I am an associate member of Tracy City First United Methodist Church (TCFUMC). I've been attending there for most of the time we've lived in Coalmont. I love my church family; I'm always surprised at their constant understanding that during certain seasons of the year, I cannot attend regularly (i.e., every Sunday morning). No matter how long I've had to sabbath other places*, I'm always welcomed as if my absence has been notice. It's nice to be noticed. *(One if the things I really appreciate about my job is that I get to sabbath regularly at "work". It's built into our ministry DNA. Sabbathing at work is also one of the challenges of my job. Our culture, even in the Church, overlooks the natural, God-given rhythm of work and rest.)
Churches in this area follow the pattern of most rural churches - they are made up of a group of core families who've been attending for generations. Most church affiliations have to do with location that denomination. For instance, I live on Sweeton Hill*, and the church down the road from my house is made up of families who have lived on this hill for generations. Pastors are usually bi-vocational and somehow related to a family in the congregation (who isn't?).
*(When you are from 'round here, you can just say, "I'm from Coalmont." You get really confused looks. People want to know out of which small, close-nit community you come. When I'm in Grundy County and asked where I live, I say "On Sweeton Hill." If you live in a place like Atlanta or Nashville, you know what I mean.)
TCFUMC is in a funny place. We are growing rapidly, which is not the same case of most of the churches in our location, much less our denomination. Average Sunday attendance is getting close to 200. The choir isn't allowed to sit in the congregation anymore because we'll take up seats that could be occupied by visitors or seekers. Last Wednesday there were over 70 children and youth attending evening activities. 70! Even the air conditioning units are having a hard time keeping up. We are in the process of addressing the situation while managing our growing pains.
During "normal" times, there is a constant hum of activity always at TCFUMC- prayer, teaching, feeding*, meeting, coaching, learning, singing, sharing. It comes in all different forms and for all different ages, hopefully accessible to anyone who desires to be a part of the Family.Churches in this area follow the pattern of most rural churches - they are made up of a group of core families who've been attending for generations. Most church affiliations have to do with location that denomination. For instance, I live on Sweeton Hill*, and the church down the road from my house is made up of families who have lived on this hill for generations. Pastors are usually bi-vocational and somehow related to a family in the congregation (who isn't?).
*(When you are from 'round here, you can just say, "I'm from Coalmont." You get really confused looks. People want to know out of which small, close-nit community you come. When I'm in Grundy County and asked where I live, I say "On Sweeton Hill." If you live in a place like Atlanta or Nashville, you know what I mean.)
TCFUMC is in a funny place. We are growing rapidly, which is not the same case of most of the churches in our location, much less our denomination. Average Sunday attendance is getting close to 200. The choir isn't allowed to sit in the congregation anymore because we'll take up seats that could be occupied by visitors or seekers. Last Wednesday there were over 70 children and youth attending evening activities. 70! Even the air conditioning units are having a hard time keeping up. We are in the process of addressing the situation while managing our growing pains.
*(We regularly feed the young people who come to the church - twice a week. Sunday breakfast and Wednesday dinner. It's the Gospel in french toast sticks...or, at least, full tummies so that maybe the Gospel is easier to hear.)
Easter services catapult that normal hum into an even different category. It's the notion that there is "something larger on the inside than there is on the outside", and that something is "bursting forth in glorious light". "There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the LORD does valiantly; the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD."
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