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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for May 10:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – May 4 Celebration @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: Five more Sundays 'til Annual Conference

If your congregation hasn't yet taken its Annual Conference offering, you have five more Sundays until the annual meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C. With a goal of $100,000, the offering will benefit the work of Church and Community Worker Fran Lynch in Alaska. Offerings should be submitted at Annual Conference, which begins June 11.

Learn more about Lynch's Alaskan mission

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Big Kids Camp: It's for grown-ups

Do you wish you had gone to camp as a kid? It's not too late. "Big Kids Camp," a camping adventure for adults, will be offered at Camp Dickenson in Fries, Va., June 27-30. Cost is $285

Find out more from Holston's camping site

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Prepare now for Peace With Justice Sunday

Holston members are encouraged to celebrate Peace With Justice Sunday on June 11 or on another Sunday designated by your local church. Peace With Justice Sunday is one of six annual church-wide special Sundays that help express the nature and calling of the church. Half of all monies collected are sent to the General Board of Church and Society — for grants made available to United Methodist churches and agencies. The other half remains in Holston and is made available through a similar grant system.

For more information about grants, contact the Rev. Don Hanshew, Peace With Justice coordinator, at (865) 689-5175.

Download worship resources and bulletin inserts

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Guess who has a new Web site?

For nearly 100 years, Wesley House Community Center has been reaching out to Knoxville's inner-city families to assist with their needs. Visit Wesley House's new Web site to learn how you can help.

www.WesleyHouse.com

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Loans offered at low interest rates

The Holston Conference Committee on Congregational Development offers loans to groups planning new church starts, mergers, relocations, and revitalization. Current rates are 5.625 percent, with a 10-year term and quarterly payments. Contact the Office of Congregational Development toll-free at (866) 690-4080.

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Don't do as I do: Who said that?

"Can you raise a strong child, a child with a resilient mind-set to deal with whatever stress and adversity comes their way day after day without religion? The answer is a resounding yes."

— University of Utah clinical neuropsychologist Sam Goldstein, co-author of "Raising Resilient Children." Goldstein was quoted in a Washington Post article showing that many nonreligious parents still seek out the psychological, spiritual, and moral blessings of religion for their children.

Read the Washington Post article

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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.