Bishop James Swanson recently announced the appointment of the Rev. Laura Shearer to the position of associate director of Holston Conference's Pastoral Counseling Center.

"Laura will begin working one day a week effective Feb. 1 and then work half-time effective July 1," Swanson stated on Jan. 26. "This appointment will help us better serve the pastoral counseling needs of our clergy, conference staff, and the churches of Holston Conference."

Visit Pastoral Counselor Gary Mauldin's site

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Oh, to be muddy and free at Holston’s summer camps

The brochures have been mailed and the web site has been unveiled. Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries are gearing up for the 2005 season -- with on-line registration and early-bird discounts before April 1. This year's theme is "Follow Me in the Footsteps of Jesus."

Follow this link now to the new camping web site

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Big advertising to come: Big opportunity for you

Over the next four years, the United Methodist Church will spend $25 million on television advertising to help the church raise its identity, officials recently announced.  

Church members will receive maximum benefits from the multimillion dollar Igniting Ministry campaign by participating in training that will help their churches become more welcoming. A training session for the Southeastern Jurisdiction will be held in Lake Junaluska, N.C., May 20-21. Cost: $40 per church.

Find out more and register online

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Natalie Grant appears at Munsey on Feb. 5

Natalie Grant, a two-time Dove Award nominee, will appear in concert at Munsey Memorial UMC in Johnson City, Tenn., on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $8 each for church groups of 10 or more. Buy tickets by calling the chuch at (423) 461-8070 or visit the Cokesbury Bookstore at 2615 South Roan Street.

Visit Natalie Grant's web site

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One Great Hour of Sharing: Order resources now

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is observed by United Methodists on the fourth Sunday in Lent -- this year, on March 6. The OGHS offering supports ongoing work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Every dollar given to UMCOR goes directly to aid for the affected region. Such 100 percent giving is possible because UMCOR's administrative costs come partly from the OGHS offering.

Order your free OGHS resources now

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Numbers: This says it all

HOUSTON (UMNS) -- More than 10,000 members of the largest U.S. United Methodist congregation wept and cheered Jan. 30 as leaders unveiled a multifaceted plan for growth at Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

During a service at the Toyota Center, the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell introduced a 10-minute video for the Kingdom Builders Center, including architectural renderings for a 6,500-seat sanctuary, a 24-hour prayer center and a family life complex in southwest Houston. The primarily African-American congregation currently meets for its seven weekend services at three different locations, having grown from 25 worshippers in 1982 to its current membership of more than 14,000.

Read the complete United Methodist News Service report

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Your online calendar: Remember these dates

March 10-12: Ministers’ Wives Retreat in Sevierville

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

• Bishop's Page
• Camping 2005
• Rotation Sunday School training video filmed in Holston
• Order 2005 Calendars online while they last...
• The Call: January 28 edition
  
• Job Opportunities
• News Briefs: Looking for previous editions?
  
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This message is from the Holston Conference Communications Office.