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Trying to thrive after trauma
The 2022 Holston Annual Conference offering will support mission and ministry in Uganda and South Sudan, where Holston Conference has developed relationships and sent resources for more than 16 years.
Churches are requested to take offerings on a Sunday between now and Annual Conference, to be held June 5-8. Get an update on this East Africa mission and find out what the money will be used for. From The Call. Read story.
DowlingSoka appointed Alaska superintendent
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has announced the projected appointment of the Rev. Christina DowlingSoka as superintendent for the Alaska Conference, effective June 1. The Rev. DowlingSoka and her husband, the Rev. Joe-d DowlingSoka, served 25 years in Holston Conference. From Greater NW News. Read press release.
UMCOR collaborating to relieve suffering of Ukrainians
UMCOR along with Ohio Health and a Texas-based humanitarian organization focused on Ukraine are collaborating to send 47,895 pounds of medical supplies and equipment worth $935,000 to three hospitals in Kyiv, Ukraine. From UM Global Ministries. Read press release.
Ukrainians may be moved from Russian bishop's area
Can a Russian bishop effectively oversee Ukrainian United Methodists, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Some European United Methodists say no and have proposed a temporary move of the Ukraine-Moldova Provisional Annual Conference from the supervision of Moscow-based Bishop Eduard Khegay. From UM News. Read story.
Bulgaria-Romania United Methodists vote to leave
The Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference has voted to leave the United Methodist Church for the Global Methodist Church on May 1. Bishop Patrick Streiff said the disaffiliation vote -- as conducted by conference members -- was “without legal basis in the Book of Discipline.” From UM News. Read story.
Report released on church's net-zero efforts
There’s a balance between meeting the goal of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions and running effective ministries that use energy. A progress report issued by the United Methodist Interagency Just and Equitable Net-Zero Coalition shows progress, but the search continues for ways to judge how cutting emissions may cause damage to people already struggling. From UM News. Read story.
Postponing General Conference may be a good thing
While many see the postponement of General Conference to 2024 as a bad thing, chances are just as great that it will be a good thing, writes the Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr. Time can help when we seek to discern God’s will on difficult issues, he says, and a review of Methodism’s history underscores that. From UM News. Read commentary.
Photo of the Week
Many Holston churches beautified their sanctuaries or lawns with flowering crosses in time for Easter Sunday on April 17. The Call featured several on social media. Here's an image from Trinity UMC in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
In Memoriam
Rev. Ken Caraway, age 88, April 10, Mountain City, Tenn. Obituary.
Rev. Nancy Wilhite, age 77, April 10, Knoxville, Tenn. Obituary.
Calendar
Wesley House Community Center
Tablescapes: April 30 in Knoxville. Purchase ticket.
Holston Connectional Ministries
Denman Evangelism Award nominations due May 1.
United Methodist Church
Native American Ministries Sunday: May 1. Learn more.
Camp Wesley Woods
Golf Tournament in Rockford, TN: May 2. Sign up now.
Jubilation: Senior Adult Retreat
May 2-4, Pigeon Forge. Brochure.
United Methodist Archives & History
Heritage Sunday: May 22. Learn more.
Holston Annual Conference
June 5-8, Lake Junaluska. Find out more.
Holston United Women in Faith
Mission u, July 22-23, Knoxville. More info.
More Resources
Job Opportunities - 4 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 to The Call.