Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for December 28:
exclusive – Images of Help and Hope @ holston.org- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TOP STORY: Looking back, disasters dominated 2005
For United Methodists and others, disasters dominated 2005, according to a United Methodist News Service wrap-up of the year's events.
Hurricane Katrina, one of 26 named storms in a record-breaking hurricane season, packed the biggest wallop in late August, sweeping away homes, churches, parsonages, and social service centers in its path. Hurricane Rita followed a few weeks later, compounding the damage and distress. The death toll from the storms exceeded 1,000, though a final figure is not known.
Natural disasters were a major focus for the church during 2005, but the year also was a tumultuous one for other reasons: the war in Iraq, church court rulings on cases related to homosexuality and clergy authority, relief initiatives in Africa and other parts of the world, and progress in ecumenical relationships.
Read the complete UMNS report
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UMCOR requests more relief supplies from churches
The United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Sager Brown Depot needs relief supplies to help meet the high and ongoing demand for disaster aid in the United States and around the world. According to Interim Director Ted Warnock, school kits, layettes, flood buckets, sewing kits, health kits, and hand towels are currently in greatest demand.
Learn more from the UMCOR web site
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Year-end apportionments: Due on Jan. 6
Money for 2005 apportionments must be received in the Knoxville treasurer’s office by Friday, Jan. 6, at 5 p.m., the finance office recently announced. In addition, offerings received on Sunday, Jan. 1, may not be applied to 2005 apportionments.
“Internal Revenue Service contribution rules clearly state that churches should not count gifts physically received on Jan. 1 – even if the check is back-dated,” said the Rev. Clyde McDonald, conference treasurer. However, checks postmarked by Dec. 31 and arriving by mail after Jan. 1 may be applied to 2005 apportionments.
Read more in The Call
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Coming next month: More hurricane-relief training
Church members who wish to lead or participate on work teams for hurricane relief in Mississippi are encouraged to attend a training session at the Conference Center in Knoxville on Jan. 9 or Jan. 12, both from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call the connectional ministries office toll-free at (866) 690-4080 or locally at (865) 690-4080.
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Wanted: 200,000 balls, Frisbees, and hackey sacks
“Have a Ball” is a ministry effort by Holston youth, children, and young adults to provide 200,000 balls, hackey sacks, and Frisbees to Sudanese refugee children and youth. Each person attending the Resurrection youth retreat in Gatlinburg, Tenn., is asked to bring 18 deflated balls (soccer and volleyballs), hackey sacks, or Frisbees to the Friday night sessions on Jan. 13 or Jan. 20. Also bring $5 per person to help with shipping costs. The conference goal of 200,000 is based on the projected number of refugees that will arrive at UMCOR’s Resettlement Camp in southern Sudan.
Download a flyer for more information
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Help keep low-income homes warm this winter
Bishop James Swanson has received a direct appeal from Gov. Phil Bredesen for churches in Tennessee to assist with home heating bills this winter.
Tennessee churches of all denominations are each asked to contribute $100 to assist the state in helping low-income persons with heating costs – currently estimated to be 50 to 125 percent higher this year than in previous years. Donations may be made at www.WarmHomesTN.com or by mailing to: Operation Warm Homes TN, (CFMT), P.O. Box 440225, Nashville, TN 37244.
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Numbers: Recent poll shows partisan differences
While 82 percent of Americans believe in God, there is a distinct partisan divide among the faithful, according to a recent Harris poll.
Ninety-three percent of the respondents who were Republican believe in God; the figure was 81 percent among Democrats, who only edged out the GOP when it came to belief in miracles. The poll found 78 percent of the Democrats believe in miracles, compared with 76 percent of Republicans.
Read more in The Washington Times
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Your online calendar: Remember these dates
Ministers' Convocation: Feb. 20-23