Volume 151 Number 9

July 9, 2004

Briefly…

Hollis

Historic First: physician named Chair of Methodist Healthcare Board

For the first time in the hospital’s history, Methodist Healthcare has named a physician, Dr. Richard Hollis, to chair the organization’s board of directors.

“Naming a physician as our board chairman demonstrates our commitment and dedication to our partnership with our doctors,” said Gary Shorb, president and CEO, Methodist Healthcare. “We value that partnership and count on our physicians to help us find the best practices in medicine so we can deliver exemplary care for our patients. I am confident we will continue to benefit from the expertise and medical perspective Dr. Hollis brings to his leadership role,” said Shorb.

“Having the opportunity to serve as chair reminds me of why I chose to become a doctor 55 years ago,” said Hollis. “I had simple, perhaps even naive reasons for choosing a career in medicine. I wanted to help people; I wanted to make a difference. Nearly everyone who enters medicine or any aspect of healthcare has a desire to help someone in need, to be socially useful,” he said. “It is this commonality, this shared commitment, this sense of caring that unites the employees, medical staff, administration and the board of directors.”

An active member of the First Methodist Church in Amory, Miss., Hollis first served Methodist Healthcare on the Board of Trustees from 1962-1968 and from 1988-1994. He then served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1995-1997 and from 1998-2004.

“I feel confident together with our great diversity we will fulfill our mission of providing high quality cost- effective healthcare to benefit the communities we serve in a manner which supports the Health Ministries and Social Principles of the United Methodist Church,” he said.

Six bishops to be elected at SEJ Conference in July

(UMNS) Six new bishops will be elected when delegates to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference meet July 14-17 at Lake Junaluska, N.C.

During the final business session July 17, the assignment of bishops to episcopal areas will be announced. Since Bishop William Morris is retiring, the Memphis Conference will receive a new episcopal leader at that time.

The newly elected bishops will take office on Sept. 1 and fill vacancies left by the six retiring bishops. Retirees are Bishop Kenneth L. Carder, Mississippi area; Bishop Ray W. Chamberlain Jr., Holston area; Bishop Marion M. Edwards, Raleigh area; Bishop Robert E. Fannin, Birmingham area; Bishop Morris, Nashville area; and Bishop Joe E. Pennel Jr., Richmond area.

Any United Methodist elder who is a full member of an annual conference is eligible to be elected as bishop.

Episcopal candidates endorsed by annual conferences include the Rev. Clarence R. Brown, Virginia; the Rev. Harry Durbin and the Rev. Liana Perez-Felix, Memphis; the Rev. Alfred Gwinn, Kentucky; the Rev. L. Jonathan Holston, North Georgia; the Rev. Thomas A. “Andy” Langford III, Western North Carolina; the Rev. Joe May, Mississippi; the Rev. Jerry H. Mayo, Tennessee; the Rev. Jerald Russell, Holston; the Rev. James Swanson, South Georgia; the Rev. Mary Virginia “Dindy” Taylor, Holston; the Rev. Hope Morgan Ward, North Carolina ; the Rev. Gary Ward, North Alabama; the Rev. Wil Willimon, South Carolina; and the Rev. Richard Wills, Florida. Among the episcopal candidates endorsed by racial-ethnic groups are the Rev. Arnetta Beverly; the Rev. Charles Johnson; and the Rev. Sam Wynn.

Denman Award winners devote lives to making disciples of Jesus Christ

Aaron Staulcup, a member of Ridgely UMC for 58 years, was recognized as an outstanding evangelist at Annual Conference.

Johnnie B. Arnold, pastor of Flatwoods and Eva United Methodist churches, received the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for clergy at Annual Conference 2004. Standing with Arnold is his wife Barbara.

By Cathy Farmer

The Denman Evangelism Awards were begun in 1980 to honor a United Methodist lay person and clergy person in each Annual Conference who have exhibited unusual and outstanding efforts in Christian evangelism.

Making disciples of Jesus Christ has been a lifelong passion for the 2004 Memphis Conference winners of the prestigious award.

Aaron Staulcup has led literally hundreds of people to Jesus Christ

Aaron Staulcup, a member of Ridgely United Methodist Church for 58 years, is a powerful and eloquent witness to the power of God to transform lives.

The information provided about Mr. Staulcup to the selection committee said the following:

“Aaron grew up dirt poor in rural West Tennessee. Early in life, he took a job at a dry goods store in Ridgely where owner Dessie Wyatt led Aaron to Christ.

“In April of 1946, he joined Ridgely First UMC and has been a faithful and active member ever since. He has participated in the United Methodist Church at the congregational, district, conference and jurisdictional levels.

“Not only does Aaron support his local church, he also provides assistance and support for several small congregations of various denominations in Lake County. He’s ecumenical in the best sense of the word.

“Aaron has led literally hundreds of people to Christ.

“There was a time when Aaron wrote the names of those who asked Jesus into their hearts in the back of his Bible that he always carried with him. He has long since run out of room and lost count.

“Aaron has been a witness through many different venues which include: active involvement in prison ministries in two different prisons; Lay Witness mission trips; activity as a Certified Lay Speaker and Gideon.

“His pastor writes that in the five years he has served Ridgely First, Aaron ‘has taught Sunday school, led Bible study, and preached at Wesley Homes Retirement Center in Tiptonville. Aaron’s willingness to witness and serve Christ goes far beyond words. He is a compassionate person who is eager to help those in need. Rich, poor, black, or white makes absolutely no difference to Aaron. Perhaps that’s why Aaron is so highly respected by individuals and congregations throughout Lake County and indeed, across so much of West Tennessee and Western Kentucky.’”

“Each day is an opportunity to share the love of God with whomever he meets. He enjoys writing poetry and incorporates his faith into his poems which he shares with people he meets. Ask him how he’s doing and he lights up at the chance to tell you how God has blessed him this day. And when you are preparing to depart and you tell Aaron to have a good day, his response is always the same, “You have a better one!”

Johnnie B. Arnold uses every opportunity to spread God’s word

The Rev. Johnnie B. Arnold entered the ministry in 1985. During that time, he has served ten churches.

Arnold’s passion for people is demonstrated by his overwhelming commitment to reach out to many that others would ignore–prisoners, alcoholics, drug abusers and the poor.

In the material nominating Arnold, it was written, “The Rev. Arnold encourages them to turn their life around by sharing how his life changed through accepting Christ as his Savior.

“His part-time employment as a law enforcement officer/court bailiff provides a unique opportunity.

“Brother Arnold’s vision is to use every opportunity to spread God’s word.

“While committed to bringing one and all into the church, he is especially interested and determined to reach out to children and young people. Rev. Arnold’s willingness to provide outreach to those who are forgotten reminds us that Jesus also sought those others didn’t. He encourages us all to love one another.

“Statistics speak for themselves. Today, our church has three Sunday School classes for children. Prior to Bro. Arnold’s arrival, we had one.

“In 1999, twelve children attended Vacation Bible School. In 2003, 41 attended.

“Since his arrival, Bro. Arnold has started a food pantry and we give donations to community groups and individuals when needed.

“Because our congregation has grown in average attendance from 38 in 2001 to 56 in 2003, we are able to give even more.

“The Rev. Jim Cooper, Paris District Superintendent, adds that ‘Arnold brings to his work on the Eva-Flatwoods Charge a contagious enthusiasm for the work of ministry in general and the work of evangelism in particular.’ Cooper also says, ‘Arnold brings his faith to bear on his work with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. My sense is Johnnie does the work of an evangelist wherever he finds himself.’”

The Denman Evangelism Awards may involve personal witnessing, speaking, and inspiring people or the local church to be actively involved in effective evangelism and outreach.

The size of the local church, the age or gender of the person nominated or the length of their involvement in evangelism are not primary criteria for selection for the award. What counts is the person’s accomplishments in the area of evangelism.

Materials and nomination forms are sent to all Annual Conferences in January. Information on Denman Awards can also be found on The Foundation for Evangelism’s web site, www.evangelize.org, or by contacting the organization at The Foundation for Evangelism, P.O. Box 985, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.

‘Late breaking news’ the hook Covington First used to sell papers

Russell and Clara Jane Phelps were honored at the Celebration Luncheon during AC 2004 with a certificate recognizing First UMC, Covington, Tenn., as the church with the largest number of subscribers to the Memphis Conference United Methodist Reporter. Bishop Morris presented the award.

Clara Jane and Russell Phelps headed up the 2004 Memphis Conference Reporter subscription campaign for First United Methodist Church in Covington, Tenn. Under their guidance, the church posted 86 subscriptions to the conference newspaper, the largest number for a single church.

‘Late breaking news’ was the hook Mr. and Mrs. Phelps used to stir excitement and interest in the paper.

“There were so many wonderful stories to choose from when we were running the campaign,” said Clara Jane. “I particularly liked the stories about Joey Williams, the middle-aged football player for Lambuth University, and the news about Germantown United Methodist Church providing the Easter Sunday service on the NBC network for the nation.”

Using their time with the congregation one Sunday before worship, the Phelps mentioned the stories. “We made them curious,” said Clara Jane with a smile in her voice.

But the real secrets to their success were the tiny envelopes stuffed in the back of the pews.

“The envelopes simply said ‘Reporter $11.50’ on them,” Clara Jane said. “All they had to do was write their check for $11.50 and put it in the envelope and then into the offering plate. We took care of everything from there. It made subscribing easy. They didn’t have to go by the office and try to find someone to take their money.”

Clara Jane also made posters for Covington First that featured the front page of the Reporter. Small notes drew attention to items that had relevance to the church.

“And we called everyone who was already subscribing,” she said. “They were glad to sign up again.”

Congratulations, Covington.

Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation honors Corlew

Corlew

The Rev. Jerry F. Corlew was recently recognized by the Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation Board of Directors with a resolution making him a life-long member. The Board recognized Jerry as the driving force more than 30 years ago behind a vision for a ministry of housing for the elderly poor.

In 1969, Corlew sought sponsorship from the Memphis Conference for this vision and received support through the Memphis Metro Missionary Society. Corlew’s dream and vision became known as Wesley Housing Corporation and soon covered the entire conference. Corlew continued to dream, and in 1997, began Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation so that the daily lives of the residents could be enhanced.

Corlew has believed, lived and served this ministry since its conception; a ministry that today touches more than 2100 elderly residents. Many people continue to carry out this mission on a day to day basis and the Foundation Board wanted to recognize Jerry for his service and commitment. Without that commitment, Wesley Senior Ministries would not exist..

Corlew retired from Wesley but remains active through the Foundation.