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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for August 24:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – Wanted: TennCare Stories @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: Emergency aid for Russian seminary
Churches are asked to consider a contribution of 45 cents per member to raise $50,000 for the Russian Theological Seminary of Moscow, Bishop James Swanson's office recently announced.

In an effort to help the Russian seminary overcome a financial crisis, Holston will join other United Methodist conferences by taking special offerings between now and Sept. 30. The emergency fundraising campaign is in response to an appeal by Bishop Hans Vaxby, Bishop of Eurasia, during a recent Council of Bishops meeting.

Read The Call's article about the appeal

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Important to-do list from our youth ministries office
The youth ministries office makes the following announcements:

Visit the Holston youth site

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Free youth rally in Limestone on Sept. 5
Clear Springs UMC is sponsoring an all-day free youth rally, open to the public, on Sept. 5 in Limestone, Tenn. (Johnson City District) Featured bands for the "Kingdom Quest" event include Big Daddy Weave, Sulphur Springs UMC's Ralph Jeffers, and Middlebrook Pike UMC's Crossed Out. Contributors and volunteers are needed.

Visit Kingdom Quest's web site

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Young adults: Don't miss these opportunities

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'There are aliens, and they are up to no good'

That's the comment made the United Methodist reviewer of the film "War of the Worlds" at UMC.org. In addition to reviews from a Christian perspective on recent films, the site provides study questions for church groups.

Read the review now

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Last chance to buy a conference directory

The conference communications office has a limited number of handbook directories available for $6 each. The handbooks contain Holston appointments, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses and are being made available for the first time this year. Get your copy now by contacting Millie Meese at (866) 690-4080 or by e-mail.

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God and science: Who said that?

"I thought, my gosh, this guy is me."

-- Francis S. Collins, who directs the National Human Genome Research Institute and who speaks freely about his Christian faith. Collins was commenting on his reaction to the C.S. Lewis book, "Surprised by Faith," in a New York Times article concerning the conflict between science and faith.

Read the New York Times article

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Your online calendar: Remember these dates

Conversation & Celebration: Clergywomen's dialogue on Sept. 12

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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NOW AVAILABLE

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This message is from the Holston Conference Communications Office.