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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for Jan. 28:

WEDNESDAY ON THE WEB exclusive - Holston’s Wesley Institute director reports on an October trip to England @ holston.org

THE SUNDAY CALL is available for Feb. 1 bulletins. New design & features at the denomination’s Web site. Click Here

Now Available:
THE CALL, Jan. 30 issue
Resurrection photo gallery
New Job opportunities online
2004 Camping Registration and Forms Now Available Online

Ministers’ spouses retreat set for March 18-20
Reminder for clergy: Register for Convocation
Planning to see Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ”?
Knoxville District UMM seeks singers for revival choir
Know a young person with a call to full-time ministry?
‘Fair trade’ coffee projects: Someone wants to know
Online calendar: Remember these dates
Ouch! Who said that?

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Ministers’ spouses retreat set for March 18-20

The Rev. Janice Robertson will speak at this year’s Holston Conference Ministers’ Spouses Retreat, scheduled March 18-20 at Oak Tree Lodge, Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Theme: “Making Peace With the Pieces.” Cost: $80. Registration deadline: Feb. 27. To download a brochure, click here. For more information, e-mail Carol Underdown or call (423) 476-8221.

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Reminder for clergy: Register for Convocation

Clergy are encouraged to attend this year’s Ministers Convocation, scheduled Feb. 16-19 at Lake Junaluska, N.C. Theme: “Power in the Story.” Cost: $50 plus room and board. Credit: 2 CEUs for full participation. For more information, visit the Wesley Institute site or read the article in the Jan. 30 issue of “The Call.”

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Planning to see Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ”?

Pleasant View UMC in Abingdon is sponsoring a chat room addressing the film on Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 3, at 7 p.m. Endorsed by the Wesley Institute, the chat room features a panel of experts including Mike Pinner, Paul Stanton, Joseph Reiff and Rabbi Joseph Bell. Pleasant View is located at 18416 Lee Highway in Abingdon – at exit 13 off I-81, across from the airport.

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Knoxville District UMM seeks singers for revival choir

The United Methodist Men of Knoxville District are hosting a revival at Faith UMC, March 28-31, each evening at 7:30 p.m. Women and men interested in participating in a volunteer choir should contact Sara at (865) 922-1412. For more information about the revival, e-mail District President Charles Robins or call (865) 922-3497.

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Know a young person with a call to fulltime ministry?

During the first weekend of Resurrection, more than 400 youth and adults indicated they felt a call to full-time ministry. In March, the conference is offering a special event for all high-school students and young adults who feel they’ve received that call. “Discovery,” scheduled March 26-28 at Camp Wesley Woods, is a weekend gathering including workshops, fellowship and prayer. For more information, download a brochure, e-mail the youth ministry office , or call (423) 928-2156.

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‘Fair trade’ coffee projects: Someone wants to know

Is your church or group involved in a “fair trade” coffee project? The conference Peace With Justice Committee and Outreach/Advocacy Team would like to hear from you! E-mail Steve Hodges or call (423) 733-4195. For more information about a coffee project sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief, click here.

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Your online calendar: Remember these dates

• March 5-6 – “March Forth for Children,” a conference on advocacy, education and action (PDF)
  
• March 5 – “Safe Sanctuaries for Youth,” training for youth workers & clergy (PDF)
  
• March 8 – “Preaching the Cross & Resurrection During Lent,” a seminar with Will Willimon
  
• March 26-28 – “Discovery,” a call-to-ministry event at Camp Wesley Woods (PDF)
  
• March 28-30 – “Jubilation,” a senior adult retreat in Gatlinburg
  
• April 16-17 – “Transformation,” spiritual retreat sponsored by the Board of Laity (additional information TBA)

New event announcements appear here. Visit our upcoming events page for other flyers. Be sure you have the newest Acrobat Reader or you may not be able to view PDFs.

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The final frontier: Who said that?

“Before our joint venture into space, we encourage you to renew your understanding of what it means to follow the teachings of your favorite philosopher, Jesus of Nazareth, who devoted his life to helping those most in need. Obeying his commands and following what Jesus would do clearly means feeding the hungry, taking in the homeless, clothing the naked, ministering to those who are sick or in prison … Let us book the first flight for the day after this nation faithfully fulfills these moral mandates.”

–National Council of Churches General Secretary Bob Edgar and Interfaith Alliance President C. Welton Gaddy, in an open letter to President Bush on the eve of his 2004 State of the Union address, responding to his plans to renew outer space exploration.

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