Sign up for a free weekly email subscription to THE CALL. The following is the March 3 edition.
Standing with Ukraine
United Methodists across the globe are condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As Christians “we believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy.” (2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶165.C) Find out more.
How to help: United Methodists and others wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country may contribute to UMCOR. Find out how.
United Methodists near Ukraine help refugees
As Russia’s assault on Ukraine intensifies, United Methodists near the besieged country are finding ways to help with the flood of more than 1 million refugees. So are United Methodists in western Ukraine: "God is with those who are crying." From UM News. Read story.
General Conference postponed until 2024
Organizers say General Conference must be postponed because of visa wait times of up to two years. With the announcement, leaders of a planned breakaway denomination have moved up the new church's launch date. From UM News. Read story.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett on 'wilderness living'
"The Christian season of Lent connects with the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness," says Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett in her Ash Wednesday message. Find out the 2 questions she wants you to consider. Read blog.
New name for United Methodist Women
Leaders of United Methodist Women announced a name change for the organization today: United Women in Faith. After 25 name changes throughout the organization's history, "we are again taking a new name to better reflect how we answer our calling to faith and action today."
Read Response Magazine article.
See Facebook announcement video.
WBIR story asks: 'United or Methodist?'
Earlier this week, WBIR reported on The United Methodist Church's possible split and a First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge staff member's response to the denominational stance on same-sex marriages and ordination of gay clergy. See story.
St Matthew UMC prepares for Ash Wednesday
Yesterday on Ash Wednesday, St. Matthew UMC in Kingsport, TN, prepared five stations to represent prayer, water, oil, clay and ashes. The church was open for prayer from noon to 7 p.m. From Kingsport Times News. See photos.
Confronting racism as a Lenten focus
As a season for atonement and holiness, Lent is a perfect time for addressing the sin of racism. A new small-group study from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race guides participants in this season’s sacred journey through the lens of confronting racism. From UM News. Read commentary.
Photo of the Week
During an Ash Wednesday service at First United Methodist Church in Maryville yesterday, the Rev. Sarah Slack imposes the ashes with the Rev. Jonathan Jonas.
Calendar
UMC.org
World Day of Prayer: March 4. Re-energize your prayer life.
First Broad Street UMC
Missions Celebration, Kingsport: March 4-6. Find out more.
Camp Wesley Woods
Southern Expedition: Spring Break. March 13-19. Register now.
Holston Youth Ministry
Grant applications due March 15. Apply now.
Holston Foundation
Ministry grant applications due March 15. Apply now.
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.
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
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, with news tips or concerns. Sign up for a free weekly subscription here.