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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for July 20:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – New Holston youth web site features youth groups @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: TennCare forum tonight in Knoxville

A meeting tonight in Knoxville is the next opportunity to participate in the conference's developing ministry for thousands of persons who may be cut off from TennCare healthcare coverage, the Outreach/Advocacy Team announced.

The TennCare Forum will be held at 6 p.m. tonight (July 20) at the Love Kitchen, 2418 Martin Luther King Avenue, Knoxville. Church members and leaders are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and voice concerns. In addition, the following TennCare town hall meetings have been scheduled:

Visit our TennCare Crisis page for more info

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Bishop will speak on bomb's 60th anniversary
Bishop James Swanson will speak during a week-long series of events marking the 60th anniversary of atomic bombing, the Peace with Justice Committee recently announced.

Swanson will appear at 10:30 a.m., Aug. 1, at Second Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. Also scheduled is an Aug. 6 rally at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. For more information on these events and others, e-mail Carol Green.

Resources for "Remembering the Atomic Bombing"

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Is there a digital solution to your church's problem?
Recently launched by United Methodist Communications, Digital Solutions is a network of tools and services to help local churches of all sizes communicate efficiently and effectively.

One new product, the Small Church Computer Program, provides small-membership churches with a computer and software needed to perform administrative tasks or publish newsletters. Another package, Ministry Management Tools, features a small group management system, an events management module, a business directory, membership tracking and statistical tracking.

Find out more about Digital Solutions now

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Hot August spirituality: Camp meetings scheduled
The following districts have announced summer camp meetings during August:

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Native American ministry: Sign up for The Gathering
Holston members are encouraged to participate in "The Gathering," hosted by the Native American Ministries Team, Sept. 24-25 at Coker Creek Village near Tellico Plains, Tenn. Bishop James Swanson will speak during the Saturday morning devotional.

Brochures are available in each district office or e-mail Vicki Collins for more information.

Visit The Gathering's web site

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Summer sale at Cokesbury Bookstore this week
Cokesbury Bookstore in Knoxville announces its Summer Sidewalk Sale July 21-23. Savings of 25 to 75 percent are available on all in-store merchandise, excluding United Methodist and Presbyterian resources. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call toll-free 1-888-279-3715 or (865) 693-6750.

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Numbers: Go Georgia!
North Georgia United Methodists chartered a net gain of 3,971 members in 2004, for a total conference membership of 337,635, United Methodist News Service (UMNS) recently reported.

Eleven of the conference's 12 districts posted an increase. Bishop Lindsey Davis pointed out that North Georgia likely will lead the denomination in membership growth again, but to assume any smugness in that regard "is indeed disastrous."

Read the UMNS report

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Your online calendar: Remember these dates

MK/PK Getaway:
A retreat for youth with parents in ministry, Aug. 12-14

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.