LOCAL PASTOR MAKES A HUGE IMPACT FOR MOUNTAIN HOPE GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC’S PATIENTS WITH HIS LATEST BOOK

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Pastor Arne Walker’s book, “Spirit Promptings,” has raised over $12,000 to date for Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

Sevierville, TN- May 28, 2021

Pastor Arne Walker of Gatlinburg, who has written several books, dedicated his latest one, “Spirit Promptings” to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic and former Executive Director, Mary Vance.

Spirit Promptings is a compilation of columns that Pastor Walker has written for the Public Pulpit. This book took about a year to complete.  He said, “I’m not really a writer. I sort of, in a stream of consciousness, when I am out on my prayer walk, I get thoughts and then I just write them down.” His thought-provoking prayer walks have become a huge blessing to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic. To date, the Clinic has received donations totaling a little over $12,000.00 with additional donations anticipated. It has been a joy for the Clinic staff to see where the donations originate from because they are coming from all over the country. Pastor Walker said, “I’m blessed to have friends from coast to coast and internationally.”

When asked why he chose Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic to receive donated proceeds from his latest book he said, “I was part of the early beginnings. Dr. Reese came to me and described what she was seeing at Pi Beta Phi Elementary school and we said together, if that’s what’s going on, at what was at the time the best in terms of economic status grade school in the county, what can we imagine is going on elsewhere? That is when we began the work and the move from the school to a beginning ministry at the Fathers House, who graciously allowed us to use half of their youth building in Pigeon Forge. So, my interest was right from the beginning. I started out pre-med, so I have had an interest in medical issues all of my life and we have one son who is a doctor in Florida.”

In the past year, the Clinic has added 8 additional exam rooms and an educational room where this interview with Pastor Walker took place. As Pastor Walker commented on the space expansion, he stated, “Hopefully it will be able to serve the needs of the thousands of patients that the clinic serves because it bothered us, when I was on the board, that we were turning about 100 away every month.” The Clinic no longer turns patients away due to space constraints and continues to serve the community with an increased number of patient visits.

The Clinic will always hold a special place in the heart of Pastor Walker. He served on the Board of Directors in the early years and has continued to stay in touch and advocate for the Clinic. Pastor Walker said, “I found it a privilege, getting to know people during the 16 years that I served on the board.” The Clinic is very grateful for his years of leadership and dedication. Our service to others has been based upon the guiding principles established in those early years by founders, Dr. Reese and Sue Ellen Riddle, a group of visionary board members, and a dedicated executive director. Pastor Walker shares the many contributions of Mary Vance noting, “Mary gave flesh to her Christian faith by giving Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic foundational excellence.”

2nd Annual Swingin’ for Hope

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2ND ANNUAL SWINGIN’ FOR HOPE EVENT BRINGS MORE AWARENESS AND FUNDING FOR MOUNTAIN HOPE GOOD SHEPHERD CLINIC

The Great Smoky Mountain Association of Realtors hosted the 2nd Annual Swingin’ for Hope Golf Tournament to raise over $24,000 for Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

Sevierville, TN- April 20, 2021

Over 130 golfers came out to Sevierville Golf Club on April 7th to participate in the 2nd Annual Swingin’ for Hope Golf Tournament. It was a beautiful 75-degree day to play golf for a great cause. On behalf of The Great Smoky Mountain Association of Realtors, President Jerry Sandifer and Leonard Waring, tournament director, presented a check for $24,737.00 to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

This is the second year that Realtors Care, a committee from The Great Smoky Mountain Association of Realtors, has put on this event to benefit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic. The event was supported by community sponsors, players, business donations, and volunteers. Per Leonard Waring, next year’s event is already being planned and will be held on April 6th, 2022.

Deborah Murph, the Executive Director of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, said, “We are grateful to The Great Smoky Mountain Association of Realtors for supporting quality healthcare access. This year, our Clinic responded to additional community needs including providing COVID testing and vaccine administration to insured and uninsured individuals. While our uninsured patients pay fees for services received at the Clinic, the cost of healthcare exceeds the affordability for those who lack insurance. The funding from the event helps cover the total cost of care so we can maintain affordable healthcare access for our community.  Our appreciation to all who participated and supported this year’s event.”

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is a not for profit, faith based healthcare clinic in Sevierville. Since the Clinic opened in 1999, they have seen over 27,000 people in Sevier County. They provide medical, dental and behavior services for uninsured individuals who live or work in Sevier County

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When darkness overspreads my eyes

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When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

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When, while lovely valley teems with vapour

by Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

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Unknown plants are noticed by when I hear the buzz

by Uncategorized

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.