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Talking with the Bishop
Earlier this week, during a lunch break from meeting with her Cabinet to make ministerial appointments for the upcoming year, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett sat down with communications staff to answer questions about the controversial postponement of General Conference.
She also shared how she hopes Holston Conference will move forward into the future. From The Call. Read story.
Delegation: 'We pray for patience and kindness'
The Holston Conference delegation to General Conference (elected in 2019) met March 19 at the Alcoa Conference Center to share information about the global meeting's most recent postponement. A statement was released from the group on March 21. Read statement.
Fetzer celebrated for helping mothers, children
In a WATE series, "Remarkable Women," the Rev. Rebekah Fetzer is featured as the founder and leader of Susannah's House in Knoxville. "What she’s doing for women and children caught in the web of addiction ... is saving lives." See story.
Woman has new outlook after nearly drowning
Terri Kirkpatrick, a retired nurse and lay minister at Loudon UMC, is sharing her testimony after a near-death experience in Hawaii last month. “I really believe God has some plans for me," she told the News-Herald. Read story.
Munsey finds new ways to engage churchgoers
Amanda Onks, director of family ministries at Munsey Memorial UMC, recently spoke to the Johnson City Press about how some adjustments to COVID-19 worked well enough to keep. "We just learned new ways to show love and support of our families and church members," she said. Read story.
Blessed be their Ukrainian ties
For United Methodists with close ties to Ukraine, the Russian invasion of that country is an ever-present, wrenching concern. It’s also an occasion to try to help, however far they may be from the war itself. From UM News. Read story.
12 years later, they still text every day
At a time when reports of clergy burnout and clergy misconduct are soaring, five clergywomen have been able to forge a tight collegial peer group to help them navigate challenges, avoid pitfalls and find joy in their calling. From Religion News Service. Read story.
Spring classes still open for lay servants
Bobby Stair, director of Holston's Lay Servant Ministries, announces that some classes are still available in the spring training schedule. See schedule & register.
Maybe Jesus wants to save United Methodists?
Could it be that Jesus wants to save United Methodists, and the only way it can happen is to allow us to be broken -- Traditionalists, Centrists, Progressives, the whole lot of us? Buzz Trexler, retired clergy and newspaper editor, asks the question in his blog, Gathering Wool. Read commentary.
Photo of the Week
Last Sunday, children at Abingdon UMC (Va.) packed 12 mailing boxes full of goodies for college students. "The coolest thing about this, for me, was that every single one of those children was once in my K-5 programs and actually helped to pack boxes just like these for other college students," said Lindsey Buchanan Blackwell. "I love the full-circle aspect." The boxes included snacks, candy, school supplies, a $25 Uber Eats card, and personal notes from the children as well as from Blackwell. The boxes were then mailed to University of Tennessee, Knoxville; University of South Carolina; University of Chicago; University of Virginia (Charlottesville and Wise campuses); Radford University; Appalachian State University; and James Madison University.
In Memoriam
Rev. Charles Hutchins, age 90, March 21, Greeneville, Tenn. See obituary.
Calendar
United Methodist Church
UMCOR Sunday: March 27. Get resource kit.
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 - 2 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,