TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW APRIL 20, 2007
Tennessee Conference Review April 20, 2007
Ten Important Stories in this edition of THE REVIEW:
1. Church Experiences Resurrection: A Dying Congregation Now Involved in a Building Program—the story of Bell Springs United Methodist Church
2. Seay Hubbard UMC and the TSU Wesley Foundation Co-Sponsor Effort to Curb Infant Death Rate in Davidson County.
3. Rev. Bill Barnes Tells the Dramatic Story of Edgehill United Methodist Church in his new book To Love a City.
4. Residency Conference Goal to Strengthen Probationers as their Ministry Begins
5. United Methodists Called to Pray. Prayer Conference scheduled for Brentwood United Methodist Church, September 21-22, 2007.
6. Our Call to Hospitality, Part III--Fact Sheet: Immigrants, Immigration, Language, Jobs and Taxes. Continuation of series by John Purdue.
7. The Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries School at Allgood United Methodist Church Shows a Growing Trend—Couples, Families in Lay Speaking Ministry Together.
8. Thanks to the following congregations from the Vanderbilt Divinity School. The Divinity School thanks individual congregations for financial support and for nurturing students in Field Education placements.
9. Volunteers in Mission Represent Christian Love in Action. Norris Allen shares information about VIM ministries in Guatemala. Forward by Jason Brock.
10. Missouri Conference Website features Columbia District VIM Working at Caruthersville, Missouri.
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Rev. Bill Barnes
Rev. Bill Barnes served Edgehill United Methodist Church from 1966 until his retirement in 1996 and he tells the story of that inner city congregation and its ministry in his recently published book To Love a City.
“The book,” Barnes says, “is about a small and diverse congregation making a go of it in a low income minority inner city neighborhood. There was giving and receiving, loving and fear, anger and reconciliation, tears and laughter, success and failure—all in trying to live out a Christ led vocation in the city. Herein is described a multitude of strategies and approaches, all emerging out of a foundation of love, sure that ‘we love because God first loved us.’”
The first 30 years of Edgehill Methodist Church were navigated through incredibly tumultuous times, an small inner city congregation facing divisive challenge after divisive challenge: the war on poverty which oftentimes became a war on the poor, draft counseling during the Viet Nam war, racism, civil rights, integration of the public schools, the issue of Sexual Orientation, HIV-AIDS, public housing miscues, government decisions and policies that brought an upswing in homelessness. Barnes recalls those in the Edgehill community who made a difference as the church struggled with ministry to and with the poor, the racially and economically disenfranchised. Sometimes the gains were small, sometime ideas that sounded good didn’t work—but the church persevered and sometimes, through community organization and patience, the gains were large.
The imagery of strengthening the weakest link in the chain runs throughout To Love a City—imagery that obviously provided the congregation with a goal statement. Barnes say, “More and more, bit-by-bit, I was coming to love my city and, at the same time, becoming more aware of its warts, its ambiguities, and its lapses into moral paralysis. The enduring task was to strengthen the weak links of the chain for the sake of the strength of the whole chain. The chain can never be stronger than the weakest link. Surely this summarizes God’s redemptive work in Scripture, emphatically if not exclusively. This conviction guided our love of city and neighborhood.”
To Love a City is first a personal faith journey, then it is history—history of a congregation attempting to make a difference in the lives of the poor and marginalized. Barnes starts out the book by sharing stories of the persons and events that made a difference in his own life as he prepared for urban ministry.
At that point, rather than electing to present the story of Edgehill using a static time-line, he moves instead to a series of commentaries on crises faced by the congregation and its members. There are enough issues raised and theology shared that these middle chapters could become a rich discussion focus for an adult Sunday School class, or local church committees on mission or Christian Social Concern.
At the very end Barnes recalls the words of an alcoholic named Mr. Peden, words uttered continuously during one of his Sunday sermons: “Close it out now. Wrap it up now. Save some for next time.” He notes “given the world and its swelling cities, so filled with aspirations and brokenness, surely the church is called to be present and to be an agent of healing”—and in “wrapping up” the book he quickly shares some learnings about the church and the inner city. Inner city congregations will benefit from a discussion of the points that Barnes makes.
The book can be obtained by sending your name, address and a check for $20.00 (for each copy of the book ordered) to:
O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 128261
Nashville, TN 37212
All income from the sale of the book above actual publishing costs will go to the O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Fund. The mission of the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill (O.N.E.) /Barnes Scholarship Program is to provide monetary and social support for Edgehill community residents while attending school. Persons who receive scholarships must live in the Edgehill area and must be accepted or presently enrolled in a college or post-high school education program.
There will be a book signing at the Cokesbury Bookstore, 301 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203 (615-749-6123) on Friday, April 27, 2007, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Participants and leaders from the Tennessee Conference at the 2007 Bishop’s Residency Conference. Front row: Trey Carey, Miriam Seyler, Karen Barrineau, Aline Wesley, Bob Niles, Pat Freudenthal, Regina Hall, Barbara Garcia, Alex Jackson, David Hesson, Ted Hill, Becky Peeler, Joe Pennel; Back Row: Lea Thornton, Jared Wilson, Michael Wilson, Jacob Armstrong, Susan Padgett, Peter Ferguson, Matt Trussell, Tom Gibson, Andrew Stowell, Heidi Bender, Brian Gilbert, Mark Youngman; Not pictured: David Lowes Watson, Gayle Watson, Bryan Brooks, Bishop Wills
United Methodists Called to Pray
John Wesley understood this truth well and taught his followers, "God does nothing apart from prayer."
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The General Board of Discipleship and Aldersgate Renewal Ministries will sponsor “Becoming a People of Prayer,” September 21-22, 2007 at Brentwood United Methodist Church in Nashville.
The purpose of the prayer conference is to call The United Methodist Church to prayer and to strengthen and empower our ability to pray: as individuals, as families, and as congregations.
A prelude to General Conference 2008, the prayer conference is expected to attract some 300-500 persons.
“The Scripture makes it absolutely clear that at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry was his relationship to God in prayer. To be effective in the Christian life, we must have a vital prayer life,” says Tom Albin, team leader for Upper Room Program Ministries and dean of The Upper Room Chapel.
“Unfortunately, in this post-modern, post-Christian culture--United Methodist still live with the "modernist" mistake that puts prayer in opposition to "doing something."”
United Methodists believe prayer is doing something and that without prayer; all of our efforts produce little fruit if any. This line of thinking says, "Are you going to sit around and pray; or, are you going to get on your feet and do something?"
Albin calls this “the modernist mistake because we can find no such language in the Bible or in the life of Jesus.”
Albin goes on to say that “the future of the Church is directly related to our life of prayer and understanding that our entire life is our prayer.”
According to Albin, John Wesley understood this truth well and taught his followers, "God does nothing apart from prayer."
Those persons who attend the conference will be introduced to a variety of new ways to pray--as individuals, as families and as congregations.
“I believe those who attend the prayer conference will return home with a greater spiritual life and strength. For those who are willing to go deeper, they will have the opportunity to become a partner in a world wide prayer network where we will continue to share the very best ideas and practices--for the building up of the body of Christ and the transformation of the world, said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.
“This event is a major step forward in the journey of the United Methodist Church ‘becoming a people of prayer,’ ” she said.
The conference design team is hopeful participants will leave with an increased awareness of the importance of prayer in their personal life and in the life of the church; with one goal being to equip persons within the church to establish prayer ministries.
“Becoming a People of Prayer” targets pastors, lay members and leaders in The United Methodist Church and leaders in other denominations.
Participants will hear from a variety of leaders and will have the opportunity to pray together in a rich variety of traditions, including Native American, Euro-American, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian.
The conference includes plenary speakers and interactive workshops on various styles of prayer; times of corporate prayer and praise; and a prayer room, which will provide space for spiritual reflection and private prayer.
Terry Teykl, Becoming a Praying Church. Terry Teykl’s warm humorous style makes him one of the most sought after speakers and seminar leaders in the country. He was a pastor for 28 years and has authored many books on prayer including: Making Room to Pray, Pray the Price, Your Pastor Preyed on or Prayer For, How to Prayer After You’ve Kicked the Dog, Blueprint for the House of Prayer, Praying Grace, Presence Based Church, and more.
Our Call to Hospitality, Part III
Fact Sheet: Immigrants, Immigration, Language, Jobs and Taxes
by John Purdue
Interpretive Statistics
1. According to a NYTimes/CBS poll, 70% of foreign-born Hispanics “identify more with the USA than with their home countries.”
2. According to the Dept. of Defense, 5% of all enlisted personnel on active duty in the armed forces are immigrants.
3. According to a study by Harvard University:
.53% of immigrants are in the USA to work
.28% of immigrants are in the USA to be with their family
.13% of immigrants are in the USA to escape political oppression
4. 60-70% of illegal aliens came into the country legally but have overstayed their Visas.
5. Primary Language among Latinos:
Thus by the third generation, virtually all Hispanics are English speakers, with 78% communicating primarily in English. The speed at which Hispanics are learning English (and forgetting Spanish) shows, for better or worse, the strong desire to assimilate. This is also important because it shows an area where virtually every church can begin Hispanic ministry: providing ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for immigrants along with SSL (Spanish as a Second language) classes for church members.
A U.S. Department of Labor study prepared by the Bush Administration said the following:
The perception that immigrants take jobs away from American workers is "the most persistent fallacy about immigration in popular thought" because it is based on the mistaken assumption that there is only a fixed number of jobs in the economy. While immigrants are blamed for unemployment because Americans can see the jobs immigrants fill but not the jobs they create through productivity, capital formation and demand for goods and services. The present upswing in immigration has coincided with historically low levels of unemployment from 1990 through 2006.
Immigrants pay more than $90 billion in taxes every year. Without their contributions to the public treasury, the economy would suffer enormous losses. The total impact of illegal aliens on state and federal budgets is positive for the government at a rate of four dollars in taxes received for every dollar spent. Illegal aliens pay sales, use, income and social security taxes but are not eligible for any direct benefits, including Social Security. The three main areas of spending on illegal aliens are for education, law enforcement and medical emergencies.
Some useful e-mail addresses:
How can you help?
Promote the following special givings in your church, Sunday School classes and as an individual:
1. More secondary student scholarships at $300 per year.
2. More elementary student scholarships at $7 per year for one student's school supplies.
3. John Wesley Medical Clinic support. $200 per month will provide a nurse to open the clinic daily and receive teams. $50 will provide a local doctor to work one day.
I believe that VIM is a model for Christian living and is certainly "Christian Love in Action".
Ten Important Stories in this edition of THE REVIEW:
1. Church Experiences Resurrection: A Dying Congregation Now Involved in a Building Program—the story of Bell Springs United Methodist Church
2. Seay Hubbard UMC and the TSU Wesley Foundation Co-Sponsor Effort to Curb Infant Death Rate in Davidson County.
3. Rev. Bill Barnes Tells the Dramatic Story of Edgehill United Methodist Church in his new book To Love a City.
4. Residency Conference Goal to Strengthen Probationers as their Ministry Begins
5. United Methodists Called to Pray. Prayer Conference scheduled for Brentwood United Methodist Church, September 21-22, 2007.
6. Our Call to Hospitality, Part III--Fact Sheet: Immigrants, Immigration, Language, Jobs and Taxes. Continuation of series by John Purdue.
7. The Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries School at Allgood United Methodist Church Shows a Growing Trend—Couples, Families in Lay Speaking Ministry Together.
8. Thanks to the following congregations from the Vanderbilt Divinity School. The Divinity School thanks individual congregations for financial support and for nurturing students in Field Education placements.
9. Volunteers in Mission Represent Christian Love in Action. Norris Allen shares information about VIM ministries in Guatemala. Forward by Jason Brock.
10. Missouri Conference Website features Columbia District VIM Working at Caruthersville, Missouri.
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Church Experiences Resurrection: A Dying Congregation Now Involved in a Building Program
Children and young people at a recent Bell Springs worship service
The Bell Springs United Methodist Church is in a building program—adding a kitchen area, a fellowship hall, four Sunday School classrooms, and two bathrooms. So WHY have a story about Bell Springs? Many churches, after all, are involved in building programs.
As the new addition is completed Bell Springs is within $37,500 of having the construction paid off, and the congregation has in recent years paid its conference apportionments 100% within the first month, usually within the first few Sundays, of a new year. Rather impressive—particularly for a congregation that fifteen years ago averaged only 10-12 persons at worship.
Church treasurer Marvin C. Stepp is justly proud of his congregation: “In the beginning we established a goal of raising $120,000.00 to pay for the erection of the Fellowship Hall. We have now reached the $82,500.00 mark. No pledges have been sought but our people and friends have responded magnificently.”
Served twelve of the past fourteen years by retired pastor (and former Murfreesboro District Superintendent) Louis A. Johnson*, the congregation, which has never been served by a full-time minister, now averages close to 100 persons at worship, and the membership is 87 persons and growing. In 1992 there was only one person who could be placed in the children/youth category and presently there are forty children and youth. There were not even church school sessions at Bell Springs for years until church school was restarted four years ago and there are presently four classes. The ministry at Bell Springs is definitely a team effort--Johnson’s wife Anna serves as pianist for the congregation.
When Johnson reflects on what is happening, he quickly points to the friendliness of church members as being a factor in the growth and renewal. “Our church is a good example of disciples helping to make other disciples. Our people are filled with God’s love and it has changed their lives. That love flows out and around others in friendship and kindness. I have been in hundreds of churches in my 55 years of ministry and Bell Springs ranks among the top in friendship.”
“Finances: I have always believed that if a church is in financial trouble it is in spiritual trouble. This church puts faith, love, service and discipleship first, and the finances fall in order.”
In Johnson’s words the sanctuary is a “bee hive” on Sunday morning for 15-20 minutes before the service starts—everybody is greeting everyone else. The sanctuary is crowded enough that the request to “scoot over” is common place. The noise and activity cease when Johnson gets up and says good morning. “People,” says Johnson, “are offered Christ continually . . . We take seriously I Corinthians 12:25, ‘that there be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’”
Johnson refuses to receive praise for the growth of the congregation—“all the praise and honor belongs to God.”
Ray Schaffer, contractor and a member of the church, examines the progress of the building program early in April.
As the addition to Bell Springs is completed sometime in May, the congregation is planning a good old fashioned revival featuring the preaching of Louis and Anna’s grandson Louis Davis. Davis, who will be becoming a Probationary Elder at the 2007 session of the Tennessee Annual Conference, serves Ethridge United Methodist Church. Bell Springs Supported Louis Davis financially while he was a student at college and also seminary.
Johnson invites persons without a church home to visit Bell Springs and to attend the revival. I-24 exit 97. Go left about 500 yards to Highway 41. Turn right towards Manchester and go approximately 5 miles. The church is on the right – Highway 41 in the Noah Community.
Treasurer Marvin C. Stepp continues to be amazed about his congregation. “Something great is happening at Bell Springs UMC and is above and beyond but within us all. The greatest of the fruits of the spirit is love, and God is love and love is within us. ‘Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.’”
*The Tennessee Annual Conference honored Louis Johnson in 2006 with the Denman Evangelism Award.
Seay Hubbard UMC and the TSU Wesley Foundation Co-Sponsor Effort to Curb Infant Death Rate in Davidson County
Kennard Murray, pastor of Seay Hubbard United Methodist Church, admits to being unsettled when he heard the statistics that had been shared with him by Mark Williams from the Metro Health Department. Doreatha Churchwell, Seay Hubbard’s chair of Health Ministries, had invited Williams to Seay Hubbard to address the issue of infant deaths in the African-American community.
The number of deaths among African-American babies was twice that of Caucasian babies per 1000 live births—twice as many African-American infants would die before they were one year old than Caucasian infants. According to statistics compiled in 2005, Tennessee had the third highest number of infant deaths, per 1000 live birth,s and half of those deaths could have been prevented. In regards to these statistics, Murray and Mrs. Churchwell believe there was a relatively easy solution to the problem. The solution? The Community Voice program, which is administered by the Metropolitan Nashville Health Department and funded by a grant from the March of Dimes. A locally placed program of this type can cut the infant mortality rate substantially.
Children and young people at a recent Bell Springs worship service
The Bell Springs United Methodist Church is in a building program—adding a kitchen area, a fellowship hall, four Sunday School classrooms, and two bathrooms. So WHY have a story about Bell Springs? Many churches, after all, are involved in building programs.
As the new addition is completed Bell Springs is within $37,500 of having the construction paid off, and the congregation has in recent years paid its conference apportionments 100% within the first month, usually within the first few Sundays, of a new year. Rather impressive—particularly for a congregation that fifteen years ago averaged only 10-12 persons at worship.
Church treasurer Marvin C. Stepp is justly proud of his congregation: “In the beginning we established a goal of raising $120,000.00 to pay for the erection of the Fellowship Hall. We have now reached the $82,500.00 mark. No pledges have been sought but our people and friends have responded magnificently.”
Served twelve of the past fourteen years by retired pastor (and former Murfreesboro District Superintendent) Louis A. Johnson*, the congregation, which has never been served by a full-time minister, now averages close to 100 persons at worship, and the membership is 87 persons and growing. In 1992 there was only one person who could be placed in the children/youth category and presently there are forty children and youth. There were not even church school sessions at Bell Springs for years until church school was restarted four years ago and there are presently four classes. The ministry at Bell Springs is definitely a team effort--Johnson’s wife Anna serves as pianist for the congregation.
When Johnson reflects on what is happening, he quickly points to the friendliness of church members as being a factor in the growth and renewal. “Our church is a good example of disciples helping to make other disciples. Our people are filled with God’s love and it has changed their lives. That love flows out and around others in friendship and kindness. I have been in hundreds of churches in my 55 years of ministry and Bell Springs ranks among the top in friendship.”
“Finances: I have always believed that if a church is in financial trouble it is in spiritual trouble. This church puts faith, love, service and discipleship first, and the finances fall in order.”
In Johnson’s words the sanctuary is a “bee hive” on Sunday morning for 15-20 minutes before the service starts—everybody is greeting everyone else. The sanctuary is crowded enough that the request to “scoot over” is common place. The noise and activity cease when Johnson gets up and says good morning. “People,” says Johnson, “are offered Christ continually . . . We take seriously I Corinthians 12:25, ‘that there be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.’”
Johnson refuses to receive praise for the growth of the congregation—“all the praise and honor belongs to God.”
Ray Schaffer, contractor and a member of the church, examines the progress of the building program early in April.As the addition to Bell Springs is completed sometime in May, the congregation is planning a good old fashioned revival featuring the preaching of Louis and Anna’s grandson Louis Davis. Davis, who will be becoming a Probationary Elder at the 2007 session of the Tennessee Annual Conference, serves Ethridge United Methodist Church. Bell Springs Supported Louis Davis financially while he was a student at college and also seminary.
Johnson invites persons without a church home to visit Bell Springs and to attend the revival. I-24 exit 97. Go left about 500 yards to Highway 41. Turn right towards Manchester and go approximately 5 miles. The church is on the right – Highway 41 in the Noah Community.
Treasurer Marvin C. Stepp continues to be amazed about his congregation. “Something great is happening at Bell Springs UMC and is above and beyond but within us all. The greatest of the fruits of the spirit is love, and God is love and love is within us. ‘Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.’”
*The Tennessee Annual Conference honored Louis Johnson in 2006 with the Denman Evangelism Award.
Seay Hubbard UMC and the TSU Wesley Foundation Co-Sponsor Effort to Curb Infant Death Rate in Davidson County
Kennard Murray, pastor of Seay Hubbard United Methodist Church, admits to being unsettled when he heard the statistics that had been shared with him by Mark Williams from the Metro Health Department. Doreatha Churchwell, Seay Hubbard’s chair of Health Ministries, had invited Williams to Seay Hubbard to address the issue of infant deaths in the African-American community.
The number of deaths among African-American babies was twice that of Caucasian babies per 1000 live births—twice as many African-American infants would die before they were one year old than Caucasian infants. According to statistics compiled in 2005, Tennessee had the third highest number of infant deaths, per 1000 live birth,s and half of those deaths could have been prevented. In regards to these statistics, Murray and Mrs. Churchwell believe there was a relatively easy solution to the problem. The solution? The Community Voice program, which is administered by the Metropolitan Nashville Health Department and funded by a grant from the March of Dimes. A locally placed program of this type can cut the infant mortality rate substantially.
Community Voice focuses on faith based communities as the catalyst for providing change and impacting geographic areas where local churches are located. The Health Ministries group at Seay Hubbard, along with Rev. Sharletta Green, Wesley Foundation Director at Tennessee State, and the Wesley Foundation, decided to address the problem. They have become the official sponsors and the Wesley Foundation will be providing meeting space for Community Voice training. Green was equally unsettled by the statistics and realized the Foundation provided a good site to spread knowledge throughout the Nashville Community.
Left to right: Mark Williams, Carol Hopkins, and Rev. Kennard Murray
The training approach had been proven successful years ago in Lynchburg, Virginia when their infant mortality rate there was 29.5 deaths, per 1000 live births, in the African-American community. After 4 years of implementing the program the rate decreased to 5.5 deaths, per 1000 live births. Though the program was designed to address the disparity in deaths between African-American and Caucasian infants, the knowledge-based approach is appropriate for all races.
Community Voices Lay Health Advisors Training will be held every Saturday beginning April 21, 2007, and running through May 19, 2007. Each session starts at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 12:00 noon. The cost is free and lunch is included. Even if you miss the first session come and participate.
Decreasing African American Infant death through faith and knowledge Community Voices is a program designed for anyone who cares for or has contact with an infant child; parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, daycares, babysitters, neighbors, etc. The free 5-week training curriculum addresses the risk factors in the African American community which cause the infant mortality rate to be twice as high as the rate in the Caucasian community. Upon completion of the training all participants will graduate as Lay Health Advisor and will take this knowledge to the people in their church, civic groups, clubs, families, etc.
If your congregation is located in zip codes 37206, 37207, or 37013 it is imperative that you have representation at this event. The number of deaths per 1000 live births is high and could go higher. If your congregation is located in Nashville Zip Codes 37115, 37211, 37216, 37208, 37209, 37076, 37203, 37221 your zip code had a high incidence of infant mortality, particularly among African-Americans, for one or more years between 2000 and 2004. You might wish to participate in this event.
Rev. Kennard Murray is firm in his belief that other churches, United Methodist and other denominations as well, have got to become involved. “Seay Hubbard has always been a community outreach congregation and we feel we must not only minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of people in the community, but also their health needs. It’s a holistic approach to ministry so we want to do everything we can, particularly on this issue, because from the information I’ve received the number of infant deaths can decrease just through the sharing of knowledge—and the lack of knowledge is causing a lot of babies not to live until their first birthday. That’s something we’ve got to address as a church because that is not acceptable.”
Rev. Sharletta Green
Murray’s resolve is echoed by Rev. Sharletta Green. "I believe that overall health is important,” Green said recently, “and that information is key to living healthier lives. As a minister who believes in health mind body and spirit, partnering with Seay-Hubbard and Community Voices is a way that the TSU Wesley Foundation can reach out to the community and affect health and the lives of the children in our area by encouraging better health, by informing students who are future professionals and parents and others about the crisis that the African American community faces today. Also, this training provides a means to deal with stewardship because taking care of our lives and the lives of others as well as future generations is part of being good stewards of what God has entrusted us with as humans and Christians."
Instructors for the Lay Advisors Training will be Mark Williams and Carol Hopkins. Williams, Director of the Community Voices Program, and Hopkins are both employed by the Metro Public Health Department. Both have strong feelings that the faith community is essential to correcting the problem of unnecessary infant deaths. Williams comes at his job from a scriptural base. “We’d like the faith based communities to be involved because if you go to Jeremiah Chapter 1 it says, ‘before I formed you in the womb I knew you.’ I believe God has a plan for every baby that is born, and we as individuals, as a community, as a body of believers are going to be held responsible for the plans God has for these little ones that we’ve lost. As a body of believers we are responsible—we’ve been given that charge. Change has to start with us.”
The Trainings will be held at the Wesley Foundation Building on the Campus of Tennessee State University, 3201 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville. For registration information contact: Mark F. Williams 615-340-0433, email mark.williams@nashville.gov or Wesley Foundation 615-327-4651.
Rev. Bill Barnes Tells the Dramatic Story of Edgehill United Methodist Church in his new book To Love a City.
The training approach had been proven successful years ago in Lynchburg, Virginia when their infant mortality rate there was 29.5 deaths, per 1000 live births, in the African-American community. After 4 years of implementing the program the rate decreased to 5.5 deaths, per 1000 live births. Though the program was designed to address the disparity in deaths between African-American and Caucasian infants, the knowledge-based approach is appropriate for all races.
Community Voices Lay Health Advisors Training will be held every Saturday beginning April 21, 2007, and running through May 19, 2007. Each session starts at 10:00 a.m. and concludes at 12:00 noon. The cost is free and lunch is included. Even if you miss the first session come and participate.
Decreasing African American Infant death through faith and knowledge Community Voices is a program designed for anyone who cares for or has contact with an infant child; parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, daycares, babysitters, neighbors, etc. The free 5-week training curriculum addresses the risk factors in the African American community which cause the infant mortality rate to be twice as high as the rate in the Caucasian community. Upon completion of the training all participants will graduate as Lay Health Advisor and will take this knowledge to the people in their church, civic groups, clubs, families, etc.
If your congregation is located in zip codes 37206, 37207, or 37013 it is imperative that you have representation at this event. The number of deaths per 1000 live births is high and could go higher. If your congregation is located in Nashville Zip Codes 37115, 37211, 37216, 37208, 37209, 37076, 37203, 37221 your zip code had a high incidence of infant mortality, particularly among African-Americans, for one or more years between 2000 and 2004. You might wish to participate in this event.
Rev. Kennard Murray is firm in his belief that other churches, United Methodist and other denominations as well, have got to become involved. “Seay Hubbard has always been a community outreach congregation and we feel we must not only minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of people in the community, but also their health needs. It’s a holistic approach to ministry so we want to do everything we can, particularly on this issue, because from the information I’ve received the number of infant deaths can decrease just through the sharing of knowledge—and the lack of knowledge is causing a lot of babies not to live until their first birthday. That’s something we’ve got to address as a church because that is not acceptable.”
Rev. Sharletta Green
Murray’s resolve is echoed by Rev. Sharletta Green. "I believe that overall health is important,” Green said recently, “and that information is key to living healthier lives. As a minister who believes in health mind body and spirit, partnering with Seay-Hubbard and Community Voices is a way that the TSU Wesley Foundation can reach out to the community and affect health and the lives of the children in our area by encouraging better health, by informing students who are future professionals and parents and others about the crisis that the African American community faces today. Also, this training provides a means to deal with stewardship because taking care of our lives and the lives of others as well as future generations is part of being good stewards of what God has entrusted us with as humans and Christians."
Instructors for the Lay Advisors Training will be Mark Williams and Carol Hopkins. Williams, Director of the Community Voices Program, and Hopkins are both employed by the Metro Public Health Department. Both have strong feelings that the faith community is essential to correcting the problem of unnecessary infant deaths. Williams comes at his job from a scriptural base. “We’d like the faith based communities to be involved because if you go to Jeremiah Chapter 1 it says, ‘before I formed you in the womb I knew you.’ I believe God has a plan for every baby that is born, and we as individuals, as a community, as a body of believers are going to be held responsible for the plans God has for these little ones that we’ve lost. As a body of believers we are responsible—we’ve been given that charge. Change has to start with us.”
The Trainings will be held at the Wesley Foundation Building on the Campus of Tennessee State University, 3201 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville. For registration information contact: Mark F. Williams 615-340-0433, email mark.williams@nashville.gov or Wesley Foundation 615-327-4651.
Rev. Bill Barnes Tells the Dramatic Story of Edgehill United Methodist Church in his new book To Love a City.
Rev. Bill BarnesRev. Bill Barnes served Edgehill United Methodist Church from 1966 until his retirement in 1996 and he tells the story of that inner city congregation and its ministry in his recently published book To Love a City.
“The book,” Barnes says, “is about a small and diverse congregation making a go of it in a low income minority inner city neighborhood. There was giving and receiving, loving and fear, anger and reconciliation, tears and laughter, success and failure—all in trying to live out a Christ led vocation in the city. Herein is described a multitude of strategies and approaches, all emerging out of a foundation of love, sure that ‘we love because God first loved us.’”
The first 30 years of Edgehill Methodist Church were navigated through incredibly tumultuous times, an small inner city congregation facing divisive challenge after divisive challenge: the war on poverty which oftentimes became a war on the poor, draft counseling during the Viet Nam war, racism, civil rights, integration of the public schools, the issue of Sexual Orientation, HIV-AIDS, public housing miscues, government decisions and policies that brought an upswing in homelessness. Barnes recalls those in the Edgehill community who made a difference as the church struggled with ministry to and with the poor, the racially and economically disenfranchised. Sometimes the gains were small, sometime ideas that sounded good didn’t work—but the church persevered and sometimes, through community organization and patience, the gains were large.
The imagery of strengthening the weakest link in the chain runs throughout To Love a City—imagery that obviously provided the congregation with a goal statement. Barnes say, “More and more, bit-by-bit, I was coming to love my city and, at the same time, becoming more aware of its warts, its ambiguities, and its lapses into moral paralysis. The enduring task was to strengthen the weak links of the chain for the sake of the strength of the whole chain. The chain can never be stronger than the weakest link. Surely this summarizes God’s redemptive work in Scripture, emphatically if not exclusively. This conviction guided our love of city and neighborhood.”
To Love a City is first a personal faith journey, then it is history—history of a congregation attempting to make a difference in the lives of the poor and marginalized. Barnes starts out the book by sharing stories of the persons and events that made a difference in his own life as he prepared for urban ministry.
At that point, rather than electing to present the story of Edgehill using a static time-line, he moves instead to a series of commentaries on crises faced by the congregation and its members. There are enough issues raised and theology shared that these middle chapters could become a rich discussion focus for an adult Sunday School class, or local church committees on mission or Christian Social Concern.
At the very end Barnes recalls the words of an alcoholic named Mr. Peden, words uttered continuously during one of his Sunday sermons: “Close it out now. Wrap it up now. Save some for next time.” He notes “given the world and its swelling cities, so filled with aspirations and brokenness, surely the church is called to be present and to be an agent of healing”—and in “wrapping up” the book he quickly shares some learnings about the church and the inner city. Inner city congregations will benefit from a discussion of the points that Barnes makes.
The book can be obtained by sending your name, address and a check for $20.00 (for each copy of the book ordered) to:
O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 128261
Nashville, TN 37212
All income from the sale of the book above actual publishing costs will go to the O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Fund. The mission of the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill (O.N.E.) /Barnes Scholarship Program is to provide monetary and social support for Edgehill community residents while attending school. Persons who receive scholarships must live in the Edgehill area and must be accepted or presently enrolled in a college or post-high school education program.
There will be a book signing at the Cokesbury Bookstore, 301 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203 (615-749-6123) on Friday, April 27, 2007, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Residency Conference Goal to Strengthen Probationers as Their Ministry Begins
From March 26-29, 2007, probationers from twenty annual conferences (Alabama-West Florida, California-Nevada, Central Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Memphis, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New England, North Alabama, North Central New York, South Indiana, Tennessee, the United Kingdom, West Michigan, West Ohio, West Virginia, Western New York) gathered along with five Bishops and several international judicatory leaders at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “Probationers,” who are called “residents” or indicated as “commissioned” in some annual conferences, are involved in the process that leads to ordination and full ministerial membership in an annual conference.
The purpose of the conference was to engage in the distinctively Wesleyan practice of Christian Conferencing with the hope of strengthening the foundation of probationers as they begin their ministry. The week focused mainly on those areas of concern and priorities that often emerge in a pastor’s early years of ministry. Primarily, the focus was on spiritual and pastoral disciplines that lead to a healthy ministry.
John Wesley described such times of conferencing as “conversation seasoned with salt, fit to minister grace to the hearers.” This was carried out through special worship experiences, small group discussions, and six plenary sessions with leadership provided by Dr. David Lowes Watson, Dr. Lovett Weems, and Bishops Ann Sherer, Joe Pennel, Hope Morgan Ward, and Gregory Palmer.
The event was jointly sponsored by the Tennessee Annual Conference and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
From March 26-29, 2007, probationers from twenty annual conferences (Alabama-West Florida, California-Nevada, Central Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Memphis, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New England, North Alabama, North Central New York, South Indiana, Tennessee, the United Kingdom, West Michigan, West Ohio, West Virginia, Western New York) gathered along with five Bishops and several international judicatory leaders at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “Probationers,” who are called “residents” or indicated as “commissioned” in some annual conferences, are involved in the process that leads to ordination and full ministerial membership in an annual conference.
The purpose of the conference was to engage in the distinctively Wesleyan practice of Christian Conferencing with the hope of strengthening the foundation of probationers as they begin their ministry. The week focused mainly on those areas of concern and priorities that often emerge in a pastor’s early years of ministry. Primarily, the focus was on spiritual and pastoral disciplines that lead to a healthy ministry.
John Wesley described such times of conferencing as “conversation seasoned with salt, fit to minister grace to the hearers.” This was carried out through special worship experiences, small group discussions, and six plenary sessions with leadership provided by Dr. David Lowes Watson, Dr. Lovett Weems, and Bishops Ann Sherer, Joe Pennel, Hope Morgan Ward, and Gregory Palmer.
The event was jointly sponsored by the Tennessee Annual Conference and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Participants and leaders from the Tennessee Conference at the 2007 Bishop’s Residency Conference. Front row: Trey Carey, Miriam Seyler, Karen Barrineau, Aline Wesley, Bob Niles, Pat Freudenthal, Regina Hall, Barbara Garcia, Alex Jackson, David Hesson, Ted Hill, Becky Peeler, Joe Pennel; Back Row: Lea Thornton, Jared Wilson, Michael Wilson, Jacob Armstrong, Susan Padgett, Peter Ferguson, Matt Trussell, Tom Gibson, Andrew Stowell, Heidi Bender, Brian Gilbert, Mark Youngman; Not pictured: David Lowes Watson, Gayle Watson, Bryan Brooks, Bishop Wills United Methodists Called to Pray
John Wesley understood this truth well and taught his followers, "God does nothing apart from prayer."
NASHVILLE, Tenn. The General Board of Discipleship and Aldersgate Renewal Ministries will sponsor “Becoming a People of Prayer,” September 21-22, 2007 at Brentwood United Methodist Church in Nashville.
The purpose of the prayer conference is to call The United Methodist Church to prayer and to strengthen and empower our ability to pray: as individuals, as families, and as congregations.
A prelude to General Conference 2008, the prayer conference is expected to attract some 300-500 persons.
“The Scripture makes it absolutely clear that at the heart of Jesus’ life and ministry was his relationship to God in prayer. To be effective in the Christian life, we must have a vital prayer life,” says Tom Albin, team leader for Upper Room Program Ministries and dean of The Upper Room Chapel.
“Unfortunately, in this post-modern, post-Christian culture--United Methodist still live with the "modernist" mistake that puts prayer in opposition to "doing something."”
United Methodists believe prayer is doing something and that without prayer; all of our efforts produce little fruit if any. This line of thinking says, "Are you going to sit around and pray; or, are you going to get on your feet and do something?"
Albin calls this “the modernist mistake because we can find no such language in the Bible or in the life of Jesus.”
Albin goes on to say that “the future of the Church is directly related to our life of prayer and understanding that our entire life is our prayer.”
According to Albin, John Wesley understood this truth well and taught his followers, "God does nothing apart from prayer."
Those persons who attend the conference will be introduced to a variety of new ways to pray--as individuals, as families and as congregations.
“I believe those who attend the prayer conference will return home with a greater spiritual life and strength. For those who are willing to go deeper, they will have the opportunity to become a partner in a world wide prayer network where we will continue to share the very best ideas and practices--for the building up of the body of Christ and the transformation of the world, said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for GBOD.
“This event is a major step forward in the journey of the United Methodist Church ‘becoming a people of prayer,’ ” she said.
The conference design team is hopeful participants will leave with an increased awareness of the importance of prayer in their personal life and in the life of the church; with one goal being to equip persons within the church to establish prayer ministries.
“Becoming a People of Prayer” targets pastors, lay members and leaders in The United Methodist Church and leaders in other denominations.
Participants will hear from a variety of leaders and will have the opportunity to pray together in a rich variety of traditions, including Native American, Euro-American, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian.
The conference includes plenary speakers and interactive workshops on various styles of prayer; times of corporate prayer and praise; and a prayer room, which will provide space for spiritual reflection and private prayer.
Among the plenary speakers are:
Terry Teykl, Becoming a Praying Church. Terry Teykl’s warm humorous style makes him one of the most sought after speakers and seminar leaders in the country. He was a pastor for 28 years and has authored many books on prayer including: Making Room to Pray, Pray the Price, Your Pastor Preyed on or Prayer For, How to Prayer After You’ve Kicked the Dog, Blueprint for the House of Prayer, Praying Grace, Presence Based Church, and more.
Suzette Caldwell, Giving My Heart to God. Pastor Suzette Caldwell strongly believes that any person who is willing to “walk by faith” and trust God will achieve their dreams and desires. Caldwell is a graduate of the University of Houston. Presently, she serves as Associate Pastor for Windsor Village UMC. In addition, Caldwell serves as the Chairman of the Kingdom Builders’ Prayer Institute, an organization that prays for the Houston metropolitan area and teaches people how to pray.
Marjorie Thompson, Seeking the Heart of God. Marjorie Thompson is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA. She received her BA in religious studies from Swarthmore College, and her M. Div. Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. For the first ten years in Nashville, she developed a ministry in spiritual formation comprised of teaching, writing, retreat work, and spiritual guidance. In 1996, Marjorie took a full-time position with The Upper Room as Director of the Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership, as chief architect of a major new resource in congregational spiritual formation (for small groups) Companions in Christ.
Marjorie Thompson, Seeking the Heart of God. Marjorie Thompson is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA. She received her BA in religious studies from Swarthmore College, and her M. Div. Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. For the first ten years in Nashville, she developed a ministry in spiritual formation comprised of teaching, writing, retreat work, and spiritual guidance. In 1996, Marjorie took a full-time position with The Upper Room as Director of the Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership, as chief architect of a major new resource in congregational spiritual formation (for small groups) Companions in Christ.
Taylor Burton-Edwards, Giving Prayer and Worship Back to the Congregation. The Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards is an Elder in the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, currently serving under appointment as Director of Workshop Resources with the General Board of Discipleship. His academic work has focused heavily on history (BA, Kenyon College 1985), historical theology/liturgy (M. Div. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1990), and the intersection of peacemaking and liturgical studies (MA in Peace Studies, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 1997).
For more information and to register contact, Becky Caudill, 1-877-2780, ext. 7059 or e-mail: bcaudill@gbod.org.
For more information and to register contact, Becky Caudill, 1-877-2780, ext. 7059 or e-mail: bcaudill@gbod.org.
Our Call to Hospitality, Part III
Fact Sheet: Immigrants, Immigration, Language, Jobs and Taxes
by John Purdue
Interpretive Statistics
1. According to a NYTimes/CBS poll, 70% of foreign-born Hispanics “identify more with the USA than with their home countries.”
2. According to the Dept. of Defense, 5% of all enlisted personnel on active duty in the armed forces are immigrants.
3. According to a study by Harvard University:
.53% of immigrants are in the USA to work
.28% of immigrants are in the USA to be with their family
.13% of immigrants are in the USA to escape political oppression
4. 60-70% of illegal aliens came into the country legally but have overstayed their Visas.
5. Primary Language among Latinos:
Thus by the third generation, virtually all Hispanics are English speakers, with 78% communicating primarily in English. The speed at which Hispanics are learning English (and forgetting Spanish) shows, for better or worse, the strong desire to assimilate. This is also important because it shows an area where virtually every church can begin Hispanic ministry: providing ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for immigrants along with SSL (Spanish as a Second language) classes for church members.A U.S. Department of Labor study prepared by the Bush Administration said the following:
The perception that immigrants take jobs away from American workers is "the most persistent fallacy about immigration in popular thought" because it is based on the mistaken assumption that there is only a fixed number of jobs in the economy. While immigrants are blamed for unemployment because Americans can see the jobs immigrants fill but not the jobs they create through productivity, capital formation and demand for goods and services. The present upswing in immigration has coincided with historically low levels of unemployment from 1990 through 2006.
Immigrants pay more than $90 billion in taxes every year. Without their contributions to the public treasury, the economy would suffer enormous losses. The total impact of illegal aliens on state and federal budgets is positive for the government at a rate of four dollars in taxes received for every dollar spent. Illegal aliens pay sales, use, income and social security taxes but are not eligible for any direct benefits, including Social Security. The three main areas of spending on illegal aliens are for education, law enforcement and medical emergencies.
Tennessee Statistics
1. According to the US Census bureau, the immigrant population in TN in 2002 is:
· 6 % African, 32.5% Asian, 20% European/Canadian (58.5%)
· 30% Mexican, 11.5% Other Latino (41.5%)
· Thus, most immigrants into Tennessee are not Hispanic.
· Roughly 22% undocumented. (Many persons feel this number is actually far higher.)
2. The growth of the Hispanic population in TN is at 5 times the level for the USA.
3. Roughly 7% of people currently residing in the Nashville area are foreign-born—a threefold increase from 2% in 1990. The largest increase in the foreign-born population occurred among individuals originating from Central America and Mexico.
The following chart represents various changes in population in Nashville from 1990 to 2000.
The following chart represents various changes in population in Nashville from 1990 to 2000.
Some useful e-mail addresses:http://www.pbs.org/kcet/newamericans/
http://www.tnimmigrant.org/NewPhotos/NewLatinoSouth.pdf
http://www.fairus.org/
http://www.tnimmigrant.org/NewPhotos/NewLatinoSouth.pdf
http://www.fairus.org/
The Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries School at Allgood United Methodist Church Shows a Growing Trend—Couples, Families in Lay Speaking Ministry Together
Graduates of the 2007 Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries School
Conference Lay Leader Joe Williams noticed four couples graduating from the Cookeville District Lay Ministries School and enquired to find out if that was unusual. There was a quick response from Holly Neal: “Shane & Christy Qualls went through the basic course together; Joy White went through the Basic and her husband Hank went through an Advanced Course; Barbara Wood went through the Basic and her husband Luther was in an Advanced Class; Jerry & Teresa Graham both completed the advanced course Next Church Now.
Holly also reported that a number of additional couples had already gone through the Lay Ministry training: Josh & Joanna Newberry, Gene & Katharine Reese, Larry and Jackie Elliott, Richard & Faye Curry, Jeff & Julie Wallace, Ray & Jean Bruce, Erik & Shannon Auguston, John & Toynia Dietz, and last but not least, Randy and Holly Neal.”
Not only that, reports Holly, “but the district has 12 minister’s spouses who have gone through the Lay Speaking Ministry process: Robin Carrigan, Sandy Cotterman, Vivian Martin, Tammy Halliburton, Luanna Tollett, Gail & Jerry (SY) Young, Jamie Wallace, Sandy Gruber, Joe Mowdy, Nellie Lyon, and Jeana Taylor.”
The family connections do not end—Holly did a little research and points out that the District has a few parents and their children involved in Lay Speaking Ministry: “John Short & daughter Karen Short (freshman in college), Jim & Jenny Simpson (she is a senior in high school), Jeff Wallace and his father Dr. Joe Wallace, Joanna Neal Newberry (daughter of Randy & Holly Neal), Stan St. Clair and son-in-law Chris Keele, Faye Qualls and son Shane and his wife Christy, Judy Auguston and son Erik and his wife Shannon.”
Graduates of the 2007 Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries SchoolConference Lay Leader Joe Williams noticed four couples graduating from the Cookeville District Lay Ministries School and enquired to find out if that was unusual. There was a quick response from Holly Neal: “Shane & Christy Qualls went through the basic course together; Joy White went through the Basic and her husband Hank went through an Advanced Course; Barbara Wood went through the Basic and her husband Luther was in an Advanced Class; Jerry & Teresa Graham both completed the advanced course Next Church Now.
Holly also reported that a number of additional couples had already gone through the Lay Ministry training: Josh & Joanna Newberry, Gene & Katharine Reese, Larry and Jackie Elliott, Richard & Faye Curry, Jeff & Julie Wallace, Ray & Jean Bruce, Erik & Shannon Auguston, John & Toynia Dietz, and last but not least, Randy and Holly Neal.”
Not only that, reports Holly, “but the district has 12 minister’s spouses who have gone through the Lay Speaking Ministry process: Robin Carrigan, Sandy Cotterman, Vivian Martin, Tammy Halliburton, Luanna Tollett, Gail & Jerry (SY) Young, Jamie Wallace, Sandy Gruber, Joe Mowdy, Nellie Lyon, and Jeana Taylor.”
The family connections do not end—Holly did a little research and points out that the District has a few parents and their children involved in Lay Speaking Ministry: “John Short & daughter Karen Short (freshman in college), Jim & Jenny Simpson (she is a senior in high school), Jeff Wallace and his father Dr. Joe Wallace, Joanna Neal Newberry (daughter of Randy & Holly Neal), Stan St. Clair and son-in-law Chris Keele, Faye Qualls and son Shane and his wife Christy, Judy Auguston and son Erik and his wife Shannon.”
*Holly Neal is Cookesville Director of Lay Speaking Ministries
Thanks to the following congregations from the Vanderbilt Divinity School
The Vanderbilt Divinity School would like to thank the following congregations for their financial support. Without the generosity of alumni, friends, and congregations, many of our students would not be able to pursue their call to ministry. Please know of our gratitude.
The Vanderbilt Divinity School would like to thank the following congregations for their financial support. Without the generosity of alumni, friends, and congregations, many of our students would not be able to pursue their call to ministry. Please know of our gratitude.
Belmont United Methodist Church
Brentwood United Methodist Church
Calvary United Methodist Church
West End United Methodist Church
The Vanderbilt Divinity School also extends its gratitude to the following congregations and agencies mentoring and nurturing our students in Field Education placements.
61st Avenue United Methodist Church
Antioch United Methodist Church
Belle Meade United Methodist Church
Belmont United Methodist Church
Edgehill United Methodist Church
Hobson United Methodist Church
Liberty/Rehoboth United Methodist Church
McKendree Village
Saint Andrew Memorial United Methodist Church
Scarritt-Bennett Center
Summitville United Methodist Church
Weavings Journal @ Upper Room
Wesley Canterbury Campus Ministry
West End United Methodist Church
Volunteers in Mission Represent Christian Love in Action
The Vanderbilt Divinity School also extends its gratitude to the following congregations and agencies mentoring and nurturing our students in Field Education placements.
61st Avenue United Methodist Church
Antioch United Methodist Church
Belle Meade United Methodist Church
Belmont United Methodist Church
Edgehill United Methodist Church
Hobson United Methodist Church
Liberty/Rehoboth United Methodist Church
McKendree Village
Saint Andrew Memorial United Methodist Church
Scarritt-Bennett Center
Summitville United Methodist Church
Weavings Journal @ Upper Room
Wesley Canterbury Campus Ministry
West End United Methodist Church
Volunteers in Mission Represent Christian Love in Action
by Norris Allen, Dickson First United Methodist Church
Note from Jason Brock, Conference Director of Love and Justice Ministries: “Throughout the year we share stories from various teams who participate in VIM. First, we want to be able to celebrate what each other are doing, but also encourage others to participate as individuals, congregations, or by several by being ‘Partners in Mission.’ Consider this group as one you or your church might like to partner with as plans begin for 2008. Below is a preliminary report by Norris Allen on this year’s project and a few suggestions on ways you might be a ‘Partner,’ in addition to considering sending some volunteers along with them next year. Please contact me if you or your church might like to be a Partner in Mission with this group, another groupr, or consider working cooperatively with others in planning your own. Rev. Jason Brock, JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177.”
Note from Jason Brock, Conference Director of Love and Justice Ministries: “Throughout the year we share stories from various teams who participate in VIM. First, we want to be able to celebrate what each other are doing, but also encourage others to participate as individuals, congregations, or by several by being ‘Partners in Mission.’ Consider this group as one you or your church might like to partner with as plans begin for 2008. Below is a preliminary report by Norris Allen on this year’s project and a few suggestions on ways you might be a ‘Partner,’ in addition to considering sending some volunteers along with them next year. Please contact me if you or your church might like to be a Partner in Mission with this group, another groupr, or consider working cooperatively with others in planning your own. Rev. Jason Brock, JBrock@tnumc.org, 615-329-1177.”
Jason Brock (Tennessee Conference Director of Love and Justice Ministries), Norris Allen (Team Leader), Carla Gonzalez (Guatemala VIM Coordinator), Juan Pablo Ajanel (Vice-President, National Methodist Church of Guatemala), Monica Moreno (VIM Assistant). Photo #12
I am very pleased with all the activities that we participated in as we shared our faith with our friends in Guatemala. I believe that our work has made, and will continue to make, a big difference in the lives of many people. This year we are constructing more classrooms at the La Toma School as well as providing eye, dental, and general medical care. We continue to help the John Wesley School, constructed by VIM Teams in 2004, with their needs for classroom supplies.
La Toma, a community primary school, addition to two buildings.
In addition to the construction, medical and other activities of our four teams this year, our ongoing projects are:
La Toma, a community primary school, addition to two buildings.In addition to the construction, medical and other activities of our four teams this year, our ongoing projects are:
1. $100 per month pastoral support for Manuel, Felix, and Cruz (Pastors of Methodist Guatemalan churches)
2. $100 per month support of John Wesley and La Toma Schools to pay electricity, water, and misc. bills
3. $100 per month support of the VIM office in Guatemala for extra work required for our activities.
4. Student scholarship for student Eric Lopez to continue secondary school.
5. John Wesley and La Toma student scholarships. ($7 per year will buy books, paper, pencils and classroom needs for one student.)
6. Student and teacher desks
7. Jose Nicolas Tol - 8 year old eye patient who will likely have complete eyesight lost without treatment.
Children and Faculty of La Toma School present gifts and special program as a “thank you.”
4. Student scholarship for student Eric Lopez to continue secondary school.
5. John Wesley and La Toma student scholarships. ($7 per year will buy books, paper, pencils and classroom needs for one student.)
6. Student and teacher desks
7. Jose Nicolas Tol - 8 year old eye patient who will likely have complete eyesight lost without treatment.
Children and Faculty of La Toma School present gifts and special program as a “thank you.”
How can you help?
Promote the following special givings in your church, Sunday School classes and as an individual:
1. More secondary student scholarships at $300 per year.
2. More elementary student scholarships at $7 per year for one student's school supplies.
3. John Wesley Medical Clinic support. $200 per month will provide a nurse to open the clinic daily and receive teams. $50 will provide a local doctor to work one day.
I believe that VIM is a model for Christian living and is certainly "Christian Love in Action".
Missouri Conference Website features Columbia District VIM Working at Caruthersville, Missouri
“Usually when we have shown pictures of Caruthersville, where tornados destroyed so many homes this time last year, we have shown pictures of the destruction and the rebuilding of property. This picture is different. No destruction is shown here; just a demonstration of love and good will.
A VIM team from the Columbia District of Tennessee worked on the homes of three different families. At the end of the week, they cooked a meal at the Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church and invited the 22 members of the three families to dinner. Dwight Chapman, pastor of the Eastwood Memorial UMC in Caruthersville, reported to us that it was a very special evening of love, caring and support. Volunteers in Mission is all about relationships and the Picture of the Week shows this so very well.
Photo of the Week
“Usually when we have shown pictures of Caruthersville, where tornados destroyed so many homes this time last year, we have shown pictures of the destruction and the rebuilding of property. This picture is different. No destruction is shown here; just a demonstration of love and good will.
A VIM team from the Columbia District of Tennessee worked on the homes of three different families. At the end of the week, they cooked a meal at the Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church and invited the 22 members of the three families to dinner. Dwight Chapman, pastor of the Eastwood Memorial UMC in Caruthersville, reported to us that it was a very special evening of love, caring and support. Volunteers in Mission is all about relationships and the Picture of the Week shows this so very well.
Photo of the Week
Tennessee VIM team members serve dinner to the families living in the three home they helped to rebuild in Caruthersville.
Message from VIM Team
The Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Team from the Columbia District of the Tennessee, United Methodist Conference would like to thank Caruthersville, MO for allowing us to be a part of the rebuilding efforts from the April 2, 2006 tornadoes. The families from the three homes for whom we worked supported us most graciously, and we especially enjoyed their company for dinner on Thursday, March 22.
The Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Team from the Columbia District of the Tennessee, United Methodist Conference would like to thank Caruthersville, MO for allowing us to be a part of the rebuilding efforts from the April 2, 2006 tornadoes. The families from the three homes for whom we worked supported us most graciously, and we especially enjoyed their company for dinner on Thursday, March 22.
It was our pleasure and reward to utilize the skills and talents we have received through Christ to provide this service to your community. We will continue to pray for Caruthersville’s total recovery and safety in the future. Our thanks also go to the Eastwood United Methodist Church for the use of their facilities to house us during our stay.
With the Love of Jesus Christ!
Columbia District VIM Team
With the Love of Jesus Christ!
Columbia District VIM Team
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 1:31 PM
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