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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for October 11:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – UMC, NBA and Nothing But Nets @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: Strong start, high attendance at NCD training
"This is going to be one of the great happenings in Holston Conference," Bishop James Swanson said Tuesday, Oct. 10, following three days of training for a new program called Natural Church Development.

Held at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, the NCD training attracted twice the number expected. On Sunday, more than 400 participated in an introductory session. On Monday and Tuesday, 36 coaches and 12 district superintendents attended training led by Dave Wetzler, founder and owner of ChurchSmart Resources.

In the weeks ahead, Holston members will receive more information about NCD through the conference newspaper, Web site, and this e-mail newsletter, Bishop Swanson said.

Read an introductory story about NCD from The Call

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Attention! Wesley & Worship date is Oct. 17

The "Wesley & Worship" seminar, held at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, has been changed to Tuesday, Oct. 17. (The previous date announced was Oct. 10.) For more information on this Wesley Leadership Institute event, call toll-free (866) 690-4080 or visit the WLI calendar.

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Hot and spicy: Wesley Woods' annual chili cook-off
Church groups in the Morristown, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Maryville Districts are invited to participate in Camp Wesley Woods' annual chili cook-off fundraiser. The competitions will be held at locations in each district: Oct. 25 at First Jefferson City UMC (Morristown); Nov. 1 at Fountain City UMC (Knoxville); Nov. 5 at Kingston UMC (Oak Ridge); and Nov. 8 at First Maryville UMC (Maryville).

Last year, 24 churches entered the competition; 690 people participated in the cooking and eating.

Download an entry form from the Wesley Woods site

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Need a directory with Holston addresses and phone numbers?
Copies of the "2006 Handbook and Directory" are still available in the Knoxville conference office. The handbook includes names, addresses, and phone numbers of all Holston clergy members as well as staff and ministry team members. Cost: $6 each. E-mail Sheila Knowles or call her toll-free at (866) 690-4080.

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Act now: Grants available for youth ministries
The Conference Council on Youth Ministries is accepting Youth Service Fund 2007 grant applications. YSF grants support Christian ministries and projects that assist in meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of youth. Applications must be received in the Youth Ministries Office in Johnson City, Tenn., by Oct. 25. Grants will be determined in November 2006 and awarded in September 2007.

Download a grant application

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Quick resources for Laity Sunday on Oct. 15
The General Board of Discipleship offers lectionary readings, preaching helps, and other Laity Sunday resources on its "Worship" site.

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Nuclear tests in North Korea: Who said that?
"...We can't build a peaceful relationship when we label the other as evil. I ask United Methodists and other Christians to pray for peaceful resolutions and advances in the Korean Peninsula through ... dialogue and diplomatic channels."

— Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, who leads the United Methodist Church's Chicago Area, responding to the news of a nuclear weapon test by North Korea.

Read the United Methodist News Service report

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