We give praise and thanks to God for Bishop James King and his ministry of "presence" across our Kentucky Conference. His concluding Fall 2005 "Bishop's Hour" will be in the Louisville District on November 8. Over the last month, it has been our special joy in the Corbin District to have Bishop King with us for 3 special celebrations.
On Sept. 30, Bishop King participated in the Inauguration of Dr. Ed de Rosset as the 17th President of Union College in Barbourville, Ky. A highlight of that moving worship experience was to hear Mrs. Joanne Cash Yates, the sister of the late Johnny Cash, sing an a cappella version of "Amazing Grace".
At our Oct. 13 Corbin District "Bishop's Hour", it was a joy to welcome Dr. Ed and introduce him to the people, as alumni/friends of Union College stood (about 1/5th of the congregation), and waved at him. As Bishop King led us in our Corbin District "Bishop's Hour", over 400 people from across the 9 counties of the district in southeastern Kentucky were blessed. Out of 49 Pastors in the Corbin District, 41 were present and answered the projected "Roll Call" with their people for this annual fall event. A highlight of the "Bishop's Hour" was the afternoon (1:30 - 3:00 pm) 4 Practical Workshops (Children Ministry, Youth Ministry, Hispanic Ministry, Supply Pastor/Local Pastor Ministry) attended by over 50 persons and led by some of our Kentucky Conference Staff: Tom Smith (Director of Ministerial Services), Eliseo Mejia (Director of Hispanic Church Development), Chris Harman (Director of Discipleship Development), Julie Love (Director of Connectional Ministries), David Sparks (Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministries), Michael Watts (Conference Treasurer). They were all treated to warm mountain hospitality as they stayed at the local Holiday Inn Express, blessed with a Kroger Fruit Basket, a print of "Francis Asbury at Cumberland Gap, a wooden cross made by Earnest Mann, and hot mitts with the "Cross and Flame", made by Mrs. Barbara Barker, a retired missionary to Japan. The Bishop and Appointive Cabinet have also received the custom-made hot mitts as a gift, and each Pastor in the Corbin District will also receive this gift at the Dec. 1 "Pastor/Spouse Christmas Gathering".
At last year's "Bishop's Hour", Mr. Mike Radford (District Lay Leader) presented to Bishop King on behalf of the entire District Family, a print of Fred Thrasher's "Circuit Rider" painting. At this year's "Bishop's Hour", Tom Dicken, one of our Retired Pastors, presented to Bishop King a genuine "Stetson", and also one for Bobby. At next year's "Bishop's Hour" (Fall of 2006), Mrs. Rose Poff, the new District President of UM Women, will present to Mrs. Rose King a unique custom-made quilt, with a rose design. Rose will present to Rose a Rose Quilt. God is good all the time, and His timing is perfect.
On Oct. 22-23, Bishop King was with us for the entire wonderful weekend, preaching/teaching at the Kentucky Conference United Methodist Women's "Annual Missions Celebration" hosted at Corbin First UMC. Over 400 ladies, from across the conference, gathered for a day of worship, celebration, learning, sharing, and giving. Special thanks to Mrs. Carol Ackley and her Ky. Conf. UM Women's Officers and Leaders (especially Mary Dunn), for planning a great day in the Lord! Bishop King challenged us all to continue to "flow in the Spirit", and to welcome and create wholesome change as we win each new generation to Christ and His Church. A highlight of the day was the singing ministry of the Harlan Boys Choir, directed by Mr. David Davies. David has directed this traveling/singing group since 1965 (over 40 years), and this ministry has touched the world and the lives of hundreds of boys.
On Sunday, Bishop King preached at the 10:45 am Worship Service at the Corbin First UMC. It was also "Pastor/Staff Appreciation Sunday", and with over 500 persons in worship, it was a melting time in the Lord, as Mr. Larry Root (Lay Leader) led us, and Bishop King prayed at the altar with the Staff of Corbin First UMC: Lois Harrison (Secretary), Valerie Lebanion (Children Ministry), Gus Clouse (Middle Youth Ministry), Andrew Mahan (Senior Youth/College Ministry), Ed Garr (Worship/Music Ministry), Susan Elkow (Associate Pastor), Tim Thompson (Senior Pastor) and Terry Faris (D.S.). Corbin First UMC is a healthy and growing "Love Station" and regional church that blesses our entire Corbin District. They have just started construction of a 2.6 million dollar "Children's Building". After Bishop King's message on Sunday morning, during the invitation, the altar was lined with children, youth, young families, older folks (all age groups), some coming to Christ for the first time and others for renewal and deeper commitment.
In the afternoon, Bishop King greatly enjoyed his very first trip to the Cumberland Falls State Park, and also having lunch with 18 persons at the Lodge. Eliseo and Kathy Mejia preached/ministered that morning at the London UMC, so it was a great rendezvous time for all of us around the table: Bishop King, Wade & Teri Arp (Pastor of London UMC and Leader of the Laurel County Cluster), Lee Ann Mathews (Youth Minister at London UMC), Lori Faris (Terry & Judy's daughter) and Nate Fitch, Rhonda & Leah Thompson (Tim's family), Susan & David Elkow (Corbin First UMC Associate Pastor), Tim Thompson (Corbin First UMC Senior Pastor), Judy Faris (Terry's wife), Eliseo & Kathy Mejia (Director of Hispanic Church Development), Gloriann/Judy/Luis Cordero (Leaders of the Hispanic Ministry at London UMC and Corbin District). Special thanks to Mr. Adam Collins and his staff at the Lodge for their great hospitality and service. Wonderful!
Every Thursday at 12 Noon, we across the Corbin District stop and pray for Bishop King, for the Lord to guide and lead him as he guides and leads us in the Corbin District and all across our Kentucky Conference. Glory to God!
