The Call: October 1, 2020 edition

The Call: October 1, 2020 edition

October 01, 2020

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Preaching in secret

In August, the Rev. Lisa Bryant woke up with a head cold and fever. She quickly got a COVID-19 test and quarantined herself.
 
While she waited for the test results, she came up with a new way to do online worship at Madam Russell United Methodist Church. From The Call. Read story.
 
 
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Want to have your say? Vote

Churches are helping voters get registered and urging those who may not have voted in a while to double-check that they remain on the rolls. United Methodists see an urgency to make sure U.S. adult citizens have a plan to vote that meets their state requirements and their health needs. From UM News. Read story.
 

Amazing grace comes for storm survivors

Hurricane-weary folks in Louisiana welcome the helping hands of United Methodists from near and far as they pick up the pieces from Hurricane Laura. From UM News. Read story.
 
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Urgent need for disaster supplies 

The pandemic and recent hurricanes have "completely depleted" Holston Conference's stockpile of "cleaning kits," which are urgently needed for future disasters. Churches are requested to begin assembling buckets so Holston can be ready for emergencies. From The Call. Read story.
 
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Snapshot of Korean United Methodists

A retired pastor has spent the past 10 years compiling data on the Korean United Methodist community. His research shows Korean clergy are younger on average than previously thought and reveals a significant gender gap in appointments to Korean churches. From UM News. Read story.
 
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New legal clinic to assist factory, farm workers

To open a "Justice for Our Neighbors" site during a pandemic presents all sorts of obstacles. But with space provided by Somerset First UMC, the United Methodist ministry now operates a legal clinic for immigrants making their home in eastern Kentucky. From National Justice for Our Neighbors. See story.
 
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Re-imagine the holidays during pandemic

With the number of coronavirus cases across the country, fall and winter holiday celebrations are likely to look very different this year. Adjust your church plans now for fall festivals, Halloween and Christmas. From Resource UMC. Read article.
 
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Being the church in divisive political times  
 
Many Christians today have confused the gospel of the kingdom with the politics of the nation-state and have embraced worldly political leaders as ultimate heralds of truth, says the Rev. Mike Slaughter. From Ministry Matters. Read commentary.
 
 
 
  Photo of the Week  
 
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The Rev. Nathan Irwin celebrated the submission of his ordination papers on Sept. 21, while anticipating his ordination service in June 2021. A few days later, Bishop Dindy Taylor announced that the 2020 ordination service -- delayed since June by the pandemic -- has been re-scheduled for Nov. 21 at Concord UMC in Knoxville. Irwin is youth ministry director at First UMC in Maryville, Tenn.
 

  More Information  
 

  Calendar  
 

United Methodist Church
World Communion Sunday: Oct. 4
 
Mafair UMC
Climate-Conscious Creation Care: Oct. 11
 
General Board of Global Ministries
#StillinMission, Oct. 8, Nov. 19
Holston's Church & Community Workers will share their work through Zoom meetings.

  Past Issues  
 


The Call is Holston Conference's weekly newsletter for 853 United Methodist congregations in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and North Georgia. Contact Annette Spence, editor, at thecall@holston.org.

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