Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for October 25:
exclusive – NCD Now: Hopeful @ holston.org~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for October 25:
exclusive – NCD Now: Hopeful @ holston.org
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TOP STORY: New insurance plan for retirees — cancelled
The Board of Pensions has stopped the implementation of a new health insurance plan scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2007. The plan would have affected 650 retirees, mostly clergy, on Holston Conference's health insurance plan.
In a letter that will be mailed to retirees this week, Board of Pensions leaders stated that "new information came to light that prevented the Board of Pensions from proceeding" with the plan.
"Although the new plan would have saved retirees and Holston Conference over 50 percent in premium costs, the Board decided on [Oct. 23] to step back and allow time for further study."
The new plan was announced in last week's "Wednesday on the Web" weekly email newsletter, and in the Oct. 20 edition of The Call. Retirees were requested to call an 800-number to make reservations for one of 10 conference-wide meetings scheduled to help explain the insurance changes, but were then informed that retirees would be staying on the current plan.
For more information, call Patty Muse, chair of the Board of Pensions' Retiree Health Insurance Task Force, at (423) 929-0432. Also see the next edition of The Call.
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If Tuesday is Halloween, then Wednesday is ...
All Saints Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 1, although some congregations will observe All Saints Sunday on Nov. 5. The General Board of Discipleship's "Worship" page offers worship, preaching, and music resources.
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Need lay speaker training? Opportunity in Johnson City
The Wesley Leadership Institute offers a fall lay speaker training event, to be held Dec. 1-2 at Cherokee United Methodist Church in the Johnson City District. The Rev. Jane Taylor will teach the basic course. The Rev. Laura Rasor will lead "Our United Methodist Heritage," and the Rev. David Woody will teach "Preaching." Cost: $25, including lunch and materials.
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Something nice for your congregation: The Call
People who read The Call are a lot smarter, are better looking, and make more money. Not really. But they probably know more about ministry opportunities in Holston Conference and the nature of the United Methodist Church.
Order the conference's official newspaper "in bulk" and receive rates discounted up to 77 percent. Also available is a special rate of $13 per year ($2 off the regular subscription) for new members in your congregation.
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We're out of here: Who said that?
"When people find out you're involved in perpetual battles about foundational truths, they say, 'There are three churches up the road that aren't involved in that.' They're looking for a safe place for their family, and there's a lot of other options that are more attractive."
— The Rev. George Beaven, pastor of a congregation whose members suddenly dissolved itself last week, leaving the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia with a $420,000 bill from the property's mortgage. Church members were reportedly unhappy since the consecration of the denomination's first openly homosexual bishop.
Read The Washington Times article
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