! It’s not the same as being there, but the hard work of our Youth Band will still be celebrated. Tomorrow, REZ24 will share a link to a livestream of the event. I will pass it along once it has been sent.

Some logistics to cover:

  1. Please use the link below to let us know how you would like to address your funds paid for this retreat. (Options: transfer to future event, full refund, donation). Click here for the survey.
  2. The church building will remain closed on Friday & Saturday.
  3. Sunday will operate with a modified schedule — one 11:00 service, no Sunday school, no evening programming. Please check the Messenger for any additional updates at the weekend goes on.

When circumstances cause an unexpected change in plans, I find myself considering what the Lord might have for me there. This school year, more than any I can remember, we’ve seen students battling anxiety and stress at a high level. Maybe you’ve been there at some point this year? When something causes us to pause, it allows us the space to rest and recover in a way we didn’t realize we needed. Whether you have cabin fever or are a homebody thriving in this unexpected week, I hope that you will take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to reveal His Presence to you. As we sit with disappointment and frustration, my prayer is that there might be hope and respite, too.

I’m sad to not be spending the weekend with you — those big, family style cabin breakfasts are some of my favorite times. And as disappointed as I am, I’m also relieved to know that we won’t be navigating that curvy road to the cabin in the icy dark. Like so many things, this is both/and. I’m praying for you as we pivot away from our original plans. May this weekend be filled with unexpected blessings.

All my love,

Jenny
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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REZ24 Info

Friends!

I am so excited to spend next weekend together at Resurrection!! This post contains everything you need to know to prepare for this event. If you have any questions at all, please let me know.

Grace and peace,
Jenny

*Please note, the schedule for this event is different from past Resurrections and will require an earlier departure on Friday night and an earlier return on Sunday.

Preparing our Hearts

The focus verse for this year’s Resurrection is Ephesians 3:20 “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (MSG)

As we do the work of packing and planning, let us also spend time reflecting and meditating on these words. Let us arrive at our sessions eager to learn more about God and His love!

Schedule

To learn more about the Resurrection event schedule, please click here. The event has moved to one session instead of two. The schedule below includes travel on Friday & Sunday.

Additionally, we have the exciting privilege of our Youth Band singing on stage during the Friday night session! It is going to be really special. They have a sound check at 6:00 PM in the Convention Center – so we will be working around their schedule for that!

Friday

4:00 Arrive at Church Street in the Youth Department
4:15 Meeting with students
4:30 Depart for Pigeon Forge
5:45 Arrive at Cabin + Dinner
8:00 Session I

Sunday

7:00 Up, breakfast, pack up & clean
8:30 Session IV
11:00 Depart from Pigeon Forge (snacks on the road, will not eat lunch)
12:00-12:30 Arrive at Church Street

Packing List

  • Bible
  • warm, casual clothes
  • coat, gloves, hat
  • water bottle
  • shoes (good for walking)
  • pajamas
  • swim suit
  • beach towel
  • rain jacket
  • spending money (for REZ24 t-shirt)
  • toiletries
  • snack to share
  • chargers

REZ24 Schedule

Friday Arrival

When you arrive at Church Street on Friday, please do the following things:

  • load your luggage in the trucks/bus
  • keep any “carry on” items you want on the bus (backpacks, purses, pillows, etc) in the 11th-12th grade room – please be sure to keep all your stuff together
  • check in and turn in any forms or payments
  • put your snack in the kitchen
  • head to the worship room for our team meeting

Photo Album

If you take photos over the weekend, use the link below to share them with the group!

REZ24 Photo Album

Lodging

We are going to the Big Elk Lodge! Your rooms have been assigned in advance. We will share all our meals in the cabin and will all help out in the kitchen.

Expectations

We will talk about these more on Friday, but please keep these guidelines in mind for the weekend.

  • You will travel in the same van all weekend.
  • The chaperone who checks your room at night will also be your chaperone in the Convention Center.
  • You must stay in groups of 3 at all times.
  • There is a Starbucks kiosk at the Convention Center. We will not be using it. The lines are too long and you miss part of the session when you get in line. There will be coffee at the cabin if you are wanting some.
  • Your rooms in the cabin will be assigned.
  • Everyone will have different tasks throughout the weekend to help things run smoothly and contribute to our group. Please do your jobs in a timely and joyful way!
  • There is a movie room in the cabin. You can bring movies to watch remembering:
  • they must be G or PG rated
  • lights out still means lights out – even if it isn’t done
  • movies will be voted on by the majority planning to watch – democracy, people
  • There is also a pool and hot tubs at the cabin. There will be designated times for these to be used.
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January Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • NightLife returns this week! See you there.
  • REZ packing list & schedule will go out tomorrow! Be on the lookout.

Regular Sunday Schedule

After a wild start to the year, we are back into the swing of things! Join us for Sunday school where we will continue our Creed study and for NightLife where we will continue with our new Spiritual Gifts study. Sundays are our time for connection, conversation, and study. We hope you’ll join us! Friends are always welcome to join you. And it is never to late to jump right in!

February 11

The second Sunday of February marks the last Sunday before Lent begins (Ash Wednesday is February 14 and Easter is March 31!) as well as Super Bowl Sunday. So, we will have a modified plan that night. For Dinner, we will have our Shrove Tuesday Sunday Pancake Dinner followed by Game Night. We will not watch the Super Bowl. Parents, feel free to pick kids up after dinner if you plan to watch! If you want to stay through our regular schedule, pick up will be at 7:00.

Confirmation Retreat

This weekend, our 6th graders and their families are traveling to Lake Junaluska for our annual Confirmation Retreat. We pray for safety in their travel, for a meaningful weekend together, and for spiritual development.

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Sunday School Breakfasts

NightLife Dinners

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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December Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • Please join us for Christmas Eve worship! Service times are below.
  • There will be no Sunday school this week. We will have one service at 11:00 AM for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas Eve services will be later that day.

Christmas Eve Greeters

We are looking for greeters to serve for our Christmas Eve services and golf cart drivers for the later services.

This is a wonderful way for our families to serve those who are worshipping with us on Christmas Eve! If you would like to offer hospitality in this way, please sign-up below!

Greeter Sign-Ups

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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