General Conference delegates sit at round tables for the first time, a step to encourage better discussion. Holston delegates are sitting at tables to the right-center in this photo. UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey
General Conference begins with sad news
Jay Garrison, long-time chancellor, dies in Knoxville
Seventeen Holston delegates are joining nearly 1,000 other United Methodists in deciding the future of the denomination for the next four years. But before they could get acclimated to Tampa and the challenges of an international meeting, Holston delegates learned that one of their own had lost his long struggle with cancer.
Annual Conference is June 10-13. These links will help members prepare for the big meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
Vietnam video: Rev. Randy Frye narrates the video explaining this year's missions offering for victims of a deadly war chemical.
Bulletin inserts: Print and distribute to help congregations understand the mission purpose. Suggested offering date: May 20.
Hands-on Mission Project brochures: Download to discover your district's assignment for collecting supplies for children in Liberia and Zimbabwe. Complete your church's project by early June. District drop-off points and deadlines will be announced soon, or call your district office.
Earlier this week, more than 300 older adults gathered in Kingsport for the annual spiritual retreat known as Jubilation. Over cookies and tea, Janet Harville shares the story of the man who envisioned the event more than 12 years ago.
"My heart has been caught in the past year with the plight of the hungry. I have been convicted that I pay lip service to the issue of hunger, but I am often not part of the solution to the problem." -- Rev. Amy Probst
