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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for September 20:

Wednesday on the Webexclusive – The Gathering @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: UMM join other faith groups against tobacco

The Commission on United Methodist Men voted Sept. 16 to add its signature to a resolution that calls for increasing the cost of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products as one of the most effective ways of reducing smoking and other tobacco use among adolescents.

The men's agency joins United Methodist Women and the churchwide Board of Church and Society as members of a coalition called "Faith United Against Tobacco," to mobilize the faith community to support proven solutions for reducing smoking — including increasing state tobacco taxes.

Read more about the campaign

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It's almost time to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

United Methodists are encouraged to observe "United Nations Sunday" on Oct. 22, and also, to participate in this year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF effort.

For worship resources, articles, Bible study materials, and other information, visit the General Board of Church and Society site.

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Grant money available for older adult ministries

The United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries has a limited amount of grant money available for older adult ministries. The purpose of the grants is to help local United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, central conferences, and UM chaplains and UM-related institutions develop intentional, innovative, and creative ministries with older adults. Grant applications are due Jan. 17, 2007.

Find out more from the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries

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International Day of Prayer for Peace: Sept. 21

The International Day of Prayer for Peace is an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities, and societies. The United Methodist Church joins other members of the World Council of Churches in celebrating this day on Sept. 21, or on the Sunday closest to it. Visit these sites to download more information, including worship resources, prayers, and suggested activities.

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Prerogative to pray: Who said that?

"What was a celebration of diversity is now a celebration of exclusion, because they don’t want people to be offended except evangelical Christians, when our ordination vows call for us to pray a certain way."

— Billy Baugham, a retired Army chaplain and executive director of the International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers. Baugham was quoted in a New York Times article concerning controversy over a bill provision that would allow military chaplains to offer sectarian prayers at nondenominational military events.

Read the New York Times article (may require registration)

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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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