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The Holston Conference Council on Finance and Administration thanks you for your giving through the tithe and second mile giving. For a special message for your church, visit www.waytogive.holston.org. You will find a video and bulletin insert to use during the month of February that will rejoice in the ways our conference youth ministries support young men and women in their faith. Thank you, Holston. You'll never know how many lives you have changed. Way to go! Way to give!
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CALL TO PRAYER
Bulletin Insert of
Letter from Bishop Taylor
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CLERGY MEETING: Tuesday, March 11th Central UMC 10am - Noon.
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CLERGY & LAITY
OTHER EVENTS
"Hope" 2014 Resurrection
United Methodist youth groups in Holston conference are invited to "Hope" 2014 Resurrection January 24-26, 2014. Resurrection is a great opportunity for our youth to enter into Praise and Worship, and to hear dynamic messages to point them toward Jesus! To learn more and to register, visit www.resurrectionyouth.com. It is too late for the Early Bird discount.
Holy Land Tour
Join Bishop Dindy Taylor and Rev. Rusty Taylor for an inspirational pilgrimage of the Holy Land. The Bible will come alive as you visit the land of Jesus. This is truly the trip of a lifetime. Dates are February 25-March 7, 2014. All-inclusive price is $2,899 per person. For more information, call 865/690-4080 or 865/335-9981. Brochures available at the Knoxville District office.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Feb. 2, 2:00 - "Impacting
Ministries" Training Sessions
Feb. 10, 7:00 - Lovett Weems in
Knoxville District
Feb 17-20 - Ministers Convocation
Mar. 6-8 - Clergy Wives' Retreat
Mar. 14-15 - Holston Evangelism
Conference, Cokesbury UMC
April 12, 2:00 - Wesley House Golf
Fundraiser - Egwani Farms
April 28 - Wesley Woods Golf
Fundraiser - Green Meadow CC
Apr. 24 - May 8 - Knoxville
Mission Team to South Sudan
Apr. 27-29 Jubilation - Older Adult
Ministries, Meadowview Resort
and Convention Center,
Kingsport, TN
June 8-11 - Holston Annual
Conference
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3mb Trio Performing
Inskip UMC
714 Cedar Lane
Sunday, Feb. 2nd 10:30am
The trio "3mb," three United Methodist men who perform improvisational gospel music with a harmonica, piano, and guitar/bass, will perform at the Inskip United Methodist Church's 10:30 AM worship service on Sunday, February 2. The program will be part of a Christian Hospitality series in which the church will emphasize witnessing through music with special guests on each first Sunday of the month. Neighbors and friends are invited to attend and stay after the program for a luncheon provided by the church.
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JOB OPENINGS
Lincoln Park UMC - Knoxville
seeks part-time Music Director. This role includes leading worship for Wednesday night (Contemporary), Sunday (Traditional) services and Wednesday night Choir practice (follows our Wednesday night service). Qualifications include: Musical competence for and familiarity with both traditional and contemporary styles of worship, interpersonal skills for recruiting and working with volunteers, leadership skills, looking for a person able to work effectively as a part of a team. For more information, please send your resume to info@lincolnparkmethodist.org .
Norwood UMC - Knoxville
seeks part time Administrative Assistant. Duties will include: preparing a weekly church bulletin, maintaining church records, directing phone calls to appropriate people, and other duties associated with running a church office. This is a 12 to 15 hour per week position. The pay rate is $10.00 per hour. Applicants should send a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references to the attention of Pastor Bob Ruth. This information can be faxed to (865) 687-9264 or email to norwoodumc1@yahoo.com.
Pleasant Hill UMC - Knoxville seeks Music Director: Small church, traditional style worship. 10-12 Hrs per week, work with Adult Choir (12-14 members) and musicians, coordinate AV needs, work closely with Pastor. Salary negotiable. For more information please contact Mickey Trimble (912)202-9009 or Rev. Darren Kitts (865)719-2644
Ebenezer UMC- seeks a Student Minister. Position is 30 hrs per week, but will consider full time position for a candidate who could fulfill both youth and music needs. Please send a resume to arobins@eumcknox.org
Ebenezer UMC - seeks a musician/vocalist to help lead our contemporary worship service. This is a paid position for an estimated 10 hrs/wk. Please send resume to arobins@eumcknox.org
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HANDS ON MISSION BUCKETS 2014
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FOOD BUCKETS FOR LIBERIA
1 4-5lb Bag of Sugar
1 2lb bag of Rice
1 2lb bag of Dried Beans
1 (10oz or less) Powdered Milk
1 box OLD FASHIONED Oats (18oz
or less)
1 bottle cooking oil (48 or less)
2 cans of meat: ham, spam, or tuna
Please note the list of requested items for 2014 is different from what we have done the past couple of years.
Annual Conference MISSION OFFERING to support EDUCATION IN SOUTH SUDAN
The mission offering for the 2014 session of Holston Annual Conference has been designated to support education in South Sudan. The goal of the offering is $175,000. Rev. Fred Dearing and his wife Libby are grateful and excited about the foundation for change Holston continues to build in the lives of the people there, especially the children. Rev. Dearing stated the potential significance of this offering this way: "You will help us put pencils in the hands of children, instead of guns."
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Jubilation 2014
Adult Ministry
April 27-29
Purpose & Possibilities
Meadowview Resort
& Conference Center
Kingsport, TN
Keynote Speaker: Missy Buchanan
Worship Leader: Dr. Randy Frye
Music Leader: John Powers
Join us for Jubilation 2014 as we explore ways to live with purpose and possibility. We will be inspired, entertained and challenged. We will have lots of opportunities for fellowship and learning together. You'll come away refreshed, renewed and full of new purpose and possibilities.
For more information and registration please click the following link: BROCHURE & REGISTRATION
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DISTRICT APPORTIONMENTS
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2013
% Paid
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2014
| | Asbury | 100% | | $1,754 | | Bearden | 100% | | $8,364 | | Bethel Amherst | 100% | | $1,416 | | Bethel French Broad | 100% | | $365 | | Beulah | 100% | | $843 | | Bookwalter | 100% | | $3,364 | | Central` | 58% | | $5,006 | | Christ | 100% | | $6,468 | | Church Street | 100% | | $28,963 | | Clapps Chapel | 8% | | $2,078 | | Cokesbury | 100% | | $33,845 | | Colonial Heights | 100% | | $4,216 | | Ebenezer | 100% | | $4,334 | | Emerald Ave | 100% | | $3,030 | | Fairview | 100% | | $544 | | Faith | 100% | | $2,218 | | First Church | 100% | | $5,904 | | Fountain City | 100% | | $20,216 | | French Broad | 100% | | $585 | | Hendron's | 100% | | $488 | | Hillcrest | 100% | | $2,251 | | Hopewell | 100% | | $199 | | Inskip | 100% | | $1,642 | | Kodak | 100% | | $4,934 | | Lennon-Seney | 100% | | $2,703 | | Lincoln Park | 100% | | $1,157 | | Lonsdale | 100% | | $1,385 | | Lynnwood | 100% | | $321 | | Macedonia | 100% | | $1,485 | | Magnolia | 100% | | $1,419 | | Martin Chapel | 100% | | $390 | | Mascot | 100% | | $599 | | Middlebrook | 100% | | $13,614 | | New Life | 100% | | $1,461 | | Norwood | 100% | | $1,724 | | Oakwood | 100% | | $803 | | Piney Grove | 100% | | $510 | | Pleasant Hill | 100% | | $1,218 | | Powell | 100% | | $11,248 | | Rutherford Memorial | 100% | | $2,129 | | Sand Branch | 100% | | $1,473 | | Second | 100% | | $5,919 | | St. Andrews | 74% | | $770 | | St. Lukes | 100% | | $2,093 | | St. Mark | 100% | | $4,415 | | St. Paul East | 100% | | $1,104 | | St. Paul Fountain City | 100% | | $3,042 | | Trentville | 100% | | $1,520 | | Trinity | 100% | | $6,254 | | Vestal | 100% | | $893 | | Washington Pike | 100% | | $5,444 | | Zion | 100% | | $383 |
District apportionments are to be mailed to the Knoxville District Office, P.O. Box 6689, Knoxville, TN 37914
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MEXICO MEDICAL MISSION
A medical mission team is being formed to work next spring in the picturesque mountain region of the State of Puebla, Mexico, from March 29 to April 6, 2014. Medical personnel are needed (especially physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as Spanish-speakers and general helpers.) The team will be led by Dr Paul Brown, Marta Cogburn, and Jim Dougherty. About half of the 45 person team has been recruited, so we still have openings. Call Marta (423-608-1552) or Jim (865-603-1280) for information.
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Peace Conference at Lake Junaluska, will be held 3/27 - 3/30/14. The Peace Conference seeks to affirm the basic right to good health from the perspective of faith traditions, lift up "the leading causes of life," and explore ways faith communities can combat the causes of poor health, such as disease, violence and poverty. Click here to visit the website and register.
Attention Church & Charge Treasurers, you should have already received an email with information regarding the option to log on and get your church's statements from the Holston Conference instead of receiving them through the mail. The goal is to cut down on mailing expenses, be more eco-friendly and get information out to you faster. This only applies to Treasurers that have been recorded in the data base with an active email address. If you have not received this information please contact the District Office.
2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS - IMPORTANT DATES: January 13, Online registration website will be active. Find a registration link at ac.holston.org. Also on January 13, housing letters will be mailed to all voting members of the Annual Conference. This packet will include:
- Lake Junaluska phone numbers to call for reservations
- Group code for making online reservations for housing
- Housing policy statement
- Lake Junaluska rate sheet
- Special housing needs request form
New This Year, special housing needs request forms must be mailed directly to Lake Junaluska; the address is provided on the form. January 31, postmark deadline for special housing needs request forms.
If you are a Local Church Member to Annual Conference or a District At Large member and you have not received your information regarding registration please call the District Office.
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HOLSTON CONFERENCE FOUNDATION
E-NEWSLETTER
"Circuit Rider Dispatch" can be viewed at http://holstonlegacy.org. At this site you can sign up to receive their e-newsletter as well as view information containing their latest news and resources. If you have question, call the HC Foundation Office at (865)690-8124. |
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Resources Available
@ HOLSTON.ORG
The Spiritual Dimension of Money, led by Michael Reeves, was recorded at the Stewardship 2013 Conference and is available for viewing at: http://generosity.holston.org
Free web-hosting available for all churches in Holston at: http://churchwebsites@holston.org
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Please share this District Newsletter by making copies for others within your Church or forwarding a copy of this email. If anyone is interested in joining the email distribution there is a link at the bottom of the page to add or delete your email address.
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Leaders Encouraged To Lead
When someone becomes a member of one of our churches, we ask them a question that shows how we define what it means to live into that commitment: they will "faithfully participate" with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. It stands to reason that "leaders" of the members are to "lead" in those areas.
I invite, I encourage, I challenge leaders of our congregations to be leaders among your people. Set an example for others to follow. In order to set that example, it is paramount that you are connected each day with our Lord Jesus Christ. That connection comes through spending time with the Holy Spirit who is God, both individually and with other Christians.
So how is your prayer life? Are you spending time each day in prayer, seeking wisdom and courage to be a leader? Do you pray for your pastor and other leaders of the church? A growing and deepening prayer life is essential for a church leader.
How about your presence in the life of the church? Are you a leader in worship attendance? Can people tell that you are there to worship God? People are watching to see if your relationship with God is really important to you.
Then there is the key spiritual indicator of generosity. Are you a leader in this area? Do you tithe? If not, do you have a plan of regular increases to get there? Are you seeking to grow beyond the tithe to simply living a life of generosity?
What is your specific area of service in the life of the church? What about in the community? Every Christian is called to some ministry of service within the Body of Christ as well as to people who do not yet know him.
Most important of all is your witness for Christ. How are you sharing the message and ministry of Jesus by both your words and your actions? Are you a leader in this area? One way to witness for Christ is to be a leader in the other four areas mentioned above.
It is a "given" that pastors are to be leaders in the church. God has called them to be leaders. But God has also called certain church members to be leaders as well. In 2014, I pray that leaders in our churches, both clergy and laity, will be leaders by both their words and actions and not just by titles. I pray that they will find the God-gifted balance of supporting each other and holding each other accountable in love. That will happen if they each stay connected to the God who placed them in leadership.
May God bless, guide and strengthen each of our leaders in 2014!
Love, Grace & Peace,
Nathan Malone
PERSONAL NOTE: Vicki and I continue to be so grateful to all of you for the many ways you are supporting us in this time of her battle with cancer. She has completed over half of her treatments. Please continue to pray for her as she perseveres through those into early April.
Mission Opportunities:
- In 2012, the Knoxville District established a covenant relationship with the village of Logo in South Sudan. After leaders from our District visited there last spring, we were challenged to give the needed funds to build a church for the people of that area. AND YOU DID IT! Thanks to everyone who contributed in any way! We are especially grateful to Fountain City UMC for designating significant mission funds for this effort. Way to go, Knoxville District! Way to Give!
- $1/Day for one year to pay for the new Wesley House! We invite individuals, families and groups to pledge $30/month for one year to pay off the loan for the new building which is expanding our ministry to many more children.
- Volunteer at Wesley House. Call 524-5494 to find out how you or your group can serve the children and staff there. Individuals and groups can make a big difference!
- "Raise the Roof" at Camp Wesley Woods. Several buildings there need a new roof. Any amount will help.
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IMPACTING MINISTRY
Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014
1:30pm - 4:00pm
Middlebrook Pike UMC
Attached please find the brochure for our annual Impacting Ministry event. Please mail your registration in to the Knoxville District Office, P.O. Box 6689, Knoxville, TN 37914 (Registration deadline Monday, January 27th)
Workshops:
Practices to Engage People in the Call to Ministry
Led by Rev. Brad Hyde
Pastor: Kodak UMC
Becoming a Mission-Minded Church
Led by Rev. Dr. Randy Frye
Lead Pastor: Fountain City UMC
Developing a Worship Strategy for your Church
Led by Wesley Rouse
Minister of Music: Fairview UMC, Maryville
Getting your Life Back: What is Recovery Ministry?
Led by Rev. Mark Beebee
Celebrate Recovery: Cokesbury UMC
Stewardship in the 21st Century
Led by Rev. Nathan Malone
Knoxville District, Superintendent
Pension & Health Benefits for Clergy/Church Employees
Led by Ken Luton
Holston Conference
What is Lay Servant Ministry?
Let by Jon Pursley and Arthur Bohanan
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Lovett Weems -
Monday, Feb. 10th 7:00pm
Powell UMC
Dr. Lovett Weems, distinguished professor of church leadership and the Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C., is coming to share about the Knoxville District. Our Re-Think Team has invited him to examine our churches and our communities and give his input on how we can better "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." He will share with us on Monday, Feb. 10th at Powell UMC. All Church Leaders are strongly encouraged to attend! Everyone is invited.
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Convocation 2014:
Currencies of Generosity
February 17 - 20
Lake Junaluska, NC 2.0 CEUs
This will be a "no-gimmicks" Convocation, featuring Michael Reeves as plenary speaker.You may have heard Michael before, but this is a new presentation, one that has many updated, and realistic ideas for any size church.
In addition, there will be several exciting workshops on topics related to clergy women, dealing with the media, health, funding issues, and story telling.
So here's your chance to participate in 3 days of fellowship, enlightenment, and faithful worship. You will also have time to relax and spiritually "re-boot."
Registration is now available online. Note: Early bird rate ends on January 28th!
Be sure to make your room reservation with Lake Junaluska.
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Exciting News! Childcare Now Available for Convocation!
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Wesley Leadership Institute is happy to announce that, for the first time, we will be offering child care for Convocation. Those of you who always wanted to attend but couldn't because of little ones at home and those who had to transport their "precious cargo" with them to the event can now participate without child care worries.
Lake Junaluska staff will be offering care for the entire event - including the evening worship sessions and reception. The schedule allows for parents to pick up their children at meal times and then return them to staff for the rest of the day. The actual schedule will be:
Monday: 6:30pm to 9:45pm
Tuesday: 8:15am - 12:15pm
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday: 8:15am - 12:15pm
1:00pm-3:00pm
6:30pm-9:30pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Lake Junaluska staff will be charging $84 for each child for the entire event, and we need a minimum of 5 children to participate. If you wish to only utilize some of the sessions, the cost will be the same. HOWEVER, there are some generous souls among us who have agreed to subsidize part of this expense. Therefore, in order to figure out what the final cost will be per child, I need you to respond NO LATER THAN next Friday, January 24th. Please send me an email (sueweber@holston.org), indicating your desire to participate, the number of children you would need care for, and their ages. Once we determine the final cost, I will send you a form to complete and return to me along with a check for the childcare. We will then forward the forms to Lake Junaluska with payment. Please only respond if you definitely want child care because this will determine how much lower the cost will be.
We hope this program will help those who had to shepherd their children in the past and will now enable those of you who always wanted to attend Convocation but couldn't because of the child care problem to participate in this wonderful time of fellowship and personal and spiritual enlightenment.
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Preaching Academy
February 11
First UMC, Morristown TN 0.5 CEUs
This workshop, led by Susan Leonard-Ray, a South Carolina District Superintendent, is a gathering of those who rely on and value words to help people connect to the Living Word. During our time together, we will focus on preaching possibilities for the Lenten journey, exploring both lectionary and non-lectionary options for helping people live towards the joy of Easter.
We will talk about the practical aspects of sermon preparation that help real faith connect with real life.
For more information click here.
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United Methodist Women
Mission Vision Day--an event for UMW members in all churches in the Knoxville District
Date: Saturday, February 22
Time: 9:00 to 2:00, including lunch
Registration: To register please e-mail Nina McPherson at mwmcpherson@comcast.net with your name and church
Lunch: $10 to be paid at registration by check or cash
Topics and speakers:
Human Trafficking--Julie Sanders, Women's Ministry Director at West Park Baptist Church
This is the fastest growing organized crime in America, second only to drug trafficking and expected to be number one within five years. The FBI estimates that 100,00 children and young women are enslaved each year.
Hispanic Ministry--Susana and Edna Lopez, ministers of Hispanic churches in Maryville
They will talk about their ministry and how we can develop relationships between our churches. This topic is included in the Holston Conference 2014 emphasis on multi-cultural communities.
Schedule
9:00--9:45 Registration, fellowship and time for
viewing/purchasing Program Resources
9:45 Opening/Announcements
10:00--11:30 Human Trafficking
11:30--12:30 Lunch
12:30--2:00 Hispanic Ministry
Wesley House 2013
What a Year!
Methodist women locally and nationally have supported Wesley House in Knoxville for over 107 years. 2013 saw one of the biggest leaps of faith that this organization has taken in over 60 years with the purchase and move to a facility 4 times larger than the place this ministry has called home since 1952. Like everything Wesley House has done and will do, this would not have been possible without the support of United Methodist women. We are making great progress and getting closer and closer to paying off the short term loan taken out to help pay for the new building at 1719 Reynolds St..
Here is an update on where we stand:
Capital Campaign Update-Wesley House
*Capital Campaign goal $550,000
(this amount would cover purchase price plus provide
$150,000 for building maintenance & renovations)
*Purchase price of the building $400,000
*Cash gifts to date $298,966.74
*Pledges Committed to date $43,730 ($23,460
paid; $20,270 owed)
*Total Committed $342,366.74 (61% of
total goal)
We started fundraising in March 2013 so have made this progress in less than a year. There is less than $135,000 left to pay on the loan that will pay off the building! We thank you for all your efforts and hope that you will continue to help us to reach our goal! If you would like to know more about Wesley House check out our website at www.wesleyhouse.com, find us on Facebook or call at 865-524-5494. You are all invited to come by for a visit. We are now located at 1719 Reynolds St. Knoxville, TN 37921
THANK YOU!
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 Mark your calendars for these important dates: - Jan. 24-26: Camp Wesley Woods will be at Resurrection to see you & talk about camp. Visit the Camping Booth in the exhibit area to say "Hi!"
- Jan. 31-Feb. 2: We'll be at Divine Rhythm to see you & recruit summer camp staff members! Visit us at the Camping Booth in the exhibit area.
- Feb. 15-16: Confirmation Retreat. See below for more details.
- Apr. 5: Work Day. We'll have projects planned for groups of all sizes and individuals of all skill levels. Volunteers age 16+ are welcome, and volunteers under age 16 can participate if accompanied by a chaperone. For more information, visit our website.
- Apr. 28: Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the Campership Fund. Join us at Green Meadow Country Club in Alcoa for a great afternoon of golf! More details & registration are coming very soon. Email ashley@campwesleywoods.com for more information.
- May 12: Summer Camp staff training begins! We're currently hiring summer camp staff. For more information or to download an application, visit our website.
June 1: Summer Camp begins! We're so excited about Summer 2014: Rivers of Living Water.
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EVANGELISIM CONFERENCE
MARCH 14-15
COKESBURY CENTER, Knoxville
Featuring keynote speaker Jorge Acevedo, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Coral Gables, FL.
Please join us for the 2014 Evangelism Conference. Opening worship begins at 7:00pm on Friday, March 14, followed by a keynote address. Saturday features two keynote addresses, two workshop sessions on vital areas, and a lunch discussion with your team. Our time together will close with Holy Communion led by our own Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor.
Registration Deadline 5:00pm Thursday March 6 $35 per person ($200 maximum per church group) includes lunch on Saturday for all attendees who pre-register by March 6.
This year we are offering an additional Pre-Conference option on Friday from 9:30am - 5:30pm. These additional sessions will focus on team building and recovery ministry. (cost for Friday session $20 per person)
online registration: EvangelismConference.Holston.org
For more information and to review the brochure click here.
All pastors are expected to attend. All church leaders and any others seeking to be more faithful in fulfilling our mission are strongly encouraged to be there.
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LEAD Kids 2014:
Children's Ministry Leadership Conference will be held March 7-8, 2014, at Fountain City UMC, Knoxville, TN, featuring Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley.
Leanne will lead us in three sessions: Helping Children thro ugh Grief and Loss, Holy Listening - Helping Children Grow Spiritually, and Strengthening our Spiritual Lives.
You will also have four other workshop opportunities that will help you Lead, Equip, Advocate, and Disciple the children your serve in your church - small or large! This conference (formerly known as March Forth) is sponsored by the Holston Conference Children's Ministry Team and held bi-annually.
For more information, workshop descriptions, and to register visit www.HolstonLEADkids.org or contact Gaye King - gayeking@holston.org, 865-690-4080.
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