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“Breaking the Chains of Poverty”
Sept. 9-10 at First Broad Street United Methodist Church
http://abolishingpoverty.holston.org/

The Third Annual Abolishing Poverty Conference, “Breaking the Chains of Poverty,” will be held at First Broad Street United Methodist Church (100 E. Church Circle) in Kingsport, Tenn., on Sept. 9-10. This event is sponsored by the Holston Conference and will include workshops such as “Loving Our Neighbor” based on Beth Lindsay Templeton’s book of the same name; “Embracing God’s Economy of Abundance” with John S. Hill, director of economic and environmental justice with the General Board of Church and Society; and “Living Wage and Worker Justice” with Rev. Jim Sessions.

The conference begins on Friday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m.  One special highlight of the Friday events will be a “Poverty Simulation,” in which participants will experience the equivalent of one month of poverty comprised of four 15-minute sessions. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. on Friday with the dinner address given by keynote speaker, Bishop Paul Leeland, residing bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference. The evening will end with devotions at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Sept. 10, participants can look forward to a full day of workshops and discussions beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Friendship Diner, a breakfast ministry of First Broad Street UMC. that occurs every Saturday morning for the Kingsport community.  A lunch break will occur at noon, with closing worship held at 3:45 p.m. with Bishop Paul Leeland.  The conference will conclude at 5:00 p.m.   

For a complete program outline, program fees, and registration, visit http://abolishingpoverty.holston.org/.  Additional information may also be requested from Gaye King at gayeking@holston.org.

Meredith Brown is director of communications for First Broad Street UMC.