A Newsletter Publication of First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tennessee

January 23, 2013 | Volume 12 Issue 2 jacksonfumc.org

SEEKING GOD | KNOWING CHRIST | SHARING HIS LOVE

FIRST EDITIONFIRST EDITIONDOWNTOWN JACKSON

Men of all ages welcomed!

Help Our Youth Support RIFA!

Souper Bowl Luncheon Fundraiser

100% of proceeds to benefit RIFA

Sunday, February 3Following Sunday School & Traditional Worship in the Gym

Menu: Suggested donation $8Turkey or ham sandwich

white chili or baked potato soup with chips, pickle, cookie

tea or lemonade

1 dozen hot wings with ranch for $1014 oz. spinach dip and chips for $9

Dine in or carry out

SoulSisters

a Six Week Bible Study

Every TuesdayBeginning February 5

9:30-11:00 a.m.in the Church Library

Nursery provided

presents Finding BalanceLoving God with Heart & Soul, Mind & Strength

Prayer BreakfastTuesday, January 29

7:00-8:00 AMBreakfast Donation $5

Clayton HallSpeaker: Reverend Thomas Varughese

“Faith in the Workplace.”

SoulSisters

Bring a dish and recipe/link from Pinterest to Clayton hall.

Don't know what Pinterest is all about... bring your favorite dish and we will tell you.

Soul Sisters wants your best women's ministry ideas for 2013.

So, invite a friend and come for some fun! There will be door prizes!

presentsPinterest Potluck

PartyTuesday, Jan 29th

6:00-8:00 p.m.Nursery provided

First Edition January 23, 2013

BAPTISM

Jonah Daniel Lester received the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, January 20 during the First Awakening service. Jonah is the son of Jeremy and Julia Lester, great-grandson of Amy Maddox, great-nephew of Sandra McKnight. We welcome Jonah into the household of God!

Colby HughesMy name is Colby Hughes. I am 11 years old and was born at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. My mom’s name is Marigene, born in St. Louis, and my dad’s name is Matthew, born in Rochester, New York. I have a brother named Logan that is 16 years old. My hobbies are baseball, basketball, golf, ping pong, and snow-skiiing.

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Adult OpportunitiesPam Jaco, pam@jacksonfumc.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Confirmand Reader

Program 11:00 a.m. • Luncheon 12:00 noonClayton Hall • $6.00/person

To make reservations, call the church office at 422-4002 or sign up online at jacksonfumc.org by Noon, February 11.

Please remember to call and cancel your reservation should you be unable to attend.

Weekly Opportunities

Sunday, January 27 8:55 AM First Awakening Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Service 5:00 PM Current UMY

Monday, January 28 9:15 AM Staff Prayer 9:30 AM Monday Mission Group 10:00 AM Department Heads Meeting 1:30 PM Logistics Staff Meeting 1:30 PM Worship Planning Meeting 4:15 PM Zumba 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball 6:30 PM Evangelism Committee 6:45 PM Boy Scout Meeting 7:15 PM Men’s Basketball

Tuesday, January 29 7:00 AM UMM Prayer Breakfast- Thomas

Varughese 5:30 PM Youth Church League Basketball 6:00 PM Pinterest Potluck Party

Wednesday, January 30 10:00 AM Pastors’ Bible Study 10:15 AM Invitation to Presence 12:00 PM Mid-Week Downtown Worship

Service 3:30 PM WINGS 3:30 PM WEF Open Gym 3:45 PM Girl Scout Meeting (Troop

43088) 5:00 PM Wednesday Evening Fellowship

Dinner 5:45PM ConfirmationClass 6:00 PM WEF Programming 6:00 PM Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 PM Youth Wednesday Evening

Fellowship 7:00 PM Sullivan Basketball Practice 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 8:00 PM Tuttle / Shelley Basketball

Practice

Thursday, January 31 4:15 PM Zumba 6:00 PM Spencer Basketball (Middle

School Boys) 7:30 PM Eblen Basketball (High School

Boys)

Friday, February 1 12:00 PM First Friday Forum 4:00 PM Driver Kids Practice

Saturday, February 2 No Church Events Scheduled

Sunday, February 3 8:00 AM Super Bowl of Caring 8:55 AM First Awakening Service with

Communion

Musical Presentation by

Mitzi Mathenia

First Edition January 23, 2013 page 3

FUMC Kids’ NewsProverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Parents Night OutFriday, February 8

5:30 - 8:30 p.m.Dinner Provided - $5 per child (Infant - 5th Grade)

Reservations required by Wednesday, February 6To register, call the church office, 422-4002 or go to jacksonfumc.org or http://bit.ly/Uwk3RN

Kids Who Care Club presents“The Sunday School Change War”Help raise money to purchase three water buffalo ($250 a piece) from Heifer International through “The Sunday School Change War” beginning February 3rd. Donate coins to the jar(s) of your favorite class(es) to add points. Donate dollars to subtract points. The class with the most points WINS!

Each water buffalo will go to a third world family to provide a better way of life.

Weekly Opportunities

Sunday, February 3 (continued) 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Worship Service with

Communion 5:00 PM Youth Super Bowl Bash

Monday, February 4 9:15 AM Staff Prayer 10:00 AM Department Heads Meeting 1:30 PM Logistics Staff Meeting 1:30 PM Worship Planning Meeting 4:15 PM Zumba 5:30 PM Sr. Olympic Basketball 6:30 PM Women’s Ministry Committee

Meeting 6:45 PM Boy Scout Meeting 7:15 PM Men’s Basketball

Tuesday, February 5 7:00 AM Men’s Weekly Bible Study 11:30 AM Key Leaders Meeting 5:00 PM Wesley Foundation - U of M

Lambuth 5:30 PM Youth Church League Basketball

Wednesday, February 6 10:00 AM Pastors’ Bible Study 10:15 AM Invitation to Presence 12:00 PM Mid-Week Downtown Worship

Service 3:30 PM WINGS 3:30 PM WEF Open Gym 3:45 PM Girl Scout Meeting (Troop

43088) 5:00 PM Wednesday Evening Fellowship

Dinner 5:45PM ConfirmationClass 6:00 PM WEF Programming 6:00 PM Handbell Rehearsal 6:00 PM Youth Wednesday Evening

Fellowship 7:00 PM FUMC Sullivan Basketball

Practice 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir 8:00 PM Tuttle / Shelley Basketball

Practice

Thursday, February 7 4:15 PM Zumba 6:00 PM Spencer Basketball (Middle

School Boys) 7:30 PM Eblen Basketball (High School

Boys)

Friday, February 8 4:00 PM Driver Kids Practice 5:30 PM Parents Night Out

Saturday, February 9 9:00 AM Youth Pancake Relay 4:30 PM Room in the Inn

ALL VISITORS, NEW MEMBERS, AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED ARE INVITED TO

COFFEE WITHTHE PASTORSSunday, February 10, 2013

10:00 - 10:45 a.m.Clayton Hall Conference Room

Come visit with the pastors and learn about First United Methodist Church

Who will win???

First Edition January 23, 2013

page 4

Memorials & Honoraria

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

James Boswell (Husband of Anne Boswell) Jim Hicks Jerry & Florence Hornsby Patricia Stegall Bettie Graves Jane B. Hunter Peggy Mandle Sue & Hugh Harvey, Jr., Dorothy & Suzanne (Hospitality Fund) Carol Murchison Laura M. Starnes Mrs. Clifford Armstrong Ernest, Ann & Meg Lawrence (Capital Improvements) Sally Dabney May Scott Harris Lake Smith Lina & Fred Bowyer Margaret Dennison (Mother of Jim Dennison) Sue & Hugh Harvey, Jr., Dorothy & Suzanne (Hospitality Fund)

Janice Clouse (Sister of Bob Huffman) Jim Hicks

IN LOVING HONOR OF

Boy Scout Troop 12 Alison & Harry Lane, III

Phyllis MaleyJim Weaver Debra & Mark Owen

Subscribe online• Visit jacksonfumc.org• Under Media, select Newsletters• Subscribe at the bottom right by entering your email.

Get your newsletter timely!

Memphis Conference Archives Have New Home

Excerpts from article by Lane Gardner Camp, Director of Communications, Memphis Conference

The archives of the Memphis Conference moved into a new home in 2012. Still in Jackson, TN, they relocated in July from the lowerflooroftheformerLambuthUniversity Gobbell Library to the officesoftheMemphisConferenceof the United Methodist Church. The archives include deeds, baptism records, directories, member rolls, pastor files, closed church records, meeting minutes, photographs, financial records, obituaries, newspaper clippings, sermons, and rare books, Bibles and hymnals.In general, there are a lot of historical records related to the

Conference, but also churches, districts and agencies. Among the archives’ cherished items are the handwritten minutes of the Memphis Annual Conference before 1919 and church membership records from the 1850s.

Memphis Conference Historian Ann Phillips has worked with the conference archives for more than 20 years. Archives are open to anyone with Phillips’ supervision and assistance.

Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by weekday appointment.

Interested? Contact Ann at 731-664-5540 or memphisarchives@bellsouth.net The archives also have a presence on the Memphis Conference Web site. Visit memphis-umc.net/churchesarchive for a growing body of online historical information.

A fun and informative weekly series about the stuff in church.Visit jacksonfumc.org and click on the slide

Save the date!Construction on our

Habitat House beginsSaturday, March 23rd

First Edition January 23, 2013 page 5

Inclement Weather Alert

In case of inclement weater, please refer to any of the following for updates on whether the church is open or closed.

•jacksonfumc.org•FUMCJacksonTNonFacebook•ThomasMediaRadioStations: 107.7 / 106.9 / 102.3 / 95.7 FM•WBBJChannel7

Come and be blessed... bring a co-worker or friend!

Wednesday Noon Worship Service

with Holy Communionin the SanctuarySinging • ScripturePrayer • Reflection

SunDay SerVices Delivered FUMC’s DVD ministry continues to grow as the Word of God is shared with shut-ins and others. In 2012, 371 DVDs were distributed to residents of Elmcroft, Jackson Oaks, Jackson Meadow, Morningside and to a few FUMC members living at home who were unable to attend worship services. Deliveries have been made by volunteers each week with an outreach on average of 45 people viewing the 11:00 a.m. worship service.

For anyone desiring to purchase a copy as a keepsake or as a gift for someone, DVDs are available weekly for $5. Interested? StopbyBobbie’soffice.SermonsfromboththeFirstAwakeningandTraditionalservices are also available on the church website each week.

First Friday ForumFebruary 1 Noon-1:00 p.m.Clayton HallCost: $7 per personProgram: “Gang Violence in Jackson” A crime panel discussion led by Chief Deputy Barry Michael from The City of Jackson Police Dept.

Current UMY BIG

GAME BASH

February 35:00 p.m.

at the home of Walker Teer 100 Windward Drive

Everyone should bring snacks or drinks.Prizes for the best fan-wear for each team!

Youth News & Events

The Current UMY now has a Twitter (@TheCurrentUMY) and an Instagram (thecurrentumy). Follow us for updates on the Current!

View the Youth Calendar http://bit.ly/109inoZ

Thanks be to God for this caring ministry that reconnects and reaches out to the community.

First Edition January 23, 2013 page 6

YogaYoga is back! Join Marion Cone as she leads you through a time of exercise and relaxation. Meets on the Activity Center Mezzanine. $5 per class or $25 for whole session. Needed: yoga mat and stretchy clothes. A few yoga mats available – first come, first served. Need more info? Contact Marilynn Eblen at marilynn@jacksonfumc.org

The Space Between A four-week class led by Mary Beth Bernheisel that will help you understand the changes your teen (or soon-to-be teen) is experiencing, and help you effectively parent them. Based on research by Dr. Walter Mueller, this is a class not only for parents of teenagers, but for parents whose children will be teenagers someday! You may purchase the book for $8 from Mary Beth at any time. The book is a helpful resource but not necessary for taking the class.

Exploring Human LanguageAs committed believers, our words (and actions) are an essential means of spiritual growth, outreach, and community development. Integrating faith and linguistics, Union University professor Phillip Ryan presents a five-part series that explores the complexities of human language, from language and the mind to language and society, in an attempt to better illuminate this mysterious, complex, and powerful tool.

Rest Your SoulsA time of after-dinner rest and conversation for women of all ages.

January 9th-February 6th

Room: 114

Room: Clayton Hall Conference Room

Room: 117 - Upper Room

Room: Mezzanine

January 9th-March 20th

Dinner & Classes each WednesdayDinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. • Clayton Hall • $6 Adults, $4 Children, $20 Family Max.

Classes/Activities 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Classes

SoulSisters

Children/Youth ProgrammingYouth Programming “The Current”Wednesday & Sunday5:00-7:00 p.m.

Children’s Programming “The Backyard” Wednesdays5:00-6:00 p.m. Dinner & Open Gym, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Music and Group TimeAt 6:00 p.m. parents sign in kids in the gym and sign kids out at 7:00 p.m. in their classes.

Girl Scouts - Brownies/Daisies 1st/3rd/5th Wed. • 3:45-5:00 p.m.

Kids Who Care ClubFebruary 24, March 175:00-6:30 p.m.

Easter Egg HuntMarch 24 • 2:00-4:00 p.m. University of Memphis at Lambuth

Greeters for Sunday, Jan. 27Dave & Niki Shires, Hunter & Joyce Partee, Sam & Dicky Welch, Truman Murray, Jerry & Ruth Ann Smith, John & Bobbie Mays, Val Exum

Greeters for Sunday, Feb. 3Denise Stuart, Missy Harrell, Rick & Judy McAmish, John & Ginger New, Lisa Hurd, Hunter & Suzanne Welles, Theresa Smith, Don Coffey, Paul Smith

Please find a replacement if you are unable to greet. If you are interested in volunteering for the Greeter Ministry, contact Bill Hetzler at hetzlerw@bellsouth.net

Greeters

FUMC FOUNDATION“How long has it been since you updated your Last Will and Testament? Does it carry out your current wishes? Does it leave any gift to the church to carry on the ministry of Christ’s grace and love?”To learn more about FUMC’s Foundation and Planned Giving, contact Jim Scott, Chairman. 668-4775 or e-mail patandscotty@aeneas.net

Friday, Feb. 8 | 7:30 p.m.Sunday, Feb. 10 | 3:00 p.m.

First Baptist Church, JacksonAdmission: $5

featuringThe Jackson Choral Society

The Jackson Youth Orchestraand area musicians

Tickets: 661-5345 or at the door

Union University Department of Music

presents

by Benjamin Britten

First Edition January 23, 2013

Little Dresses for AfricaChanging lives one little dress at a timeFriday, March 8, 20136:00 - 10:00 p.m.FUMC Mezzanine

• Women, please come! • Bring your mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece,

neighbor or friend for a wonderful evening of fellowship and service.

• No sewing skills are required. If you can cut a thread or pull a ribbon through a casing, you are equipped to take part in this event and become one with women across America who are reaching out to clothe and care for the most vulnerable of God’s children: little girls.

• Bring a snack to share and any sewing items you feel might be helpful.

• Contact Marilynn at marilynn@jacksonfumc.org or 422-4002 for supply details.

To learn how this project began, go to www.littledressesforafrica.org

page 7

SAVE THE DATE!All Greeters, Green Coats, and Safety

Team members are invited to an

Appreciation and Training Dinner

February 24th 5:30-8:00 p.m.Clayton Hall

More details to follow

2013 Altar FlowersAltar Flowers are a wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one. There are several Sundays open for anyone who would like to provide Altar Flowers in 2013. If interested, stop by Disciple Hall near the Library to sign up on the Altar Flower Calendar. You may also contact Jan Kelley at the church office, 422-4002.

Recreation News Marilynn Eblen, Director of Recreation

RIFA Soup Kitchen Sign-upsin church

lobby

RIFA Open HouseCome tour the new facility

133 Airways Blvd.January 31

3:00-6:00 p.m.Ribbon Cutting at 3:00 p.m.

www.rifajackson.org

Miss a Sermon?1. Go to the Media tab and select Sermons2. Choose the appropriate icon to play the sermon audio or video, or to download the sermon audio. - or - Go to fumcjackson.blogspot.com to view sermon videos.

First Edition January 23, 2013

1955 she graduated with a Masters in Christian Education and on the same day, Jim received a Master of Divinity degree. It was a time of joyful celebration and the beginning of new careers and adventures ahead!

Returning to Jackson, Jim was assigned the position of Conference Youth Director requiring much travel as he met with local church youth and their adult counselors in West TNandWesternKY.Idataughtfirstgradeand during the summers Lakeshore Methodist Assembly became their home as Jim served on summer staff helping open the camping program for 6th-12th graders over a thirteen week season. For four years, Jim served as the business manager, public relations director and resident program resource. He was also the one who “transported sick campers to the doctor!”

Through his youth work in helping develop leadership skills and an understanding of the Christian faith, Jim was invited to participate in a national laboratory school event in Nashville. Inspired by the quality of training, he knew he wanted to have a similar experience available fortheMemphisConference.Thefiveday,50hour training was launched and because of its success, many from that group led laboratory schools in regional training centers, seminaries and local churches across the country. Jim was invitedtoleadsessionsinfivestates,threeofwhich were in theological seminaries.

Through Jim’s involvement in laboratory schools, he had a renewed interest in getting either an advance degree in Christian Education or leading a congregation. He and Ida prayed

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about their decision knowing their life was abouttotakeanewdirection.Jim’sfirstappointment as pastor was to the Malesus Methodist Church, just south of Jackson. Interestingly, that was also his dad’s first church assignment. He and Ida were delighted with the appointment which meant they would be close to family and friends in both Jackson and Memphis, where Ida’s family lived.

They had already started their family with thebirthoftheirfirstchild,Lynn,in1955,followed two years later with the birth of Jim, Jr. While work was moving along in church, Ida and Jim decided they wanted another child. In 1960, Julia Anne was born to complete their family. The Holmes time with Malesus was a meaningful one with dedicated and talented members. Jim offered his leadership and encouragement to help them grow not only in their commitment to God’s kingdom but in looking to their future with a vision and master plan for new construction and renovation.

Their next assignment was at Ridgely, TN, a small town surrounded by cotton and soybean fieldslocatedinthedeltasixty-fivemilesfrom Jackson. It was a time of challenge and opportunity living in an area that was comprised of “land and business owners who were very wealthy; skilled workers in businesses or farm-related jobs earning modest incomes and the very poor farm laborers, both migrant and residential whose only income was during harvest seasons.” Jim and Ida grew to appreciate the people, learning they wanted to deepen their faith and minister to the low-income people who lived in the delta.

In November of 1963, a life changing telephone call came from the Minister of Christian Education at The Riverside Church in New York. He and Jim had gotten to know one another through a consultation they had both attended on educational ministry. Jim was asked to join the staff at Riverside as Minister of Education as part of a reorganization of the church. Having previously led two training events at Riverside for Union Theological Seminary, Jim was somewhat familiar with Riverside Church. But the scope of this position was not realized until accepting and moving there three weeks later.

Before moving, Ida had come during that week ofdecision-makingandwithinfivedaysofherarrival, they signed a contract for their home in Tanafly,NewJersey,atwentyminutecommuteto church. When Jim joined the staff, Riverside had eight ordained ministers with 140 full-time employees.Onhisfirstofficialdayonthejob,

A Tribute and a Farewellby Bobbie Mays

Retired Pastor,Jim Holmes and his wife, Ida will soon be leaving Jackson FUMC, moving to Germantown,TN to be closer to their children. Together they have shared a lifetime of ministry spanning sixty years. The following story was garnered through friendship and conversations along with a few excerpts from Jim’s autobiography, No Orphans, written for his grandchildren as wellasIda’sreflections.

James Harmon Holmes (Jim) was born in 1930 in Jackson, TN to Chester and Addie Belle Holmes, the youngest of three children. His dad started out as an accountant but when Jim was six months old, his father’s career took a different path and he entered the ministry. The family moved often, (as preacher families do), and lived in several small towns in West TN. Following Jim’s graduation from Whitehaven County School, he enrolled at Memphis State with the knowledge that he, too, was going into the ministry. Graduating from there in four years, he applied to Emory University in Atlanta,Georgia and began his seminary work.

Ida Wills Stanton, also born in 1930 was the sixth child of Hugh and Virginia Stanton. “Being one of six meant “hand-me-down clothes, no weekly allowance, a shared bedroom but always someone to play with or help me. I was a happy child.” Her daddy had a way of making her feel special, saying shehadthatindefinableIT.” She never knew what the IT was but the way he said it, “I knew he thought I could get along well in this big world.”

Through a mutual friend while at Memphis State, Jim and Ida Wills Stanton were introduced and following her graduation from Memphis State, with a teaching degree, they were married on August 7,1953. Jim had already completed a year of seminary at Emory and at the same time was serving as the Youth Director, Choir Director, and Organist for First United Methodist Church in Monroe, GA. As a side note, Jim had an interest in piano as a child that continued into his high school and college years and for which he received a diploma through the National Piano Guild,

Duringtheirfirstyearofmarriage,IdataughtfirstgradeatMonroeElementaryandthenentered graduate school at Emory. On June 4,

Rev. James (Jim) and Ida Holmes

First Edition January 23, 2013 page 9

in his words, “it was both a cultural shock and a near disaster. The public school teachers of New York City went on strike that day. There was general concern for the welfare of thousands of children who were left at home by themselves or were loose on city streets. In response to the crisis, Riverside opened its doors to children in grades 1-6 and recruited volunteers to lead educational experiences. Preparing for up to 200 children, nearly 300 showed up with many parents arriving in the church assembly hall on that opening morning.” Jim’s role was to welcome children and their parents. What a beginning!

“Riverside Church was founded in 1930 and occupied a special place in American Christianity through the 70’s. It had a commitment to strong preaching, social services,missional outreach and quality Christian education led by competent clergy andlaypersons.”OnJim’sfirstSunday,ashewas waiting in the narthex with the 65 member choir, three clergy dressed in robes and academic hoods, he thought to himself, “am I really here?” He followed the processional into the nave that seated over 2000 and appeared tobefilledtocapacity.Withthesoundofthemagnificentorganandtriumphantsinging,they proceeded into the chancel and altar area to stand in the stall behind the alto and bass sections of the choir. When it was time for the scripture to be read, Jim moved to the massive lecturn. When he began reading the text, he couldn’t help hearing the murmurs from choir members, “ He’s a Southerner!” a comment he heard for the next several months.

NineyearsatRiversidewerefilledwithnoteworthy events, learning experiences, personal opportunities and wonderful, exciting people.AsIdareflectedonhertimethere,she“realized human relationships with persons of different backgrounds was a learning experience for her character building.” An especially interesting experience for Jim, outside of his ministry work, was having the opportunity to serve on the Board of Education fillinganunexpiredtermandrunningforelection the next year. Ida and Jim knew though that age 40, with three children who were approaching college ages within the next two-seven years, it was time to look at their future. They were ready to “return to family,friends and lifestyles they had left for a while but never abandoned.” Receiving a call from a a friend and superintendent of an inner-city district in Memphis, he explained that the conference was creating a new position of Urban Minister. Responsibilities included working with churches in communities that

were experiencing racial transition. Jim was asked if he would be interested and after several conversations, family discussions and much prayer, he accepted the new position on August 15, 1972. He served in that role for two years and then was asked if he would continue his work in urban ministry as the pastor of Union Avenue United Methodist Church. With a supportive congregation, new ministries were.begun and attendance increased offering hope for the church’s future.

That pastorate was shortened as in February of 1975, Jim learned that he was being considered for the position of district superintendent of the Memphis Asbury district. At the Annual Conference in June, his formal appointment as DS was announced and his work in urban ministry continued. While serving as DS, he still felt the need for disciplined study and through Emory’s School of Theology, earned his doctorate degree. In June,1980, Jim was assigned to become the pastor of Germantown United Methodist Church. Ready for a new challenge after having been in urban ministries for seven years, the move came at a good time for their family. Lynn and Jim, Jr had already completed their undergraduate studies and were pursuing graduate work at different universities. So Ida, Jim and Julia Anne made their new life together as they were readily welcomed by the congregation. With many lasting memories of nine years at Germantown their lives were enriched, challenged and blessed in so many ways. Not wanting to leave, but,with early signs among clergy of the Memphis Conference that they would be moving in June of 1989, Jim was appointed by the bishop to be the director of the Conference Council on Ministries located in Jackson, working with churches in planning their futures.

Ida and Jim had been away from Jackson twenty-six years, having left as young adults with small children and returning as senior citizens and “an empty nest.” They had left a loving congregation for a ministry of a different type. In other places they had served they had felt the love and support of the congregations, or colleagues or family. Now, they were in needof“findingaplacetoconnect;tobewithfriends and to build community.” With Jim’s new position, on many Sundays, he had to be away. Ida joined him but after awhile, they both realized that Jim could not be regularly attending anywhere. So, Jim suggested that Ida decide where she wanted to join and he would go with her when he could. Because of the many varied ministries and the openness she had found in a study group, Ida chose First United Methodist Church in Jackson where she

became more involved in church work serving as chairperson of Missions, volunteering to work with the Music for Esteem program and becoming active in the Wesley Sunday School class as well as other activities.

WhileservingintheCounciloffice,Jimwas invited to serve as a consultant with a committee for a project at Jackson FUMC to explore options for future ministry. He recalls this as one his most satisfying experiences. Themostsignificantrecommendationswereto “remain as a downtown church ministering to the whole city, expanding and renovating facilities and adding additional opportunities for worship and service.” After six years as Council director, Jim and Ida were ready for retirement which was granted just a few months short of Jim’s 65th birthday. In their retirement, one of their greatest joys has been spending time with their children, Lynn and Terry; Jim, Jr. and Jo Ellen; Julia Anne and Greg and grandchildren, Nathan, Kathryn, Daniel, Aaron and Sarah.

Jim soon began substitute teaching in Sunday School classes and leading studies for Wednesday Evening Fellowship. They joined a mission team from Jackson FUMC to Belize in 2003. Jim also served as interim pastor at Malesus, then later at Bemis. In 2005, he was asked to serve as the interim Executive Minister at FUMC following the retirement of Paul Clayton. For that opportunity, Jim appreciates so much how meaningful the support of the staff and congregation were during those five months. The Holmes are now on another journey,one that takes them back to the Memphis area where they will be near family. Their lives, which have been full of service and love in furthering God’s Kingdom, will continue to bless others as they move into a new retirement community. On Sunday, January 27th during the 11:00 a.m. worship service, Jim and Ida will be recognized. Following worship, you’re invited to stop by Disciple Hall to greet them and extend well wishes.

Jim and Ida, it is with gratitude, love and thankful hearts, we bid you farewell. May God’s blessings be with you. While we are saddened to see you go, the good news is, you are only an hour’s drive away!

Their new address is The Salona, 8199 Poplar Avenue, Apt. 1005, Germantown, TN 38138

First Edition January 23, 2013

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDJACKSON, TENN.PERMIT NO. 116

jacksonfumc.org

Sunday Morning Worship

First United Methodist Church200 South Church StreetJackson, Tennessee 38301 Address Service Requested(731) 422-4002

A Stephen Ministry Congregation

A Safe Sanctuaries Congregation

Traditional Worship ServiceSanctuary • 11:00 a.m.

First Awakening Contemporary Worship Service Clayton Hall • 8:55 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

DOWNTOWN JACKSON

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SundayJan. 27

SundayFeb. 3

“God’s Housekeeping” David Hollis, preaching • Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-3, 17-20

“Training for Godliness” Dan Camp, preaching • Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-16