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Blessed dresses
Sixty-five young women showed up at Asbury UMC on a Saturday morning to pick out a prom dress.
One by one, the shoppers found dresses to make them smile, then reached into their purses or pockets to pay the $10 cost. That's when they got a nice surprise. From The Call. Read story.
Church serves as lifeline for Bristol's homeless
Rev. Caroline Hawthorne, senior pastor at Hunt Memorial UMC, is working to ensure Bristol's people without homes are cared for. In 2018, Hunt Memorial opened Proverbs 3:27 Mission Center after a family who was living in their car asked Hawthorne for blankets. From Bristol Herald Courier. Read story.
Knoxville church banks on outreach
Community outreach is key to the revival of Magnolia Avenue UMC, which is making a comeback after its building was condemned for nearly a year. Pastor Tim Jackson is focusing on ministries including a medical clinic and getting food to people in the neighborhood. From UM News. Read story.
Effort aims to stop General Conference delays
Organizers of The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking assembly are looking at addressing the main problems that led them to postpone General Conference a third time. Those problems are visas and logistics. From UM News. Read story.
What should congregations know about disaffiliation?
With the 2020 General Conference postponed to 2024 and the announcement by the Wesleyan Covenant Association that it will launch the Global Methodist Church on May 1, there are many questions about disaffiliation. The Ask The UMC team created a FAQ. From UM Communications. Read FAQ.
Hutchins: 'Forever in ministry to children'
The Rev. Charles Hutchins, a United Methodist minister since the 1950s, will be remembered for his decades of service at Holston Home for Children. Hutchins, age 90, died March 21. From the Greeneville Sun. Read story.
'What brings you joy?' might be a better question
When faced with inability to pay for food, rent or utilities, families or individuals are often asked to fill out lengthy forms to determine eligibility for financial assistance. An Indiana nonprofit takes a different route -- by focusing on talents and gifts instead of poverty. From Duke Divinity's Faith & Leadership. Read article.
Going old school with paper products
In a world where many people own pocket-size computers, today’s technology-driven communication is no longer a novelty. If your church wants to garner attention, maybe it’s time to go old school. From United Methodist Communications. Read article.
Commentary: The right thing to do?
The American public tends to lump panhandling and homelessness together. The Rev. Bruce Spangler, CEO of Volunteer Ministry Center in Knoxville, addresses the dilemma you might face when pulling up to an intersection and seeing the sign. Read commentary.
Photo of the Week
Open Door Cafe is a pay-what-you-can food outreach in Wytheville, Virginia, closely connected with United Methodist and other local churches in the area. Last week, the cafe raised more than $7,800 for refugees in the Ukraine by asking the community to donate $20 or more for a complimentary meal. The funds were sent to World Central Kitchen, which is providing fresh foods to thousands fleeing Ukraine under siege.
Calendar
Holston Foundation
Scholarship applications due April 15. Apply now.
Wesley House Community Center
Tablescapes: April 30 in Knoxville. Register now.
Holston Connectional Ministries
Denman Evangelism Award nominations due May 1.
United Methodist Church
Native American Ministries Sunday: May 1. Learn more.
Holston Connectional Ministries
Denman Evangelism Award nominations due May 1. Submit form.
Camp Wesley Woods
Golf Tournament in Rockford, TN: May 2. Sign up now.
Jubilation: Senior Adult Retreat
May 2-4, Pigeon Forge. Register now.
Holston Annual Conference
June 5-8, Lake Junaluska. Find out more.
More Resources
Job Opportunities - 3 new posts
Back Issues
The Call is Holston Conference's weekly newsletter for 850 United Methodist congregations in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and North Georgia. Contact Annette Spence, editor, at thecall@holston.org. Sign up for a free weekly email subscription,