Special Issue: Blessed are the peacemakers
Followers of the Prince of the Peace, the world needs you.
In these anxious days, The Call asked readers to share how they model and live in peace -- or to name others who exude peace in ways that give us a glimpse of Christ. Here are 8 people sharing what you can to do to help calm this world down. Read story.
In these anxious days, The Call asked readers to share how they model and live in peace -- or to name others who exude peace in ways that give us a glimpse of Christ. Here are 8 people sharing what you can to do to help calm this world down. Read story.
Maynard: Share peace by embodying peace
The Rev. Charles Maynard is a storyteller, author, and hiker. He sometimes leads people on mountain walks to help them experience God’s peace. "Peace (Shalom) is a confidence in God that imbues us with wholeness, completeness." From The Call. Read commentary.
James: God is in control. That's peace.
"Right now the world I live in is offering trouble and fear in big cups," says the Rev. Terryl James, a Chattanooga pastor. Here's how she finds peace amid racism that targets children "for no apparent reason other than the color of their skin." From The Call. Read commentary.
Carroll: Receive peace, then pass it
The Rev. Brenda Carroll believes the Risen Christ still enters our spaces the same way he did shortly after the resurrection. He spoke peace. He breathed peace. From The Call. Read commentary.
What does the Bible mean by 'peace'?
The Hebrew word we translate as peace is “shalom.” The way “shalom” is used actually does not mean to feel calm nor the absence of conflict. From Ask the UMC. Read explanation.
Should General Conference go virtual?
With no end in sight to the deadly pandemic, a number of United Methodist leaders are urging that General Conference be virtual -- if it’s to be held at all next year. From UM News. Read story.
Mixed results for virtual annual conference
Nearly all U.S. annual conferences have had to resort to virtual meetings for passing budgets and handling other essential business. Approaches have varied. Experiences have too, with mixed feelings. From UM News. Read story.
Masks make sermons tough
Masks keep churches from being superspreaders. But now preachers must adapt to learning new ways of reading the room and connecting with partially veiled congregants. From Religion News Service. Read story.
Photo of the Week
Christ United Methodist Church in Knoxville posted this photo of a "greeter pigeon" or "guardian pigeon" that calmly adorns the wreath on the welcome center door. The pigeon isn't part of the wreath. It's real, and returns often to its decorative perch.
So we invited our Holston Facebook friends to help Christ UMC name their feathered friend. Suggestions included Gabriel, Trinity, and Poe. But the best two ideas probably came from Rev. Tim Smith: Pijohn Wesley ... and Francis Asbirdy.
So we invited our Holston Facebook friends to help Christ UMC name their feathered friend. Suggestions included Gabriel, Trinity, and Poe. But the best two ideas probably came from Rev. Tim Smith: Pijohn Wesley ... and Francis Asbirdy.
More Information
Calendar
General Board of Global Ministries
#StillinMission: Nov. 19
Lisa Nichols, a Holston Church & Community Worker, will share her work through Zoom.
#StillinMission: Nov. 19
Lisa Nichols, a Holston Church & Community Worker, will share her work through Zoom.
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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