Hurricane money soars

On Oct. 19, the treasurer's office announced that Holston churches had surpassed the $1 million mark in donations to hurricane relief. Total gifts received for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita reached $1.07 million by Oct. 27. In all, 505 of Holston's 915 churches have given to UMCOR hurricane relief.

Churches or individuals may continue to give to relief efforts for Katrina, Rita - and the most recent hurricane, Wilma - by making checks to your local church or to "Holston Conference." Mark the checks for "Hurricanes 2005 #982523." Place checks in your church offering plate or send to: Treasurer's Office, P.O. Box 32939, Knoxville, TN 37930-2939. You can also make credit-card donations at (800) 554-8583 or online at http://methodistrelief.org.