In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Missions Office requests that churches assemble "flood buckets" to help replenish those used for UMCOR's response to recent hurricanes. The conference goal is 500 buckets.

"UMCOR contacted us and and said their supplies are essentially depleted," said Bill Daugherty, Holston missions coordinator. "Since we're coming into the Thanksgiving season, this is a way to help others in great need and our opportunity to share with others."

Directions for assembling flood buckets (supplies and tools used for disaster clean-up) are posted on the UMCOR site. Mission leaders are arranging for a truck to pick up supplies throughout the conference before Thanksgiving, for delivery at Sager Brown Depot in Lousiana.

Some districts have already announced drop-off places for flood buckets (see below). Otherwise, contact your district office, e-mail Daugherty, or call the conference missions office toll-free at (866) 690-4080 for more information.

• Abingdon: Pleasant View UMC in Abingdon, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed for lunch); district office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Project Crossroads in Marion
  
• Big Stone Gap: District office, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Holston View UMC, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Johnson City: District office, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed for lunch, noon-1 p.m.)
• Oak Ridge: District office, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Due date: Nov. 24