TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW MARCH 9, 2007
In this issue:
1. Academy for Church Leadership will help churches equip their lay people for effective ministry—new Martin Methodist College program with supportive comments by Gloria Watts and Joe Williams.
2. Tennessee Conference Readies Church Teams for Disaster Response—Announcement of March 17th training event for local churches and individuals who want to be involved in disaster Response
3. Sherre Miller Bishop’s One Woman Show on the African-American music and worship tradition is rich experience for white audiences.
4. Dire weather fails to stop February 17th Stewardship Convocation
5. United Methodists Urged to Begin Ministry dealing with substance abuse and family violence—Description of May 17th SEJ training opportunity which addresses
6. A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration—first of a series of articles by John Purdue, Chairperson of the Conference Hispanic Ministry Committee. This article presents a short overview of US legal history in regards to immigration issues.
7. From Readiness to Effectiveness—describes the probationary process for seeking ordination in the denomination.
8. Tennessee Titans Recognize Mary McEwen as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner—She Receives $10,000 Grant for Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
9 .It’s not like the post cards . . . Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Director of Bahamas Methodist Habitat, reflects on his ministry.
10. Bahamas Methodist Habitat now supported by Agape Flight ministry—Special flight ministry supports 2000 missionaries in the Caribbean with mail service and delivery of supplies
Academy for Church Leadership will help churches equip their lay people for effective ministry.
by Rev. Domenic Nigrelli, Ph.D., Director, Center for Church Leadership, Martin Methodist College
Rev. Dr. Domenic Nigrelli
The Cal Turner Jr., Center for Church Leadership of Martin Methodist College is launching the ACADEMY FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS, an exciting new leadership program of theological studies, spiritual formation and specialized training in areas of practical ministry.
Two years ago, the Center began a series of conversations with denominational leaders, pastors and lay people to help us conduct a feasibility study concerning lay leadership training. Throughout this time of study, debate and prayer the Center presented the ever-evolving concept several times to our Bishop, Richard J. Wills and the Cabinet; we consulted on numerous occasions with the Board of Laity and the Lay Speaking Ministries; and we called a Design Team and a Curriculum Team consisting of pastors, lay people, District Superintendents, representatives of Lay Speaking Ministries, the Board of Laity and a representative of the TN Conference Council on Ministries. Representatives from churches of all seven Districts participated.
The issues raised in our conversations will come as a surprise to no one: our denomination is facing a leadership crisis and is in dire need for ways to revitalize our congregations. The litany of causes and effects is familiar by now: a general apathy in an increasingly secularized culture which does not understand or care for the mission and life of the church; a body of believers which is not really familiar with the traditions, theology, practices of the people called Methodists; a sometimes paralyzing inability to cope with accelerating social and cultural changes; declining membership; aging membership; and staffing issues.
From our discussions and studies we identified the following principles which guided the design of the Academy for Congregational Leaders:
• First, the Academy will help the churches equip their lay people for effective ministry. That is, the Academy will provide a place for their congregants to discover and use God-given talents. As a consequence, churches are enabled to engender ministries that are based on God-given gifts and abilities. In the near future we will be expanding this program to help the churches themselves to become equipping congregations.
• Second, the Academy will foster a collaborative approach between clergy, professional staff and lay people. The principle of collaboration is fundamentally a theological and biblical one: all of us are called to ministry at the time of our baptism. The Academy will help the participants to understand that ministry unfolds “with” people rather than “to” people. As a consequence, what is created is not merely another program, but a genuine community of partners who share their gifts and energies in the body of Christ.
• Third, the Academy will advance the insight that servant-leadership is fundamentally a spiritual practice that corresponds to a personal call. The ministry of the congregational leader is nothing less than faith in action, and the identity of the congregational leader nothing less than living out one’s calling to servant leadership. The end-result is that every activity enhances the personal relationship with God—a relationship which in turn funds and nourishes the call to service.
The long-term impact of the Academy will be the creation of a new model of congregational life that rises to the challenges of the contemporary crisis in our churches. The Academy intends to gather people to be nurtured, equipped, empowered and then sent as co-participants in God’s kingdom. Our goal is to live out our call to be disciples and to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the redemption of a needy world.
We hope that you consider joining us in this new ministry. For detailed information about the research conducted, the program and courses of the Academy, please visit us at www.martinmethodist.edu/ccl or call us at 931.363.9898.
Gloria Watts, TN Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries , says “I would strongly recommend Martin Methodist College’s Academy For Congregational Leaders as continuing education for all Lay Leaders and Lay Speakers.”
“The program has been carefully though out so that you will gain practical skills in leadership training to enhance our ministry goals and strengthen the local churches. I plan on attending myself.”
Joe Williams, TN Conference Lay Leader, adds his endorsement: “The church has long needed and yearned for leadership training for its laity who are called to play a larger role in United Methodist Church's efforts towards fulfilling the Great Commandment and promoting fellowship and discipleship among its members. I truly believe that the Academy for
Congregational Leaders at Martin Methodist College’s Center for Church Leadership is the answer to our yearning and prayers! The schedule of courses to be offered, the convenience for laity to attend without interfering with their regular employment, and the modest cost involved led me to come to this conclusion.”
“Hopefully many of the laity from our churches -- small, middle-sized, and large -- will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity during the coming years. Those who have been trained through the Academy will not only be prepared to help their congregation attain its vision, but also will help free-up their pastor's time for matters more appropriate for the clergy to handle. The Academy for Congregational Leaders truly is designed to meet the needs of the United Methodist Church during the 21st century.”
Tennessee Conference Readies Church Teams for Disaster Response
The Tennessee Conference is committed to having trained emergency response persons available in case of natural or man-caused disasters in Tennessee communities and counties, as well as in neighboring states and Annual Conferences. Disaster Response specialists have speculated that the problem is not IF a major disaster will hit Tennessee it is WHEN and WHERE it will hit. You and persons from your congregation CAN be prepared:
Two crucial Disaster Response classes will be offered Saturday, March 17, at the Tennessee UMC Conference Center, 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. Early Response from 9 am - 1 pm, with an optional chainsaw safety demonstration/class following until 2 pm. Basic UMCOR Disaster Course from 9 am - Noon. A simple lunch of hot dogs and trimmings will be available, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks for the morning. $10 per person will help offset some of the cost of food, materials, and leadership.
Early Response--suitable for those who would like to form or be a part of an Early Response Team. Such teams generally are able to work in the early days of a disaster to help remove trees, do "mud-out" from floods, and other tasks related to making personal property safe, sanitary, and secure.
Basic UMCOR Disaster-covers the basics, including stages of disaster (Emergency, Relief, Recovery, and Mitigation), UMCOR funding/training, local church/conference/district organization, and other topics to give a good overview of disaster work and advance preparation.
To register email Jason Brock jbrock@tnumc.org (615-329-1177) and supply the following information:
Name and address of person/s registering
Email address and phone number of each person registering
Name of Local Church and Tennessee Conference District.
Name of the course for which each individual is registering.
The registration deadline is noon on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Sherre Miller Bishop’s One Woman Show on the African-American music and worship tradition is rich experience for white audiences
Describing Sherre Miller Bishop’s performance in her one-woman show From the Motherland to the Promised Land is all but impossible. As she portrays a regal African woman in traditional costume, and the coming of the slave traders, she is magnificent, clear-eyed and articulate. Then she becomes a plantation slave picking cotton, then a slave/servant in the big house, and numerous personas during her 45-minute show, including a preacher in a secret slave worship experience.
Sherre Bishop portrays a field slave working in a field of cotton.
Interwoven with personal dialogue and narrative is the religious music of the African American worship experience; in some cases lyrics with long snatches of moaning and groaning. “They sang that way because they could not read,” says Bishop. “So they heard the traveling preachers when possible and memorized snippets.” The slaves could not read, could not write down the words, and the humming/moaning sound filled in the parts they had not learned. “In Africa music was used to celebrate everything. The drums seemed to talk so drum music was forbidden by the slave traders, but once on the plantation they sang. They sang because their voices were all that they had. They sang as they worked from sunup to sundown. They sang to the only One who cared and the only One who could give them personhood—God.”
Sherre Miller Bishop, wife of Metropolitan Nashville Deputy Police Chief Joseph Bishop and mother of son Joseph, Jr., has performed largely before African-American audiences and appeared in numerous African-American churches. Not many white churches have wanted to build a worship experience or program around slavery, feeling perhaps that Bishop’s show would be an embittered, angry view of slavery. Instead, it presents an incredible faith journey as expressed through song and prayer.
Harmon L. Wray, Director of the Vanderbilt Program in Faith and Criminal Justice, was in the audience recently when Sherre Bishop performed at the Scarritt-Bennett Center (kudos to Scarritt-Bennett for working diligently to get this talented writer/singer/actress known throughout Nashville and urging white churches to sit up and take notice). Wray says, “Sherre Bishop's From the Motherland to the Promised Land is a beautiful and moving recreation of the history of African Americans' hope and faith in the God of love, justice, and freedom for all -- the only thing that would not let them down. This exceptional artist's performance is as relevant for white Christians as it is for black ones."
How a person whose only stage experience was the occasional skit in high school and elementary school, and who has no formal musical training, can compete with
Broadway is an amazing story.
Sherre Miller Bishop was born in the Edgehill public housing development off of 12th Avenue South in Nashville and attended nearby Carter-Lawrence Elementary School. She was one of four children raised by a single mom, a mom committed to moving out of the projects. Despite college costs and the sacrifices she would have to make, this “phenomenal” mom went back to school in her 40s and got a nursing degree. Work as a nurse enabled her to buy a house for her little family, which included an older brother and sister.
Sherre attended Hillsboro High School and fondly remembers her stint as a “half-timer,” the Hillsboro dance troupe that performed at the half-time of athletic events. For one year she was a co-captain of the group, and she recalls her work as choreographer—coming up with the dance steps the group used in their performances. “I was the best one to do the Robot,” Sherre notes with a smile.
Sherre Miller Bishop went on to college, graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Speech Communication, and continued on to a career as a television news reporter and news brief anchor in several places across the United States. This ended when her boss at the time decided he wanted to get out of the television business and retire. Loss of a job ultimately drew out her love of writing and helping people connect with resources, which led to a career in public relations. “But,” admits Sherre, “I was in an emotional valley.” She became depressed. “I started to be haunted by questions: ‘Who are you and why are you here? What’s your purpose in life?’ I thought I would love being free to do my own thing but I sank deeper into the valley experience. I started sleeping all day—and enjoying it. The sad thing about valley experiences is that you feel it is comfortable to sleep. You become isolated. I realized that is what Satan wanted—to isolate me from other people, so I didn’t hear positive things, and I didn’t get up to read the Bible and get into the Word of God.”
Sherre, who grew up in the church, decided enough was enough and one day she went out to American Baptist College to “look around.” Somehow she felt she wanted to know more about the Bible and how scripture relates to systematic theology. She went to the college without a dime in her pocket and by the time she left she was a registered full-time student. The president knew of her work in public relations and urged her to also help the college with publicity. “So I graduated magna cum laude and thank you laude from American Baptist College with a Th.B. degree.”
One day she asked one of the college administrators Dr. David Groves, then dean of students, quite casually, “What are you doing for Black History Month?”
“Well,” he answered, “we always have a chapel service and we are going to sing the Negro national anthem.”
Sherre’s response was a quick, “That’s not enough.”
Without a second thought Groves looked her in the eye and said, “Then do something.”
Her response, “I will,” started her on heavy research through books, websites, and film footage. As she thought of what she would do for the college she just wanted to show the Black worship experience in some way.
At this point, she admits things started getting strange. Once she finished her research she sat down at her computer and started to write. It was 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and as she sat before her computer a strange warmth and comfort came over her. A story started to flow through her fingers and take on a life of its own. The story started to represent the indomitable spirit of African-American ancestors and what they went through. The main thing was that they had faith in God, something to believe in, and they were able to get past the worst of times. Her short piece on The Black Worship Experience started to show the power of God. “Whether you are black, brown, red, white, green or polk-a-dot, with faith in God you can make it, and He will bring you through.”
Her first presentation was about 20 minutes in length, and she had to glance repeatedly at her notes. Others asked her to perform the piece she had written and over the years she prepared additional material. The 2007 version, From the Motherland to the Promised Land, presents a riveting one-woman performance with music and narrative. Sherre Miller Bishop has taken her show to conferences, Martin Luther King Celebrations, Africentric festivals, themed banquets, pastor’s conferences, women’s retreats—literally around the country.
Audience members stayed to congratulate Sherre (center) after her performance.
If you would like to contact Sherre for a performance of ‘Motherland’ or one of her other monologues, she can be reached by phone at 615.876.9583 or via email at sherrewrites@yahoo.com. Visit her on the web at www.justbits.homestead.com
Dire weather fails to stop February 17th Stewardship Convocation
by Jay Archer, Conference Stewardship Committee
Why did they come? In spite of dire weather, over 120 persons came to Hermitage UMC on Saturday, February 17, for the Stewardship Convocation. Perhaps they came because God’s people know that money is a problem. Money is a problem, not because our churches are behind in their budgets (many churches are meeting their budget needs), but because our churches are located in this world. This world has a problem with money; it tends it give money a place that only God should have. One of our speakers at the Convocation put it well as he said there is a rival religion in America, the religion of materialism. Materialism presents an alternative god (the power of money or “mammon”), an alternative gospel (money brings life), and an alternative devotional practice (shopping). The Stewardship Convocation addressed church members who live in this world and want to see their local churches develop the kind of stewardship ministry that can set folk free to love God and neighbor completely and generously.
Another speaker noted the importance of tithing as the spiritual discipline through which such devoted, loving, and generous disciples of Jesus Christ are made. The speaker said that rather than preach tithing in a harsh way that turns folk away, we should invite persons to set the tithe as a benchmark for giving, intentionally grow toward it, celebrate all progress that is made, and be ready to ask God “What’s next?” when the person reaches the tithe.
Still another speaker indicated how stewardship is an aspect of fundamental Christian education that is to be imbedded in our Christian preaching and teaching the year around. Stewardship education is a tool for spiritual formation that brings freedom and joy, not an annual campaign that brings fear and dread.
The Convocation also offered workshops in practical matters of stewardship education in the local church, growing persons who tithe, stewardship education for children, and hosting “Good Sense,” a small group, practical ministry that enables families to gain the understanding, attitude, and practices necessary for sound household financial management.
Be on the watch for a follow-up to this Stewardship Convocation, and also for some coming opportunities to have persons from your local church trained in leading a “Good Sense” budget course in your local church.
Core Competencies Training, May 17th
United Methodists Urged to Begin Ministry dealing with substance abuse and family violence
Since 1992, in response to alarming national statistics on substance abuse and family violence caused by substance abuse, the United Methodist Church has had a Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence through the General Board of Global Ministries. The program (Acronym SPSARV) bears witness to God’s love and grace as it prepares United Methodists and their partners to accompany individuals, families, and communities in their journeys to hope, healing, deliverance, and, ultimately wholeness. SPSARV works to develop networks and resources that raise awareness and equip people for prevention, intervention, treatment, and advocacy ministry responses.
The statistics, even in research done in faith communities, shows an incredible need for congregations to develop ministries related to addiction. 17% of respondents in faith communities report a family member who is in recovery from alcohol addiction, 7% report a family member in recovery from drug dependency.
Recently SPSARV has entered into an historic collaboration with the Rush Center of the Johnson Institute. The Rush Center has more than 40 years of experience in prevention, intervention, and recovery support models and technologies. The Center provides a thoughtful three-step process for an effective alcohol and drug prevention and recover support-team ministry, to address the needs of the whole congregation. Though alcohol and other drug addictions affect every congregation, conversations about alcohol and drug use, misuse, and addiction are rare.
The Rush Center believes an informed clergy, supported by committed and trained congregational members, can offer hope and help to those who want to prevent problems through awareness, education, early intervention strategies, recovery support, and/or public policy advocacy.
Each local church in the United Methodist Church is invited to register the congregation to become a Faith Partners Team, and to have the pastor and several team members receive initial leadership training through a six-hour workshop to be held May 17, 2007, at the Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203. The registration fee is $180 per United Methodist congregation which includes Call to Action Kit and housing. There is a $15 per person, per day meal surcharge. Registration deadline for the event is April 13, 2007.
After the initial training, congregations are urged to send a team of three of more to a two-day training scheduled for September 21-22, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Further information about SPSARV can be found on-line at http://www.umspsarv.org. To download the training brochure with registration information scroll to the bottom of the page and under SPSARV Links you will find the link to “SPSARV Training Events.” Click on “Training Events” and download the material you need.
Our Call to Hospitality, Part I
A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration
by John Purdue
John Purdue, Chairperson, Hispanic Ministries, Tennessee Annual Conference
The General Board of Church and Society sponsored a conference on immigration related issues at Lake Junaluska titled Our Call to Hospitality: A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration. Articles in the next several issues of THE REVIEW will deal with the difficult issue of immigration using information gleaned both from the immigration conference and from other sources which relate more specifically to middle Tennessee.
Some persons in the church are concerned not with race or language but very concerned with legal issues. There can be little doubt that our current legal system is broken. The following is a short overview of US legal history in regards to immigration issues.
14th Amendment to the Constitution: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
The Naturalization Act of 1790: “Any alien, being a free, white person who shall have resided within the US for 2 years may be admitted to become a citizen as well.”
• Set 1st racial/national limits on who could become a citizen.
1819-1855: Various Acts: Excluded Jews, Irish and Italians by defining them as non-white for purposes of the 1790 Act.
1882-1934: Various Asian Exclusion Acts: Excluded Asians by nation of origin.
Quota Act of 1924: The first permanent immigration quota law establishing a quota system and consular control system. It also established the Border Patrol.
• Quotas adjusted in 1929, 1952 and 1965.
• Ted Kennedy, on the 1965 adjustment, in a quote that explains the intent of all the quota adjustments: “The ethnic mix (in the USA) will not be upset.”
Immigration Reform and Control Act 1986: more restrictive and targeted quota system.
• Gave strong preference to skilled workers.
• Less overtly racist policy, though clearly euro-centric
• Generally understood as incomplete legislation, thus followed by:
• 1990: Legal Immigration and the Immigration Act
• 1996: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
• none of these Acts seems to have really worked well.
1994: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Allowed for the freer flow of goods, capital and some services between the US, Mexico and Canada
In theory, this act was an important means by which illegal immigration could have been diminished because it allowed for the movement of factories from the US to Mexico, creating many low wage jobs in Mexico. What has actually happened is more complex and open to interpretation: many jobs, low wage in America but at attractive wages in Mexico, were created and still exist in Northern Mexico, especially along the US/Mexican border. These jobs draw people from all across Mexico. Some argue that this has, in fact, depressed the numbers of aliens coming into the USA, some argue that it has increased the total by increasing the number of the poorer Mexicans (and other Latin and South Americans) at or near the border instead of in their hometowns. A wave of plant closings hit Northern Mexico in the early 2000s as some factories, having moved from Canada and the US to Mexico, moved on to China. Almost all analysts agree that this wave of closings caused additional immigration, mostly illegal, to the USA. However the total number of industrial jobs in Northern Mexico continues to rise.
Farmers in the USA are clearly more productive and arguably more subsidized than their counterparts in Mexico. This, coupled with NAFTA reforms, has caused a farm crisis in Mexico akin to the farm crisis in the USA in the 1980’s. It is cheaper to grow corn in the USA and ship it to Mexico than to grow it in Mexico. While this has been a boon to Mexican consumers, it has caused many Mexican agricultural workers to be displaced, leading directly to immigration. Currently, 30% of Mexican farmers are out of work. This has probably been the single greatest cause of illegal immigration into Tennessee, since only 5000 persons are permitted to come to the USA yearly for agricultural work and by some estimate as many as 500,000 do, a very substantial number of these coming to Tennessee for farm work.
From Readiness to Effectiveness
by Aline Wesley*
In 1996 the General Conference of the United Methodist Church approved a new probationary process of at least three years for seeking ordination in the denomination. Under this legislation a candidate seeking ordination would be commissioned following completion of educational and other requirements. The commissioned member then enters a probationary period of at least three years, and up to six years under the supervision and guidance of the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. In the Tennessee Conference this period is called the residency period. One aspect of this period is full time appointment by the Bishop.
Paragraph 3 17 in the 2000 Book of Discipline outlines what is expected to take place during the residency period. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry through its Division of Ordained Ministry was charged with establishing the recommended guidelines for Annual Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry to use in developing their probationary programs.
The Tennessee Annual Conference’s residency process encompasses these areas recommended by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: supervision, mentoring, covenant groups, continued theological education, and spiritual development.
Our residents each have a mentor with whom they meet six times a year. They participate in a residency group with five to eight other residents which meets six times a year for at least three hours per session. The group leader is an ordained Elder or Deacon who facilitates the group using theological material as well as other guides to “support the practice and work of their ministry as servant leaders.”
Retreat seminar, here led by Dr. Steven Manskar, is part of the probationary process of the Tennessee Conference.
In conjunction with the Board of Ordained Ministry’s Residency Team the Conference Director of Ministerial Concerns, Susan Padgett, provides two retreats annually which cover relevant and practical topics on spiritual formation, ministry effectiveness, practical theological education and other areas of interest. This year all the second-year residents will go to the Church of the Resurrection Leadership Conference for their fall retreat, and third-year residents will go to Duke University for a Probationer’s Seminar. All of our first and second-year residents, as well as some third-year residents, will participate in the Bishop’s Conference with members from 12 other conferences including members from the United Kingdom. This Conference will be held at the Scarritt-Bennett Center from March 26-28th and has been a highlight of the residency process in the past several years.
The residents are supervised by their SPRCs or work area supervisors and their District Superintendents as well as by the Bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Annual Conference. Each year the residents come for interviews with members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. During this time the resident’s year is discussed and a report from her/his District Superintendent and SPRC is reviewed. The resident provides a self-evaluation, and a mentor and group leader report stating that the resident has met the required number of times is submitted. The mentoring and covenant group parts of the process remain completely confidential. The yearly conversations with each resident are to be used as a guide for the Board so that they may assist each person in the best possible way to have a successful residency year.
At the conclusion of the three years, an evaluation conference is held where the entire Board evaluates each resident coming for ordination on the basis of Call, Worship, Theology, and Promise of Effectiveness. Much written work is prepared before this Conference including taped sermons and Bible studies as well as answers to theological questions. Candidates then have 45-minute interviews in each of the four groups with the Board of Ordained Ministry members. The entire Board then comes together to hear reports from each group and determine that the resident “has the ability to express and give leadership in servant ministry.” Our Tennessee Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Evaluation Conference takes place this year on March 26th through the 28th.
The residency period is an important time for those who are seeking ordination in the Tennessee Conference. It is a period when these commissioned members must spend time away from their congregations or areas of ministry; they must be working on significant paper work to be presented before the Board’s Evaluation Conference, and they must prepare additional sermons and Bible studies on specific scriptures. All of this means extra time and expenses will be needed to complete the process. Those who have residents on their staff can be a valuable part of the process as congregations are helped to understand the process, and as we support the residents with our prayers, our caring and our love. All of us in the Tennessee Annual Conference have a stake in the residents who are preparing for ordination. Being aware of the process and praying for the candidates as well as for the Board of Ordained Ministry who supervise the process are the best possible ways we can work together to assure that all those who are ordained are prepared for their places of leadership. Churches, too, need to prepare their hearts to be receptive to God’s leadership as ministers are appointed. With these effective ministerial leaders and laity working together, we will be able to carry out our mission, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
*Aline Wesley is Chairperson, Residency Process Team, Tennessee Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
Tennessee Titans Recognize Mary McEwen as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner
Receives $10,000 Grant for Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN – 1/24/2007 -- The Tennessee Titans recognized Mary McEwen, 87, of Nashville as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner. McEwen earned a $10,000 grant from Titans owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. and the Tennessee Titans Foundation for her non-profit organization, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, where she has volunteered for 24 years.
Mary McEwen (left) with Bethlehem Centers of Nashville director, Joyce Searcy.
McEwen was one of five volunteers recognized today for their work with non-profit organizations who were chosen based on their leadership and dedication to bettering their hometown communities. The Community Quarterback Award program is a statewide contest that recognizes outstanding volunteers, ages 13 and up, of non-profit organizations in Tennessee. The winners were awarded with grants from the Tennessee Titans Foundation that totaled $20,000, bringing the total grants awarded since the program started in 2000 to $140,000.
The Titans Community Quarterback Award has had many extraordinary winners over the years but none more so than Mary McEwen. Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a non-profit organization that provides quality programs and services to Middle Tennesseans to advocate self-reliance and positive life-choices for all ages. McEwen has worked closely with the center’s Hot Lunch Program that sends volunteers to 13 inner-city churches, where they work together to deliver meals to 100 homebound and elderly each month. Now in her 24th year as a volunteer, McEwen serves as a cook for the Hot Lunch Program. She participates in calling the volunteers and program recipients, preparing menus, calling and writing letters to raise money for the program and supervising food preparation.
When asked about the award and how it has affected others McEwen said, “The more we help, the more others are volunteering to help us. Many others have volunteered and some soup kitchens have even given their services to the center.”
As far as advice for others wanting to volunteer, McEwen says, “If people look around and see somebody helping others, they may want to help someone out themselves. They will be surprised how much joy they get out of it.”
“We have had some incredible winners since we began the Titans Community Quarterback Award in 2000 and Mary McEwen continues the tradition of Tennesseans of all ages who give so much to non-profit organizations across this great state,” said Titans Owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. “Last year’s winner (Sondra Clark of Nashville) was 16 and this year’s winner is 87 years young!”
“Mary is truly an inspiration to us all,” continued Adams. “Community involvement is very important to my wife Nancy and me and the entire Titans organization. We are pleased to present this grant to Bethlehem Center in recognition of Mary’s dedication and salute not only today’s five grant winners but everyone that was nominated for this year’s Titans Community Quarterback Award!”
The runner up recognized was Don McGehee, 84, of Nashville. McGehee’s organization, Nashville Alliance for Public Education, received $4,000 on behalf of his volunteer efforts. The Nashville Alliance for Public Education teams up with the Metro Nashville Public School Board and the Director of Schools to enhance areas in the school systems that are undeveloped. They develop these areas with community resource driven programs. McGehee developed two of the character building programs, “I Am Somebody” and “Recipe for Total Success.”
The three semi-finalists, Dan Dillon, Bill Tyner and Sallye Wright were also recognized and received $2,000 on behalf of their volunteer efforts.
Dan Dillon volunteers with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Dillon initiated the launch of audio description for visually-impaired and blind patrons so that they can fully enjoy the experience of live performances at TPAC following a similar experience at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In addition to bringing the concept to TPAC, he helped secure necessary funding to make the project a reality!
Bill Tyner volunteers with the Rutherford Co. Habitat for Humanity. Tyner helped found the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity at age 67 with a group of friends known as “The Grumpy Old Men.” He has served as an agency volunteer in numerous roles for the past 17 years. The 84-year-old Tyner has been a construction leader and builder, served on various board positions and is currently a cashier in the agency’s “Restore” retail shop.
Sallye Wright volunteers with the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. For a period of eight months, Wright was a resident of the YWCA Domestic Violence Center. That experience was five years ago and within days after leaving the center she began to help other victims rebuild their lives. Wright now chairs the Survivors’ Advisory Committee for the Youth Women (YW) domestic violence services. She is now an advocate, a compassionate ear and volunteer for women who suffer.
The Tennessee Titans Community Quarterback Award is a recognition program developed by the National Football League (NFL). This program donates nearly $1 million to the respective non-profit organizations of the volunteers all across NFL cities. Bud Adams and the Tennessee Titans Foundation has distributed $140,000 in grants since the program began in 2000.
It’s not like the post cards . . .
A memo from Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Director of Bahamas Methodist Habitat. McIntyre grew up in the Tennessee Annual Conference, son of Rev. and Mrs. David McIntyre.
“ . . . wait, you do what? Where? Really?” . . .
Yes, really. Mission work in the Bahamas. As crazy as it sounds we really do serve those in need in the Bahamas.
“But I thought that’s where all the tourists go.”
Yes it is, but where we serve is The Real Bahamas, where people greet you with a warm smile, call you by name, leave their doors unlocked and their hearts wide open. This is what I have been blessed with this past year. It is still hard for me to believe that this country/mountain boy ended up on the beach, but that is what happens when you “Let Go and Let God” . . . so be careful or you might end up down here serving with me. I will have to admit that is not as perfect a place as the postcards show, but I am proud and blessed to be able to call it “Home” and have the opportunity to invite you down to experience it for yourself.
As a product of short-term mission work with both Bahamas Methodist Habitat and the Appalachia Service Project, I feel very fortunate to now be the vehicle that allows both young and old to grab hold of their passion and run with it.
Tex Evans, founder of the Appalachia Service Project, always said to “take it home with you.” Don’t leave your experience where you had it. “Take it home and do something with it”. I took it home . . . I then ended up in the Bahamas. Where will you end up? I challenge you to keep your heart and eyes open to the new opportunities God is placing in front of you, whether that be serving with Bahamas Methodist Habitat or within your local community.
Things here are great and we hope to see you all very soon!
Peace and Love,
Abraham (Abe) McIntyre
Bahamas Methodist Habitat now supported by Agape Flight ministry
Agape Flights is an airplane ministry that supports over 2,000 missionaries in the Caribbean. They fly to Haiti and the Dominican Republic every Wednesday, with a refuel stop at Governors Harbour, EL (GHB, our airport). This allows us to benefit from their ministry and services.
Not only do they bring us our weekly mail (see address below) but they also deliver donated materials that are sent to them by you, our supporters. They are also like the Home Shopping Network for us. We send them an email with our needs and wants. They go out to their neighborhood stores and shop for us; cleaning supplies, office supplies, ceiling fans, food, etc., and then they bring it to us on their Wednesday flight! Amazing!
Our best story yet is that the van’s radiator went out on Monday. I called Agape Tuesday morning and told them what we needed. They went shopping and bought the radiator (We have an account with them). They delivered it to the airport Wednesday morning . . . the van was fixed Wednesday afternoon!! For those of you who haven’t been here . . . such timing is unheard of in the Bahamas! We are blessed to have Agape as a partner in ministry.
Donations for Bahamas Methodist Habitat can be made directly to our account (#18693) from the donation page of the Agape Flights website. Funds donated allow us to buy needed materials directly from the states without the hassle of currency exchange rates. They will accept a single donation or you may set up a monthly deposit with your credit card.
It costs Agape $3/lb to ship items and run their ministry. They raise $2 and charge their missionaries $1/lb. You will support both of us in your giving. You will aid us in paying for our needed materials and you will help defray their shipping cost. The Agape Flights website can be found at www.AgapeFlights.com
Bahamas Methodist Habitat – GHB
Agape Flights – Account #18693
100 Airport Avenue
Venice, Florida 34286
Bahamas Methodist Habitat Contact Information
USA: 615-469-7974
Office: 242-335-6306
Cell: 242-464-0577
MethodistHabitat@gmail.com
http://www.MethodistHabitat@gmail.com
1. Academy for Church Leadership will help churches equip their lay people for effective ministry—new Martin Methodist College program with supportive comments by Gloria Watts and Joe Williams.
2. Tennessee Conference Readies Church Teams for Disaster Response—Announcement of March 17th training event for local churches and individuals who want to be involved in disaster Response
3. Sherre Miller Bishop’s One Woman Show on the African-American music and worship tradition is rich experience for white audiences.
4. Dire weather fails to stop February 17th Stewardship Convocation
5. United Methodists Urged to Begin Ministry dealing with substance abuse and family violence—Description of May 17th SEJ training opportunity which addresses
6. A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration—first of a series of articles by John Purdue, Chairperson of the Conference Hispanic Ministry Committee. This article presents a short overview of US legal history in regards to immigration issues.
7. From Readiness to Effectiveness—describes the probationary process for seeking ordination in the denomination.
8. Tennessee Titans Recognize Mary McEwen as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner—She Receives $10,000 Grant for Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
9 .It’s not like the post cards . . . Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Director of Bahamas Methodist Habitat, reflects on his ministry.
10. Bahamas Methodist Habitat now supported by Agape Flight ministry—Special flight ministry supports 2000 missionaries in the Caribbean with mail service and delivery of supplies
Academy for Church Leadership will help churches equip their lay people for effective ministry.
by Rev. Domenic Nigrelli, Ph.D., Director, Center for Church Leadership, Martin Methodist College
Rev. Dr. Domenic Nigrelli
The Cal Turner Jr., Center for Church Leadership of Martin Methodist College is launching the ACADEMY FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS, an exciting new leadership program of theological studies, spiritual formation and specialized training in areas of practical ministry.
Two years ago, the Center began a series of conversations with denominational leaders, pastors and lay people to help us conduct a feasibility study concerning lay leadership training. Throughout this time of study, debate and prayer the Center presented the ever-evolving concept several times to our Bishop, Richard J. Wills and the Cabinet; we consulted on numerous occasions with the Board of Laity and the Lay Speaking Ministries; and we called a Design Team and a Curriculum Team consisting of pastors, lay people, District Superintendents, representatives of Lay Speaking Ministries, the Board of Laity and a representative of the TN Conference Council on Ministries. Representatives from churches of all seven Districts participated.
The issues raised in our conversations will come as a surprise to no one: our denomination is facing a leadership crisis and is in dire need for ways to revitalize our congregations. The litany of causes and effects is familiar by now: a general apathy in an increasingly secularized culture which does not understand or care for the mission and life of the church; a body of believers which is not really familiar with the traditions, theology, practices of the people called Methodists; a sometimes paralyzing inability to cope with accelerating social and cultural changes; declining membership; aging membership; and staffing issues.
From our discussions and studies we identified the following principles which guided the design of the Academy for Congregational Leaders:
• First, the Academy will help the churches equip their lay people for effective ministry. That is, the Academy will provide a place for their congregants to discover and use God-given talents. As a consequence, churches are enabled to engender ministries that are based on God-given gifts and abilities. In the near future we will be expanding this program to help the churches themselves to become equipping congregations.
• Second, the Academy will foster a collaborative approach between clergy, professional staff and lay people. The principle of collaboration is fundamentally a theological and biblical one: all of us are called to ministry at the time of our baptism. The Academy will help the participants to understand that ministry unfolds “with” people rather than “to” people. As a consequence, what is created is not merely another program, but a genuine community of partners who share their gifts and energies in the body of Christ.
• Third, the Academy will advance the insight that servant-leadership is fundamentally a spiritual practice that corresponds to a personal call. The ministry of the congregational leader is nothing less than faith in action, and the identity of the congregational leader nothing less than living out one’s calling to servant leadership. The end-result is that every activity enhances the personal relationship with God—a relationship which in turn funds and nourishes the call to service.
The long-term impact of the Academy will be the creation of a new model of congregational life that rises to the challenges of the contemporary crisis in our churches. The Academy intends to gather people to be nurtured, equipped, empowered and then sent as co-participants in God’s kingdom. Our goal is to live out our call to be disciples and to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the redemption of a needy world.
We hope that you consider joining us in this new ministry. For detailed information about the research conducted, the program and courses of the Academy, please visit us at www.martinmethodist.edu/ccl or call us at 931.363.9898.
Gloria Watts, TN Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries , says “I would strongly recommend Martin Methodist College’s Academy For Congregational Leaders as continuing education for all Lay Leaders and Lay Speakers.”
“The program has been carefully though out so that you will gain practical skills in leadership training to enhance our ministry goals and strengthen the local churches. I plan on attending myself.”
Joe Williams, TN Conference Lay Leader, adds his endorsement: “The church has long needed and yearned for leadership training for its laity who are called to play a larger role in United Methodist Church's efforts towards fulfilling the Great Commandment and promoting fellowship and discipleship among its members. I truly believe that the Academy for
Congregational Leaders at Martin Methodist College’s Center for Church Leadership is the answer to our yearning and prayers! The schedule of courses to be offered, the convenience for laity to attend without interfering with their regular employment, and the modest cost involved led me to come to this conclusion.”“Hopefully many of the laity from our churches -- small, middle-sized, and large -- will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity during the coming years. Those who have been trained through the Academy will not only be prepared to help their congregation attain its vision, but also will help free-up their pastor's time for matters more appropriate for the clergy to handle. The Academy for Congregational Leaders truly is designed to meet the needs of the United Methodist Church during the 21st century.”
Tennessee Conference Readies Church Teams for Disaster Response
The Tennessee Conference is committed to having trained emergency response persons available in case of natural or man-caused disasters in Tennessee communities and counties, as well as in neighboring states and Annual Conferences. Disaster Response specialists have speculated that the problem is not IF a major disaster will hit Tennessee it is WHEN and WHERE it will hit. You and persons from your congregation CAN be prepared:
Two crucial Disaster Response classes will be offered Saturday, March 17, at the Tennessee UMC Conference Center, 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211. Early Response from 9 am - 1 pm, with an optional chainsaw safety demonstration/class following until 2 pm. Basic UMCOR Disaster Course from 9 am - Noon. A simple lunch of hot dogs and trimmings will be available, as well as coffee, tea, and snacks for the morning. $10 per person will help offset some of the cost of food, materials, and leadership.
Early Response--suitable for those who would like to form or be a part of an Early Response Team. Such teams generally are able to work in the early days of a disaster to help remove trees, do "mud-out" from floods, and other tasks related to making personal property safe, sanitary, and secure.
Basic UMCOR Disaster-covers the basics, including stages of disaster (Emergency, Relief, Recovery, and Mitigation), UMCOR funding/training, local church/conference/district organization, and other topics to give a good overview of disaster work and advance preparation.
To register email Jason Brock jbrock@tnumc.org (615-329-1177) and supply the following information:
Name and address of person/s registering
Email address and phone number of each person registering
Name of Local Church and Tennessee Conference District.
Name of the course for which each individual is registering.
The registration deadline is noon on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Sherre Miller Bishop’s One Woman Show on the African-American music and worship tradition is rich experience for white audiences
Describing Sherre Miller Bishop’s performance in her one-woman show From the Motherland to the Promised Land is all but impossible. As she portrays a regal African woman in traditional costume, and the coming of the slave traders, she is magnificent, clear-eyed and articulate. Then she becomes a plantation slave picking cotton, then a slave/servant in the big house, and numerous personas during her 45-minute show, including a preacher in a secret slave worship experience.
Sherre Bishop portrays a field slave working in a field of cotton.
Interwoven with personal dialogue and narrative is the religious music of the African American worship experience; in some cases lyrics with long snatches of moaning and groaning. “They sang that way because they could not read,” says Bishop. “So they heard the traveling preachers when possible and memorized snippets.” The slaves could not read, could not write down the words, and the humming/moaning sound filled in the parts they had not learned. “In Africa music was used to celebrate everything. The drums seemed to talk so drum music was forbidden by the slave traders, but once on the plantation they sang. They sang because their voices were all that they had. They sang as they worked from sunup to sundown. They sang to the only One who cared and the only One who could give them personhood—God.”
Sherre Miller Bishop, wife of Metropolitan Nashville Deputy Police Chief Joseph Bishop and mother of son Joseph, Jr., has performed largely before African-American audiences and appeared in numerous African-American churches. Not many white churches have wanted to build a worship experience or program around slavery, feeling perhaps that Bishop’s show would be an embittered, angry view of slavery. Instead, it presents an incredible faith journey as expressed through song and prayer.
Harmon L. Wray, Director of the Vanderbilt Program in Faith and Criminal Justice, was in the audience recently when Sherre Bishop performed at the Scarritt-Bennett Center (kudos to Scarritt-Bennett for working diligently to get this talented writer/singer/actress known throughout Nashville and urging white churches to sit up and take notice). Wray says, “Sherre Bishop's From the Motherland to the Promised Land is a beautiful and moving recreation of the history of African Americans' hope and faith in the God of love, justice, and freedom for all -- the only thing that would not let them down. This exceptional artist's performance is as relevant for white Christians as it is for black ones."
How a person whose only stage experience was the occasional skit in high school and elementary school, and who has no formal musical training, can compete with
Broadway is an amazing story.
Sherre Miller Bishop was born in the Edgehill public housing development off of 12th Avenue South in Nashville and attended nearby Carter-Lawrence Elementary School. She was one of four children raised by a single mom, a mom committed to moving out of the projects. Despite college costs and the sacrifices she would have to make, this “phenomenal” mom went back to school in her 40s and got a nursing degree. Work as a nurse enabled her to buy a house for her little family, which included an older brother and sister.
Sherre attended Hillsboro High School and fondly remembers her stint as a “half-timer,” the Hillsboro dance troupe that performed at the half-time of athletic events. For one year she was a co-captain of the group, and she recalls her work as choreographer—coming up with the dance steps the group used in their performances. “I was the best one to do the Robot,” Sherre notes with a smile.
Sherre Miller Bishop went on to college, graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Speech Communication, and continued on to a career as a television news reporter and news brief anchor in several places across the United States. This ended when her boss at the time decided he wanted to get out of the television business and retire. Loss of a job ultimately drew out her love of writing and helping people connect with resources, which led to a career in public relations. “But,” admits Sherre, “I was in an emotional valley.” She became depressed. “I started to be haunted by questions: ‘Who are you and why are you here? What’s your purpose in life?’ I thought I would love being free to do my own thing but I sank deeper into the valley experience. I started sleeping all day—and enjoying it. The sad thing about valley experiences is that you feel it is comfortable to sleep. You become isolated. I realized that is what Satan wanted—to isolate me from other people, so I didn’t hear positive things, and I didn’t get up to read the Bible and get into the Word of God.”
Sherre, who grew up in the church, decided enough was enough and one day she went out to American Baptist College to “look around.” Somehow she felt she wanted to know more about the Bible and how scripture relates to systematic theology. She went to the college without a dime in her pocket and by the time she left she was a registered full-time student. The president knew of her work in public relations and urged her to also help the college with publicity. “So I graduated magna cum laude and thank you laude from American Baptist College with a Th.B. degree.”
One day she asked one of the college administrators Dr. David Groves, then dean of students, quite casually, “What are you doing for Black History Month?”
“Well,” he answered, “we always have a chapel service and we are going to sing the Negro national anthem.”
Sherre’s response was a quick, “That’s not enough.”
Without a second thought Groves looked her in the eye and said, “Then do something.”
Her response, “I will,” started her on heavy research through books, websites, and film footage. As she thought of what she would do for the college she just wanted to show the Black worship experience in some way.
At this point, she admits things started getting strange. Once she finished her research she sat down at her computer and started to write. It was 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and as she sat before her computer a strange warmth and comfort came over her. A story started to flow through her fingers and take on a life of its own. The story started to represent the indomitable spirit of African-American ancestors and what they went through. The main thing was that they had faith in God, something to believe in, and they were able to get past the worst of times. Her short piece on The Black Worship Experience started to show the power of God. “Whether you are black, brown, red, white, green or polk-a-dot, with faith in God you can make it, and He will bring you through.”
Her first presentation was about 20 minutes in length, and she had to glance repeatedly at her notes. Others asked her to perform the piece she had written and over the years she prepared additional material. The 2007 version, From the Motherland to the Promised Land, presents a riveting one-woman performance with music and narrative. Sherre Miller Bishop has taken her show to conferences, Martin Luther King Celebrations, Africentric festivals, themed banquets, pastor’s conferences, women’s retreats—literally around the country.
Audience members stayed to congratulate Sherre (center) after her performance.
If you would like to contact Sherre for a performance of ‘Motherland’ or one of her other monologues, she can be reached by phone at 615.876.9583 or via email at sherrewrites@yahoo.com. Visit her on the web at www.justbits.homestead.com
Dire weather fails to stop February 17th Stewardship Convocation
by Jay Archer, Conference Stewardship Committee
Why did they come? In spite of dire weather, over 120 persons came to Hermitage UMC on Saturday, February 17, for the Stewardship Convocation. Perhaps they came because God’s people know that money is a problem. Money is a problem, not because our churches are behind in their budgets (many churches are meeting their budget needs), but because our churches are located in this world. This world has a problem with money; it tends it give money a place that only God should have. One of our speakers at the Convocation put it well as he said there is a rival religion in America, the religion of materialism. Materialism presents an alternative god (the power of money or “mammon”), an alternative gospel (money brings life), and an alternative devotional practice (shopping). The Stewardship Convocation addressed church members who live in this world and want to see their local churches develop the kind of stewardship ministry that can set folk free to love God and neighbor completely and generously.
Another speaker noted the importance of tithing as the spiritual discipline through which such devoted, loving, and generous disciples of Jesus Christ are made. The speaker said that rather than preach tithing in a harsh way that turns folk away, we should invite persons to set the tithe as a benchmark for giving, intentionally grow toward it, celebrate all progress that is made, and be ready to ask God “What’s next?” when the person reaches the tithe.
Still another speaker indicated how stewardship is an aspect of fundamental Christian education that is to be imbedded in our Christian preaching and teaching the year around. Stewardship education is a tool for spiritual formation that brings freedom and joy, not an annual campaign that brings fear and dread.
The Convocation also offered workshops in practical matters of stewardship education in the local church, growing persons who tithe, stewardship education for children, and hosting “Good Sense,” a small group, practical ministry that enables families to gain the understanding, attitude, and practices necessary for sound household financial management.
Be on the watch for a follow-up to this Stewardship Convocation, and also for some coming opportunities to have persons from your local church trained in leading a “Good Sense” budget course in your local church.
Core Competencies Training, May 17th
United Methodists Urged to Begin Ministry dealing with substance abuse and family violence
Since 1992, in response to alarming national statistics on substance abuse and family violence caused by substance abuse, the United Methodist Church has had a Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence through the General Board of Global Ministries. The program (Acronym SPSARV) bears witness to God’s love and grace as it prepares United Methodists and their partners to accompany individuals, families, and communities in their journeys to hope, healing, deliverance, and, ultimately wholeness. SPSARV works to develop networks and resources that raise awareness and equip people for prevention, intervention, treatment, and advocacy ministry responses.The statistics, even in research done in faith communities, shows an incredible need for congregations to develop ministries related to addiction. 17% of respondents in faith communities report a family member who is in recovery from alcohol addiction, 7% report a family member in recovery from drug dependency.
Recently SPSARV has entered into an historic collaboration with the Rush Center of the Johnson Institute. The Rush Center has more than 40 years of experience in prevention, intervention, and recovery support models and technologies. The Center provides a thoughtful three-step process for an effective alcohol and drug prevention and recover support-team ministry, to address the needs of the whole congregation. Though alcohol and other drug addictions affect every congregation, conversations about alcohol and drug use, misuse, and addiction are rare.
The Rush Center believes an informed clergy, supported by committed and trained congregational members, can offer hope and help to those who want to prevent problems through awareness, education, early intervention strategies, recovery support, and/or public policy advocacy.
Each local church in the United Methodist Church is invited to register the congregation to become a Faith Partners Team, and to have the pastor and several team members receive initial leadership training through a six-hour workshop to be held May 17, 2007, at the Dilworth United Methodist Church, 605 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203. The registration fee is $180 per United Methodist congregation which includes Call to Action Kit and housing. There is a $15 per person, per day meal surcharge. Registration deadline for the event is April 13, 2007.
After the initial training, congregations are urged to send a team of three of more to a two-day training scheduled for September 21-22, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Further information about SPSARV can be found on-line at http://www.umspsarv.org. To download the training brochure with registration information scroll to the bottom of the page and under SPSARV Links you will find the link to “SPSARV Training Events.” Click on “Training Events” and download the material you need.
Our Call to Hospitality, Part I
A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration
by John Purdue
John Purdue, Chairperson, Hispanic Ministries, Tennessee Annual ConferenceThe General Board of Church and Society sponsored a conference on immigration related issues at Lake Junaluska titled Our Call to Hospitality: A Biblical Response to the Challenges of Immigration. Articles in the next several issues of THE REVIEW will deal with the difficult issue of immigration using information gleaned both from the immigration conference and from other sources which relate more specifically to middle Tennessee.
Some persons in the church are concerned not with race or language but very concerned with legal issues. There can be little doubt that our current legal system is broken. The following is a short overview of US legal history in regards to immigration issues.
14th Amendment to the Constitution: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
The Naturalization Act of 1790: “Any alien, being a free, white person who shall have resided within the US for 2 years may be admitted to become a citizen as well.”
• Set 1st racial/national limits on who could become a citizen.
1819-1855: Various Acts: Excluded Jews, Irish and Italians by defining them as non-white for purposes of the 1790 Act.
1882-1934: Various Asian Exclusion Acts: Excluded Asians by nation of origin.
Quota Act of 1924: The first permanent immigration quota law establishing a quota system and consular control system. It also established the Border Patrol.
• Quotas adjusted in 1929, 1952 and 1965.
• Ted Kennedy, on the 1965 adjustment, in a quote that explains the intent of all the quota adjustments: “The ethnic mix (in the USA) will not be upset.”
Immigration Reform and Control Act 1986: more restrictive and targeted quota system.
• Gave strong preference to skilled workers.
• Less overtly racist policy, though clearly euro-centric
• Generally understood as incomplete legislation, thus followed by:
• 1990: Legal Immigration and the Immigration Act
• 1996: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
• none of these Acts seems to have really worked well.
1994: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Allowed for the freer flow of goods, capital and some services between the US, Mexico and Canada
In theory, this act was an important means by which illegal immigration could have been diminished because it allowed for the movement of factories from the US to Mexico, creating many low wage jobs in Mexico. What has actually happened is more complex and open to interpretation: many jobs, low wage in America but at attractive wages in Mexico, were created and still exist in Northern Mexico, especially along the US/Mexican border. These jobs draw people from all across Mexico. Some argue that this has, in fact, depressed the numbers of aliens coming into the USA, some argue that it has increased the total by increasing the number of the poorer Mexicans (and other Latin and South Americans) at or near the border instead of in their hometowns. A wave of plant closings hit Northern Mexico in the early 2000s as some factories, having moved from Canada and the US to Mexico, moved on to China. Almost all analysts agree that this wave of closings caused additional immigration, mostly illegal, to the USA. However the total number of industrial jobs in Northern Mexico continues to rise.
Farmers in the USA are clearly more productive and arguably more subsidized than their counterparts in Mexico. This, coupled with NAFTA reforms, has caused a farm crisis in Mexico akin to the farm crisis in the USA in the 1980’s. It is cheaper to grow corn in the USA and ship it to Mexico than to grow it in Mexico. While this has been a boon to Mexican consumers, it has caused many Mexican agricultural workers to be displaced, leading directly to immigration. Currently, 30% of Mexican farmers are out of work. This has probably been the single greatest cause of illegal immigration into Tennessee, since only 5000 persons are permitted to come to the USA yearly for agricultural work and by some estimate as many as 500,000 do, a very substantial number of these coming to Tennessee for farm work.
From Readiness to Effectiveness
by Aline Wesley*
In 1996 the General Conference of the United Methodist Church approved a new probationary process of at least three years for seeking ordination in the denomination. Under this legislation a candidate seeking ordination would be commissioned following completion of educational and other requirements. The commissioned member then enters a probationary period of at least three years, and up to six years under the supervision and guidance of the Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. In the Tennessee Conference this period is called the residency period. One aspect of this period is full time appointment by the Bishop.
Paragraph 3 17 in the 2000 Book of Discipline outlines what is expected to take place during the residency period. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry through its Division of Ordained Ministry was charged with establishing the recommended guidelines for Annual Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry to use in developing their probationary programs.
The Tennessee Annual Conference’s residency process encompasses these areas recommended by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: supervision, mentoring, covenant groups, continued theological education, and spiritual development.
Our residents each have a mentor with whom they meet six times a year. They participate in a residency group with five to eight other residents which meets six times a year for at least three hours per session. The group leader is an ordained Elder or Deacon who facilitates the group using theological material as well as other guides to “support the practice and work of their ministry as servant leaders.”
Retreat seminar, here led by Dr. Steven Manskar, is part of the probationary process of the Tennessee Conference.
In conjunction with the Board of Ordained Ministry’s Residency Team the Conference Director of Ministerial Concerns, Susan Padgett, provides two retreats annually which cover relevant and practical topics on spiritual formation, ministry effectiveness, practical theological education and other areas of interest. This year all the second-year residents will go to the Church of the Resurrection Leadership Conference for their fall retreat, and third-year residents will go to Duke University for a Probationer’s Seminar. All of our first and second-year residents, as well as some third-year residents, will participate in the Bishop’s Conference with members from 12 other conferences including members from the United Kingdom. This Conference will be held at the Scarritt-Bennett Center from March 26-28th and has been a highlight of the residency process in the past several years.The residents are supervised by their SPRCs or work area supervisors and their District Superintendents as well as by the Bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Annual Conference. Each year the residents come for interviews with members of the Board of Ordained Ministry. During this time the resident’s year is discussed and a report from her/his District Superintendent and SPRC is reviewed. The resident provides a self-evaluation, and a mentor and group leader report stating that the resident has met the required number of times is submitted. The mentoring and covenant group parts of the process remain completely confidential. The yearly conversations with each resident are to be used as a guide for the Board so that they may assist each person in the best possible way to have a successful residency year.
At the conclusion of the three years, an evaluation conference is held where the entire Board evaluates each resident coming for ordination on the basis of Call, Worship, Theology, and Promise of Effectiveness. Much written work is prepared before this Conference including taped sermons and Bible studies as well as answers to theological questions. Candidates then have 45-minute interviews in each of the four groups with the Board of Ordained Ministry members. The entire Board then comes together to hear reports from each group and determine that the resident “has the ability to express and give leadership in servant ministry.” Our Tennessee Conference Board of Ordained Ministry Evaluation Conference takes place this year on March 26th through the 28th.
The residency period is an important time for those who are seeking ordination in the Tennessee Conference. It is a period when these commissioned members must spend time away from their congregations or areas of ministry; they must be working on significant paper work to be presented before the Board’s Evaluation Conference, and they must prepare additional sermons and Bible studies on specific scriptures. All of this means extra time and expenses will be needed to complete the process. Those who have residents on their staff can be a valuable part of the process as congregations are helped to understand the process, and as we support the residents with our prayers, our caring and our love. All of us in the Tennessee Annual Conference have a stake in the residents who are preparing for ordination. Being aware of the process and praying for the candidates as well as for the Board of Ordained Ministry who supervise the process are the best possible ways we can work together to assure that all those who are ordained are prepared for their places of leadership. Churches, too, need to prepare their hearts to be receptive to God’s leadership as ministers are appointed. With these effective ministerial leaders and laity working together, we will be able to carry out our mission, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
*Aline Wesley is Chairperson, Residency Process Team, Tennessee Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
Tennessee Titans Recognize Mary McEwen as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner
Receives $10,000 Grant for Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN – 1/24/2007 -- The Tennessee Titans recognized Mary McEwen, 87, of Nashville as the 2006 Community Quarterback Award Winner. McEwen earned a $10,000 grant from Titans owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. and the Tennessee Titans Foundation for her non-profit organization, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, where she has volunteered for 24 years.
Mary McEwen (left) with Bethlehem Centers of Nashville director, Joyce Searcy.
McEwen was one of five volunteers recognized today for their work with non-profit organizations who were chosen based on their leadership and dedication to bettering their hometown communities. The Community Quarterback Award program is a statewide contest that recognizes outstanding volunteers, ages 13 and up, of non-profit organizations in Tennessee. The winners were awarded with grants from the Tennessee Titans Foundation that totaled $20,000, bringing the total grants awarded since the program started in 2000 to $140,000.
The Titans Community Quarterback Award has had many extraordinary winners over the years but none more so than Mary McEwen. Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a non-profit organization that provides quality programs and services to Middle Tennesseans to advocate self-reliance and positive life-choices for all ages. McEwen has worked closely with the center’s Hot Lunch Program that sends volunteers to 13 inner-city churches, where they work together to deliver meals to 100 homebound and elderly each month. Now in her 24th year as a volunteer, McEwen serves as a cook for the Hot Lunch Program. She participates in calling the volunteers and program recipients, preparing menus, calling and writing letters to raise money for the program and supervising food preparation.
When asked about the award and how it has affected others McEwen said, “The more we help, the more others are volunteering to help us. Many others have volunteered and some soup kitchens have even given their services to the center.”
As far as advice for others wanting to volunteer, McEwen says, “If people look around and see somebody helping others, they may want to help someone out themselves. They will be surprised how much joy they get out of it.”
“We have had some incredible winners since we began the Titans Community Quarterback Award in 2000 and Mary McEwen continues the tradition of Tennesseans of all ages who give so much to non-profit organizations across this great state,” said Titans Owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. “Last year’s winner (Sondra Clark of Nashville) was 16 and this year’s winner is 87 years young!”
“Mary is truly an inspiration to us all,” continued Adams. “Community involvement is very important to my wife Nancy and me and the entire Titans organization. We are pleased to present this grant to Bethlehem Center in recognition of Mary’s dedication and salute not only today’s five grant winners but everyone that was nominated for this year’s Titans Community Quarterback Award!”
The runner up recognized was Don McGehee, 84, of Nashville. McGehee’s organization, Nashville Alliance for Public Education, received $4,000 on behalf of his volunteer efforts. The Nashville Alliance for Public Education teams up with the Metro Nashville Public School Board and the Director of Schools to enhance areas in the school systems that are undeveloped. They develop these areas with community resource driven programs. McGehee developed two of the character building programs, “I Am Somebody” and “Recipe for Total Success.”
The three semi-finalists, Dan Dillon, Bill Tyner and Sallye Wright were also recognized and received $2,000 on behalf of their volunteer efforts.
Dan Dillon volunteers with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Dillon initiated the launch of audio description for visually-impaired and blind patrons so that they can fully enjoy the experience of live performances at TPAC following a similar experience at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In addition to bringing the concept to TPAC, he helped secure necessary funding to make the project a reality!
Bill Tyner volunteers with the Rutherford Co. Habitat for Humanity. Tyner helped found the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity at age 67 with a group of friends known as “The Grumpy Old Men.” He has served as an agency volunteer in numerous roles for the past 17 years. The 84-year-old Tyner has been a construction leader and builder, served on various board positions and is currently a cashier in the agency’s “Restore” retail shop.
Sallye Wright volunteers with the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. For a period of eight months, Wright was a resident of the YWCA Domestic Violence Center. That experience was five years ago and within days after leaving the center she began to help other victims rebuild their lives. Wright now chairs the Survivors’ Advisory Committee for the Youth Women (YW) domestic violence services. She is now an advocate, a compassionate ear and volunteer for women who suffer.
The Tennessee Titans Community Quarterback Award is a recognition program developed by the National Football League (NFL). This program donates nearly $1 million to the respective non-profit organizations of the volunteers all across NFL cities. Bud Adams and the Tennessee Titans Foundation has distributed $140,000 in grants since the program began in 2000.
It’s not like the post cards . . .
A memo from Abraham (Abe) McIntyre, Director of Bahamas Methodist Habitat. McIntyre grew up in the Tennessee Annual Conference, son of Rev. and Mrs. David McIntyre.
“ . . . wait, you do what? Where? Really?” . . .
Yes, really. Mission work in the Bahamas. As crazy as it sounds we really do serve those in need in the Bahamas.
“But I thought that’s where all the tourists go.”
Yes it is, but where we serve is The Real Bahamas, where people greet you with a warm smile, call you by name, leave their doors unlocked and their hearts wide open. This is what I have been blessed with this past year. It is still hard for me to believe that this country/mountain boy ended up on the beach, but that is what happens when you “Let Go and Let God” . . . so be careful or you might end up down here serving with me. I will have to admit that is not as perfect a place as the postcards show, but I am proud and blessed to be able to call it “Home” and have the opportunity to invite you down to experience it for yourself.
As a product of short-term mission work with both Bahamas Methodist Habitat and the Appalachia Service Project, I feel very fortunate to now be the vehicle that allows both young and old to grab hold of their passion and run with it.
Tex Evans, founder of the Appalachia Service Project, always said to “take it home with you.” Don’t leave your experience where you had it. “Take it home and do something with it”. I took it home . . . I then ended up in the Bahamas. Where will you end up? I challenge you to keep your heart and eyes open to the new opportunities God is placing in front of you, whether that be serving with Bahamas Methodist Habitat or within your local community.
Things here are great and we hope to see you all very soon!
Peace and Love,
Abraham (Abe) McIntyre
Bahamas Methodist Habitat now supported by Agape Flight ministry
Agape Flights is an airplane ministry that supports over 2,000 missionaries in the Caribbean. They fly to Haiti and the Dominican Republic every Wednesday, with a refuel stop at Governors Harbour, EL (GHB, our airport). This allows us to benefit from their ministry and services.
Not only do they bring us our weekly mail (see address below) but they also deliver donated materials that are sent to them by you, our supporters. They are also like the Home Shopping Network for us. We send them an email with our needs and wants. They go out to their neighborhood stores and shop for us; cleaning supplies, office supplies, ceiling fans, food, etc., and then they bring it to us on their Wednesday flight! Amazing!
Our best story yet is that the van’s radiator went out on Monday. I called Agape Tuesday morning and told them what we needed. They went shopping and bought the radiator (We have an account with them). They delivered it to the airport Wednesday morning . . . the van was fixed Wednesday afternoon!! For those of you who haven’t been here . . . such timing is unheard of in the Bahamas! We are blessed to have Agape as a partner in ministry.
Donations for Bahamas Methodist Habitat can be made directly to our account (#18693) from the donation page of the Agape Flights website. Funds donated allow us to buy needed materials directly from the states without the hassle of currency exchange rates. They will accept a single donation or you may set up a monthly deposit with your credit card.
It costs Agape $3/lb to ship items and run their ministry. They raise $2 and charge their missionaries $1/lb. You will support both of us in your giving. You will aid us in paying for our needed materials and you will help defray their shipping cost. The Agape Flights website can be found at www.AgapeFlights.com
Bahamas Methodist Habitat – GHB
Agape Flights – Account #18693
100 Airport Avenue
Venice, Florida 34286
Bahamas Methodist Habitat Contact Information
USA: 615-469-7974
Office: 242-335-6306
Cell: 242-464-0577
MethodistHabitat@gmail.com
http://www.MethodistHabitat@gmail.com
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 10:00 AM
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