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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for October 18:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – NCD Now Launched @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: Retirees will receive cuts in insurance premiums

Retirees on Holston's health insurance plan are encouraged to attend one of 10 conference-wide meetings to learn more about changes that will go into effect on Jan. 1. The change from the current plan will result in more than a 50 percent decrease in premiums, but will require paperwork to enroll in a new plan, "BlueAdvantage Plus."

The meetings begin Oct. 30 at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, Tenn., and will continue in different locations throughout the conference through Nov. 15.

Read more in this week's edition of The Call

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United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 26
United Methodist Student Day is one of six Special Sundays, celebrated with an offering. The offering provides scholarships to undergraduates attending United Methodist-related schools and loans to United Methodist undergraduates and graduates. Each year $50,000 is returned to annual conferences for merit scholarship awards to students of their choosing. This year, United Methodist Student Day will be observed on Nov. 26.

Download free worship resources and other info

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Football followed by a concert: Sound like fun?

Holston youth are invited to Emory & Henry College on Saturday, Oct. 28, for “Church Youth Day.” Registration begins at 12:30, followed by the football game between E&H and Catholic at 1 p.m., campus tours, supper, and a concert featuring Kurios at 6 p.m. Cost: $5 per person. E-mail Tim Kobler or call (276) 944-6836.

Visit the Emory & Henry College site

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Free: Offering envelopes from Cokesbury Bookstore

Cokesbury Bookstore in Knoxville is offering 20 boxes of offering envelopes in various sizes to churches on a first come, first served basis. E-mail Lori Sluder or call her toll-free at (866) 690-4080.

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Also free: Online course for launching church Web sites

On Oct. 16, United Methodist Communications launched an online tool to help local churches develop Web sites and Web ministries that are helpful and inviting, and that provide opportunities for spiritual growth. "Web Ministry 101" is a free online training experience providing 25 how-to steps to guide a person from the purchase of a computer to launching a church Web site.

Read more from United Methodist News Service

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Property dispute in Alaska: Who said that?
"The church was discontinued because after an 18-month assessment of the internal workings of the church, it became clear that the core leadership was unwilling to be subject to the authority of the denomination. They would not take directions from the pastor, the superintendent or the bishop."

— The Rev. Rachel Lieder Simeon, district superintendent involved in a property dispute in the Alaskan Missionary Conference that ultimately resulted in a state Supreme Court ruling.

Read the United Methodist News Service report

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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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