Holston gears up for annual missions project
Holston Conference will raise $125,000 to benefit "Helping Hands for Latvia" and collect cornmeal and Bibles for missions in Africa.
The annual spring missions project, always coordinated to conclude by Annual Conference in June, includes a special offering and a hands-on effort.
On May 1 or an alternate date, all congregations are requested to take special offerings to help build a camp, support a home for unwed mothers, and develop church leaders in Latvia.
For the hands-on effort, congregations will be collecting supplies for missions in Liberia and Zimbabwe.
"God has been good to us. Let us imitate God in giving freely to others as God has given to us," Bishop James Swanson said recently. "I want to challenge every member of Holston to offer unto God your finances as a praise offering."
If Holston can raise $125,000, the funds will be used to help a former Iron Curtain nation, Swanson said. Since its independence in 1991, God has raised up 12 Methodist congregations in Latvia. A special video on Latvia will be available at district offices beginning March 15. Congregations are encouraged to view the video.
In April, local church treasurers will receive envelopes designated for the May 1 special offering. The envelopes should be brought to Annual Conference by the congregation's clergy or lay representative. Annual Conference will be held June 12-15 in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
Meanwhile, districts are receiving their assignments for helping missions led by Mary and Herbert Zigbuo in Liberia and Maria Humbane in Zimbabwe. As in past conference projects, the supplies and assignments will be varied. For example, Big Stone Gap District will collect scissors, notebook paper, rulers and other school supplies for Ishe Anesu in Zimbabwe. Oak Ridge District will collect soap, aspirin, ponchos and other health supplies for persons in Liberia.
Brochures will be distributed to districts explaining the assignments and how supplies should be collected between now and June 10, Holston missions leaders said. The brochure may also be downloaded at http://missions.holston.org, or call the conference missions office at (865) 690-4080 for more information.
"I am counting on you; the people of Latvia, Zimbabwe and Liberia are counting on you; but most of all, the Lord is counting on us," Swanson said.
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