Holston Historical Society: April 30
The Holston Conference Historical Society will meet Saturday, April 30, at First United Methodist Church, 110 Colonial Road, Rogersville, TN 37857.The topic is the histories of First Rogersville UMC, Surgoinsville UMC, Otes UMC, and Old Union UMC. The society's fall meeting will be Saturday, Oct.29 at First UMC, Mountain City. For more information, email the Rev. Roy Howard.
Wears Valley UMC 125th anniversary: May 1
Wears Valley UMC, Maryville District, will celebrate their125th anniversary on Homecoming Sunday, May 1. The Rev.Eddie Fox will be guest speaker for the 11 a.m.traditional worship service, which will be followed by dinner on the grounds. Participants are optionally invited to wear Sunday attire of the late 1800s. The public is invited. For more information,call (865) 908-7331.
Maryville District United Methodist Women human trafficking event: May 1
The Maryville District United Methodist Women’s annual Social Action Event is scheduled for May 16 at 6 p.m. at Broadway United Methodist Church in downtown Maryville. This year’s topic is "Human Trafficking: The Modern Slave Trade" with guest speakers Brittney Thomas of the national Not For Sale campaign and Ted Francisco of the Department of Homeland Security. The community-wide event is open to all. Child care will be provided. There is a $5 suggested donation. In addition, gently used bras can be donated for shipment to Africa where a woman’s chances of being raped decrease significantly if she is wearing the garment. It is believed that the wearing of bras by African women is a status symbol and a mark of sophistication.
40-Day Devotional Guide for Annual Conference: May 3
Director of Connectional Ministries Anne Travis requests that Annual Conference members and persons in our local churches be aware of a “40-Day Devotional Guide” leading up to Annual Conference. Beginning Tuesday, May 3, a new devotional will be available each day at acdevotional.holston.org. The desire of the Annual Conference Planning Committee, which is led by Bishop Swanson, is that each member of the Conference, along with laity in our local churches, be in prayer for our upcoming Annual Conference session. The theme for Annual Conference 2011 is “Christ for the World.” For more information, email annetravis@holston.org.
Men of Praise concert at Gray UMC: May 8
The Men of Praise will present "Our Gift to You" on Saturday,May 7, 7p.m. at Gray UMC in Johnson City District.Prior to the concert a spaghetti meal sponsored by the children's ministries will be served at 5:45. Donations will be taken to support this ministry.Everyone is invited to attend.
Native American Ministries Sunday: May 8
Your gifts on Native American Ministries Sunday help pave the way for those who aspire to serve Christ’s church by making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Because of your generosity, seminarians prepare to serve, congregations are strengthened and communities are transformed. You may give to NAMS at your local church or mail to: GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203. For more information and downloadable resources, visit umcgiving.org.
Holston Ministers' Wives at Annual Conference: June 13
The Holston Conference Ministers' Spouses' Luncheon will meet at First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, on June 13 at noon. Tickets are available for your district secretary. The price is $12, due by June 1. Please make checks payable to your individual district.
Holston Volunteers in Mission opportunities for 2011
United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) enables individuals, local churches, districts, and the annual conference to be directly involved in missions by sending short-term volunteers and financial support to projects at specific locations in a mission area from which an invitation has been received. For a downloadable list of Holston Conference VIM opportunities, visit the conference web site.