Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for December 29:
exclusive – Holston’s greatest ministry stories of 2004 @ holston.org- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TOP STORY: Cash needed for earthquake relief
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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for December 29:
exclusive – Holston’s greatest ministry stories of 2004 @ holston.org
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TOP STORY: Cash needed for earthquake relief
The United Methodist Church is appealing for support in response to the earthquake-related catastrophe that has struck parts of Asia and Africa.
A Dec. 26 earthquake triggered tidal waves that devastated villages from Indonesia to Somalia, killing an estimated 50,000 people. A more precise death count is not yet available. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is coordinating resources with international partners and organizations. "Cash donations are the most important contribution people can make at the moment," according to an UMCOR spokesperson.
To aid UMCOR, Holston members can make checks to their local churches, designating "Tsunami Disaster Relief" on the memo line. Pastors and treasurers may designate "Project 513" on their remittance forms. To make credit card donations, call 1-800-554-8583.
Make online donation to UMCOR now
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Holston’s financial books close on Jan. 7
The 2004 financial books will close at 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 7. All 2004 transactions must be received in the conference treasurer's office in Knoxville by that deadline. For more information, call the finance office at (865) 690-4080.
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Make plans now for Ministers’ Convocation at Lake J.
Clergy are encouraged to attend the 2005 Holston Ministers' Convocation, to be held Feb. 14-17 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. This year's theme is "Empowering Leadership," and 2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available. Speakers include Lovett H. Weems, professor of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary.
Download a brochure or register now
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Hinson, founder of Confessing Movement, dead at 68
The Rev. William Hinson, a founder and president of the Confessing Movement, died Dec. 26, a month after suffering a massive stroke. He was 68.
A leading conservative voice in the United Methodist Church, Hinson helped found the Confessing Movement in 1995 and was serving a two-year term as its president when he died.
Read the United Methodist News Service (UMNS) report
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Bishop Swanson writes about membership vows
"The Meaning of Membership," a short series of columns authored by Bishop James Swanson, will begin in the Jan. 14 edition of The Call.
"Membership in the church can sometimes be presented in such a cavalier fashion that members are never called into a life of discipleship," Swanson says. "I believe a study that highlights the fine print of membership can be a transformational tool."
Read Swanson's intro to the new series
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More wrestling to come: Who said that?
"I feel there were some questions the church needs to wrestle with that we were not able to wrestle with at the trial."
-- Irene Elizabeth "Beth" Stroud, who has decided to appeal the Dec. 2 decision by a United Methodist trial court to revoke her ministerial credentials, following her public acknowledgment of living in a committed relationship with another woman.
Read the UMNS report
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Your online calendar: Remember these dates
Feb. 28-March 1: Christian Educators Fellowship Retreat
New event announcements appear here. Visit our upcoming events page for other events. Be sure you have the newest Acrobat Reader or you may not be able to view PDFs.
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