Tennessee Conference Review

Electronic Version of The Tennessee Conference Review a publication of The Tennessee Conference - United Methodist Church

Thomas Nankervis, Editor

Monday, February 26, 2007

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW FEBRUARY 23, 2007

Stories in this issue of THE REVIEW:

1. Sharletta M. Green named new director of the Tennessee State University Wesley Foundation
2. Life Journaling Makes a difference at Pleasant View United Methodist Church, article by the Rev. Ryan Bennett.
3. YouthWorker Movement: Weaving a fabric of relationship between youthworkers across the U.S. New movement ties together ALL workers with youth from meal planners to experienced directors of youth ministry.
4. You can go home again, article about former Pro-Bowl football, Robert James, Assistant Principal at Riverdale High School and a part-time lay pastor in the United Methodist Church, reprinted article from the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
5. Founder shares story of Room In the Inn with Glendale UMC volunteers and Green Hills YMCA Young Leaders Group. Father Charles Strobel tells about the founding of Room at the Inn.
6. Zion Still Sings songbook soon to be released. The United Methodist Publishing House and the Nashville community celebrate the upcoming release of an important new songbook.
7. A reply to the Open Letter to the Annual Conference Connectional Table. In the spirit of Christian Conferencing the Rev. Dennis Meaker (West Nashville United Methodist Church) responds to a letter by Rev. Howard Olds.
8 . Learn About Journaling: Self Feeding for Spiritual Growth. Bishop Dick Wills explains the rich potential in Christian Journaling.


Sharletta M. Green named new director of the Tennessee State University Wesley Foundation

The Board of Directors of the Tennessee State Wesley Foundation and Bishop Richard Wills have announced the appointment of Sharletta M. Green to become Director of the Wesley Foundation at TSU. She comes to the position with excellent interpersonal skills with training in education and curriculum development. Her background includes teaching, youth ministry, preaching, worship leadership, choir directing, writing liturgy for worship, writing and facilitating workshops on classroom diversity, and aiding churches in crisis. She is certified in West Virginia to teach General Science, Biology, Chemistry and English.

Ms. Green, who began her duties at Tennessee State University on February 1, 2007, has a Master of Divinity Degree from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia State College, and a Master of Arts degree from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

While at Candler she received the Honors Fellowship Seminarian Award for outstanding leadership in the worship arts. She also received a diversity scholarship for ministerial promise.

She has a large amount of work experience in areas as diverse as Human Resource Technician for the City of Atlanta Fire Department and Worship Coordinator for the Office of Worship of the Candler School of Theology. Educationally, she has many academic achievements and honors to her credit. As for her new position as Wesley Foundation director Green notes with enthusiasm, that “I have a passion for helping young adults find their voice in the church, making faith practical and using their gifts in the church and in the broader community to make a difference in the world.”

The Rev. Robert H. Lewis, chairperson of the TSU Wesley Foundation Board, says, “The Board and Personnel Committee at the TSU Wesley Foundation were very impressed with her communications skills, her dedication to campus ministry, her ability to relate to the university, and her genuine openness to all people. The Board, Personnel Committee, and Bishop Wills all feel that Sharletta Green is the right person at the right time to be the campus minister at the TSU Wesley Foundation. Through prayer we all feel that God directed her to this exciting position for ministry.


Life Journaling Makes a difference at Pleasant View United Methodist Church
by Ryan Bennett*

Why was Eve not named until after the fall? Why was Abel’s offering acceptable to God while Cain’s was not? Why did God want to kill Moses? How did Jesus look directly at Peter as the cock crowed and Peter had denied him three times? These are a few of the many questions that have been discussed “around the coffee pot” at Pleasant View United Methodist Church this January as the church has undertaken the discipline of Life Journaling as a congregation in 2007. Many text message savvy teenagers may be confused at how SOAPY is being used as short-hand in the bulletin, newsletter, and on the website, but it is having an impact less than a month into it.

Those participating in Life Journaling have realized quickly that reading takes on a totally different feel when the discipline of journaling is added in with it. Church member and first time Life Journaler Barbara Nunnally said of this, “I pay more attention to what it is I am reading when I know I will be choosing a verse. Then the observation requires that I think about what this verse is saying to me. The application and yield parts really grab me because they require an action on my part to be the child of God I should be. Using the SOAPY also requires that I have a prayer at that specific time about the application and yielding. I am learning to really appreciate this discipline.”

This has been a stretch for many, as well, as there is a definite discipline in doing this. “Journaling has not been as easy as the reading, but I am making progress. I feel this has helped me feel closer to God and helped me to be a more disciplined person,” said Janice Chandler, also a church member. As many have said, this is a habit that is desperately needed in all of our lives, to make God our first priority.

And the early indications are that it is going to be an exciting year. As pastor, the one thing I have noticed is that the Word of God has come off of the pages and started smacking those reading in the face, myself included. It is one thing to read the Bible. It is a whole other thing to read it with the expectation of instruction, inspiration, and direction. I have talked with persons who have found encouragement, forgiveness, hope, peace, and a clear sense of calling, all from the first three weeks of reading. As the spiritual leader of the congregation, I cannot wait to see what the remaining forty-nine weeks hold. I firmly believe that if we are faithful with this task, then God will open our hearts, minds, and doors to unbelievable ministry opportunities; things that are transformational – things that will literally change the world we live in. Through my prayers for those on this journey, I get the feeling that God will empower this body of believers to great things in the name of Jesus as the Word becomes flesh for us once again, leaping off the pages and into our hearts, lives, and ministries.

The nuts and bolts of us doing this are really simple. We are taking the basic premise introduced to us by our bishop, Dick Wills, and adapting it for our church. We are putting the daily readings on our website, in our newsletter, and on bookmarks available in the church vestibule. Members have the option of purchasing a journal, notebook, three ring binder, or even utilizing the computer for their journal entries. As pastor I am committed to doing my journaling on the computer and sending it out to the congregation via email and website periodically to provide encouragement and accountability and also to share what God is speaking to me through this journey.

Even Bishop Wills himself, when informed that this congregation was Life Journaling in 2007, sent out a daily journal entry of his as encouragement to us. It was a great thrill to know that they were partnering with our Bishop in seeking God’s Word in their life. “He has not been coming first in my life and that is what I truly desire,” spoke Margie Christoffer. These are the kind of commitments that God honors and uses to build God’s Kingdom.

We have scheduled a Spiritual Formation weekend during the first of March to further our growth and more enable God to be able to form us. Reverend Diane Blum will be our leader and has entitled the time of teaching Words to Build a Life On. This has already proven to be prophetic in the lives of those journaling. I cannot wait to see the end results of the lives that are being built by the Word!

(Read Bishop Dick Wills’ description of the journaling process followed regularly by both himself and the District Superintendents in the article, “Learn About Journaling: Self Feeding for Spiritual Growth.)

*Ryan Bennett is pastor of the Pleasant View United Methodist Church.


YouthWorker Movement: Weaving a fabric of relationship between youthworkers across the U.S.






Pictured in the Youth Worker Movement national office are:Rev. Terry Carty (right), Director of The YouthWorker Movement and a ministerial member of the Tennessee Annual Conference; Jennie Murray, Assistant to the Director.



The YouthWorker Movement is a networking of persons working in United Methodist youth ministry—not only professional Ministers/Directors of Youth Ministry on a local church level, but anyone working with youth: Sunday School teachers, adults responsible for food and refreshments at youth meeting, youth coordinators at a conference or district level, camp counselors, chaperones, after school tutors, coaches for youth sports teams, persons leading special through-the-week studies for youth—any adult working in some way with young people. Almost without thinking, Terry Carty, Director of the YouthWorker Movement, adds “and van drivers, don’t forget van drivers” to the listing of the various ways adults work with youth.

By choice this national organization is headquartered in a local church (Historic McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee) rather than in a denominational center or a conveniently located office building. The reason, explains Carty, is that the YouthWorker Movement wants to continually focus on local church youth ministry and not lose sight of the focus even for a moment. The YouthWorker Movement is committed to being a supporting link tying United Methodist youthworkers in the USA to the substantial resources available from the general agencies of the Church. The Movement serves the connectional system by facilitating good relationships and communication at every level of the Church.

If the focus is on youthworkers, professional and nonprofessional, the operative term in the YouthWorker Movement title is “Movement.” This is a grass-roots movement coming from the local church and providing a way for youthworkers to share ideas across jurisdictional, conference, national, and even sometimes denominational borders. It also provides a way for experienced youthworkers to help the novice (“What! I’ve got to start teaching the youth class on the first Sunday of the month. I don’t know much about youth ministry!”). Carty describes the purpose of the movement succinctly: “It’s to weave a fabric of relationships between youthworkers across the United States.”

The YouthWorker Movement is a national organization that charges no membership fees. The Board of Directors, who are all youthworkers, have studiously avoided trying to stage huge national conferences and elect officers. “We want to stay a movement as long as possible,” admits Carty. That doesn’t mean that the Movement isn’t active on a national level -- they have had dinner and luncheon meetings at all Youth Specialties Conferences and the Perkins School of Youth Ministry in Texas. “We fed over 700 persons in four Youth Specialties meetings and 230 at Perkins. We try to show up anywhere there are a lot of United Methodist youthworkers.”

Carty talks to both youthworkers and connectional ministry leaders about how to stay in touch with youthworkers, and how to network experienced youthworkers with the less experienced for training and fellowship. He is on the road about 30 percent of the time, but there are some months when that raises to 60 percent of the time. He tries to model staying in connection by personal contact.

The strong urge of youthworkers nationwide to share ideas and experiences is manifested most dramatically in the YouthWorker Movement national website, www.youthworkermovement.org. Here is a database where persons can share great stories, present ideas for programs that work well, and even present good advice. On a recent day the “good advice” section of the site offered advice on successful fundraising and budgeting, advice on being part of a staff, and even advice on what it means to have a successful ministry. The visitor to the website can also choose to join The YouthWorker Movement (remember, membership is free). Membership allows complete access to the entire site.

The Movement was launched in April of 2005 by the General Board of Discipleship Young People’s Division with major funding given by an anonymous donor to the Foundation for Evangelism. The website was an additional gift from the Foundation as their Evangelism Network team actually built and tested the site. At the end of 2006, The General Board of Discipleship and the Foundation For Evangelism cooperated to “plant” the YouthWorker Movement as a freestanding entity. The Movement’s board of directors has applied for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status and they will petition for official affiliation status with the General Board of Discipleship.

By the end of 2006 there were 2500 “members” affiliated with the Movement and by early January of 2007 there were already another 35 members committed to tying together all youthworkers from around the country. “We usually grow at the rate of 5 people per day and the increases in membership come mainly through word of mouth,” says Carty. He adds quickly, “Besides getting the persons you would expect to be interested in pulling together youthworkers, we are getting people from smaller churches, Korean, African-American, Hispanic – even some from outside the U.S.”

Another important role of the YouthWorker Movement is bringing together agencies, organizations, and companies that have an interest in youth ministry –from Interlinc (interested in youth and music) to creative partnerships with Pfeiffer University and Southwestern College (both which offer degrees in youth ministry). The coalition of groups coming together around the YouthWorker Movement is already paying dividends. And there are partnership conversations with several schools of theology –Clermont, Duke, Candler, and Perkins. Many of the Movement’s “Partners in Ministry” offer discounts and other benefits to the members.

Presently the Movement is planning a summit for youthworkers from all annual conferences who plan major youth events. It is also exploring ways to provide training in public speaking to meet the demand for persons to speak to youth, fill pulpits and teach about youth ministry.

The value of membership in the YouthWorker Movement is best stated on the website: “As this movement grows, the result will be people networking, sharing ideas, producing energy, yielding valuable content, and the growth of leaders. Members can expect:

+A membership made up of the most experienced and the least experienced United Methodist youthworkers
+A great website that connects people wherever they are
+People gatherings for learning and reunion
+Partnerships with companies that support youth ministry
+Free and reduced-cost resources for ministry
+Local youthworker associations in many areas

For further information:
YouthWorker Movement
PO Box 331927
Nashville, TN 37203
615-263-0530
Tcarty@youthworkermovement.org
Jmurray@youthworkermovement.org


Black History Month


You can go home again
Editor’s Note: We thought the entire Tennessee Conference would like to read the story of Robert D. James that appeared in the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal. James, in addition to being a former NFL Pro-Bowler, and the assistant principal at Riverdale High School is a part-time local pastor in the Tennessee Annual Conference. He has served St. John UMC in the Murfreesboro District since 2002.


Former NFL star James’ heart never left Murfreesboro
by Jared Hastings. Reprinted from the Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro, Thursday, February 8, 2007, p. C-1, Daily News Journal Sports. Used here by permission.

Murfreesboro is a different place in 2007 than it was in 1965. But in the 42 years that have passed since Robert James left Murfreesboro to attend Fisk University in Nashville, one of the few things that has not changed is James himself.

Though he would most likely never own up to it, there are several around who would argue that James is the best athlete to ever come out of Murfreesboro. While the notion that James is the greatest athlete Rutherford County has ever produced is debatable, what is not debatable are the obstacles which the three-time NFL Pro-Bowler had to overcome to reach those heights.

Though integration had slowly started in Murfreesboro, segregation was still prevalent in the town and county. That institution left James to attend Holloway High School, the county’s lone all-black high school at the time.

“We knew that things weren’t equal,” James said of his time growing up in the segregated south. “We knew things weren’t right. It was a black-and-white society with haves and have-nots. We were the have-nots.”

A rangy defensive back, James showed a fire on the field not otherwise seen in the young man with soft hands and speed.

“There was only one thing he did that bothered me,” said Pearlie Martin, who taught James in high school and later taught with him at Riverdale. “He always fought. He was always getting into it. But he told me it was because of his faith. He said ‘When good and evil meet, there’s bound to be a clash.’”

But it could have been an outlet for a young man, intelligent and out to prove that despite the social structure, he could still be a success.

“I think it drove us to work to be better,” said James. “Not just in football, but in the classroom. We wanted to prove that we were every bit as good as the white students.”

And it could have very well been that drive which sent James to Fisk University in Nashville to play football in the fall of 1965, after graduating from Holloway.

“There weren’t black athletes playing major college football in the south back then,” said James. “Some people, like me, were able to move on to black colleges and play. Others just got lost because they weren’t recruited.”

“There were some better athletes on the team at Holloway than I played with in the NFL.”

There were not many athletes better than James, though. After a standout career at Fisk, James signed a free-agent contract with the Bills—a move that would eventually lead to being named to the team’s Silver Anniversary Team in 1984, and an induction into the organization’s Wall of Fame in 1998. James keeps impressive company on the Bills’ Wall of Fame, joining notables such as quarterback Jim Kelly, running back O.J. Simpson, owner Ralph Wilson, and coach Marv Levy.

James was considered one of the best man-to-man cover men in his era, picking off nine passes in his career to go along with six fumble recoveries. He was selected to three-straight Pro Bowls, from 1972 to ’74.

But a knee injury in 1975 would eventually lead to James’ retirement from football. After rehabbing the knee, James tried a brief comeback in 1978, but was unable to return to form.

Though his football career was over, James—as a former Buffalo Bill—could have no doubt found a way to start a second career in New York. He could hardly be held at fault for choosing not to return to a region of the country which had put such social restraints on James as a child. But James made a decision to return to Rutherford County.

“I looked at it like: I have a job in Buffalo, I just work there,” said James. “I had always been used to a rural town, which is what this used to be. But I had always lived in Murfreesboro. This had always been home. It was where I was reared and where I wanted to rear my family.”

In 1979, James was hired as a coach and teacher at Smyrna High School, beginning a career in education which would continue to this day.





Robert James, Assistant principal at Riverdale High School, former NFL Pro Bowler, and a part-time local pastor in the Tennessee Conference.




“The top thing I remember about him was the respect he has for people,” said Smyrna principal and former football coach Robert “Bud” Raikes. “Anytime people see a former pro athlete, their eyes light up.”

“But Robert wasn’t like that. He was just an everyday guy.”

And it is that humbleness which probably made James so adept at his second career—that of teacher and school administrator.

Now in his 25th year at Riverdale, assistant principal Robert James carries himself confidently and speaks softly—a man who has learned life’s lessons and feels a responsibility to pass those on.”

“That’s what Robert always was. He was determined and quiet,” said Martin. “He was reserved and intelligent. He was humble—except for on that ball field.”




Founder shares story of Room In the Inn with Glendale UMC volunteers and Green Hills YMCA Young Leaders Group




The Green Hills YMCA Young Leaders Group is heavily involved in community service.



The Green Hills YMCA Young Leaders Group is involved in community service including serving as monthly volunteers at Glendale United Methodist Church’s hospitality to Nashville's homeless through Room In the Inn -- a Nashville ministry that reaches the homeless and provides food as well as a warm place to spend the night during the cold winter months.

The Young Leaders Group and their advisor/counselor Ms. Eli Parrott held their weekly meeting Monday night, February 12th at Glendale Methodist Church in order to meet Father Charles Strobel who came to share the Room In the Inn story and encourage these young community leaders from Hillsboro, Hume Fogg, Harpeth Hall, and Martin Luther King (MLK).

Strobel outlined how a simple feeding program serving peanut butter sandwiches led to a soup kitchen and then to the volunteer feeding program Loaves and Fishes which has been helping the hungry since 1983. Around 1985 he was on a boat trip on the Cumberland River, it was autumn and the leaves were gone from the trees. He was shocked by what he saw—shacks and shanties on the riverbank that were much more reminiscent of Third World countries than the U.S.

Near the same time, with Nashville's growing tourism industry, the Corps of Engineers set out to remove the shacks from along the river. As the weather grew frigid, faced with no place to stay, the dispossessed began staying in the parking lot of Strobel’s church—knowing they could at least find a good meal the next day courtesy of Loaves and Fishes.

Looking out his bedroom window Strobel noticed the persons in the parking lot, some in automobiles, some completely exposed to the cold. He felt he could do no less than invite the homeless in for the night even though he knew there was really no way to stop the hospitality once it started. He was correct. Crowds came to the church night after night after night.

Volunteers came to help. Several nearby churches offered to help lodge the homeless—and Room In the Inn was born, starting with three churches, then 31 churches, and within a few years 120 congregations including many United Methodist. The ministry continued to expand through the years—a “Guest House” to assist alcoholics, a Respite Program for persons who are ill or have a handicapping condition, Campus for Human Development to help get some of the individuals back on their feet financially. “And to think,” noted Strobel, “that it all began with serving a peanut butter sandwich to a homeless person.”

Strobel spent time doing some theological reflection with the students helping them connect the biblical story with the present day call to serve others. Strobel concluded his presentation challenging all present. He noted that much of what has been done is for men and that good programs for women lag behind; he was forceful with his feelings that though a number of national and local concerns have pushed the plight of the homeless and the hungry out of the news that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still a major problem. He also related to the plight of the homeless. “Many chose homelessness out of resignation . . . it is easier to stop trying to succeed rather than risk failure time after time.”






Second grader Maia Garbett meets her real life hero Fr. Charles Strobel





At the conclusion of the program a Glendale Elementary School second grader, Maia Garbett, was brought forward to meet Fr. Strobel. Maia’s class had engaged in a project where each student could select a modern hero, research information about the hero, and prepare a presentation. Maia who serves each month with her parents at the Glendale UMC Room In the Inn was urged to select a “hero” who somehow was part of her life. She chose Fr. Charles Strobel and prepared a chart indicating what Fr. Strobel had done—“All starting with a peanut butter sandwich.” She was tremendously excited that Fr. Strobel was coming to Glendale UMC, the family’s church home, and awed that she might have an opportunity to actually meet the person she has written about. She did meet her hero but Fr. Strobel was equally awed to meet Maia, a second grader who was concerned about helping the homeless.

Interested in finding out more about Room In the Inn? Contact The Campus for Human Development 615-251-7019 or if your church is insterested in hosting with a local congregation contact Rev. Sandra Griggs, Glendale UMC 615-297-6233



Zion Still Sings songbook soon to be released

Three persons who worked on Zion Still Sings celebrate at the songbooks public introduction: Dr. William B. McClain, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C; Harriet J. Olson, Sr. VP, UMPH; Dr. Myron McCoy, President, Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO

The newest congregational hymn collection from Abingdon Press, Zion Still Sings! For Every Generation will be officially published in May 2007. This follow-up to Songs of Zion (Abingdon Press, 1981) is designed to be an important congregational worship resource for many years to come, providing congregations with a resource for corporate singing with an African-American church flare. Zion Still Sings! will emphasize new contemporary songs of praise as well as songs for worship, featuring service music, seasonal music, neosoul (new soul) and hip-hop. The book will contain about 250 songs.

On January 18th, 2007, the editorial committee for Zion Still Sings joined with several composers and arrangers of new material to introduce the soon-to-be-released songbook to the Nashville area. Forty percent of the songs in the new book were published in this century and eighty percent were published since1981. Twenty-five new songs are included—songs that are not available anywhere else.



Rev. Cynthia A. Wilson, Atlanta, GA, leads the crowd in singings some of the new songs in Zion Still Sings!

Marilyn Thornton, Music Editor for Zion Still Sings, recently reflected on the uniqueness of the new songbook. “God meets us in every situation, for every generation, and in every location. That’s what is meant by Zion Still Sings. Zion is where we meet God. When heads were bowed down with the oppression of slavery, a song would come forth such as “Guide My Feet” or “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” and God would be there, lifting heads and hearts.

“God was in the bush arbors, the segregated galleries, the mission churches, and in the churches built from used bricks, as the community sang hymns such as “At the Cross” and “Yield Not to Temptation,” gaining the assurance that God’s kingdom was inclusive.

“Zion Still Sings,” Thornton continued, “because just as God was present during the Great Migration with Charles Tindley and Kenneth Morris, just as God was present during the Civil Rights Movement when we sang “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round,” God meets the current generation in the streets of our 21st century world. God will meet you with “It’s Incredible,” using call and response in a way that the ancestors would never have dreamed. God will be present as you rap out “Heavenly Father” and interpret the prayer of Jesus for post-moderns. God will meet you in the contemporary sounds of Martha Munizzi and Michael Smith, the hip-hop of Frederick (Ricky B.) Burchell, the jazz tones of a song for ushers, “Step,” and the upbeat, 12-bar blues of “All Around Me!” a song that echoes the biblical truth that God is so high, so low, and so wide. God is inclusive.”

Dean McIntyre, the Director of Music Resources for the General Board of Discipleship, expands on Thornton’s words: “The scope of the style of the collection is breathtaking: Spirituals, hymns, chants, sacred songs, traditional Gospel songs, contemporary Gospel, Hip-Hop, rap, and more. The committee grappled with the challenge of how to notate some of this music so that it can be reproduced by local musicians. So much of it has always been learned by listening and imitation. Given the limitations of the printed page to communicate the nuances of style and practice, there will be audio and video samplings, clips, and a Web site to demonstrate some of these styles and nuances. A CD-Rom will be available that will have recordings of songs and hard copies of scores for printing.

“In numerous ways,” McIntyre condludes “Zion Still Sings is taking us into new areas of both publishing and worship. It is an important and historical collection for the church. But more than that, it will be a source of new life and vitality for many churches, Black and White.”





Bob MacKendree, Director of Music Resources, leads singers from the Publishing House in one of the hymns from the songbook.









Christian Conferencing
A reply to the Open Letter to the Annual Conference Connectional Table
by Rev. Dennis Meaker, Pastor, West Nashville UMC

In the Spirit of Christian Conferencing, I am responding to the Open Letter sent by Rev. Howard Olds regarding the proposal to begin direct billing of churches for the clergy pension and health insurance costs of the clergy appointed to each Church.

· It is suggested that this is a justice issue. That it is inequitable for a small membership rural church to pay the clergy costs of clergy working in large membership churches. With respect, this argument is disingenuous. This proposal is not being championed by a coalition of small membership rural churches tired of supporting clergy costs at large membership suburban churches. It is being proposed by the large membership churches that do not wish to support clergy costs at small membership churches.

· It is suggested that this proposal would “free up” $6 million dollars for mission and ministry. This is apparently the money that is now being paid by large membership Churches to pay clergy costs at small membership churches. But, while such figures work on paper, they are illusory. Forced to pay 20 to 30% more than current apportionment payments, the small membership churches would likely have to choose, at least in the short run, to pay less in apportionments. Not only would the small membership churches be subject to losing their full time clergy for that “failing,” (i.e. not paying full apportionments) but no additional funds would be “freed up” for ministry.

· It is suggested that this is not about the money but about the mission. To the contrary, this is all about the money and the practical business practice of identify “performing” profit centers. Any member of our congregations who has experienced a down-sizing because their department was not profitable understands the principle. A profit center cannot support itself without help? Close it down. Does it work in business? Maybe. Sometimes. But, Christian stewardship of resources does not always look to the “bottom line.”

· For decades (40 years, 50 years, 70 years?) small membership churches have been treated by the Conference as “stepping stones.” They have been conditioned to the idea that their clergy will be moved every one or two years. How many times have we heard these churches describe themselves as places where “new clergy” or “young clergy” are trained, apparently for bigger and better things. These Churches have not dared to dream of anything better because they know that they will soon have to start over with a new clergy leader. And, to one’s great surprise, these Churches did not thrive on the practice of churning their leadership.

· The Bishop’s new policy on appointments is the most positive evangelistic policy that I have seen in my short ten years in the Conference, and I suspect the most promising policy that has been implemented in many decades. All Churches in the Conference can now have an expectation of stable leadership for five to ten years. Even the smallest membership church can dare to dream and plan knowing that they have stable leadership. Having given that dream with one hand, the Conference now proposes to take that dream away by making it difficult, if not impossible, for that small membership church, just being given a chance to grow, to keep its full time clergy.

· We are not a connectional system in any meaningful sense. We are, at best, a loose coalition of congregations with similar polity and theology. There are very few shared ministries among churches in the Tennessee Conference. Congregations, even when in close proximity, have little interaction with one another. When we have a blessed Church that outgrows its buildings, it does not use its “healthy DNA” to plant a new church or to help revitalize a nearby struggling church. It instead seeks to build bigger and better buildings to house the blessings God has conferred. The one truly connectional ministry left is the financial help from larger membership Churches that allows full time clergy to stay at small membership churches that otherwise couldn’t afford full time clergy AND pay their apportionments. Combined with the Bishop’s new policy on appointments, that could still be a significant help. This proposal would remove even that connection.

· The fact that others are following this pattern does not make it right. It simply makes it popular. In the conferencing yet to take place, let us prayerfully explore ways to be stewards of all the blessings we have received and ways to revitalize our conference other than cutting off the “unprofitable” members.

Are there Churches that should be closed? Churches that simply cannot be revitalized? Certainly. There are also many that, given stable leadership and a chance to live into God’s dream for their ministry, can begin to grow and thrive. But this proposal will do more to rend and isolate those Churches then to help them. Let’s lift our eyes for a moment from the balance sheet. We are not called to be business minded. We are called to share the mind of Christ.



Learn About Journaling: Self Feeding for Spiritual Growth
By Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr.

The District Superintendents of both the Tennessee and Memphis Annual Conferences and myself read through the Bible each year and keep a journal each day on the scripture readings for the day. Printed Journals can be ordered from The New Hope Christian Fellowship at www.enewhope.org or you can use an online tool to journal from your computer. All entries in the online journal are encrypted and can only be seen by their author after entering a username and password. Go to http://www.nashvilleareajournal.org for further information or to register to use the Life Journal on line.

The Steps in Using the Journal:
Find the Bible reading corresponding to today’s date from the Bible readings listed in the Life Journal. Turn to the chapter in your Bible, asking the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Mark off each daily reading as you complete it to keep yourself accountable. If you use the online version the day’s scriptures are displayed once you log on and your journal is located to the right of the scripture.

Read the passage. As you are reading, take note of anything the Lord impresses on you as a personal word to be applied. When you read with an open heart, God will give you words of encouragement, direction, and correction (2 Timothy 3:16)

When God has revealed a special lesson of life to you, record in your journal what God has just shown you.

You can recall the steps in Journaling by remembering the acronym S-O-A-P-Y:

Scripture. Write down the verse you have chosen as a lesson for the day.
Observation: Write down what the lesson is for you that day.
Application: Write how this lesson applies to your life.
Prayer: Write a prayer to God concerning this lesson and your life.
Yield: Write what you must yield in your life for this lesson to become alive in you.

Conclude your daily devotional time by turning to the prayer list in your Life Journal and spend some personal time with God in prayer.

Both Cabinets have agreed to use the Journal daily and we hold each other accountable for this daily practice. When the Cabinet gathers we start the morning by sharing the verse chosen and then read our Life Journal entry for that day.

The Life Journaling and Bible reading provides an opportunity for God to gently shape our lives into the very character of Jesus.

Monday, February 05, 2007

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW FEBRUARY 9, 2007

February 9, 2007

Contents for this issue:
1 Over 2000 young People Learn to Fly Spiritually during Warmth in Winter.
2. The Rev. Roger Hopson Appointed as Assistant to the Bishop
3. Barbara Garcia talks about her retirement
4. Bethlehem United Methodist Church drama group celebrates 10th Anniversary with production of The Music Man
5 . Belmont United Methodist Church breaks ground for new community center

6 . 4th Annual Native American Ministry Resource Day, March 11th
7. How to Declare Candidacy as a Delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference

8. Martin Methodist College group takes trip to historical civil rights sites
9. J's Place Opens at Gallatin First United Methodist Church -- unique center for childhood learning, worship
10. Bethlehem United Methodist Church pre-kindergarten receives three-star rating
11. Celebrate 2006 Special Giving -- David Hawkins reports on generous response from the Tennessee Annual Conference.
12. Heifer Organization Program presented to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Women, a report by Mary Ann Matthews.


Over 2000 Young People Learn to Fly Spiritually during Warmth in Winter
Arms were waving, hands were clapping, fingers snapping, legs were jumping, and feet were shuffling at the Nashville Convention Center Friday evening, January 26th through Sunday morning January 28th. The event was Warmth in Winter and the person leading the young people and adult workers with youth could only be Don Washburn and his wild assortment of “Crazy Dances.” The youth were heavily involved in all the dance steps—but so were a row of District Superintendents and Eileen Wills, wife of Bishop Dick Wills.

Fun was a big part of Warmth in Winter as over 2000 young people gathered together to renew friendships, make new friendships, hone talents and personal interests in a rich variety of workshops, and celebrate the presence of Christ in their lives. The theme for the three days was an appropriate, “Learn to Fly,” and there were numerous spiritual flight lessons during Warmth in Winter. Not only did the young people resonate with some great contemporary praise and worship music by 3 Mile road, but they were extremely attentive to the “flight lessons” given by main speaker Drew Dyson .

Dyson, a writer of youth resources, and much sought after speaker at youth events, is an Elder in the Untied Methodist Church and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Princeton Theological Seminary. His approach was low-key and thoughtful – and his invitation on Saturday evening for persons to come forward and dedicate their lives to Christ brought a huge number of young people to the front of the auditorium—so many teenagers that the front of the stage was filled and lines of young people extended well down the main aisles.

Beth Morris, Conference Director of Youth Ministries, admits that the response of the young people to Dyson’s invitation was an emotional time for her. Everything was suddenly worthwhile--a year spent in planning by a Design Team of 75 persons, the handling of registrations that came in right up until the last minutes, and the logistical nightmare of getting supplies and equipment to the Convention Center, unloading it and, and then setting everything up. The lines of young people responding to God’s call brought tears to her eyes.

Youth Service Fund is an important part of the weekend. 70% of this money stays in the Tennessee Conference and is given as grants to youth groups doing mission for and with youth. A “change challenge” which urged Warmth in Winter participants to donate change from their pockets in behalf of their District, paper airplane distance and accuracy contests and the Sunday morning worship offering are all ways that money was raised. Change is still be counted, but estimates are that $7,000.00 was raised during the weekend.

The success of the workshops was expected and there were sessions on dating, truth about drugs, world religions, storytelling, deepening youth spirituality, drama, choral music, electronic communication—all inspiring, all educational, and all taught by some of Tennessee’s top leadership. One shock was that a workshop on ballroom dancing was the first to fill up, attracted over 60 young people, and had to be moved to a larger workshop space. It was obvious that many teens had been watching “Dancing with the Stars.”

The success of this year leads to thoughts of next year. The dates are already set for February 8 – 10, 2008 and we hope all the youth groups in the conference will join us!


Memphis Conference Member was Tennessee Annual Conference Preacher in 1999
Rev. Roger Hopson Appointed as Assistant to the Bishop
The Rev. Roger Hopson has been appointed as Assistant to the Bishop, replacing Barbara Garcia who will be retiring at the 2007 session of the Tennessee Annual Conference.

In making the appointment Bishop Dick Wills said, "The Rev. Roger Hopson brings a wealth of experience which will be very valuable in helping me be a better Episcopal Leader. He has people skills which will extend the office of the Bishop in much the same ways the Rev. Barbara Garcia has done for the past 11 years. I’m pleased the Reverend Hopson has agreed to come and serve in this important way. We will be better Conferences because of his willingness to serve in this position."

Hopson, a native of Savannah, Tennessee is presently Coordinator of Program Ministries for the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church, in Jackson, TN.

Rev. Hopson graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1976, with a B.S. in Education, and received his Master of Divinity (with honors) at the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1985.

He has taught school at Dyer County High School, 1976-1982, and worked as columnist for Metro Forum newspaper in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1985-1988 he served as Pastor to Wiley’s Chapel, New Hope, and St. Paul United Methodist churches in the Paris District of the Memphis Conference, and Associate Director of the Memphis Conference Council on Ministries, 1989-1995.

On a national level he was a delegate to two General Conferences--Denver, Colorado, 1996, and Cleveland, Ohio, 2000, and a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Rio de Janeiro, 1996.

Hopson was Theologian-in-Residence at the Ministerial Recruitment Institute, East Ohio Conference, and is warmly remembered by the Tennessee Annual Conference for his service as conference preacher in 1999. He has provided leadership in a variety of settings and for differing age levels. In 2001 he was Youth Annual Conference Preacher for the Memphis Annual Conference. He was District Superintendent of the Paris District, 1995-2002.

Through the years he has received a number of honors including the Isaac R. Clark Preaching Award, 1983-1984. He was a Crusade Scholar from 1984-1985, listed in Outstanding Young Men, 1986-1987, and is a member of Omega Pi Phi Fraternity.

Rev. Hopson is married to Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson and they have two children, Dr. Angela Hopson and Marcos Hopson.
"I am honored and humbled by the Bishop’s confidence in me," said the Rev. Roger Hopson.
"The Nashville Area has a great legacy related to the role of the Bishop’s Assistant. Those who preceded me were great servants who loved the Church and tirelessly worked to assist the Bishop in effectively leading the Area in mission and ministry. It will be a joy to work with Bishop Wills and the leadership of both conferences as we strive to live out the Great Commission."

Barbara Garcia Grateful for blessings received in serving two annual conferences

"Serving in the Area Episcopal Office has allowed me to know so many persons and see them in ministry in a wide variety of settings," said the Rev. Barbara Garcia as she contemplated retiring in June as Nashville Area Assistant to the Bishop.

"I’ve seen the Church at work in ways that inspire and build the Kingdom...and also have developed an appreciation for the ministry of administration beyond my imagination! I’m grateful for the patience of three bishops and two wonderful conferences; and for blessing my life for eleven wonderful years! Thanks for the blessings!"

Rev. Garcia added, "I look forward to serving in another setting which fulfills my calling as a deacon which would also allow time to enjoy our grandchildren more!"





Belmont United Methodist Church breaks ground for new Community Center


Artists rendering of the new Belmont UMC Community Center

Outside or inside? The morning of January 21, 2007, was rainy and cold, and the leadership from Belmont United Methodist Church had to make a decision sometime during the 10:30 a.m. worship service about a groundbreaking ceremony planned for after the service. Did it need to be held inside or could it be held outside on the future site of the congregation’s new Community Center? While the clouds and cold did not roll away, the rain ceased just in time to allow the congregation to process, led by Pastor John Collett, to the church’s back parking lot where a new multi-million dollar structure will be built starting in April of 2007.

Members of the congregation carried with them “prayer rocks,” many of which had been given out at a pledge banquet in November of 2005—reminding individuals to pray for what the congregation was about to do. Each stone was placed in a special spot on the building site in remembrance of the prophet Samuel’s act (recorded in 1Samuel 7:12) --“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.

Weather for the ground breaking was chilly but the Belmont congregation and friends brought a lot of joy and warmth to the celebration.

Belmont United Methodist Church has been in existence as a congregation for nearly 100 years. It started in 1910 and in three decades had over 3000 members. In the early 1960’s there was a strong residential movement away from the Hillsboro area . . . and Belmont went into a period of decline. In the 1990s there was neighborhood resurgence and the church has even experienced its own baby boom.

Using a Strategic Ministry Planning Process, Belmont started serious exploration in the early 2000s about who it was as a congregation, and what its ministry should look like in the 21st Century. Out of these talks came a resolve to be the church in the Village (Referring to the fact that Belmont lies directly in the middle of Hillsboro Village, adjacent to the Vanderbilt University campus, and within walking distance of Belmont University). The church’s motto became “The Church in the Village Serving God’s Global Village.”

In May 2005 a church conference launched a “Legacy Campaign” and among the things decided was that the present building had to be remodeled and restored, but also that the congregation and the Hillsboro community needed a larger facility, one that could host community events.


Pastor John Collett gets the assembled “work crew” ready to start digging

From the beginning the new structure has been viewed as a Community Center. There will be a full sized gymnasium but great care was made to make certain that the acoustics would be appropriate for public meetings and performances. The Community Center will be able to seat 450 persons around tables for banquets or meals, and seat 800 persons for performances. The church kitchen is being relocated into the new building, and there will be restrooms and locker rooms. The existing building will have all restrooms renovated and new roofing installed. In addition the heat and air conditioning system will be redone, and 80% of the outside stonework has been cleaned and repaired. Another elevator will be installed to make the entire building accessible.

John Collett is quick to point out that “God’s work is not primarily about buildings and property since God can’t be confined to places. When Jesus came he attended synagogue and was given a scroll and he read from Isaiah: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’” Collett notes, “We’ll be faithful to the future only as we embrace Christ’s ministry.”


Building Committee chairperson Hayne Hamilton feels the Belmont congregation has arrived at an important historic moment.

Hayne Hamilton, chairperson of the building committee, shares his own vision—and the congregation’s vision—of the future of Belmont: “We are called by God to share the reconciling and transforming love we have and invite others into relationship with Christ. This mission is the foundation to who we are as believers and flows through all that we do. Our church has again arrived at an historic moment, just as when Belmont was founded in 1910. Our Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood is experiencing growth and revitalization; filling with people of all ages from around the world. Our church attracts worshipers and newcomers not only from the neighborhood, but from across the greater Nashville area. We are experiencing that growth every week. More than half of our Sunday worshipers have become a part of our congregation in the last ten years. Each Sunday this year, 20% of our worshipers are newcomers, visitors or non-members. Updated facilities can better serve this new population.”
“Our church,” Hamilton continues, “is regarded by many in our community as the center of spiritual and civic life. Our facilities are open more than 100 hours per week to host gatherings of people for spiritual nurture, Christian learning, self-help support, English language instruction for international newcomers, and civic improvement. We are home for many community groups and non-profit organizations, and we host many community events for good causes. A larger dining space and increased numbers of flexible rooms for classes, meetings, and conferences will help us be the kind of neighbor we want to be. Building on the Legacy will enable and welcome others into the renewal of life and service to Gods world.”

4th Annual Native American Ministry Resource Day, March 11th
by Mary T. Newman

Did you grow up watching The Lone Ranger and Tonto? Or perhaps you read “Last of the Mohicans” and saw the movie made from the book. OOPS! There are still Mohicans. Do you know Native Americans who were “Indian” BC--before casinos and Kevin Costner?

Interestingly, the state of Tennessee has a higher Native American population than the state of Mississippi, which has a reservation (according to the 2000 census).

The Tennessee Conference Committee on Native American Ministry (CCONAM) is bringing to you, the local church, our 4th annual Native American Resource Day.

This year we will meet at Blakemore UMC on March 11 from 2:00-4:30.

Come join us for a time of learning thru fellowship and worship. We are dedicated to dispelling myths, creating understanding thru education, and sharing our love and respect for Creator God within the native community and the local church.

We will have cultural displays, book sales, resources, native foods, and short information sessions. We will end with a worship service. This opportunity will give you ideas for the recognition and celebration of Native American Ministry Sunday, one of our special offering Sundays.

Native American Ministries Sunday is scheduled for April 22nd, 2007,—but local churches are urged to celebrate at a time that is convenient within their schedules.



Declaring Candidacy as a Delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference
In accordance with Tennessee Annual Conference Standing Rule11, which provides a way for lay and clergy to declare their candidacy for Election as a delegate, we offer the following guidelines and requirements:

· You should prepare a statement concerning 1) your activities at the local church, district, annual, jurisdictional, and general conference levels; (2) your assessment of the principal needs of the General Church and how they should be met, and (3) any other information felt pertinent to introduce yourself to other members of the Tennessee Conference.

· For the best possible appearance in the pre- conference journal it would be good to submit your candidacy statement electronically. You can send it as an email attachment to vsharber@tnumc.org or send it on a CD disk. Candidacy statements submitted as handwritten or typed documents will be scanned for inclusion in the pre-conference book. Send CDs or manuscripts to Vicki Sharber, Suite #1, 304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. Make sure that any CD or manuscript is sent to arrive by the deadline date.

· The deadline date for receiving all candidacy statements and photos is March 19, 2007.

· The statement must be limited to one page, whether typewritten or handwritten. A type size of 8 pt is recommended.

· Photos may be submitted in electronic form (i.e. jpeg) or mailed to Vicki Shriver by deadline date.

Persons do not have to declare candidacy to be eligible for election to General or Jurisdictional Conference.

Please use the following guidelines when submitting your candidacy statement: DO NOT USE HEADERS/FOOTERS, DOUBLE SPACING OR PAGE NUMBERING when preparing your report. PLEASE USE 1.75 INCHES FOR ALL FOUR MARGINS. , because the setup page in the Pre- Conference Book of Reports allows only 5 inches of print.

Staging of The Music Man marks groups 10th season
Bethlehem United Methodist Drama Group is “Our version of church softball”


Harry Robinson plays con-man Professor Harold Hill in the Bethlehem UMC production of "The Music Man."

“Our version of church softball” is what Harry Robinson, Bethlehem United Methodist Church Director of Music and Arts, calls his dramatic performing group, the Bethlehem Players located in Franklin, Tennessee. The Players are celebrating their 10th anniversary this March 9-18 with the staging of The Music Man which is nationally celebrating its 50th year of production.

The musical will be staged at the church’s Performing Arts Center for eight shows including two special dinner productions on Tuesday, March 13 and Thursday, March 15. (See a complete listing of show times at the end of this article.)

It is a fitting tribute for the 10th anniversary of the Bethlehem Players that Robinson, group founder, has been selected to star as BUMC’s Music Man, “Harold Hill” the infamous River City con man.

Robinson jokingly says he “conned” the Methodists into hiring a professional guitar player (Robinson played for the likes of Lee Greenwood and Dolly Parton) as their full time director of music.

However, long-time church member Neil Little has a different take.

“Harry was already working at the Ashland City United Methodist Church as their part-time music minister while earning his Church Music Degree from Martin Methodist College. We were lucky that Harry visited us while on tour with the Martin Methodist College Choir and the rest really is our good fortune,” Little said.

Little was at that concert and thought to himself it would be “so neat to find someone with Harry’s musical abilities who would be willing to serve a church. In addition to the drama program, BUMC now has a Bluegrass Band, a Youth Choir Tour and a Hand-Bell Choir for adults and children.”

It has been a fun-filled decade for Robinson as the program has continued to grow and to expand involving amateur and professional actors, musicians and audience members throughout the community.

So, why start you own performing team? For Robinson in 1997, it was another way in which to engage his membership.

“It is my goal to involve as many people in our congregation and the community in music and arts in the church. Choir is a wonderful opportunity but the drama group is helping to provide a diversity of choice for people who aren’t necessarily choir members,” Robinson said.

Cottonpatch Gospel was the Bethlehem Players first production and Robinson recommends it for beginning programs.

Cottonpatch Gospel doesn’t require a lot of lighting, staging or technical assistance. It is a re-telling of the book of Matthew placed in the American south. It is very approachable for the audience and the cast. It was a good way to get 20 to 40 people from the congregation involved and a guitar can be the main musical accompaniment,” Robinson said.

The Bethlehem Players then went on to stage You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Arsenic and Old Lace, Meet Me in St. Louis, You Can’t Take It With You, Steel Magnolias, Rumors, A Bad Year for Tomatoes, Fiddler On The Roof and the Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.

The growth in the program has occurred according to Robinson as the involvement of the congregation and the acceptance and support of the community has increased. He also cites the very dedicated core group of Bethlehem Players members.

This loyalty and growth has enabled the church to be able to hire professional directors. The first one occurred in 2001. In 2002 until present, theatre professional Dietz Osborne has been leading the troop.

Robinson said Osborne was previously involved in the Mountain T.O.P. Program. He brings to the table a professional theater degree and background with Nashville performing arts groups like Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater, where he is the Group Sales Director, as well as experience with Boiler Room Theatre productions. Robinson said what is special about the relationship with Osborne is that Dietz considers the Bethlehem Players as part of his stewardship for the community.

Robinson said it is also rewarding that this growth is occurring beyond Bethlehem.

“People are entering our fellowship through the plays then leaving and starting their own programs. One lady had never even been in a play. She participated in two and then went on to help start a community theater. One of our founding members is also trying to accomplish this same thing in Knoxville,” Robinson said.

In addition to offering entertainment and Christian fellowship, over the past few years, the production group has accepted donations to support local charities like Habitat for Humanity and Miriam’s Promise. This year, one of the cast members is working on her Girl Scout “Gold Award,” the equivalent of the Boy Scouts’ Eagle. Maggie McNulty is conducting a gently used instrument drive called “Pass The Music Along” to connect the instruments with underprivileged children. Anyone wishing to make a donation can bring band instruments and violins to the church beginning February 23 through May 31 and particularly during the March 9-18 production dates. (For more info, contact Maggie at nycbelle23@bellsouth.net.)

The future of the Bethlehem Players continues to look bright as Robinson hopes to weave its magic through other avenues of the church. At the recent Christmas program, a play with the theme of “love and justice” was incorporated into the holiday presentation. Robinson said it dealt with the working poor and community service while bringing Matthew 25 alive to his congregation in a new way. He says “this non-traditional approach to worship makes the expression of spirituality fresh.”

The Music Man is marching into the Franklin area community theatre at Bethlehem United Methodist Church off Hillsboro Road on March 9 through 18 for the 10th anniversary production of the Bethlehem Players. The highly acclaimed musical will be presented by an amazing cast of amateur and professional actors and musicians and includes beloved favorites “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Goodnight My Someone,” “Ya Got Trouble,” and “Gary, Indiana.”

Shows for The Music Man begin at 7:30 p.m. on March 9, 10, 16, 17 and on March 11 and 18 at 6 p.m. with dinner shows only on March 13 and 15 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students and the dinner shows are $20.00 per adult/$15.00 per student.

BUMC is wheelchair accessible and accommodations are available for the handicapped. For more information or a reservation, contact the Music Man Information line, (615) 791-6456, ext. 2 or bethlehemplayers@yahoo.com.

Martin Methodist College group takes trip to historical civil rights sites

by Rev. Laura J. Kirkpatrick, Campus Minister

“My soul is wrestling.”

These were the repeated words of members of Martin Methodist College’s Leadership Development Team during a four-day trip to Selma and Montgomery, Ala., that concluded on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The Leadership Development Team (LDT) is comprised of students with strong leadership potential as they continue to grow in their life of faith in The United Methodist Church. The current team has nine members who have covenanted to grow in worship, compassion, devotion, and justice. However, just saying the word “justice” had been uncomfortable for the students until the weekend of Jan. 12-15.

That’s when the LDT and Rev. Laura Kirkpatrick, Martin Methodist College’s campus minister who serves as the team’s advisor, traveled to Alabama, and became immersed in the outcomes of faithful Christians taking a stand for justice. The weekend included a tour of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, the National Voting Rights Museum, walking across Edmund Pettus Bridge, worshipping at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, visiting the Rosa Parks Museum, and viewing and discussing two films, “Hotel Rwanda” and “Freedom Writers.”

Soul food on the Leadership Development Team’s pilgrimage to historic civil rights sites

As the students processed their experience during a Love Feast, Alex Abernathy, a junior from First United Methodist Church in Pulaski, aptly responded to the state of the soul by bravely saying, “My soul is churning.”

“Hearing stories of social injustices really awakened a spirit of justice in my heart,” added Melissa Stewart, a junior from First UMC in Hendersonville, Tenn.

Matthew Johnson, a sophomore from Clarksville, Tenn., was also moved.

“At first, I didn’t know why we watched ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ he said. “In fact, I was really frustrated because I felt like there’s nothing I can do for people in such a faraway place. Yet, this weekend is helping me realize what we can do locally to bring about justice for all.”

Upon their return from a weekend of social justice immersion, the members of the Leadership Development Team joined other students on Tuesday morning at the annual Religion and Race Convocation. Bishop Woodie White’s words about finding a “common ground” challenged the campus to celebrate our differences and work together for good creating a fabulous pot of “vegetable soup.”

To quote from “Freedom Writers,” the LDT came away from the weekend realizing they have been “blessed with a burden.” In the word of Brandi Belcher, a junior from Hermitage, Tenn., this blessing and burden demonstrate “the importance of encouraging others to learn about and act upon social justice.”

J's Place Opens at Gallatin First United Methodist Church
by Jack Keefe*

Gallatin First United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the opening of their newest resource in Children’s Ministry. J’s Place is designed to provide an interactive opportunity for children to Discover God’s Truths in a fun and creative way.

J’s Place has both sound and lighting capabilities along with video and camera capabilities. Along with a working lighthouse, smoke machines, bubble machines and blacklight setups. The set is designed so that all the Creative mediums such as puppetry, drama, signing, stick interp, clowning , etc can be utilized. J’s Place serves as the focus for Children’s Worship at Gallatin First United Methodist Church.

* Keefe is Director of Education and Children’s Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Gallatin.


Bethlehem United Methodist Church pre-kindergarten receives three-star rating

Bethlehem United Methodist Church pre-kindergarten received a three-star rating on its recent inspection by the State of Tennessee. This is the highest rating achievable. Cathy Sensing serves as director of the Pre-Kindergarten and Parents Day Out program, a ministry of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tennessee (Columbia District). Pictured seated from left are Kim Wixted, Leigh Feld, Cathy Sensing, Charlene Finn and Suzanne Painter. Standing from left are Maggie Ankrum, Donna Nolan, Zuzka Skrabak, Chrissie Coombs, Martha Basenberg, Lyneve Fulton and Brooke Pate hold Reece.


Celebrate 2006 Special Giving
by David Hawkins
The people of the United Methodist Church in the Tennessee Conference have once again given generously to help persons faced with enormous needs. Knowing how our brothers and sisters on the Gulf Coast yearn to restore mission and ministry in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina, contributions of $86,048 were made to the Katrina Church Recovery Appeal in 2006. Some other special non-apportioned funds which received support from Tennessee Conference donors in 2006 were: Children of Kamina $59,981, Conference Hunger Fund $36,694, One Great Hour of Sharing $47,508, UMCOR undesignated $24,106, UMCOR Hurricane Relief $55,194. (The amounts reported are for offerings sent through the Conference Treasurer’s office, and do not include any online or direct donations.)


Heifer Organization Program Presented to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Women

by Mary Ann Matthews*

(Left) Jane Jennings, Heifer Representative, and Irene Spencer, Pleasant Grove UMC, examine printed materials, videos and CDs which tell the Heifer story.

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Women in the Pulaski District had as guest speaker a member of the Heifer Foundation, Jane Jennings. Jennings shared her experiences working with the Heifer organization and traveling to Heifer projects in the United States and abroad.

Heifer International is a nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger, poverty and environmental degradation for families in developing countries through gifts of pregnant income-producing animals. Training in their feeding and care is an essential part of the gift. These animals produce sources of protein such as milk and eggs for the children. The income from the sale of offspring provides medicine, clothing and improved living conditions. Since 194 4 Heifer has helped over four million families become self-reliant.

As families pass the first-born of their animal to other families, they also pass on the gift of hope, dignity and self-reliance. As animals are passed to another family the community benefits.

Jennings described and showed pictures of her visits to Heifer projects in Zambia, Romania and South Africa. A number of Heifer projects operate in other foreign countries and in the United States and Canada. She told of her visit to an inner city project in Chicago. She has also visited Heifer’s Navaho Indian project, which helps improve sheep production and family life.

Heifer International has invited United Methodists to “set a chain of hope in motion.” Money gifts are accepted. In addition, donors may select animals from the Heifer catalogue to give on special occasions and in honor of a friend, relative or co-worker. A card to announce the gift is provided upon request. Goats, sheep, heifers, water buffalo, chickens, ducks, rabbits, fish and other animals are available with the cost varying. A variety of descriptive printed materials, catalogs, and CDs are also available.

Jane Jennings and other representatives of Heifer are available to groups by contact her at 931-762-8800. For further information about Heifer International call 1-800-422-0474 or visit their web site at www.heifer.org

*Mary Ann Matthews is Chair of Education and Interpretation of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Women