Holston Episcopal Area

Mary Harris describes her vision for Pickett Chapel, a nearly 200-year-old structure built by slaves as a Methodist church in Lebanon, Tenn. Harris, president of the Wilson County Black History Committee, says about $200,000 so far has been spent to stabilize the building. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

New life for 196-year-old Pickett Chapel

Pickett Chapel in Lebanon, Tennessee, has been a white church, a Black church and a multiracial one in its long life as a Methodist house of worship. Built by slave labor, its newest incarnation will be as a museum and event venue if restoration efforts by a local Black history committee are successful.

Disaster Relief

A team from Keith Memorial United Methodist Church wears the mud they worked in while pulling out water-logged insulation beneath a mobile home in Norton, Virginia. From left to right: Sarah Williams, Tyler Nash, Chris Anderson, and Terry Stansell. Photo by Melissa Smith, courtesy of the Holston Conference.

United Methodists put 'legs on the prayers'

United Methodists in Holston Conference moved beyond prayers and got to work after learning about devastating floods and storms recently experienced by neighbors in Eastern Kentucky and Southwest Virginia.

Violence

A student was killed on school property yesterday after a shootout that wounded a police officer in east Knoxville, TN. United Methodists are trying to find ways to help a school that was already reeling from shooting deaths of four students since January. Photo courtesy of the Holston Conference.

After school shooting, United Methodists grasp for answers

United Methodists in Knoxville, Tennessee where a fatal school shooting happened April 12 are trying to help a school that was already reeling from shooting deaths of four students since January.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Paul Escamilla takes to the pulpit at Lauren Heights United Methodist Church, in San Antonio, on June 14. The church reopened for in-person worship that Sunday but closed again the following Sunday and has remained closed because of high COVID-19 case numbers locally. Photo by David Smith, courtesy of Laurel Heights United Methodist Church.

Virus spikes close doors again at some churches

Decision to reopen for in-person worship is being reversed in areas with sharply rising COVID-19 numbers.

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