| The Presbytery of East Tennessee
 Scooby helps kids learn about God’s creation.
Fifty years ago Presbyterians in East Tennessee had a vision for a church camp on Watts Bar Lake. They purchased one hundred forty acres, constructed buildings, and organized summer camps. The mission was to provide a place for church youth camps and retreats where churches and families also could enjoy God’s creation. That is still important to John Knox Center, but a new mission has developed — stewardship of God’s creation.
The River Ridge Environmental Education Program was developed to be compatible with programs in both church-related and secular schools. The teachers choose from more than thirty experiential classes for their students; for some this is their first experience in the woods.
In one of the most popular classes, “In Cold Blood,” students spend time in the Nature Center learning about — and handling — reptiles and amphibians.
In another popular class, “Lake Life,” students learn about the ecology of a lake community. They wade in the lake and collect and study organisms.
In evening programs such as “Pioneer Days,” students make rope, dip candles, and churn butter. And nobody can say they’ve been to camp without experiencing “Songs, Sparks, and Stories.”
There are 76 churches with 12,839 members in the Presbytery of East Tennessee, which is home to Knoxville, Maryville, and Tusculum colleges and to social service organizations that include Newton Child Development Center, Presbyterian Homes of Tennessee, Inc., and John Calvin Apartments.
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Dr. Carl L. Schlich, III, interim executive presbyter and stated clerk
Rev. Lina Hart, associate executive presbyter
Dana Hendrix, executive assistant
Deborah Phillips, hunger action enabler
Gwen Pyle, administrative/financial assistant
Laura Tappan, administrative assistant
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Delores Holland, BOP
Terrence Holland, PPC
Lord God, we give thanks to you for the richness of the earth that nourishes and sustains us and its beauty that delights us and shows us your love. You gave us dominion over the earth; now help us to truly understand what that means. Be with those at John Knox Center and others who work to create awareness of the injustice we have done to your creation. Give them the knowledge, the vision, and the strength to help us restore your wonderful creation we call Earth. Amen.
Ps. 92, 149 Ps. 23, 114
Ezek. 3:4–17
Heb. 5:7–14; Luke 9:37–50
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