Click here to watch the vote at Holston Annual Conference on June 4, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkxuqd_hNdhQHjFBQEenIn1BP7rEntJh8vW
Following worship on March 23, District Superintendent Jeff Lambert presided over three Church Conferences in our sanctuary. The first was a Church Conference for St. Mark to vote to sell their building and the three lots. The second was a Church Conference for Mafair to merge with St. Mark (see the resolution below). The third was a Church Conference for St. Mark to merge with Mafair. We’re happy to report that the votes at all three Church Conferences were unanimous.
We are now officially merged. For the time being, our merged church name is Mafair United Methodist Church. The newly formed Unity Team will meet and will consider changing the name of the merged church, as well as decide what items will be moved from St. Mark.
What does this mean for membership?
All members of Mafair and all members of St. Mark are now members of the merged church.
What does this mean for giving?
For the meantime, all financial contributions to the merged church should be made payable to Mafair United Methodist Church. For those of you who already give to Mafair online, there is no change to the process. If a name change is approved, we will let you know of any procedural changes.
Any other questions?
If you have any questions, please see Ray in the office.
RESOLUTION FOR MERGER BETWEEN
MAFAIR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WITH
ST. MARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,
APPALACHIAN DISTRICT
HOLSTON CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
WHEREAS, the Mafair United Methodist Church and the St. Mark United Methodist Church have served the Kingsport area and the Holston Annual Conference offering grace and the salvation of Jesus Christ for many years; and
WHEREAS, the members of both wish to merge so that their service to and witness of the Kingdom of God may be strengthened as, with God’s help and grace, they seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, the Mafair United Methodist Church is the product of a merger between the Fairfield and Maple Street Methodist classes in 1949; and
WHEREAS, the St. Mark United Methodist Church took trust of the Maple Street property in 1949; and
WHEREAS, both churches give thanks to God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in and through the Maple Street property and pray that it might continue to serve the Kingdom of God in an honorable and Christian way; and
WHEREAS, both churches agree that over the past several months we have witnessed and experienced the Holy Spirit bringing our two churches together in common future that will be facilitated in the current Mafair United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, both Mafair United Methodist Church and St. Mark United Methodist Church are both located in the Appalachian District; and
WHEREAS, the District Superintendent has given his consent for the merger of these two churches, calling this Church Conference for that purpose in accordance with paragraph 248 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline; and
WHEREAS, all other provisions for the merger of two United Methodist Churches have been satisfied in accordance with Paragraph 2546 of The United Methodist Book of Discipline.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by this Church Conference of Mafair United Methodist Church that a merger between Mafair United Methodist Church and St. Mark United Methodist Church is affirmed and allocation of all assets, debts, and personal property of Mafair United Methodist Church and St. Mark United Methodist Church be assumed by the newly merged church for the purposes of making disciples of Jesus Christ.