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The Wright Way of Thinking
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By Rev. Jeff Wright, Superintendent
Grace and peace be to you in the name, love, and power of Christ. I added the word power to the greeting this month because on May 24th we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday as we remember when the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples and the Gospel began to spread, still reaching us today.
Too often in our lives we doubt, don't believe, or forget, that the presence and power of God is with us through the Holy Spirit. We try to live and tackle the things of life under our own power and our own strength. That is how we become worn out, tired, and weak in our discipleship. I also believe the reason many of our churches struggle is that we try to look at and do things under our own strength and vision. We need to welcome the power and presence of God into our lives. We should not be afraid of the Spirit; we should embrace it. And, yes, I know there is an element out there that might suggest if we embrace the Spirit it will "change" us. The fear is the Spirit will change us into what we called, when I was a lot younger, "Jesus freaks." But, the truth is, the Spirit needs to change us so we can become what God wants us to be. On our own, we are finite and human. We are left to face things on our own. We operate under human power, human vision, human insight, and human wisdom. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we receive strength, wisdom, power, and understanding beyond our own capacities because it comes from God. God's Spirit has to change us or else we remain in our sinful nature. The Apostle Paul wrote that in Christ, all things become new and that includes us.
As Christians, we need not fear the Spirit. It will not harm us, lead us astray, or diminish us in any way. It will develop us, guide us, accompany us, comfort, and yes, convict us, but all with the intent to make us better and more Christ-like. Too many of us want to straddle the fence. We want the benefits of "being Christian" without the necessary life adjustments. We want to live by the world's view but also reserve our "spot in heaven". Is that because we fear the Holy Spirit, don't understand it, or because we misunderstand what God's intent is?
With that in mind, I want to share something that I read recently. It actually comes from a Big Stone Gap native, the Rev. Joe Green, who is currently the District Superintendent in the Cleveland District. Joe wrote this in his district newsletter recently and I believe his points will, not only help us to understand what God wants in our lives and from our lives, but also, if we will live these points, I believe we will experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as never before.
Five things that God wants me to do:
(1) God wants me to center my life around Him. Romans 12:1
This refers to worship. At an early Extended Cabinet meeting, Rusty Taylor sang a favorite song of mine, "Give me Jesus". The first verse goes, "In the morning when I rise...give me Jesus". That's worship. That is to say, "Lord, if I don't get anything else today, I want to know you a little more.
(2) God wants me to connect with believers. Hebrews 10:25
Life is not a solo act, so God wants us to make fellowship a habit. We preachers are good at telling our congregations this, but are personally poor practitioners. We need a small group with whom we can share in a deep significant way. Believe it or not, it prompts good health.
(3) God wants me to cultivate spiritual maturity. Hebrews 6:1
God doesn't leave us on earth to remain spiritual babies. His vision for our lives is that we walk in His Word as we develop the very character of Jesus. The real mark of maturity is that we pass it on...we make disciples for Jesus Christ. Where would I be today without my Christian parents or Sunday school teachers like Guy Blakemore? We never outgrow the need to mature.
(4) God wants me to contribute something back. 1 Peter 4:10
God didn't leave us on earth merely to consume resources or to live just for ourselves. We need to give something back...to serve others with all the resources, gifts, and abilities He has given us. In fact, one critical way we serve God is by serving others. The Bible has a word for that...ministry. Significance comes from service...not status.
(5) God wants me to communicate His love. 2 Corinthians 5:18, 20
My sister-in-law invited a young lady to church for years but finally gave up, to which the young lady responded, "Don't you love me anymore?" That week, the whole family went to church and made a commitment to Jesus. Don't give up.
I believe this is God's vision for all of us. Let's give it our greatest effort. I am positive that if we will do these five things, we will know, first-hand, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and we will see a renewal in our churches. I will be praying for you and ask you to pray for me, as we strive to grow in Christ.
Blessings,
Jeff
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- Pray about the pastors and churches who are transitioning this year.
- Lift up this year's Annual Conference session in your prayers.
- Please continue to be in prayer for the Rev. Allen Karnes, husband of retired Big Stone Gap clergy, Rev. Melanie Karnes. Allen has decided to stop chemo treatments. He is leaving things in God's hands and in God's time.
- Pray for Sandy Wright, wife of Big Stone Gap District Superintendent, Jeff, as she completes her rehab and faces another procedure on her lower back.
- Remember, Michelle Wright, daughter-in-law of Superintendent Jeff Wright, in the death of her grandfather, Pete Skinner, on 5/7/15, in Athens, TN.
- Remember Samuel, the toddler son of Rev. Beth Tipton, Director of UVA-Wise Wesley Foundation. He has been having respiratory issues.
- Remember Rev. Ed Blair, Three Bells-Horton's Chapel, as he is having issues with his shoulder.
- Remember Rev. Linda Krauss, Smith's Chapel, who is having issues during her healing process.
- Remember Rev. Toby Reed, Blair's-Marble Point, who is having stomach issues.
- Remember Patricia Crabtree, daughter-in-law of Beverley Crabtree, District Administrative Assistant. Patricia's seizure disorder has become worse in the last few days.
- Lift up Sybil Sarver, mother-in-law of Rev. Darrell Hensley, Smyth's Chapel, who is rehabilitating after a broken hip and surgery. Also remember Darrell's brother-in-law, Larry Dye, who was found unconscious recently and med-flighted to Holston Valley Hospital.
Clergy, please call or email the District Office if you have prayer needs or a celebration you would like shared in our newsletter.
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Clergy News & Opportunities
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Big Stone Gap District Clergy Spring Picnic 
In lieu of a monthly ministers' meeting, the Big Stone Gap District will have a Spring Picnic for clergy families on Sunday, 5/17/15, beginning at 4 pm. There is no cost and all the food will be provided for you. The menu consists of: barbeque, baked beans, coleslaw, desserts and drinks. Click here for the flier.
Wesley Leadership Institute Read the latest edition of CEU News, click here. Way to Go! Way to Give! Holston Conference The generosity continues to touch lives through the shared ministries supported by the tithe and second-mile giving. Visit: WaytoGiveHolston.org to find bulletin inserts and video resources that are intended for use in your local church. These very special pieces provide a challenge from Bishop Dindy Taylor to commit our time and our 2015 Annual Conference Mission Offering to Children and Poverty in the Holston Conference. Please use the print and video resources to issue the invitation to "bring it home" as we give of ourselves to the most vulnerable in our communities. Click here to view Bishop Taylor's video about the 2015 Conference Missions Offering. 2nd Weekend of Marriage Retreat is Coming Up The second marriage enrichment weekend will be held on May 15-17, 2015. It is not too late to sign up for this refreshing experience with your marriage partner and other couples in ministry in Holston Conference. For more information or to register, contact Pete Rowlett at: bee.rowlett@gmail.com or 865/966-9776.  Pastors, please remember to submit, or have some submit, your church's statistics each week at VITAL SIGNS. (Some of our district pastors are still not doing this!) If you are not receiving a weekly email on Mondays with a link to record your Vital Signs, please check your email SPAM folder as the email may be blocked by your server. You may need to add 'filings@trendsendapp.com' to your address book to help get the emails pass through the security settings on your server. Also, Beverley can help by updating your email address online or that of the designated party. These statistics are being reviewed by the District Superintendent and Bishop Taylor also checks these. Let's continue to use this valuable tool available to us. If further assistance is needed, please contact Sylvia Simpson, Vital Signs Coordinator, GCFA at 301-512-9494 or email her at ssimpson@GCFA.org.
Clergy Spouse's Luncheon, 2015 Come join us on Monday, June 8th at 12:00 noon, at Long's Chapel UMC (133 Old Clyde Road Waynesville, NC 28785) for a time of fellowship, fun and renewal, while we enjoy a delicious meal, catered by the Blue Rooster Café. The cost is $15 per person or, if paying online, $15.63 per person (includes online processing fee). Online registering at: http://wivesluncheon.holston.org. Make checks payable to: Holston Conference Minister's Spouses; mail to: Rebecca Stapleton, 175 Alpine Ridge Lane, Gate City, VA 24251. The deadline to register is May 31, 2015.
Leadership Training Workshop
This workshop will be held at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, TN, on June 26-30, 2015. Open to both laity and clergy, this event prepares couples to lead marriage education and enrichment programs that empower couples to build stronger marriages. Contact Pete and Ginny Rowlett at 865/966-9776 or email: bee.rowlett@gmail.com.
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News & Opportunities for All
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Hands-On Mission Kits, 2015, Big Stone Gap District
HEALTH KITS for LIBERIA -- Our Goal = 400 Kits 
(Note: we have the 2-gallon zippered bags in stock at the District Office if needed. Just bring your kits in other bags or boxes and we will check them for accuracy and pack them into an appropriate bag.)
Pack all items in a 2-gallon zippered, plastic bag:
- 1 hand towel
- 1 washcloth
- 2 toothbrushes
- 1 bottle roll-on deodorant (no aerosols or sticks)
- 1 spray perfume or cologne or body mist (8 oz. or less)
- 2 tubes of toothpaste (6.5 oz. or less)
- 1 bottle shampoo (15 oz. or less)
- 1 bottle of lotion (11 oz. or less)
Pack the following in a sandwich-sized zippered, plastic bag and put inside the 2-gallon bag:
- 1 tube antibacterial ointment
- 1 bottle acetaminophen or Tylenol (24 count)
Please include $5 per kit for shipping. We ask that churches write one check to cover all their kits. Make checks payable to: BSG District UMC, earmarked for Mission Kits. Call Beverley if you have any questions. Deadline: Must be in the District Office by 5:00 pm, Monday, 06/01/2015. Click here for the flyer. Note, BSG District's Mission Kits are highlighted in yellow on the flyer. Click here for the bulletin insert.
Updates for Annual Conference: June 7-11, 2015, Lake Junaluska, NC -
We will not have a Pre-Conference Briefing in the Big Stone Gap District this year. Instead, after May 11th, you will be able to go to the Conference website and watch a pre-recorded video that will offer details about Annual Conference. We will also have a DVD available from the District Office that you can check out. We will email our pastors and church secretaries a link for watching the video once it is available.
- ATTENTION: If you haven't registered to attend Annual Conference (please note this is separate from your housing registration), go to: acregistration.holston.org. The deadline to register is 5/20/15. Registrations for the District seem to be lower than normal this year.
- Download the 2015 Book of Reports, in pdf, here.
- The 2014 Holston Conference Journal can be downloaded from http://journal.holston.org.
- Important Deadlines -- MAY 20, Register for: Annual Conference, 5K/1-Mile Walk, Meet the Missionaries Dinner, and Childcare; JUNE 1, Sign Up to participate in the Annual Conference Choir (See 'Join the Choir!' below)
- The Annual Conference schedule is now available. You can view it online at: ac.holston.org or download a printable version. Highlights include: Memorial Service on Monday, June 8, 2:00 p.m. - - Retirement Recognition on Tuesday, June 9, 11:05 a.m. - - Ordination Service on Thursday, June 11, 9:00 a.m.
Pocket Prayer Shawls Needed for Annual Conference Our District has made over 600 shawls... THANK YOU, THANK YOU! The total for Holston is over 8,800 so far!  The Holston Conference is asking congregations to participate in making pocket prayer shawls for the 2015 Annual Conference. The shawls will be consecrated, sent to Lake Junaluska and distributed to the members of the annual conference as a tangible symbol of the prayers of United Methodists, from Radford to Rising Fawn, for the good work they are doing to support the mission and ministry of the church. In order to fulfill this vision, 1,500 pocket prayer shawls will be needed. While that may seem like a lot, in reality, if each of the 875 congregations in Holston makes a few then every attendee at annual conference will receive one with many left over to share with guests and friends. There may be enough to send a few with mission teams across the country and around the world! Won't you join this effort to cover the 2015 Holston Annual Conference session with a blanket of prayer? To participate, you can view the instructions, patterns and samples here. All shawls must be brought to the District Office before 11 a.m. on 05/12/15. 
Way to Go! Way to Give! Holston Conference. Your generosity continues to touch lives through the shared ministries supported by the tithe and second-mile giving. Visit WaytoGiveHolston.org for a bulletin insert that serves as a thank you note to your congregations for the ministries shared in 2014. In addition, you will find bulletin inserts and video resources that are intended for use in your local church. These very special pieces provide a call from Bishop Dindy Taylor to commit our time and our 2015 Annual Conference Mission Offering to Children and Poverty in the Holston Conference. A copy of the video with instructional guidance will be emailed directly to clergy, treasurers, finance chairpersons, lay leaders, and lay members to Annual Conference in the near future. Please use these resources to issue the invitation to "bring it home" as we give of ourselves to the most vulnerable in our communities. Thank you, Holston. Let's see how many lives we can change this year!
2015 Annual Conference Mission Offering: $10 and 10 Hours To Fight Poverty!  Children in our communities go to bed hungry, live in homes affected by addiction, struggle to have the supplies they need for education, and long for a caring adult to nurture them along the way. Our congregations see these children and seek to respond. Through community food pantries, backpack ministries, school supply collections, tutoring and after school care, many of our congregations are already seeking to reach these young lives. Through the conference mission offering this year, we will commit ourselves to these efforts with a renewed sense of urgency. Our focus is on Children and Poverty right here in the Holston Conference. The funds we collect will be available to be used in all 12 of our Districts to support new and existing ministries that address this pressing need. Find information and resources about the Annual Conference missions offering at ACoffering.holston.org. Downloadable materials include a video, bulletin inserts, a resource guide, and a thermometer graph to track your church's gifts and service hours. Read more from Bishop Taylor or download the bulletin insert. Join the Choir! You are invited to participate in an Annual Conference Choir composed of lay and clergy members of the Annual Conference that will sing during the Memorial Service on Monday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m. Spouses who are in attendance for the Annual Conference are also welcome to participate. The two anthems will be, Give Me Jesus and I Will Rise. Rehearsals will be on Sunday evening, June 7, in the chapel at Lake Junaluska, following the evening worship service, and at 1:00 p.m., immediately preceding the service on Monday at Stuart Auditorium. Dress will be white shirts or blouses and black pants or skirts (no shorts, please). A recording of the two anthems will be sent to you by email upon request. Please indicate your willingness to participate and whether you would like to be emailed the anthem recordings by responding to Lori Sluder at: lorisluder@holston.org, no later than June 1, 2015. Holston Annual Conference Childcare Lake Junaluska requires all children who will need childcare during Annual Conference to be registered by May 20. The childcare facility will be staffed according to the Safe Sanctuaries number requirements. To read more or find out how to register, click here. Provide and Protect Presentation at Holston View UMC This free presentation will be held on Sunday, May 17th at Holston View UMC from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and is open to anyone. Topics to be addressed include: -
Should you have a will or trust?
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Who is a good guardian for your children?
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When does your healthcare agent make critical decisions for you?
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How can you preserve assets for loved ones?
Attendees will receive a complimentary Provide and Protect book, Personal Information Record books, a complimentary Wills Guide and a FREE Internet Wills Planner account--all provided by the Holston Conference Foundation. Who Should Attend the Provide and Protect Seminar? -
Young Families who need to select a guardian for children,
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Baby Boomers who can update their estate plan during a time of many life changes,
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Seniors who need to have a trusted advocate if they suffer a major illness.
Click here for the flier. United Methodism 101 - Online Course This online course is designed for new United Methodists and anyone wanting to know more about the denomination. Are you a lifelong or long-term Methodist? You may be surprised at what you can learn about our denomination. The course includes 4 modules that contain many interactive features. Each module takes about 1 hour to complete. You can move through the modules at your own pace. The cost is only $9.99. To register or find out more, click here.
Be a Five Star Church for 2015
To meet the requirements of Five-Star status, a church must p ay their full tithe (10% of all undesignated income) to the Conference for the year, and contribute at least $25 to each of the four Advance areas: International, United States, Conference and UMCOR. Click here for The Advance flier.
An Annual Conference Mission Opportunity: Stop Hunger Now
On Wednesday, June 10, 1:00 p.m., during Holston's Annual Conference, you will have the opportunity to participate in packaging 10,000 meals. The Stop Hunger Now staff will be set up at the Kern Youth Center, located just at the end of the rose walk, ready for you to be a part of ending hunger around the world! Everyone is invited to participate and we do ask the children to please bring a parent(s) with you.
We are also asking for contributions of $5.00 (or more if you wish) to help offset the $2,500 cost of this important program. However, it is not required in order to participate in the packaging process. Contributions can be made at the Information Desk of Stuart Auditorium, at one of the doors as you exit the Tuesday morning session, or at the packaging site. For more on Stop Hunger Now, visit: www.stophungernow.org. Together we can END hunger!
Volunteers, to help set-up and clean-up, are needed beginning at 12:00 Noon. If you can help, contact Lori Sluder at LoriSluder@holston.org.
You're Invited! Annual Conference Breakfast
The Holston United Methodist Renewal Fellowship invites you to their Annual Conference Breakfast on Tuesday, 6/9/15, 6:30 a.m., in Terrace Auditorium with the Rev. Dr. Eddie Fox. The meal costs $18 / person. Deadline to register is 6/1/15. Click here for the brochure.
How You Can Help
As events and needs continue to unfold in Nepal in the aftermath of the earthquake, you can help. . .
* Pray for all who have been impacted by this emergency: for the people of Nepal, for Global Ministries and UMCOR partners at work on the ground there, and for Global Ministries' five missionaries and their families assigned to serve there.
* Do not self-deploy to the disaster area. The situation in Nepal remains one of search and rescue and not a time for volunteers.
* Stay informed. Visit www.umcor.org and www.umcmission.org for updates and developments regarding Global Ministries' and UMCOR's response to and accompaniment of survivors.
* Give to UMCOR International Disaster Response, Advance #982450.
Your gifts to UMCOR International Disaster Response make it possible for UMCOR to respond quickly to emergency situations through our local and international partners.
News and Updates from Koni Purscell, Church and Community Worker
ABUNDANCE! I am experiencing abundance! The Holston Conference United Methodist Women gave an abundance of toothpaste, tooth brushes, measuring cups, measuring spoons, flour and cornmeal. The district has blessed me with an abundance of seeds and money for Seeds of Bounty. Now I am living the question: "How do I best serve the community with this abundance?" A mission-minded pastor friend said, "At the end of every mission dollar is a person." He would then follow this with a story of someone who was helped. I'd like to expand this to: "At the end of every mission dollar (or toothbrush!) is a RELATIONSHIP." I want to use this abundance to build relationships between the church and the community.
Thank you for the ways you have participated in this abundance! May it help to build stronger communities in the Big Stone Gap District.
With grace and gratitude,
Koni Purscell
Church and Community Renewal
Phone: 276/523-0417 - Email konipurscell@holston.org.
2015 POVERTY SUMMIT The Summit will take place on 8/28 - 8/29/2015, First UMC Marion in Marion, VA. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. on each day:
August 28, 2015 - SERVE! You will have the choice to serve in a ministry in the Marion, VA area. Choices will include: Starting a Fire Wood Ministry, Building and Construction Ministry, Where Do We Start a Health Ministry?, The ABC's of School Partnership and Food Ministry. At the end of the day, we will have a celebration meal and worship service.
August 29, 2015 - LEARN! Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball will reflect on Ministry With the Poor. Bishop Steiner Ball is a resident bishop of West Virginia. Workshops are related to the service project, how to strengthen the ministries you now have, or how to create a new ministry in your church.
ACT! The summit will close with a commissioning service as we go forth to act. Brochures will be available in the near future.
Jeanette Reynolds Scholarship for 2015
Any Holston Conference Student considering ministry in the United Methodist Church is eligible to apply. The scholarship deadline is May 15, 2015. Please forward this information to any student with whom you come in contact who might need financial assistance and who meets the qualifications. Click here for the application; click here for the guidelines. For more information or questions, contact Scott Gillenwaters, Director of Student Ministries, at 865/813-0905 or email: sgillenwaters@fumcor.org.
2nd Annual Riding for the Camp: Fundraiser for Camp Fort Blackmore
The event will be held on Saturday, 5/30/15, with a rain date of 6/6/15, meeting at the Food Lion parking lot in Gate City, VA. Registration begins at 10 am and kickstand are up by 11 am. The cost is $10 per bike / $5 per passenger. See the flyer for more information.
Wesley Festival to Benefit Imagine No Malaria In Sub-Saharan Africa, malaria continues to kill one person every 60 seconds. But there is hope! Imagine No Malaria is an anti-malaria campaign run by The United Methodist Church and is part of a global partnership to beat malaria once and for all. The Wesley Festival will be a high-profile gala benefit concert at Washington D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, aiding Imagine No Malaria, on May 23, 2015 - Memorial Day Weekend. Methodist choirs from across the United States are being invited to Washington to join the festival chorus. Click here for the flyer and here for information to participate in the program. Visit their website at www.wesleyfestival.org for more information. |
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- The Holstonian is available online.
- 4/25 - 4/26/15: Spiritual Enrichment Experience, Lake Junaluska, NC.
- 5/23/15: Mujeres en Accion Worship Event for Women, Children and Youth, Mt. Zion UMC, Afton, TN.
- 7/16 - 7/18/15: Holston Conference Mission U Event, Central UMC, Lenoir City, TN.
- 8/8/15: Social Action Workshop, First UMC, Sevierville, TN.
- 9/19 - 9/20/15: Conference UMW Annual Meeting and District Officer Training, Lake Junaluska, NC.
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News & Opportunities for Young Methodists
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"Deep Blue" Curriculum from Cokesbury 
Cokesbury now has several online video presentations that demonstrate many of the great features of this all new curriculum for your kids. Just click here to check it out.
Attention Youth Workers - Defining Moments
We need you, as a person who works with youth in Holston Conference, to help us identify high school juniors & seniors and young adults (ages 18-25) from among the youth with whom you work who are considering call. We need you to send us their names and contact information.
And we need you to encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities for cultivating their call that are available to them through Defining Moments. Your input is important. Our goal is to identify at least five high school students and three young adults from each district in Holston Conference, so please take a few minutes to visit our site to submit contact information for the young people you know who are seeking to grow in their understanding of God's call in their lives. When we receive this information from you, we will contact your nominees with an invitation to apply. To learn more or submit nominees, visit: www.discernmycall.com.
Prepare the Way
This spiritual formation event offers morning and evening sessions focused on being the body of Christ through service, worship, and community. During the summer of 2014, youth packaged 50,000 meals for hungry people, partnering with Stop Hunger Now and raised over $10,000 for this amazing mission. In 2015, Stop Hunger Now will be offered on Mondays and Friday, July 3rd. Each event will also include Mission Hours. Events are led by a team of college students, guest speakers, and worship bands. Afternoons are free for groups to plan additional service projects, rafting trips, or to enjoy the swimming pool or boats at Lake Junaluska. The program is geared towards 6th through 12th graders. Click here for more information.
2015 VBS Curriculum
- Cokesbury Curriculum - "G-Force: God's Love in Action". To learn more or order, click here.
- The Society of St. Andrew Curriculum - "Abundance Orchard: Where Faith Grows and Hungry People are Fed". To view the flyer, click here.
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Links to Other UM Newsletters
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