May 31, 2011
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Upcoming Events

Annual Conference

June 12-15

Holston Conference's yearly big meeting of  clergy and lay representatives in Lake Junaluska, N.C.

 Find out more 

 

CALLING ALL MEN

Aug. 20: Kingsport

Aug. 27: Knoxville

The United Methodist Men's annual spiritual retreat expands to offer two convenient dates in two locations.  

Find out more

 

See complete calendar .... 

Quick Video
"Send teams and money"

Bishop Swanson on video 5-31-11's


Bishop James Swanson  appeals for churches to send mission teams and financial donations to UMCOR.

 

See video. 

Greatest Hits
Most-clicked links 
in our last edition


"New poverty worker in Big Stone Gap: Koni Purscell" (196)


"Blog: Swanson visits Bishop's Chapel" (186) 

 

"Holston begins training for storm recovery" (144)


Complete May 18 edition

Matthew leads food drive 5-31-11
Matthew, the "can-do kid," leads a food drive at Wauhatchie UMC.
 
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"Please read their stories"
EDITOR'S NOTE
  
Every week, The Call receives their stories: Great stories, wonderful stories, from devoted readers -- who desperately want to witness how their tiny congregation transformed a community. Or how a faithful little boy fired up a food drive. Or how a nest of baby birds brought joy to a funeral.
  
Sometimes, their stories come with messages that hint of hurt feelings. "Why don't you have more stories about small churches?" they ask. Or, "Why do you only care about what happens in Knoxville?"
  
Or, "Why don't you write more articles about retirees and history?" 
  
Or better yet, "Why don't you do more positive ministry stories?"
  
Well, we do. Trouble is, most readers don't read those kinds of stories. We know, because we can see who's reading what through our online data.
  
In fact, our highest reader numbers seem to be gained from (1) stories about clergy salaries, (2) the annual ministerial appointment list, (3) anything that pits liberals against conservatives, or vice versa, and (4) anything that has to do with a person's sexuality, especially if it involves clergy.
  
So here's your chance.
  
While it's true that stories don't have to reap high numbers to be valuable, it's just more fun to share good news with 500 people instead of 5. So in this special, supersized "District Roundup" that follows, we've provided several stories that someone out there cares deeply about and wants to share. All involve faith and love in some way, and most will make you feel better than an article about clergy salaries.
  
Please, read their stories. If you know them, tell them their story made a difference. And when your church does something great that you want to shout to the world, send it to The Call.                                                               -- Annette Spence
 

Read their stories ...
 

Confirmation Day with the Bishop

Aaron meets the Bishop 5-31-11
120 come to Cokesbury Center
to see what a bishop looks like


Three 12-year-old boys were having lunch outside on a bench when Bishop James Swanson, carrying his robe, strolled up to the Cokesbury Center doors.

 

"Is that the Bishop?" asked Diante, slighly in awe. "I want to go up and hug him."

 

While Diante and Dean gawked, Aaron didn't waste any time. He bounded up to the tall man in a purple shirt, stuck out his hand, and introduced himself.

 

After all, it's not everyday that you meet a bishop.


Read the story ...
 

What April 27 did to Apison

Rev. Chancey visits tornado site 5-31-11
Beheaded trees. Shattered houses. 
Crumpled cars.


The Rev. Todd Chancey is more than a month into the disaster that now monopolizes his ministry. All day long he drives from home to home, checking on parishioners, scheduling work teams, passing out gift cards.

 

Everyone in Apison has a story to tell. The scenery tells its own sad story. Like other townspeople, Chancey can point out the sites where people died as the winds tore apart their homes.

 

Read the story ...
 

Hands-on Mission Project
First Bulls Gap 5-31-11
Amost time to start
the mass movement
  
For years, Holston churches have generously collected supplies for Zimbabwe and Liberia. And for years, the collection of 7,000 kits has required a highly organized transportation and packing effort to get the supplies from Holston Conference to Lake Junaluska (for the Annual Conference send-off) and utimately, to Africa.
  
The movement starts next week. Find out where your district is collecting Hands-on Missions supplies.
  
More news & info

United Methodist News Service

United Methodist Committee on Relief

United Methodist News Service

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Holston.org

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