Spirit Filled December 3, 2009

Pray Now   ·   Archives   ·   Job Opportunities   ·   About Us Attacking poverty from the ground up You've heard of Jubilee Project, and how churches are giving generously to the big Christmas outreach on Dec. 5? Here are Jubilee ministries that most churches haven't heard about, addressing poverty in new ways. Silent sickness Don't forget what you learned at Clergy Gathering. Gayle Crabtree and other survivors of domestic violence will make sure you don't. Saying good-bye Bishop James Swanson celebrates the life of his best friend, the Rev. Paul Roberson, over Thanksgiving weekend.  (Ledger-Enquirer)   Hungry in Bristol All over Holston, families are lining up at food pantries for the first time. Here's a story about a recent food giveaway at Anderson Street UMC. (TriCities.com) 13 tips for media coverage How can you make your church event stand out from the other causes that compete for local newspaper or TV coverage? (UM Communications) Oops E-mail issues prevented some superintendents from responding to last week's Thanksgiving list. Please join the Cabinet again in expressing gratitude for God's blessings. Greatest Hits Here's what you liked! Top three links in our last edition: 504 - What's your D.S. so happy about? (The Call) 353 - Shane Claiborne's un-Christian apology (Esquire) 227 - "Redskins": United Methodists don't approve (UMNS) Conference Calendar Jan. 11: Deadline to submit 2009 apportionments Jan. 15-17: Resurrection youth event in Gatlinburg Jan. 17: Human Relations Sunday Jan. 22-24: Resurrection youth event in Gatlinburg Jan. 29-31: Divine Rhythm young adult event in Pigeon Forge Feb. 2-5: Ministers Convocation in Lake Junaluska Feb. 15: Change for Children grant applications due Feb. 19-20: Holston Evangelism Conference in Knoxville March 5-6: March Forth for Children training in Bristol March 6: UMM Day with the Bishop in Rogersville March 11-13: Ministers' Wives Retreat in Sevierville March 14: One Great Hour of Sharing April 9-11: Clergy Marriage Retreat in Jonesborough June 13-16: Annual Conference at Lake Junaluska, N.C. More calendar items... Holston.org Pick How do I explain this? New bulletin inserts help illustrate to congregations how their apportionment dollars are spent. (New inserts are coming!) More of Holston.org ... UMC.org Pick She power: The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women no longer prints newsletters but offers a free electronic newsletter, "The Flyer."  Subscribe now. More of UMC.org ... Opportunity Good stewardship: Paper and postage are expensive, so The Call is shifting most of its news online. Please tell your congregations to subscribe to The Call2, our free e-news edition, at www.thecalltwo.holston.org.