Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Holston Conference Foundation stewards nearly 200 special-purpose endowments and scholarships established by individuals, families, and friends interested in supporting specific ministries, churches, and institutions. These funds are governed by documents put in place by the Donors. We are also called to steward many endowments, scholarships, and estate gifts where our Grants Committee is charged with overseeing a selection process, reviewing applications or evaluating priority needs named by the Donors. The following categories and individual funds describe many of the grantable funds and scholarships available through the Foundation's Grants Committee. Applications can be printed, completed and returned to:

Holston Conference Foundation
P.O. Box 900
Alcoa, TN  37701 


For application, click on the link, which is the title of the grant   

PROGRAMMING GRANTS

MARGARET LOVING GRANT
Margaret Grizzell Loving of Bristol, Tennessee, died in 1995 and established this Trust with the Holston Conference Foundation as a permanent fund to support programming for senior citizens in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Foundation's Grant Committee oversees the stewardship and distribution of funds from the Loving Trust. Mrs. Loving's generosity and concern for senior citizens has set a marvelous example of Christian philanthropy, which will benefit others in perpetuity. Senior grants are to be geared toward Holston Conference associated churches and to provide educational, recreational, and spiritual programming for older adults. The Trust's guidelines state that no part of the grant funds should be used for the maintenance, operation, or construction of physical facilities. The Grants Committee will review each year, which should include a brief summary of the project, the budgeted need and other funding services. Seed money for new projects is encouraged. Matching funds/challenge grants are also encouraged. Ongoing support and general operating support for existing programs are discouraged.

JOHN B. REDWINE STRATEGIC MINISTRIES
The Redwine Fund for Strategic Ministries was established through a bequest from the estate of John B. Redwine of Scott County, Virginia. The first grants were distributed in 1980 and through the years the grants have been made totaling more than the original gift while maintaining the original gift of approximately $110,000. Redwine grants are to be used for the development of strategic ministries that have a definite promise of making a continuing impact for the betterment of people and which are consistent with the program and purposes of the United Methodist Church. Grant funds are not to be used for construction or loans, but only for impact program ministries in the Holston Conference.

EVELYN WEBB HENSON YOUTH ENDOWMENT
Evelyn was a giver...and in 1995, she established a Charitable Trust in the Foundation, which provided income to her for the rest of her life. Upon her passing, the Trust dissolved and has created this endowment. This permanent fund valued at over $400,000 will annually distribute earnings to benefit young people in need at Holston Home for Children and through other youth ministries. Evelyn Webb Henson spent her life behind the scenes, often quietly and lovingly caring for young people, family members and others. Now this fund will continue her caring touch in perpetuity and sets a marvelous example of Christian philanthropy for others to follow into the future.

EUDOW HAMM EVANGELISM ENDOWMENT
Eudow Hamm was a quiet and gentle man with a love of God and life. He was born in Kentucky graduated from high school, served in the Navy, and wound up in Florida, where he met and married Maybelle. Eudow was in law enforcement, retiring as the Chief of the Miami Police Department in the 1970's. Cold weather took its toll on Maybelle's arthritis and they contemplated selling the farm. That's when Karen Whitlock, a local realtor, entered their lives. Maybelle became ill and was not concerned about herself, but about who would check on Eudow. Karen promised she would be there, which seemed to give Maybelle peace. After months of tender care from Eudow, Maybelle slipped into a coma and died. Eudow sold the Florida home in early 2006. On his 82nd birthday, Karen had no other present so she reached into her closet and wrapped up a copy of Rick Warren's, A Purpose Driven Life. He devoured the book...taking notes to share with his ladies class. When Eudow read the chapter about tithing, he got very concerned because he had not tithed. He told Karen that his blessings had come from God, that he needed to return God's money...and that he had something special in mind. Eudow and Maybelle graced everyone's life who came in contact with them. Now their gift, estimated to be between $300,000 -$400,000, will continue their life-long example of faith, love, empathy, and compassion by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIPS

LORRAINE & BILL AIKEN SCHOLARSHIP
The Lorraine and Bill Aiken Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Michael Aiken (now a businessman) to honor his parents, especially his father, also a Chattanooga physician. Michael contacted Rev. Ben St. Clair and established a scholarship fund on August 13, 1987 to be used to support college or seminary students preparing for a church career. Memorials and gifts from several sources, including an estate gift, increased the fund over the years. Lorraine & Bill Aiken were lifelong Methodists (she still is a member of St. Luke UMC, Chattanooga). Mrs. Aiken is proud of her Methodist roots and her whole family is pleased that this fund is able to support someone as special as you. It is an investment in the future and at the same time a memorial to the past.

LUANN HARRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The LuAnn K. Harris Memorial Scholarship Endowment was established by Sarah & Phillip Harris, Cleveland, Tennessee, as a permanent memorial to their daughter, LuAnn K. Harris, who tragically died after an automobile accident in 1989. LuAnn's love of life and deep interest and service through youth ministries led to the creation a scholarship fund originally established in 1992 through dozens of friends, family, business contacts and even strangers. While LuAnn was loved and is missed by many, her parents did not consider her to be extraordinary. According to her parents, "The only thing special was that she was ours." Now in her name, other young people who feel the call to ministry and youth service to the church will benefit from this scholarship in perpetuity. The scholarship is to be awarded to United Methodist students with first priority given to students attending one of the Holston Conference Colleges or a United Methodist affiliated seminary. It is hoped that the scholarship and LuAnn's story will both be a blessing to the recipient.

ROBERT & CAROLYN HUDSON SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP
On October 14, 2008, Bob Hudson was a special guest at the Holston Conference Foundation's fall board meeting in Alcoa. It came as quite a surprise to Bob when, at the end of the meeting, he was presented a framed resolution honoring his many years of service to the Foundation and the Conference. An announcement followed that in addition to the resolution, the Board had created The Robert B. and Carolyn E. Hudson Seminary Scholarship Endowment with an initial grant of $25,000. This fund will annually provide a $1,000 scholarship to a seminary student from the Holston Conference who intends to return to Holston to serve as a pastor. This scholarship honoring Bob and Carolyn is a great example of what we hope will be a growing source of support in the years to come. Bob spent 30 years serving as a Holston pastor before coming to the Foundation in 1987. Bob and Carolyn's example of living the Christian faith through their gifts of time, talent, treasure, presence, and faithful service have contributed significantly to the Foundation's growth and success through the years.

ALLEN & PAULINE LINDAMOOD MEMORIAL MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Lindamood's began their time together late in life. Pauline was 65 and Allen was 63 when they married in 1978. She was a widow and he had never been married before. They shared 25 years together in Allen's boyhood home on the banks of the South Fork of the Holston River at Boone Reservoir. According to Richard Minnick, Pauline's son, Allen was a quiet and gentle man. Pauline was lively and much more outspoken. They were highly devoted to the Enterprise United Methodist Church and to the Enterprise community. They loved living on their farm and sitting on the front porch of their farmhouse.  Allen was said to have driven more miles on his farm tractor than in his farm truck. Allen's will left a bequest of approximately $220,000 to establish The Allen B. Lindamood and Pauline M. Lindamood Memorial Ministerial Scholarship Fund to annually award one or more scholarships to students, which will lead them to appointment as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.

THOMAS WARE SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP
The Thomas Ware Seminary Scholarship was created by the Board of the Holston Conference Foundation and named after Thomas Ware, one of the early Circuit Riding pioneer preachers sent to serve in the Holston area. This fund is open to receive gifts of all sizes from those interested in supporting scholarships for seminarians who will serve in the Holston Conference.