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Today, in Holston Conference News Briefs for March 28:

Wednesday on the Web UMC TV Ads @ holston.org

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TOP STORY: 400 attend "Clergy Day" at Cokesbury
Almost 400 pastors attended the first of two "Clergy Days with Bishop Swanson" Tuesday at Cokesbury Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The second event is scheduled April 17 at State Street UMC in Bristol, Va. Speakers other than Swanson included the Rev. Grady Winegar and the Rev. Bill Kilday.

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Let Justice Roll: Seminar for children and youth workers

Staff and volunteers in youth and children's ministries are invited to a Saturday seminar that will explore positive and reconciling approaches to discipline, as well as safe use of technology (MySpace, IM). "Let Justice Roll" will be held April 21 at Shady Grove UMC in Dandridge, Tenn. The registration fee is $15 if postmarked by April 4; $20 after April 4.

Download a registration form

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Save $15: Register for summer camp today

March 28 is the early registration deadline to sign up for summer camp at Buffalo Mountain, Dickenson, Lookout, or Wesley Woods. Save $15!

Pick a session and register online now

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Available now: Videos of Brazil mission project

Contact your district office now to borrow a video or DVD presentation of life-changing ministries in Brazil, which will be the focus of Holston's 2007 missions offering.

In May, Holston will aim to raise $100,000 for the work of Bishop Paulo Lockmann, the Rio Conference, and the United Methodist Church of Brazil. The video is ideal for showing in churches before the conference-wide special offering on May 6.

Read more about the ministry in Brazil

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Due March 30: Auditions for General Conference

United Methodist choirs, ensembles, bands, instrumentalists, singers, dancers, dance groups, and performing artists in video, video or textile are invited to apply to share your gifts in worship with the 2008 General Conference. The gathering will be held April 23-May 2, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Submit a recording (DVD, CD, VHS, cassette tape, mpeg, mp3, .jpg), a brief bio, and other supporting materials by March 30 to: Mark A. Miller, Director of Music, Drew Theological School, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.

Visit the General Conference site

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Got apportionments on your mind?

Last week, a high number of readers (177) indicated their interest in learning more about United Methodist pastoral appointments when they "clicked" on a provided link in this weekly e-mail newsletter. This week, many clergy are contemplating new appointments in June, following the Cabinet's decision-making process last week. If you're interested in future articles in The Call that address the appointment-making process, please write thecall@holston.org. Please be specific about the information you seek.

Here's the page that attracted so much attention last week

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Last-minute ideas for Holy Week services
The UMC.org site offers numerous resources for Lent and Easter, including "A Meditation for Ash Wednesday" and Igniting Ministry worship graphics.

Visit the site now

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Accept gays, lose others: Who said that?

"It really bothered my congregation when I said that as people of color who have been ostracized, marginalized, how can we turn around now and oppress other people?”

— Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel, senior pastor of Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Ga., commenting on African-American congregations that shrink after their leaders preach acceptance of gay men and lesbians.

Read the New York Times 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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