Risk-Taking Love July 8, 2009

Pray Now   ·   Archives   ·   Job Opportunities   ·   About Us Age-old concern A new study has found that death rates for members of The United Methodist Church, where the average age has risen to 57, are about a third higher than the national average. (UMNS) The state of Swanson Excerpts from Bishop James Swanson's "State of the Church" report at Annual Conference         Who retired? Holston celebrates 13 retiring clergy. Plus: Their personal commentaries  Reading List We asked these newly retired clergy, "Now that you have all this time on your hands ...?"   The forgotten faithful "It's funny, what Americans think about things. They've never heard of Arab Christians. They assume all Arabs are Muslim -- terrorists, that is -- and that Christianity was invented in Italy or something." (National Geographic) Best of summer We're posting the best pics from each of our four conference camps throughout the nine weeks of summer! The Call is coming The July newspaper was mailed today to paid subscribers. Or you may download free PDFs here.  (Better yet, order a subscription here.) Greatest Hits Here's what you liked! Top three links in our last edition: 441 - Dying? Do something about it. 350 - Hix & Higgins. Waugh & Wayne. Show us your books. 211 - Can't get enough of the appointments Conference Calendar July 6-10: Jr. and Sr. High Assembly at Emory & Henry July 20: Deadline for Resurrection T-shirt contest July 23-25: UMW School of Christian Mission in Oak Ridge Aug. 2: Holston Night at the Smokies Ballpark in Kodak  Aug. 2-5: Jonesville Camp Meeting in Jonesville Aug. 2-5: Sulphur Springs Camp Meeting in Jonesborough Aug. 7-9: Calling All Men in Sevierville Aug. 30: Holston Home 5th Sunday offering Sept. 11-13: Cross-Bearers for youth at Camp Wesley Woods Sept. 19-20: Native American Gathering in Tellico Plains Sept. 19-21: F.U.E.L. Sabbath Retreat in Gatlinburg  Sept. 19: Camp Lookout Golf Tournament in Harrison Sept. 19-20: UMW Annual Meeting in Lake Junaluska Oct. 4: World Communion Sunday Oct. 13: Clergy Gathering in Kingsport Oct. 23-24: Early Response Training in Knoxville More calendar items... Holston.org Picks Holston, 100 years ago: Who were we in 1909? A historical commentary by Rev. Grady Winegar.  Our extended Holston family: Get quick info on prayer requests, illnesses, and deaths through Fellowship of the Concerned e-news.  More of holston.org ... UMC.org Picks Calculate this: Use this online calculator to figure how much your gift of a trust or annuity would leave to do your work in Jesus' name for years to come. (UMC Foundation) If you need a video: Visit UMTV.org regularly for quality videos on United Methodist ministries -- including those in Holston! (UM Communications)   More of umc.org ... Opportunities Want more Adam? Members who were enthused by Adam Hamilton's presentation at Annual Conference are invited to his church's "Leadership Institute" Oct. 8-9 in Leawood, Kansas. What are they saying about you? Visit www.find-a-church.org to update your church's profile on The United Methodist Church's web site.

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