TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW JULY 14, 2006
Listing of Stories in the July 14th REVIEW
1. Challenge to the Churches of the Tennessee Conference: Do We REALLY Care for the Children of Kamina? An editorial by Harriet Bryan and Jay Voorhees.
2 The J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Awards go to layperson JERRY NAIL and clergy Rev. Dr. LeNoir Culbertson.
3. A Rich Blessing in the Midst of Chaos--original of the touching story told by Jason Brock at the 2006 session of Annual Conference: A pregnant woman, Hurricane Rita bearing down on the community, medical service becomes unavailable, the endless trip into Texas to find safety and medical help for delivery. Read the story of Brandi Russell as we prepare to give generously as an Annual Conference through the Bishop's Appeal to support rebuilding churches and congregations along the Gulf Coast.
4. Madison Street United Methodist Church, Clarksville District, Hosts First International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in State of Tennessee.
5. Cliff/Shirley Ingram Scholarships Awarded to Seven Students.
6. Ten persons are honored with membership in the Order of Saint Andrew.
7. Pennington United Methodist Church Raises the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life. Learn about the Pennington Pals.
8. 45,000 pounds of sweet potatoes are sorted and bagged at the 2006 Session of Annual Conference--this roughly translates into 4500 needy families having a meal.
9. Tennessee Conference VIM Team Return from mission trip to Cuba.
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Challenge to the Churches of the Tennessee Conference: Do we REALLY Care for the Children of Kamina?
by Harriet Bryan and Jay Voorhees*
This past April, we (like most pastors in the conference) received a special mailing informing us of a wonderful opportunity for our congregations. We were preparing for Annual Conference, and Bishop Wills shared that the offering this year would be used to provide further help for the children of Kamina, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For many years the people of the Tennessee Annual Conference have supported children ministries in the North Katanga District of the United Methodist Church. Our giving has helped United Methodists in the DRC to share a cup of cool water in Jesus' name by housing the many children in that country who have been orphaned by the war and by feeding the hungry on a weekly basis. In addition, we have built both a school and an orphanage.
As a result, when we saw the goal of $100,000, we believed it could and would be met. After all, there are around 600 churches in our Annual Conference, and it would only require each church to raise around $160 per congregation to reach that goal. As pastors, we saw this as a great way to connect our congregations with the broader work of mission by our church throughout the world, so we took this opportunity to encourage a special time of giving, focusing on leading our children to help children in another part of the world. The Antioch congregation (a church of around 290 members) decided to set a goal of $1,000 for this offering, and offered a challenge to other churches in the Annual Conference to do likewise. The Erin congregation (a church of around 160 members) took that challenge, and the people of both congregations worked during the month of May to meet their goals. Both, in fact, exceeded their goals.
So, there was excitement when the time of the offering came. We looked forward to hearing that our Annual Conference had also exceeded our goal. Yet, as of last count, the conference had only raised $52,000 to help our friends in the Congo.
We again want to offer our challenge to our colleagues and friends in the Tennessee Annual Conference. Thanks to our past generosity, the orphanage at Kamina will house 160 children. However, since they can only afford to provide meals for 54 children, the remaining beds remain unoccupied in a country where nearly one out of five children is an orphan.
We know that multiple requests for giving come our way on a regular basis and that many of us often feel that we cannot respond to every need. And yet, we also know that God has blessed us with this partnership and this chance to make a difference in the lives of others in an area where problems often seem overwhelming. We have been given the opportunity to relieve the suffering of others in tangible ways through our gifts, and we have great faith that the people of the Tennessee Annual Conference will respond too by bearing the burdens of our friends in Africa (Galatians 6:2). If you want to share God's love somewhere your gifts are guaranteed to be multiplied, you may send donations to: Tennessee Annual Conference, Tennessee Conference Administrative Services, 304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Suite #4, Nashville, TN 37211-4167. Mark your checks: “Care for the Children of Kamina.”
*Harriet Bryan is the pastor of the Erin United Methodist Church in the Clarksville District. Jay Voorhees is the pastor of the Antioch United Methodist Church in the Nashville District.
Jerry Nail and LeNoir Culbertson Presented J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award
The J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award was established by the action of the 2001 Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference to recognize persons whose lives and ministries are focused on ministries of love and justice. This award remembers the call of Christ to feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and to bring about God’s kingdom here on earth. The Award is given annually by the Committee on Church and Society of the Tennessee Annual Conference, in memory of Rev. J. Richard (Dick) Allison, who lived out a life focused on sharing Christ’s love through service to others. Allison was a pastor in the Tennessee Annual Conference, a missionary, and a social activist, who ministered in churches, in social agencies, and in prisons as he carried out his mission to the world. The two 2006 winners of the J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award are layperson Jerry Nail, and clergywoman Dr. LeNoir H. Culbertson.
Jerry Nail
The Reverend Thomas Gildemeister, Nail’s pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin says of him: “In so many ways, Jerry reflects the work and spirit of Rev. Allison. He is self-giving, living as if his time, talent, and money belong to God and must be shared with God’s most vulnerable children. As he understands and embodies God’s call to mercy and charity, he remarkably understands and embodies God’s call to justice as well. And he recognizes that justice begins with friendship, the core of which is the sharing of one’s story and listening to the story of the “other.” He is a prophet within our congregation and the Tennessee Conference, directly challenging we who claim to follow Christ at Christ UMC and many other local churches to step out of our comfortable, tidy suburban lives and into those places where need is great and the presence of Christ is conspicuous.”
Jerry has been actively involved in prison ministry at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee, since June of 2002. Jerry started the Disciple Bible Study Program in unit six on a weekly basis. In total he has initiated eight Disciple Bible Study groups at Riverbend, six of which are completed, and two that are still currently active.
During the Christmas season, Jerry helps gather and distribute gift packages for the inmates housed at Riverbend. Jerry works with volunteers to find housing, employment, and transportation for former inmates. Chaplin Jerry Welborn, Senior Chaplain at Riverbend, notes that Jerry Nail “mentored these former inmates by visiting them relentlessly while they were in prison and continues to do so after their release. Still further, Jerry Nail has a visitation ministry with many inmates classified as Maximum Security. These inmates remain locked in their cells twenty-three hours a day.”
Jerry’s hundreds of hours of volunteer service have earned him the title of Volunteer Chaplain and he was honored with the Most Outstanding Volunteer award at Riverbend for 2004-2005. In addition Jerry is an active participant in Room in the Inn where he picks up guests on the mean streets of Nashville, warmly and non-judgmentally greeting them as they board the bus to Christ UMC.
Rev. Dr. LeNoir H. Culbertson
When Culbertson was originally recommended for this award she was the pastor of Epworth UMC in the Columbia District. Since then she was appointed Senior Pastor at Madison Street UMC in the Clarksville District.
Loyd Mabry who had been LeNoir Culbertson’s District Superintendent was one of the many persons recommending LeNoir for the Allison Social Holiness Award: “In addition to her pastoral skills which are numerous, Lenoir articulates a believable and challenging approach to put one’s faith into action. Here focus is more than spiritual development. It includes ministry with others, for others, and on behalf of others.
Examples of her focus in love and justice ministries begin with her support and involvement in Epworth’s Room in the Inn ministry. She not only advocates support; she is personally involved in the ministry to the homeless as well.
LeNoir is a strong supporter of Miriam’s Promise. She has encouraged members of her congregation to be foster parents for newborns as well as designating fifth Sunday offerings to go to Miriam’s Promise. She has served admirably on the Bishop’s Committee to combat the lottery as well as investing great time and energy into a comprehension education program in her church on the negative influence of the lottery. Teen pregnancy is a concern that LeNoir has lifted before the Epworth congregation. Included in this concern is helping the congregation minister to those who find themselves pregnant.
Jean Pride and Lenoir have worked together to educate Epworth on the issues of justice regarding prison ministries. She has a heart and compassion for persons who struggle with life situations whether it is racial diversity, mental capabilities, lifestyle choices, etc. LeNoir is seeking to help Epworth embrace opportunities for ministry and support.
I see LeNoir as an advocate for direct involvement in ministry. She is willing to practice what she preaches. She leads the charge, ministers to those involved while ministering to and challenging those who have yet to embrace these ministries for themselves. LeNoir lives out her faith in a contagious way. She encourages and brings out the best in others. For her it is not ministry to others; it is ministry with others and on behalf of others. In the midst of her involvement in social holiness, she consciously connects people with the God who comforts, supports, loves, and completes them. She has a holistic approach that does not separate social holiness for spiritual growth and development.”
Church leader Aline Wesley: “When our Tennessee Conference in 1995, under Bishop Carder, began talking about ministry to the “Poor and Marginalized” and put together a Bible study, Back to the Bible, God’s Call to Partnership with the Poor, for churches to use, our church was one of the first to get the materials for the study. LeNoir introduced and taught it to members of our congregation.”
“LeNoir was on the Board of Miriam’s Promise for several years where she had ample opportunities to be an advocate for social justice. Certainly as a Board member she was instrumental in always looking for ways to provide assistance for all. As a result of her seeing the need for foster families, a couple in our church became foster parents for newborns. As a church we began giving Fifth Sunday School Offerings to Miriam’s Promise, and the women of the church have hosted a baby shower for Miriam’s Promise each February to provide layettes and other need items.
“Together with Jean Pride, a dedicated lay member, LeNoir led us to be involved with the Women’s Prison Ministries. Our women along with other churches began having birthday parties for the inmates. We provide ditty bags at Christmas which Jean and LeNoir were permitted to deliver. LeNoir took every opportunity to visit inmates.
“LeNoir has, with our lay leadership, led us as we continue to send between 35 and 40 members of Epworth UMC to Mountain T.O.P. each year. The Mountain T.O.P. ministry sends youth and adults to rural and mountainous areas of Tennessee to repair, build, and provide physical assistance to families and individuals who are not able to afford or to perform the work themselves. At LeNoir’s suggestion we have involved other smaller churches that would not have sufficient leadership to go to Mountain T.O.P. on their own. We now have a Southeastern Williamson County group of youth that are able to participate in this ministry.
A Rich Blessing in the Midst of Chaos
Jason Brock, Director of Love and Justice Ministries for the Tennessee Annual Conference, was sent by UMCOR to the devastated Gulf Coast not long after hurricanes Katrina and Rita had hit the area. One Sunday he went to worship at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana—the first time that congregation had been able to worship in its sanctuary since the storms. He shared his feelings about the worship service at Annual Conference 2006 as he spoke on behalf of the Bishop’s Appeal. Not only was the congregation coming together to worship, but there was an infant baptism, and the congregation would be asked to take the vows that each congregation must make during an infant baptism—vows that promise to help nurture and guide the child from the moment of baptism onward. These vows connect us, as well as the larger body of Christ, in the responsibility to reach out to this family, and hundreds of thousands of others along the Gulf Coast.
Jason later received a note from the mother of the child—telling the rather miraculous story of a birth in the midst of the chaos caused by Hurricane Rita. As we prepare as a conference to support United Methodist Annual Conferences and local churches along the Gulf Coast--both through the Bishop’s Appeal and by continuing to send work teams for years to come--we share parts of the story of Brandi, John, and infant son Ryerson with you. Brandi who had worked as a Program Director for a health care management agency, aiding in the care of the elderly and those with developmental disabilities, is now the Lake Charles Recovery Station Director.
The Brandi, John and Ryerson Russell Story
Brandi Russell was pregnant and a hurricane was moving toward her community, but she and her husband John weren’t particularly worried. They lived in Southwest Louisiana and though the weather reports were ominous the area had faced imminent threats before—and had not been hit by a major storm in nearly 40 years. John was a police officer with the Lake Charles, Louisiana, police department.
Her obstetrician had given her a check up on Monday, September 19, 2005, and arrangements were made to come back to his office on Thursday to get things in order so that labor could be induced on Friday, September 23, 200. Brandi was suffering from gestational diabetes and felt huge and miserable.
On Wednesday she stayed home from work and watched the Weather Channel all day. Her viewing was interrupted only by countless phone calls from family and friends asking what she and John were going to do if the storm continued toward southwest Louisiana. “I called my husband 10 times that day and every time I called John assured me the storm was going to swerve and hit the Houston area.” A quick call to the doctor’s office reassured her further—the doctor WOULD be there on Thursday. She went to bed that night praying that everything would be fine.
On Thursday morning her husband woke her at 6:38 a.m. and said, “Honey, the storm isn’t turning as fast as I said it would.” Her husband’s Sergeant had made him leave the shift to take care of her. “John told me that I needed to start packing and went to secure the house. I stood there in my bedroom wondering what to take. I had never had a baby. What do I pack?
Brandi packed, got important paperwork together, and at 8:30 a.m. the couple headed to the doctors office but no one was there so they pulled up to a nearby hospital so they could find out what to do. Brandi was stunned by the answer. “Get your paperwork from the hospital where you plan to deliver and get out of town.” The hospital was incredibly busy. Brandi asked where they should go and the nurses responded, “Wait until the baby is coming and go to an emergency room and you need to have towels and water with you while you travel in case you go into labor.” They further cautioned: “Make sure you stop and walk at least every two hours to prevent blood clots while traveling.”
“John and I went to the hospital where we planned to have our son. It was booming even more then the other hospital. I got my paperwork and started to fear what was going to happen. We went home to finish taking care of our house; made a few more phone calls, packed our SUV with the car seat, diapers, the baby stuff we thought we needed, four days worth of clothes, important paper work and our cats and dogs. We headed to Sulphur to meet our friend Geraldine to follow her to her in-law’s home in Marshall, Texas, normally a four hour drive.”
Ten hours later the packed SUV made it to Marshall, passing countless cars stranded because they had run out of gas. The gauge on the Russell vehicle was hovering on empty when they were finally able to get gas. “My friend Geraldine kept asking if I needed to go to the bathroom, but I thought if we stopped we wouldn’t be able to break back into the flow of traffic, so I just kept waiting. Geraldine later confessed she needed to go to the bathroom very badly but wouldn’t way anything because if a pregnant lady could hold it for seven hours she certainly could too.”
Hurricane Rita hit the Sabine Pass, which is the Louisiana/Texas border, on September 24, 2006. The Russells lost the satellite at the home they were staying at so they had little idea of what was going on—only that they had called doctors in the Marshall area and none would see Brandi.
John kept in contact with the Lake Charles Police Department. No officer has ever been allowed to leave town during a disaster – and he was feeling pulled. On Sunday, September 25, 2005 John felt it was essential that he return to Lake Charles. Brandi’s best friend, Staci who lives in Alexandra, Louisiana, was able to get in contact with her doctor and he agreed to see Brandi if she could get to Alexandria. Staci and her husband drove to Marshall to pick her up even though they had problems of their own—a house with no power.
Brandi continued, “On Monday, September 26, 2005 I finally got to see a doctor. He agreed to induce my labor, but he could not do it for another week because the hospital was full of evacuees. As long as my baby was willing to hold on, he would be born in one week. John called when he could to tell me what was going on in Lake Charles and that he was cleared to be at the birth of our son. That was the longest week of my life. I have never experienced the unknown like I experienced at that time. I was so grateful to my friend Staci, her husband and their family. They took such good care of me but somehow I still felt alone and lost. My only comfort was my faith.
“I had very little if any contact with my friends and family but God is so good. As I waited for October 3rd Staci and I went to Wal-Mart in Pineville so I could get some baby things that I didn’t pack. Lo and behold I ran into Michelle Gaharen. She was the Children’s Director at First Methodist Church in Lake Charles before moving to Pineville First Methodist. I was so glad to see another friend and a church family member. To my surprise, she was housing a family from my church and she knew of another church family staying in the area! She assured me she would get the word to them.
“By Friday I felt I could take no more. I was overwhelmed like I have never known. Again, God being who He is, brought me hope. On a trip to the Alexandria Mall I was finally able to get cell phone service just long enough to check my messages. I had about ten messages, all from friends and family calling to check on me and to see if the baby had been born. The most moving message was from my pastor. I just stood there at the with tears running down my face. He, his family and some of the church family who stayed behind thought enough to call and check on me and to let me know if John needed anything that he just needed to go by the church. I felt so loved.”
Though Brandi Russell felt that October 3rd would never come it finally did. She arrived at the hospital by 5:00 a.m. and the nursing staff took her information and started her on an IV. John made it to the hospital from Lake Charles by 7:30 a.m. and somehow Brandi’s dad was able to find out about the delivery and showed up to lend support. Rev. Ralph Ford from Pineville First United Methodist stopped by to see her and pray with her. “He will never know how much I appreciated that,” Brandi says.
At about 11:30 a.m. Brandi was informed that the baby would be there soon. Nurses came into the room and asked her to push. The doctor came back and things got really chaotic. The nurse kept asking her to turn on her side. . John was asking questions and friend Staci was by their side. Staci noticed the nurse closely checking the machine monitoring the baby, and shared with John that something wasn’t right. Dr. Leblanc said the baby’s heart beat was dropping fast and they needed to deliver him; there was no time to wait.
Brandi was rushed to the operating room, and Dr. Leblanc let her know that John couldn’t be with her. She lay on the operating table, scared and alone. A caring anesthesiologist held her hand and the staff let Staci into the room. At that point John couldn’t handle the situation but within seconds, the most wonderful little boy was born. He was perfect but the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck--the cause of all the problems.
John noticed the doctor, by this time covered with blood, walk out of the operating room with his head down. John, expecting the worst, had never been so scared, but when the doctor came to him he was told everything was fine.
“Later, John and I were left to bond with our baby,” Brandi said. “John was able to stay the night with us before having to get back to Lake Charles. I knew John wanted to be with me and our son, but I also understood his work ethic and his commitment to fellow officers. He also had to get our house back in some kind of order. We were lucky, a tree did fall on our house, but it didn’t do much damage. But he still had to clean out the refrigerator and freezers and unboard the house.
“When John got back to Lake Charles all officers had to work 12 hour shifts, seven days a week. The area still had no electricity, few people had generators, and gas was in short supply. After his shifts John would go to our house to do what he could. While cleaning out our deep freezer he said his heart broke for me because he had to trash all the meals I had prepared while pregnant so we would have dinners after the baby was born.
“While I was in the hospital I was so happy and yet so sad. Tuesday night the nurse brought me my baby and she asked if I was okay. I was crying but I kept telling her how happy I was. I got a double dose of the baby blues. I had no idea where I was going when I left the hospital with my baby. I knew Staci would welcome us in her home, but I just wanted to go to my home to be with my husband so we could enjoy our new baby together.
“Wednesday morning John called to tell me we had power at our house and I should be able to come home. Thursday my dad showed up to take us home. Before we left Alexandria, we had to make sure I had plenty of medication and baby supplies because we were not sure if we could get them in Lake Charles.
“Leaving Alexandria was kind of scary because I didn’t know what to expect. As we headed south I began to see Rita’s wrath. And it only got worse as I got closer to home. I could not comprehend how steel poles could be snapped in half like toothpicks. Why was one house completely destroyed but the one right next door just fine? It was weeks after the storm, but it looked like Rita had just hit.
“When we arrived in Lake Charles, I saw a tree on my house and most of the windows were still boarded up, but I was home. I still couldn’t get in touch with most of my family and friends and John still had to work but I didn’t care, my house was okay and I had a wonderful baby.
Tennessee Conference United Methodists, please remember this area, please consider coming to the Lake Charles Area to volunteer your time and efforts, we need you desperately.
Madison Street United Methodist Church Hosts First International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in State of Tennessee.
By Brian Gilbert*
On May 21st, Clarksville’s Madison Street United Methodist Church hosted the first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service to be held in the state of Tennessee. Having said that, the question comes: “So what?” The answer to that question can be found in the model that our Lord Jesus Christ provided.
Persons diagnosed as positive for Human Immune Virus (HIV) and with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) often face rejection from their family, friends, and various communities in which they work and interact. In addition, they face, at times, a lack of healthcare–especially toward the end of lives. Because of prejudice and social stigmas, human beings with HIV/AIDS may feel unclean and unloved.
In his ministry, Jesus healed many people, and when He healed them, he often physically touched them—this, at a time when illness was associated with divine punishment and persons who were sick were considered “unclean.” By touching those who were ill—those who were unclean--Jesus made Himself unclean, something that was unthinkable for any teacher of the law or holy man to do.
As a denomination we Methodists affirm in our Discipline that “All individuals living with HIV and AIDS should be treated with dignity and respect… [and] we affirm the responsibility of the Church and everyone to minister to and with these individuals and their families…” This is a very difficult thing to do but it is something that God requires of us.
At a time in which our denomination runs the risk of tearing itself apart as we debate same-gender marriage, exclusion of individuals from church membership, and the ordination of gay persons, we must not forget to do the very things that we as a Church are called by our God to do. It is all too easy for us to fall into our separate political camps and point theological fingers at one another while we accomplish nothing. We must not focus so much on the law that we become blind to the real mission of the church.
In modeling our life after Jesus the Christ, we are called to reach out to all those who are in pain and to embrace them with warmth and open arms. We are to love those whom the world calls “unclean” and live in solidarity with them.
For many families whose loved ones are living or have lived with HIV/AIDS, there are too few times set aside for them to pray with or pray for their loved ones. It is my hope that next year, more of our churches will participate with the 85 other countries and 3,000 communities in the AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service. Through our participation, not only do we model the life that our Savior modeled for us, but we also provide people within our community the opportunity to pray for God’s healing presence and strength.
Thank you for walking this journey of discipleship with me…and for caring for the unloved and the “unclean.”
*Brian Gilbert is Associate Pastor of Madison Street United Methodist Church.
Cliff/Shirley Ingram Scholarships Awarded to Seven Students
The Cliff and Shirley Ingram Scholarships were awarded on May 21, 2006, to seven students from Jackson County, Tennessee. Those scholarships are awarded through the First United Methodist Church in Gainesboro each spring through the generosity of Rev. Cliff Ingram and his wife, Shirley. The awards are given annually to students pursuing higher education, based on financial need and academic achievement. Rev. Ingram served the Gainesboro church for seven years before his retirement in 1991.
Pictured are five of this year’s recipients (L-R, front row): Lacy Ragland, Andrea McMillan, Rachel Neer, Jacob Stafford, and Jason Lynn. Also pictured (back row) is Patrick Heinrich, the church’s lay leader. Not pictured are scholarship recipients Madyson Burgess and Anna Glover.
Ten persons honored with membership in the Order of Saint Andrew
A special interest restricted endowment fund, known as the Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Endowment Fund, was established by the Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation to honor ministers and laity of the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church who have served faithfully and blessed the lives of individuals in the churches they have served. The income from The Fund provides scholarships for individuals pursuing pastoral ministry and enrolled in a seminary.
Andrew was known as “the bringer.” All he did was bring his brother, Peter, the little boy with the five loaves and two fishes, and the Greeks to Jesus. He was just an ordinary person, but Jesus saw in him something that others did not see. He never wrote a book, was never elected to office, never became a bishop, or never painted a picture. He just brought people to Jesus.
The Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Fund was established to honor those pastors who were the Andrew for countless souls across the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences. Individuals, churches, Sunday School classes, or organizations wishing to bestow this honor upon a minister or laity must make a contribution of at least one thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars ($1,250) to the fund.
Rev. Lynn Hill, a member of the Nashville Area Foundation Board of Directors, and chairperson of the Vision Committee, announced at the 2006 Annual Conference that ten Tennessee Conference honorees would be added to the Order of Andrew:
Larry Layne, honored by the Cumberland District
Rev. Harriet Bryan, honored by the Erin Dinner Club & church family
Dr. Jim Clardy, honored by friends of the Murfreesboro District
Rev. Joe Shelton, honored by the congregation of Hillcrest UMC
In memory of layperson Frank Burke, honored by the Cumberland District and accepted by Larry Burke
Edd Templeton, honored by the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Area Foundation
Rev. Steven Glen Lee, honored by the congregation of White House UMC
Rev. Max Mayo, honored by the congregation of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church
Rev. Rosemary Brown, honored by the congregation of Monroe Street United Methodist
In memory of Dr. Joseph King Vivion, honored by members of the family
Pennington UMC Raises the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life.
The Pennington Pals from Pennington United Methodist Church won first place for raising the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life at the Summit Medical center in Hermitage. The Relay is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
In 2005 the Pals raised $5,500.00, and in 2006 through various fundraisers plus personal and corporate donations, the amount exceeded $9200.00. In each of the two years the Pals have raised the most money. The gifts, Pennington Pals chairperson Nancy Sawyer points out, will help prevent cancer and save lives while making a difference in the lives of millions affected by Cancer. She went on to explain that cancer occurrence and death rates for most cancers are on the decline, and nearly 10 million cancer survivors are alive today. Two survivors from Pennington UMC, Margaret Birdsong and Mary Frances Allen, both among the elders of the church, went to the Survivor Dinner and walked the first lap of the Relay for Life.
Team members besides Nancy Sawyer are Ann Ladd, Kristin Weathers, Beverly Birdsong, Richard and Cherry Jones, Raymond and Marilyn Landry, Nelson Primm, Susan Fox, Wanda Shaver, Vicki Summers, Florence Neal, and Suzanne Allen. The group worked hard individually collecting money, and Suzanne Allen came in a close 2nd for raising the most by herself. Pennington UMC is also proud that member Mark Ladd won 2nd runner-up in the Womanless beauty pageant.
The Pennington Pals were assisted by the Pennington UMC youth who helped out the cause by washing cars on a Saturday morning and numerous people who baked items to sell. Wanda Shaver cooked lunch to help raise money and Doc Wagner baked his famous sweet rolls to sell.
As is true of most successful fund drives, persons labored on the edges to make certain everything went correctly. Jerry Box, Richard Jones, Josh Moore, and Nelson Primm, for instance, raised the Pennington Pals tent in heat that exceeded 90 degrees, and numerous other Pennington people walked portions of the 12 hours of the Relay for Life so the team could rest a bit.
Rev. Ed McClellan is pastor of the Pennington UMC congregation.
Potato Drop at the 2006 Tennessee Annual Conference
by Tom Henry*
Over 15,000 pounds of the 45,000 pound load of North Carolina sweet potatoes went into the trunks, back seats, and truck beds of delegates on Monday, as they were bagged by the Cooperative Ministries Committee and Annual Conference delegates. Another 12,000 - 15,000 pounds were to be distributed by Feed America First here in Middle Tennessee to around 20 different ministries, mainly in the more rural counties. About 5,000 pounds were taken by Feed America First to Florence, Alabama for distribution to 20 ministries in the North Alabama area. Another 8000-10,000 pounds were carried to Selmer, Tennessee, for distribution to 50 different ministries from West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. The 45,000 pounds roughly translates into 4500 families having a meal.
The small hunger relief agencies who receive potatoes recognize the need in their own communities and serve children's homes, halfway houses, shelters for the homeless and the abused, and church pantries. They represent a myriad of denominations, but 90%+ are glorifying God in their service.
*Tom Henry, Franklin, Tennessee, is Director of Feed America First
Tennessee Conference VIM Team Returns from Cuba
by Daliene Burke
The VIM mission trip to Cuba, May 6-19th was led by Rev. Larry Burke.
The team was made up of Larry and Daliene Burke and Don and Janet Rappuhn, Sparta First UMC; Jerry Sampley, Monterey UMC; Howie and Kay Brainard, Hendersonville First; Jim Heep and Bonnie Kays, Franklin First; Paul Honeycutt, Manchester; Ric Morris, Trinity in Murfreesboro and Jonna Davenport from Nashville. The trip was very productive and greatly blessed.
It was the 42nd VIM team that worked at the Methodist Camp Canaan. Working along with their Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ the jobs varied from painting, carpentry, masonry and electrical work.
They worshipped at 5 different churches during their stay. Rev. Burke was privileged to preach at 4 of the churches with an interpreter. Paul Honeycutt went all the way to Cuba to preach his first sermon. He feels the call to ministry and is planning to enter Divinity School. What an experience that was for him. All worship services were Very Spirit filled.
The older members pray that when things change in Cuba and they have material possessions and freedom, they will not loose their zeal for Christ.
Youth have a very big part in their services and show their love of Christ and the Church. The team thanks all who supported them in taking this VIM trip.
1. Challenge to the Churches of the Tennessee Conference: Do We REALLY Care for the Children of Kamina? An editorial by Harriet Bryan and Jay Voorhees.
2 The J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Awards go to layperson JERRY NAIL and clergy Rev. Dr. LeNoir Culbertson.
3. A Rich Blessing in the Midst of Chaos--original of the touching story told by Jason Brock at the 2006 session of Annual Conference: A pregnant woman, Hurricane Rita bearing down on the community, medical service becomes unavailable, the endless trip into Texas to find safety and medical help for delivery. Read the story of Brandi Russell as we prepare to give generously as an Annual Conference through the Bishop's Appeal to support rebuilding churches and congregations along the Gulf Coast.
4. Madison Street United Methodist Church, Clarksville District, Hosts First International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in State of Tennessee.
5. Cliff/Shirley Ingram Scholarships Awarded to Seven Students.
6. Ten persons are honored with membership in the Order of Saint Andrew.
7. Pennington United Methodist Church Raises the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life. Learn about the Pennington Pals.
8. 45,000 pounds of sweet potatoes are sorted and bagged at the 2006 Session of Annual Conference--this roughly translates into 4500 needy families having a meal.
9. Tennessee Conference VIM Team Return from mission trip to Cuba.
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Challenge to the Churches of the Tennessee Conference: Do we REALLY Care for the Children of Kamina?
by Harriet Bryan and Jay Voorhees*
This past April, we (like most pastors in the conference) received a special mailing informing us of a wonderful opportunity for our congregations. We were preparing for Annual Conference, and Bishop Wills shared that the offering this year would be used to provide further help for the children of Kamina, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For many years the people of the Tennessee Annual Conference have supported children ministries in the North Katanga District of the United Methodist Church. Our giving has helped United Methodists in the DRC to share a cup of cool water in Jesus' name by housing the many children in that country who have been orphaned by the war and by feeding the hungry on a weekly basis. In addition, we have built both a school and an orphanage.
As a result, when we saw the goal of $100,000, we believed it could and would be met. After all, there are around 600 churches in our Annual Conference, and it would only require each church to raise around $160 per congregation to reach that goal. As pastors, we saw this as a great way to connect our congregations with the broader work of mission by our church throughout the world, so we took this opportunity to encourage a special time of giving, focusing on leading our children to help children in another part of the world. The Antioch congregation (a church of around 290 members) decided to set a goal of $1,000 for this offering, and offered a challenge to other churches in the Annual Conference to do likewise. The Erin congregation (a church of around 160 members) took that challenge, and the people of both congregations worked during the month of May to meet their goals. Both, in fact, exceeded their goals.
So, there was excitement when the time of the offering came. We looked forward to hearing that our Annual Conference had also exceeded our goal. Yet, as of last count, the conference had only raised $52,000 to help our friends in the Congo.
We again want to offer our challenge to our colleagues and friends in the Tennessee Annual Conference. Thanks to our past generosity, the orphanage at Kamina will house 160 children. However, since they can only afford to provide meals for 54 children, the remaining beds remain unoccupied in a country where nearly one out of five children is an orphan.
We know that multiple requests for giving come our way on a regular basis and that many of us often feel that we cannot respond to every need. And yet, we also know that God has blessed us with this partnership and this chance to make a difference in the lives of others in an area where problems often seem overwhelming. We have been given the opportunity to relieve the suffering of others in tangible ways through our gifts, and we have great faith that the people of the Tennessee Annual Conference will respond too by bearing the burdens of our friends in Africa (Galatians 6:2). If you want to share God's love somewhere your gifts are guaranteed to be multiplied, you may send donations to: Tennessee Annual Conference, Tennessee Conference Administrative Services, 304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Suite #4, Nashville, TN 37211-4167. Mark your checks: “Care for the Children of Kamina.”
*Harriet Bryan is the pastor of the Erin United Methodist Church in the Clarksville District. Jay Voorhees is the pastor of the Antioch United Methodist Church in the Nashville District.
Jerry Nail and LeNoir Culbertson Presented J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award
The J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award was established by the action of the 2001 Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference to recognize persons whose lives and ministries are focused on ministries of love and justice. This award remembers the call of Christ to feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and to bring about God’s kingdom here on earth. The Award is given annually by the Committee on Church and Society of the Tennessee Annual Conference, in memory of Rev. J. Richard (Dick) Allison, who lived out a life focused on sharing Christ’s love through service to others. Allison was a pastor in the Tennessee Annual Conference, a missionary, and a social activist, who ministered in churches, in social agencies, and in prisons as he carried out his mission to the world. The two 2006 winners of the J. Richard Allison Social Holiness Award are layperson Jerry Nail, and clergywoman Dr. LeNoir H. Culbertson.
Jerry Nail
The Reverend Thomas Gildemeister, Nail’s pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin says of him: “In so many ways, Jerry reflects the work and spirit of Rev. Allison. He is self-giving, living as if his time, talent, and money belong to God and must be shared with God’s most vulnerable children. As he understands and embodies God’s call to mercy and charity, he remarkably understands and embodies God’s call to justice as well. And he recognizes that justice begins with friendship, the core of which is the sharing of one’s story and listening to the story of the “other.” He is a prophet within our congregation and the Tennessee Conference, directly challenging we who claim to follow Christ at Christ UMC and many other local churches to step out of our comfortable, tidy suburban lives and into those places where need is great and the presence of Christ is conspicuous.”
Jerry has been actively involved in prison ministry at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee, since June of 2002. Jerry started the Disciple Bible Study Program in unit six on a weekly basis. In total he has initiated eight Disciple Bible Study groups at Riverbend, six of which are completed, and two that are still currently active.
During the Christmas season, Jerry helps gather and distribute gift packages for the inmates housed at Riverbend. Jerry works with volunteers to find housing, employment, and transportation for former inmates. Chaplin Jerry Welborn, Senior Chaplain at Riverbend, notes that Jerry Nail “mentored these former inmates by visiting them relentlessly while they were in prison and continues to do so after their release. Still further, Jerry Nail has a visitation ministry with many inmates classified as Maximum Security. These inmates remain locked in their cells twenty-three hours a day.”
Jerry’s hundreds of hours of volunteer service have earned him the title of Volunteer Chaplain and he was honored with the Most Outstanding Volunteer award at Riverbend for 2004-2005. In addition Jerry is an active participant in Room in the Inn where he picks up guests on the mean streets of Nashville, warmly and non-judgmentally greeting them as they board the bus to Christ UMC.
Rev. Dr. LeNoir H. Culbertson
When Culbertson was originally recommended for this award she was the pastor of Epworth UMC in the Columbia District. Since then she was appointed Senior Pastor at Madison Street UMC in the Clarksville District.
Loyd Mabry who had been LeNoir Culbertson’s District Superintendent was one of the many persons recommending LeNoir for the Allison Social Holiness Award: “In addition to her pastoral skills which are numerous, Lenoir articulates a believable and challenging approach to put one’s faith into action. Here focus is more than spiritual development. It includes ministry with others, for others, and on behalf of others.
Examples of her focus in love and justice ministries begin with her support and involvement in Epworth’s Room in the Inn ministry. She not only advocates support; she is personally involved in the ministry to the homeless as well.
LeNoir is a strong supporter of Miriam’s Promise. She has encouraged members of her congregation to be foster parents for newborns as well as designating fifth Sunday offerings to go to Miriam’s Promise. She has served admirably on the Bishop’s Committee to combat the lottery as well as investing great time and energy into a comprehension education program in her church on the negative influence of the lottery. Teen pregnancy is a concern that LeNoir has lifted before the Epworth congregation. Included in this concern is helping the congregation minister to those who find themselves pregnant.
Jean Pride and Lenoir have worked together to educate Epworth on the issues of justice regarding prison ministries. She has a heart and compassion for persons who struggle with life situations whether it is racial diversity, mental capabilities, lifestyle choices, etc. LeNoir is seeking to help Epworth embrace opportunities for ministry and support.
I see LeNoir as an advocate for direct involvement in ministry. She is willing to practice what she preaches. She leads the charge, ministers to those involved while ministering to and challenging those who have yet to embrace these ministries for themselves. LeNoir lives out her faith in a contagious way. She encourages and brings out the best in others. For her it is not ministry to others; it is ministry with others and on behalf of others. In the midst of her involvement in social holiness, she consciously connects people with the God who comforts, supports, loves, and completes them. She has a holistic approach that does not separate social holiness for spiritual growth and development.”
Church leader Aline Wesley: “When our Tennessee Conference in 1995, under Bishop Carder, began talking about ministry to the “Poor and Marginalized” and put together a Bible study, Back to the Bible, God’s Call to Partnership with the Poor, for churches to use, our church was one of the first to get the materials for the study. LeNoir introduced and taught it to members of our congregation.”
“LeNoir was on the Board of Miriam’s Promise for several years where she had ample opportunities to be an advocate for social justice. Certainly as a Board member she was instrumental in always looking for ways to provide assistance for all. As a result of her seeing the need for foster families, a couple in our church became foster parents for newborns. As a church we began giving Fifth Sunday School Offerings to Miriam’s Promise, and the women of the church have hosted a baby shower for Miriam’s Promise each February to provide layettes and other need items.
“Together with Jean Pride, a dedicated lay member, LeNoir led us to be involved with the Women’s Prison Ministries. Our women along with other churches began having birthday parties for the inmates. We provide ditty bags at Christmas which Jean and LeNoir were permitted to deliver. LeNoir took every opportunity to visit inmates.
“LeNoir has, with our lay leadership, led us as we continue to send between 35 and 40 members of Epworth UMC to Mountain T.O.P. each year. The Mountain T.O.P. ministry sends youth and adults to rural and mountainous areas of Tennessee to repair, build, and provide physical assistance to families and individuals who are not able to afford or to perform the work themselves. At LeNoir’s suggestion we have involved other smaller churches that would not have sufficient leadership to go to Mountain T.O.P. on their own. We now have a Southeastern Williamson County group of youth that are able to participate in this ministry.
A Rich Blessing in the Midst of Chaos
Jason Brock, Director of Love and Justice Ministries for the Tennessee Annual Conference, was sent by UMCOR to the devastated Gulf Coast not long after hurricanes Katrina and Rita had hit the area. One Sunday he went to worship at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana—the first time that congregation had been able to worship in its sanctuary since the storms. He shared his feelings about the worship service at Annual Conference 2006 as he spoke on behalf of the Bishop’s Appeal. Not only was the congregation coming together to worship, but there was an infant baptism, and the congregation would be asked to take the vows that each congregation must make during an infant baptism—vows that promise to help nurture and guide the child from the moment of baptism onward. These vows connect us, as well as the larger body of Christ, in the responsibility to reach out to this family, and hundreds of thousands of others along the Gulf Coast.
Jason later received a note from the mother of the child—telling the rather miraculous story of a birth in the midst of the chaos caused by Hurricane Rita. As we prepare as a conference to support United Methodist Annual Conferences and local churches along the Gulf Coast--both through the Bishop’s Appeal and by continuing to send work teams for years to come--we share parts of the story of Brandi, John, and infant son Ryerson with you. Brandi who had worked as a Program Director for a health care management agency, aiding in the care of the elderly and those with developmental disabilities, is now the Lake Charles Recovery Station Director.
The Brandi, John and Ryerson Russell Story
Brandi Russell was pregnant and a hurricane was moving toward her community, but she and her husband John weren’t particularly worried. They lived in Southwest Louisiana and though the weather reports were ominous the area had faced imminent threats before—and had not been hit by a major storm in nearly 40 years. John was a police officer with the Lake Charles, Louisiana, police department.
Her obstetrician had given her a check up on Monday, September 19, 2005, and arrangements were made to come back to his office on Thursday to get things in order so that labor could be induced on Friday, September 23, 200. Brandi was suffering from gestational diabetes and felt huge and miserable.
On Wednesday she stayed home from work and watched the Weather Channel all day. Her viewing was interrupted only by countless phone calls from family and friends asking what she and John were going to do if the storm continued toward southwest Louisiana. “I called my husband 10 times that day and every time I called John assured me the storm was going to swerve and hit the Houston area.” A quick call to the doctor’s office reassured her further—the doctor WOULD be there on Thursday. She went to bed that night praying that everything would be fine.
On Thursday morning her husband woke her at 6:38 a.m. and said, “Honey, the storm isn’t turning as fast as I said it would.” Her husband’s Sergeant had made him leave the shift to take care of her. “John told me that I needed to start packing and went to secure the house. I stood there in my bedroom wondering what to take. I had never had a baby. What do I pack?
Brandi packed, got important paperwork together, and at 8:30 a.m. the couple headed to the doctors office but no one was there so they pulled up to a nearby hospital so they could find out what to do. Brandi was stunned by the answer. “Get your paperwork from the hospital where you plan to deliver and get out of town.” The hospital was incredibly busy. Brandi asked where they should go and the nurses responded, “Wait until the baby is coming and go to an emergency room and you need to have towels and water with you while you travel in case you go into labor.” They further cautioned: “Make sure you stop and walk at least every two hours to prevent blood clots while traveling.”
“John and I went to the hospital where we planned to have our son. It was booming even more then the other hospital. I got my paperwork and started to fear what was going to happen. We went home to finish taking care of our house; made a few more phone calls, packed our SUV with the car seat, diapers, the baby stuff we thought we needed, four days worth of clothes, important paper work and our cats and dogs. We headed to Sulphur to meet our friend Geraldine to follow her to her in-law’s home in Marshall, Texas, normally a four hour drive.”
Ten hours later the packed SUV made it to Marshall, passing countless cars stranded because they had run out of gas. The gauge on the Russell vehicle was hovering on empty when they were finally able to get gas. “My friend Geraldine kept asking if I needed to go to the bathroom, but I thought if we stopped we wouldn’t be able to break back into the flow of traffic, so I just kept waiting. Geraldine later confessed she needed to go to the bathroom very badly but wouldn’t way anything because if a pregnant lady could hold it for seven hours she certainly could too.”
Hurricane Rita hit the Sabine Pass, which is the Louisiana/Texas border, on September 24, 2006. The Russells lost the satellite at the home they were staying at so they had little idea of what was going on—only that they had called doctors in the Marshall area and none would see Brandi.
John kept in contact with the Lake Charles Police Department. No officer has ever been allowed to leave town during a disaster – and he was feeling pulled. On Sunday, September 25, 2005 John felt it was essential that he return to Lake Charles. Brandi’s best friend, Staci who lives in Alexandra, Louisiana, was able to get in contact with her doctor and he agreed to see Brandi if she could get to Alexandria. Staci and her husband drove to Marshall to pick her up even though they had problems of their own—a house with no power.
Brandi continued, “On Monday, September 26, 2005 I finally got to see a doctor. He agreed to induce my labor, but he could not do it for another week because the hospital was full of evacuees. As long as my baby was willing to hold on, he would be born in one week. John called when he could to tell me what was going on in Lake Charles and that he was cleared to be at the birth of our son. That was the longest week of my life. I have never experienced the unknown like I experienced at that time. I was so grateful to my friend Staci, her husband and their family. They took such good care of me but somehow I still felt alone and lost. My only comfort was my faith.
“I had very little if any contact with my friends and family but God is so good. As I waited for October 3rd Staci and I went to Wal-Mart in Pineville so I could get some baby things that I didn’t pack. Lo and behold I ran into Michelle Gaharen. She was the Children’s Director at First Methodist Church in Lake Charles before moving to Pineville First Methodist. I was so glad to see another friend and a church family member. To my surprise, she was housing a family from my church and she knew of another church family staying in the area! She assured me she would get the word to them.
“By Friday I felt I could take no more. I was overwhelmed like I have never known. Again, God being who He is, brought me hope. On a trip to the Alexandria Mall I was finally able to get cell phone service just long enough to check my messages. I had about ten messages, all from friends and family calling to check on me and to see if the baby had been born. The most moving message was from my pastor. I just stood there at the with tears running down my face. He, his family and some of the church family who stayed behind thought enough to call and check on me and to let me know if John needed anything that he just needed to go by the church. I felt so loved.”
Though Brandi Russell felt that October 3rd would never come it finally did. She arrived at the hospital by 5:00 a.m. and the nursing staff took her information and started her on an IV. John made it to the hospital from Lake Charles by 7:30 a.m. and somehow Brandi’s dad was able to find out about the delivery and showed up to lend support. Rev. Ralph Ford from Pineville First United Methodist stopped by to see her and pray with her. “He will never know how much I appreciated that,” Brandi says.
At about 11:30 a.m. Brandi was informed that the baby would be there soon. Nurses came into the room and asked her to push. The doctor came back and things got really chaotic. The nurse kept asking her to turn on her side. . John was asking questions and friend Staci was by their side. Staci noticed the nurse closely checking the machine monitoring the baby, and shared with John that something wasn’t right. Dr. Leblanc said the baby’s heart beat was dropping fast and they needed to deliver him; there was no time to wait.
Brandi was rushed to the operating room, and Dr. Leblanc let her know that John couldn’t be with her. She lay on the operating table, scared and alone. A caring anesthesiologist held her hand and the staff let Staci into the room. At that point John couldn’t handle the situation but within seconds, the most wonderful little boy was born. He was perfect but the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck--the cause of all the problems.
John noticed the doctor, by this time covered with blood, walk out of the operating room with his head down. John, expecting the worst, had never been so scared, but when the doctor came to him he was told everything was fine.
“Later, John and I were left to bond with our baby,” Brandi said. “John was able to stay the night with us before having to get back to Lake Charles. I knew John wanted to be with me and our son, but I also understood his work ethic and his commitment to fellow officers. He also had to get our house back in some kind of order. We were lucky, a tree did fall on our house, but it didn’t do much damage. But he still had to clean out the refrigerator and freezers and unboard the house.
“When John got back to Lake Charles all officers had to work 12 hour shifts, seven days a week. The area still had no electricity, few people had generators, and gas was in short supply. After his shifts John would go to our house to do what he could. While cleaning out our deep freezer he said his heart broke for me because he had to trash all the meals I had prepared while pregnant so we would have dinners after the baby was born.
“While I was in the hospital I was so happy and yet so sad. Tuesday night the nurse brought me my baby and she asked if I was okay. I was crying but I kept telling her how happy I was. I got a double dose of the baby blues. I had no idea where I was going when I left the hospital with my baby. I knew Staci would welcome us in her home, but I just wanted to go to my home to be with my husband so we could enjoy our new baby together.
“Wednesday morning John called to tell me we had power at our house and I should be able to come home. Thursday my dad showed up to take us home. Before we left Alexandria, we had to make sure I had plenty of medication and baby supplies because we were not sure if we could get them in Lake Charles.
“Leaving Alexandria was kind of scary because I didn’t know what to expect. As we headed south I began to see Rita’s wrath. And it only got worse as I got closer to home. I could not comprehend how steel poles could be snapped in half like toothpicks. Why was one house completely destroyed but the one right next door just fine? It was weeks after the storm, but it looked like Rita had just hit.
“When we arrived in Lake Charles, I saw a tree on my house and most of the windows were still boarded up, but I was home. I still couldn’t get in touch with most of my family and friends and John still had to work but I didn’t care, my house was okay and I had a wonderful baby.
Tennessee Conference United Methodists, please remember this area, please consider coming to the Lake Charles Area to volunteer your time and efforts, we need you desperately.
Madison Street United Methodist Church Hosts First International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service in State of Tennessee.
By Brian Gilbert*
On May 21st, Clarksville’s Madison Street United Methodist Church hosted the first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service to be held in the state of Tennessee. Having said that, the question comes: “So what?” The answer to that question can be found in the model that our Lord Jesus Christ provided.
Persons diagnosed as positive for Human Immune Virus (HIV) and with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) often face rejection from their family, friends, and various communities in which they work and interact. In addition, they face, at times, a lack of healthcare–especially toward the end of lives. Because of prejudice and social stigmas, human beings with HIV/AIDS may feel unclean and unloved.
In his ministry, Jesus healed many people, and when He healed them, he often physically touched them—this, at a time when illness was associated with divine punishment and persons who were sick were considered “unclean.” By touching those who were ill—those who were unclean--Jesus made Himself unclean, something that was unthinkable for any teacher of the law or holy man to do.
As a denomination we Methodists affirm in our Discipline that “All individuals living with HIV and AIDS should be treated with dignity and respect… [and] we affirm the responsibility of the Church and everyone to minister to and with these individuals and their families…” This is a very difficult thing to do but it is something that God requires of us.
At a time in which our denomination runs the risk of tearing itself apart as we debate same-gender marriage, exclusion of individuals from church membership, and the ordination of gay persons, we must not forget to do the very things that we as a Church are called by our God to do. It is all too easy for us to fall into our separate political camps and point theological fingers at one another while we accomplish nothing. We must not focus so much on the law that we become blind to the real mission of the church.
In modeling our life after Jesus the Christ, we are called to reach out to all those who are in pain and to embrace them with warmth and open arms. We are to love those whom the world calls “unclean” and live in solidarity with them.
For many families whose loved ones are living or have lived with HIV/AIDS, there are too few times set aside for them to pray with or pray for their loved ones. It is my hope that next year, more of our churches will participate with the 85 other countries and 3,000 communities in the AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service. Through our participation, not only do we model the life that our Savior modeled for us, but we also provide people within our community the opportunity to pray for God’s healing presence and strength.
Thank you for walking this journey of discipleship with me…and for caring for the unloved and the “unclean.”
*Brian Gilbert is Associate Pastor of Madison Street United Methodist Church.
Cliff/Shirley Ingram Scholarships Awarded to Seven Students
The Cliff and Shirley Ingram Scholarships were awarded on May 21, 2006, to seven students from Jackson County, Tennessee. Those scholarships are awarded through the First United Methodist Church in Gainesboro each spring through the generosity of Rev. Cliff Ingram and his wife, Shirley. The awards are given annually to students pursuing higher education, based on financial need and academic achievement. Rev. Ingram served the Gainesboro church for seven years before his retirement in 1991.
Pictured are five of this year’s recipients (L-R, front row): Lacy Ragland, Andrea McMillan, Rachel Neer, Jacob Stafford, and Jason Lynn. Also pictured (back row) is Patrick Heinrich, the church’s lay leader. Not pictured are scholarship recipients Madyson Burgess and Anna Glover.
Ten persons honored with membership in the Order of Saint Andrew
A special interest restricted endowment fund, known as the Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Endowment Fund, was established by the Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation to honor ministers and laity of the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church who have served faithfully and blessed the lives of individuals in the churches they have served. The income from The Fund provides scholarships for individuals pursuing pastoral ministry and enrolled in a seminary.
Andrew was known as “the bringer.” All he did was bring his brother, Peter, the little boy with the five loaves and two fishes, and the Greeks to Jesus. He was just an ordinary person, but Jesus saw in him something that others did not see. He never wrote a book, was never elected to office, never became a bishop, or never painted a picture. He just brought people to Jesus.
The Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Fund was established to honor those pastors who were the Andrew for countless souls across the Memphis and Tennessee Annual Conferences. Individuals, churches, Sunday School classes, or organizations wishing to bestow this honor upon a minister or laity must make a contribution of at least one thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars ($1,250) to the fund.
Rev. Lynn Hill, a member of the Nashville Area Foundation Board of Directors, and chairperson of the Vision Committee, announced at the 2006 Annual Conference that ten Tennessee Conference honorees would be added to the Order of Andrew:
Larry Layne, honored by the Cumberland District
Rev. Harriet Bryan, honored by the Erin Dinner Club & church family
Dr. Jim Clardy, honored by friends of the Murfreesboro District
Rev. Joe Shelton, honored by the congregation of Hillcrest UMC
In memory of layperson Frank Burke, honored by the Cumberland District and accepted by Larry Burke
Edd Templeton, honored by the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Area Foundation
Rev. Steven Glen Lee, honored by the congregation of White House UMC
Rev. Max Mayo, honored by the congregation of Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church
Rev. Rosemary Brown, honored by the congregation of Monroe Street United Methodist
In memory of Dr. Joseph King Vivion, honored by members of the family
Pennington UMC Raises the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life.
The Pennington Pals from Pennington United Methodist Church won first place for raising the most money for the 2006 Relay for Life at the Summit Medical center in Hermitage. The Relay is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
In 2005 the Pals raised $5,500.00, and in 2006 through various fundraisers plus personal and corporate donations, the amount exceeded $9200.00. In each of the two years the Pals have raised the most money. The gifts, Pennington Pals chairperson Nancy Sawyer points out, will help prevent cancer and save lives while making a difference in the lives of millions affected by Cancer. She went on to explain that cancer occurrence and death rates for most cancers are on the decline, and nearly 10 million cancer survivors are alive today. Two survivors from Pennington UMC, Margaret Birdsong and Mary Frances Allen, both among the elders of the church, went to the Survivor Dinner and walked the first lap of the Relay for Life.
Team members besides Nancy Sawyer are Ann Ladd, Kristin Weathers, Beverly Birdsong, Richard and Cherry Jones, Raymond and Marilyn Landry, Nelson Primm, Susan Fox, Wanda Shaver, Vicki Summers, Florence Neal, and Suzanne Allen. The group worked hard individually collecting money, and Suzanne Allen came in a close 2nd for raising the most by herself. Pennington UMC is also proud that member Mark Ladd won 2nd runner-up in the Womanless beauty pageant.
The Pennington Pals were assisted by the Pennington UMC youth who helped out the cause by washing cars on a Saturday morning and numerous people who baked items to sell. Wanda Shaver cooked lunch to help raise money and Doc Wagner baked his famous sweet rolls to sell.
As is true of most successful fund drives, persons labored on the edges to make certain everything went correctly. Jerry Box, Richard Jones, Josh Moore, and Nelson Primm, for instance, raised the Pennington Pals tent in heat that exceeded 90 degrees, and numerous other Pennington people walked portions of the 12 hours of the Relay for Life so the team could rest a bit.
Rev. Ed McClellan is pastor of the Pennington UMC congregation.
Potato Drop at the 2006 Tennessee Annual Conference
by Tom Henry*
Over 15,000 pounds of the 45,000 pound load of North Carolina sweet potatoes went into the trunks, back seats, and truck beds of delegates on Monday, as they were bagged by the Cooperative Ministries Committee and Annual Conference delegates. Another 12,000 - 15,000 pounds were to be distributed by Feed America First here in Middle Tennessee to around 20 different ministries, mainly in the more rural counties. About 5,000 pounds were taken by Feed America First to Florence, Alabama for distribution to 20 ministries in the North Alabama area. Another 8000-10,000 pounds were carried to Selmer, Tennessee, for distribution to 50 different ministries from West Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. The 45,000 pounds roughly translates into 4500 families having a meal.
The small hunger relief agencies who receive potatoes recognize the need in their own communities and serve children's homes, halfway houses, shelters for the homeless and the abused, and church pantries. They represent a myriad of denominations, but 90%+ are glorifying God in their service.
*Tom Henry, Franklin, Tennessee, is Director of Feed America First
Tennessee Conference VIM Team Returns from Cuba
by Daliene Burke
The VIM mission trip to Cuba, May 6-19th was led by Rev. Larry Burke.
The team was made up of Larry and Daliene Burke and Don and Janet Rappuhn, Sparta First UMC; Jerry Sampley, Monterey UMC; Howie and Kay Brainard, Hendersonville First; Jim Heep and Bonnie Kays, Franklin First; Paul Honeycutt, Manchester; Ric Morris, Trinity in Murfreesboro and Jonna Davenport from Nashville. The trip was very productive and greatly blessed.
It was the 42nd VIM team that worked at the Methodist Camp Canaan. Working along with their Cuban brothers and sisters in Christ the jobs varied from painting, carpentry, masonry and electrical work.
They worshipped at 5 different churches during their stay. Rev. Burke was privileged to preach at 4 of the churches with an interpreter. Paul Honeycutt went all the way to Cuba to preach his first sermon. He feels the call to ministry and is planning to enter Divinity School. What an experience that was for him. All worship services were Very Spirit filled.
The older members pray that when things change in Cuba and they have material possessions and freedom, they will not loose their zeal for Christ.
Youth have a very big part in their services and show their love of Christ and the Church. The team thanks all who supported them in taking this VIM trip.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 7:33 AM
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