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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for July 13:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – E-mail use in Holston's High Growth Churches @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: United Methodists respond to Hurricane Dennis
United Methodists in the Florida Panhandle and along the Gulf Coast, still recovering from a hurricane 10 months ago, are thankful that the damage from Hurricane Dennis was less than expected.

However, church-related agencies and regional conferences were beginning damage assessments and calling for volunteer help on July 11. The United Methodist Committee on Relief needs donations of flood buckets filled with cleaning supplies. For more information, call UMCOR Sager Brown at (800) 814-8765 or visit UMCOR's Web site.

Read more about UMCOR's latest hurricane response

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Swanson speaks out against London attacks
Bishop James Swanson joined other United Methodist leaders last week in expressing sympathy and support for the people of London following explosions that authorities believe were set by terrorists.

"My heart goes out to those in London who, even as I write, are trying to pick up the pieces of their lives," Swanson wrote in his blog on July 7.

Read the responses of other United Methodists

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Sign up now for 'Holston Night at the Ballpark'
"Holston Conference Night at the Ballpark" is set for Sunday, July 24, at the Tennessee Smokies stadium in Kodak, Tenn. Holston groups will receive a discounted price of $11 per ticket on field level by purchasing tickets by July 19. No discounts will be offered on the day of the game. The game between the Smokies and the Chattanooga Lookouts starts at 5 p.m.

Download an order form now

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In the mood for a camp meeting next month?
The following districts have announced summer camp meetings during August:

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Holston continues to pursue TennCare ministry
Although the deadline has passed for TennCare subscribers to submit their "brown pages" forms, churches should be ready to minister to thousands of Tennesseans losing their health care coverage, Bishop James Swanson said recently. This week's edition of The Call (see below) contains information on how churches and individuals can get involved.

TennCare enrollees as well as advocates are also encouraged to attend "TennCare Town Hall" meetings scheduled in Knoxville, Tenn.: July 19, 8 p.m. at Tennessee Theatre, and July 20, 6 p.m., at the Love Kitchen.

Read The Call's latest TennCare article

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She can't be speaking to us: Who said that?
"Don't sit on the couch and watch too much TV, don't eat a ton of fast food or high-caloric food."

--Anita Henderlight, Holston coordinator of children's ministries, in a July 8 United Methodist News Service story about the "Walk for Change" program.

Read the UMNS article

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Your online calendar: Remember these dates

A Gathering of Saints:
Ministers' Day Apart at Hiwassee College, beginning in September

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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This message is from the Holston Conference Communications Office.