News Archive
News Archive
The Call newsletter: September 22, 2023
September 22
Pastors witness impact of Holston missions in Liberia, Zimbabwe
September 15 - by: Annette Spence - MissionKey points: Two pastors traveled to Zimbabwe and Liberia over 17 days to see how Holston Conference supplies and offerings have helped people served by United Methodist missions. In Zimbabwe, they helped lead a Vacation Bible School attended by ...
The Call newsletter: September 15, 2023
September 15
15 more Holston churches will disaffiliate after Sept. 7 vote
September 08 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopALCOA, Tenn. – In an online meeting on Sept. 7, the Holston Annual Conference ratified the disaffiliations of 15 local churches from The United Methodist Church. The 15 churches requesting to leave the denomination are an addition to 264 churches ...
The Call newsletter: September 8, 2023
September 08
The Call newsletter: September 1, 2023
September 01
Pastor continues to 'fight uphill' for Black community
August 31 - by: Annette Spence - Leadership RaceCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Even when she went to seminary, the Rev. Dr. Charlotte Williams did not want to be a preacher. “That was not on my radar. It was not on my bucket list,” she says. Growing up in poverty with an addicted parent, Williams saw and ...
Join Holston in Hurricane Idalia response
August 30 - by: Communications Staff - MissionALCOA, Tenn. (3 p.m. EST) -- As Hurricane Idalia made landfall earlier today in Florida, bringing flooding and damage, and then headed toward Georgia and the Carolinas, Holston Conference began preparations to provide aid to its neighbors. The Rev. ...
The Call newsletter: August 24, 2023
August 24
Churches work hard to keep 'blessing boxes' stocked
August 22 - by: Annette Spence - PovertyGLADE SPRING, Va. -- The mini food pantries installed on church properties, called “blessing boxes,” have become a common ministry to serve food-insecure neighbors around the clock, especially since the pandemic caused the creative idea to go ripping...
The Call newsletter: August 11, 2023
August 11
What has Natalie Justice learned? 4 things from her video series
July 28 - by: Annette Spence - LeadershipMARION, Va. – After going to bed feeling “burned out” one night, the Rev. Natalie Justice woke up at 2 a.m. with a “nudge” and an idea: Why not do interviews with church leaders about their hopes for The United Methodist Church? In March 2023, that’...
Black Methodists Matter: Church leaders question budget, representation
July 22 - by: Annette Spence - Bishop RaceALCOA, Tenn. – Of 29 Black churches in Holston Conference, zero have disaffiliated from the denomination. However, a lot of work is needed to strengthen Black churches and to put more Black United Methodists in the pulpit and in conference ...
Sleeping under the steeple: Couple lives in church parking lot
July 14 - by: Annette Spence - PovertyKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The gray car has been parked at Cedar Lane United Methodist Church since March – to be specific, since “two weeks before Easter,” says the pastor. The car’s engine doesn’t work and hasn’t since two young passengers and their dog ...
Storytelling project helps build relationships for Holston's future
June 29 - by: Annette Spence - Annual ConferenceJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Sixty-four stories help tell the overall story of Holston Conference and the people of faith in its churches. Sixty-four stories might be a window into how the people called United Methodists can move into the future, says the ...
The results are in! Hands-on Mission Project
June 10 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference MissionKNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- It was a reunion and a work party in the Cokesbury United Methodist Church parking lot on May 31 and June 1. As cars, trucks and trailers arrived with their church or district’s gifts for Africa, United Methodists put their ...
Last day at Annual Conference: The new 'D' word isn't disaffiliation
June 09 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopLAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. -- The new “D” word for Holston Conference is not disaffiliation. It’s discipleship. That’s what the Rev. Kim Goddard said on the final day of Holston Annual Conference, joining other speakers in sending United Methodists forth ...
Bishop Wallace-Padgett sets new ministerial appointments
June 07 Annual Conference BishopLAKE JUNAUSKA, N.C. -- Today at the conclusion of the Holston Annual Conference, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett fixed projected ministerial appointments for the 2023-2024 year. These are new appointments that will be effective July 1, 2023. Download ...
June 7: Members sent forth to make disciples
June 07 Annual ConferenceTop Stories Tuesday report: Retirees recognized, baptisms remembered, gifts celebrated re:Brand podcast: Tuesday recap Newly retired clergy share reflections in video The Call's June 7 issue Wednesday Schedule Unless indicated, all activities ...
Tuesday report: Retirees recognized, baptisms remembered, gifts celebrated
June 07 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopLAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. -- The Annual Conference worked its way through hearing reports and making decisions yesterday, stopping along the way to worship, celebrate retiring clergy, plan for the future, and eat ice cream. The day started with humor ...
June 6: Conference recognizes retirees, seeks growth in multicultural ministries
June 06 Annual ConferenceTop Stories Monday report: New visions and 'recalibration' followed by Mission Celebration re:Brand podcast: Monday recap Slack's worship visuals bless many Annual Conferences The Call's June 6 edition Special events schedule Tuesday ...
Monday report: New visions and 'recalibration' followed by Mission Celebration
June 06 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopLAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. -- The Annual Conference finished a day of discussion about new visions and “recalibration” with an evening celebration of Holston’s legacy as a mission-minded body and the urgent call to “finish the job.” Bishop Gregory Palmer,...
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Newly retired clergy share their ministry reflections in special video
June 06 Annual Conference Leadership
June 5: Good news coming on missions | Bishop will give conference status report
June 05 Annual Conference BishopTop Stories Sunday report: 16 celebrated in ordination service re:Brand podcast: Sunday night recap The Call daily newsletter Special events schedule Monday Schedule Unless indicated, all activities are in Stuart Auditorium. 8:30 a.m. Morning...
Sarah Slack's worship visuals bless many Annual Conferences
June 05 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference WorshipLAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. -- The Rev. Sarah Slack has created altar settings at Holston Annual Conference for almost 20 years. On Monday morning, she preached in the Spirit-provoking environment she envisioned for the “Worship Together” theme on the ...
Sunday report: 16 celebrated in ordination service at Annual Conference
June 05 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopLAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – As the music swelled to “In Christ Alone” and “It is Well with My Soul” last night, the singing voices of the Holston Annual Conference also swelled, filling Stuart Auditorium with worship and hope. In the front row, ...
June 4: Holston United Methodists gather in Lake Junaluska
June 04 Annual ConferenceLocation Sunday Schedule Unless indicated, all activities are in Stuart Auditorium. 1-5 p.m. Registration at Bethea Welcome Center 3 p.m. Rehearsal for Ordination 4 p.m. Laity Session – Lay Leader Becky Hall 5 p.m. Clergy Session – Bishop Debra ...
Special events at Annual Conference
June 04 Annual ConferenceMonday, June 5 7 a.m. Reconciling Ministries | Memorial Chapel 12 p.m. Order of Deacons | Harrell Center 201 Learning "Dinner Church" | Harrell Center 105 Clergywomen's Lunch | Terrace 319 Clergy Spouses Lunch | Gaines Auditorium 5:15 p.m. ...
Check the box! 7 things to do at Holston Annual Conference
June 02 - by: Annette Spence - Annual ConferenceHolston Annual Conference kicks off on Sunday, June 4, and goes through Wednesday, June 7. You can watch the livestream at AC.Holston.org, but if you're planning to join the 800 to 900 United Methodists representing 578 local churches in Lake ...
Churches go full steam ahead to collect supplies for Africa
May 18 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference MissionALCOA, Tenn. -- The annual Hands-on Mission Project is going full steam ahead with a new packing location and the support of local churches, including a few that are leaving the denomination. On May 31 and June 1, Cokesbury United Methodist Church ...
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My mother's ministry: Stories from the children who carry on
May 11 - by: Annette Spence - LeadershipWe asked Holston Conference members to share stories of their mothers' ministries which had an impact on them. To celebrate Mother's Day on May 14, here are four stories about moms from their proud children. MARIAN DOBBINS Joe Phillips, age 71, is...
'Our best days are ahead': Hope follows somber disaffiliation vote
April 28 - by: Annette Spence - Annual Conference BishopKNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- After the somber and procedural vote, when the representatives of churches that wanted to leave the denomination had achieved their mission and left the building, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett stepped before the surprisingly still ...
The Call newsletter: April 28, 2023
April 28
Aftermath: Finding new places for displaced church members
April 27 - by: Annette SpenceALCOA, Tenn. -- The Rev. Susan Arnold knows what it’s like to lose your church home to disaffiliation. The church that was the site of so many family weddings and funerals – the church where a hand-hewn cross from her great grandfather’s farm is on ...
Holston United Methodists finalize departure of 264 congregations
April 22 - by: Communications Staff - Annual Conference Bishop WorshipMedia contact: Rev. Tim Jones Director of Communications timjones@holston.org 865-202-6350 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – United Methodists of the Holston Conference worshipped together for the last time today as a body of 842 local churches before voting to...
Churches receive $68,500 in Change for Children ministry grants
April 21 - by: Susan Groseclose - MissionALCOA, Tenn. -- Holston Children’s Ministry Team is grateful for yearly offerings at Annual Conference for Change for Children Grants. This year, we have awarded $68,500 to the following ministries: Local Ministry Grants Bristol VA Parish: HUB ...
