TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW November 30, 2007

In this Issue of THE REVIEW

1. The Bluegrass Retreat in the Blue Hills by Harry Robinson. Bluegrass retreat and workshop designed specifically for United Methodist groups here in the Tennessee Conference
2. Bishop’s Convocation on Restoring Methodism draws over 500 laity and clergy
3. The Hispanic/Latino Academy for Christian Formation and Church Leadership Establishes Much-Needed Programs. Through the academy there will be an intentional, committed, in-depth and on-going opportunity for Hispanic/Latino pastors and laity to learn, grow, and develop their gifts within the context of the United Methodist Church.
4. Gallatin Shalom Zone – Largest in the Nation. Groundbreaking for Union School Resource Center highlights unique partnership between Gallatin Community and the Shalom Zone.
5. Conference Board of Laity Presents Check to Martin Methodist College—offering will be used to support scholarship funding for the newly established Academy for Congregational Leaders
6. One God, one calling… Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of All.
On November 2, 3, 4 the Nashville District offered the Lay Speakers Training where 19 Hispanic/Latino persons participated and were blessed to be with other students to explore and affirm their call.
7. Mountain T.O.P. Offers a chance to minister in 2008. Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project) announces its schedule of ministry events for 2008,
8. November-December Interpreter Magazine features Gordon Memorial story

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The Bluegrass Retreat in the Blue Hills
By Harry Robinson, director of music and arts, Bethlehem UMC, Franklin TN

I have always loved Bluegrass Music. In fact the first Sunday I served at Bethlehem I invited all those interested in Bluegrass to meet me in front of the chancel. That was 11 years ago, and we have had a Bluegrass Band at Bethlehem ever since.

Harry Robinson

As a second-career church musician (I spent 30 years in the music business as a guitar player and band leader) I often find myself answering questions about the “how-to’s and whereabouts” of playing music. I’ve always done the best I could to answer those questions, which led me to join the International Bluegrass Music Association three years ago. I have attended the last three IBMA Conventions, attending seminars and mentoring sessions.

The IBMA Convention is geared towards the professional musician, and mostly deals with their concerns. This year after the convention was over I had an epiphany of sorts. It occurred to me that we can really use a Bluegrass retreat and workshop designed specifically for United Methodist groups here in the Tennessee Conference.

I have talked with Dickie Hinton at Beersheba Springs, and we have settled on August 15-17 for the event.

The Bethlehem United Methodist Bluegrass Band

The three-day event will feature master classes on all instruments, workshops on presentation and performance technique, lots of jamming, a Sunday morning all-Bluegrass worship service and a concert featuring all of the groups.

This is an opportunity to gather new material, develop playing skills and make many new friends.

We have a community of Bluegrass Bands in this conference. Blakemore, First Church Franklin, West Nashville, Ashland City and Bethlehem all have bands, and I know there have to be many more out there.

If you’re interested in having your group participate in this event, or if you would like to join the planning team, call Harry Robinson at 615-415-0873 or e-mail unvarnished@bellsouth.net


Bishop’s Convocation on Restoring Methodism draws over 500 laity and clergy

Most historians and scientists can all come up with a short list of “days that changed the world.” Events of such magnitude occurring at a specific time that they literally effected the course of history—sometimes quickly, and other times over a relatively short period of time.

The Laity Convocation was for lay leadership in the Tennessee and Memphis Annual Conferences—it brought forth the questions “Why haven’t we done this before?” and “When are we going to do it again?”

Though it is too early to tell, the four days of the Bishop’s Convocation for Church Renewal—one day specifically for lay leadership, and a three day retreat for clergy—may be days that change the course of the United Methodist Church in the Tennessee and Memphis Annual Conferences.

Dr. James B. Scott and Dr. Molly Davis Scott, authors of the recent book Restoring Methodism, led the Laity Convocation on Saturday, November 10th, with an attendance of 285 persons. The event was hosted by Dickson First United Methodist Church, and Tennessee Conference Lay Leader Joe Williams was impressed by the excitement generated by the Scotts. “Very few left before it was over! We had a ‘packed house’ until the end.” Questions posed by the attendees, according to Williams, indicated the most persons already knew the church had a lot of unattended to problems that needed fixing. The questions were honest and sincere and showed that half of the participants had read Restoring Methodism prior to coming to Dickson.

Lay participants completely filled the Dickson First UMC sanctuary.

“The reality of The United Methodist Church in America,” according to the Scotts, “is that, in spite of some great service by laity and clergy, and some strong local churches, our Church as a whole is a collapsing denomination.” They point to a concern expressed by the Founder of Methodism, John Wesley, when he said, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” The Laity resonated with the Scott’s feeling that this does not need to happen. There is an answer. “As always, that solution is found in our past. The story of the Christian Church, from the primitive Church and down through the ages and stages of Church history, cycles through the themes of flaming birth, growth and phenomenal success, abandonment of the essentials, severe decline, repentance, confession, recommitment, and—by the grace of God and the power of Holy Spirit—rebirth.”

The two events were time consuming for Dr. James B. and Dr. Holly Davis Scott. At the Clergy Convocation even breaks were filled with informal conversations.

“The purpose of the comprehensive solution given in Restoring Methodism is not to save a denomination. The purpose is to honor our own salvation and our own calling to serve Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to the best of our abilities; the purpose is to pray and work so that we might become deeper disciples and even apostles.”

The Clergy Convocation, November 12-14 at Montgomery Bell State Park, was in the form of a retreat for clergy members of both the Tennessee and Memphis Annual Conferences. There were a reported 250 clergy in attendance—and like the Laity Convocation—most persons stayed through to the end.

Though the focus was slightly different between the Laity and Clergy Convocations, the basic framework was built upon ten decisions that MUST be made by United Methodist Churches in America – things we need to recognize in who we are, things we need to reclaim, redefine, or restore, and finally the power of the Holy Spirit that must be reborn within us.

Many notes were taken during the Clergy Convocation

Cumberland District Superintendent Dr. Ron Lowery summarizes the final decision: “We need to be experiencing pneumatological (activities of the Holy Spirit) events. This is found through personal and congregational devotional and worshipful experiences with God, through general and private experiences of the Holy Spirit at work in the world, and through theological studies of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the minds and hearts of the children of God.” He quotes Molly Scott on the fear of Methodists concerning the Holy Spirit, “We are so afraid of looking like what we don’t want to be that we ended up not looking like ourselves.”

Discussion times helped clergy participants focus on specific issues and their impact on local churches.

Opal Ransom, chairperson of the Conference Council on Connectional Ministries, felt strongly that four key questions stated by the Scotts would be a good starting place for discussion in local churches:

1. What are we doing now that we should continue doing?
2. What are we doing now that we should stop doing?
3. What are we not doing now that we should start doing?
4. What are we not doing now that we should not start doing?

Cookeville District Lay Speaking Ministries Director Holly Neal summed up the challenge she felt coming from the Bishop’s Convocation: “Let's grow together - clergy & laity- through repentance, faith and holiness. May we find ways to share our devotion to God and our Wesleyan tradition so as to impact everyone we meet.”


The Hispanic/Latino Academy for Christian Formation and Church Leadership Establishes Much-Needed Programs
By Joaquin Garcia

The Hispanic/Latino Academy for Christian Formation and Church Leadership is a cooperative initiative sponsored by the Tennessee Conference Council on Connectional Ministries and the Cal Turner, Jr. Center for Church Leadership at Martin Methodist College, in collaboration with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.

Joaquin Garcia, seen here during a discussion at the Bishop’s Convocation on Restoring Methodism, is director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy.

Through the academy there will be an intentional, committed, in-depth and on-going opportunity for Hispanic/Latino pastors and laity to learn, grow, and develop their gifts within the context of the United Methodist Church. With leadership and evangelism skills developed through the academy Hispanic/Latino clergy and laity will be enabled to serve the needs of persons, faith communities, and the world, The Academy also offers Hispanic/Latino clergy and lay leadership an opportunity for a supportive and accountable relationship with other Hispanic/Latino pastors and laity—building upon the small group class meetings envisioned by John Wesley. One major benefit of the academy, notes director Joaquin Garcia, is that it allows us to present a biblical and theological foundation for ministry from a Hispanic/Latino perspective.

Over the next year the Academy will be offering the following opportunities for Christian Formation and Church Leadership:

• Acquainting Hispanic/Latino students with opportunities in higher education with spring and fall visits of young people to Martin Methodist College.
  
• An Hispanic/Latino Incubator Covenant group offering on-going montly gatherings for pastors, January through November.


• Spring and Fall Spiritual Retreats for Hispanic/Latino Women. The first of these will be held February 15-16, 2008.
  
• A Children’s Day Celebration in April of each year.


• Participation in the Annual Conference Lay Speaking Ministry program—with classes in Spanish leading toward certification and assignment to mission sites. The basic course will be offered in the Fall and an Advanced Course in the Spring.


• Program to Equip and Develop Hispanic Lay Missioners (Module One), event to be held March 28-29, 2008 under the sponsorship of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries , General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.


• Program to Equip and Develop Hispanic Lay Missioners (Modules Two and Three) sponsored by the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries. This event will focus on specific content areas such as evangelism and Christian Education and will be held in the Fall.


• Finally, the Academy will be promoting and offering Consultations related to the development of Hispanic/Latino Ministries.

For further information about the Hispanic/Latino Academy, its goals, objectives and program, contact: Rev. Joaquin Garcia, Director, 304 South Perimeter Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211, Phone 615-329-1177, email jgarcia@tnumc.org


Gallatin Shalom Zone – Largest in the Nation

Historic Union High School is becoming a Resource Center to serve the needs of Sumner county poor and working poor.

Sumner County Tennessee— In response to a national call by the United Methodist Church for racial unity following the unrest associated with the Los Angeles riots, local leaders formed the Gallatin Shalom Zone. The name “Shalom” is a Hebrew word meaning “peace”. Its founders intended to form a “zone” where residents could live, work and play without the threat of violence. Today there are over 300 “Shalom Zones” operating across the US. While the possibility of violence is always there, many of these organizations have been able to draw attention to large sectors of their communities that lack social services. When the new Gallatin Shalom is completed it will be the largest such facility nation-wide.

P. J. Davis, Executive Director of the Gallatin Shalom Zone, displays the floor plan of the Union High School Resource Center – soon to be home to over a dozen Social Service agencies and non-profit organizations.

The area identified as the Gallatin Shalom Zone is a racially diverse community of primarily lower income residents who need community and social services such as: adequate daycare facilities, transportation, information and referral resources for the working poor, after school recreational programs, educational and mentoring programs for young people, dental care and drop out prevention programs. The Board of the Shalom Zone envisions an “umbrella” type organization providing collaborative opportunities for other social service areas to be housed at one location. The “one-stop shop” concept is especially important to low income underserved families that lack transportation. The Board is determined that the facility will not duplicate current services, but provide the space needed to better serve the underserved in this area.

United Methodist leaders who were part of the beginnings of the Gallatin Shalom Zone in the mid-1990s: (left to right) James Gourley, First UMC; the Rev. Charles Williams, Key Stewart UMC; Alpha Abbott, First UMC; Cathie Leimenstoll, then pastor of Rehoboth UMC; and Mark Douglas, Key-Stewart UMC.

The former school building located at 600 Small Street in Gallatin Tennessee was built in 1949 as the only high school for African-Americans in Sumner County. It was known state-wide for a sound academic curriculum as well as its talented athletes and an outstanding marching band. The school was a focal point of community pride until it closed in 1970 to pave the way for a totally integrated school system. Although it was still used as a junior high and middle school for the next 29 years, changing demographics, increased operating costs, and an aging population forced the school district to close its doors in 1999. The building and 8 acres of land were donated to the Gallatin Shalom Zone board of directors to be utilized as a community resource center. The building and property today is insured for over $3.5 million.

Once a predominantly African American community, today the Clearview community where Shalom is located is becoming a racially diverse neighborhood. It still remains an area that is home to a large majority of underserved persons with low incomes. Crime in the area over the years has dropped and continues to do so as the Shalom is involved in the area activities. The focus of the new Union High Resource Center, a project of the Shalom Zone, will be to:

• Define a new era for the delivery of social services in Sumner County and will become the first step in breaking the cycle of families living in poverty and dependence on public funds


• It will become a focal point of the Sumner County Clearview area providing a safe, active, vibrant and central location for the underserved of Gallatin and the Sumner County area to receive social services


• Provide a healthy and wholesome environment for young people to gather for recreational, educational, and cultural activities after school, on weekends and during vacation times
  
• Provide reasonably priced daycare to enable single parents to raise their personal esteem through a higher paying job


• Provide a place where the working poor can learn life skills such as balancing a checkbook, managing debt, becoming better parents, and acceptable methods of dealing with anger, sadness, and emotional obstacles
  
• Provide healthcare prevention screening that would reduce the burden on Medicaid and Medicare
  
• Provide programs that assist the school system to increase average daily attendance.
  

Community Leaders, Sumner County church leaders, business leaders and Shalom Zone board members prepare to “dig in” at the official ground breaking for the Union High School Resource Center.

The Union High Resource Center, a project of the Shalom Zone, Inc. is heading into Phase II of a building project in the 43,000 square foot building. Renovation construction on the building will start by November 15, 2007. The building will become a one stop shop for local Sumner County Social Services and non profit organizations. Locating in the building will be Tennessee Technology Center at Hartville, Gallatin Day Care, Sumner Mediation, NAACP, AIM, Greater Nashville Regional Council Social Workers, Sumner Schools Family Resource Center, Teen Peace, Gallatin Police Department and others. The building will also house a medical and dental clinic for the underserved in all of Sumner County.

The Gallatin Shalom Zone, Inc. Union High Resource Center, when finished in December of 2008, will serve as Sumner Counties only resource center. The center will serve as an umbrella agency for, social service agencies, in Sumner County.

The current temporary office for the Shalom Zone is located at 575 E. Bledsoe St. Suite 1, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066. For more information see our web site at http://www.gallatinshalomzone.org/



Conference Board of Laity Presents Check to Martin Methodist College

Gloria Watts and Joe Williams present the 2007 Tennessee Annual Conference Laity Luncheon offering to Martin Methodist College’s Domenic Nigrelli. Watts is the Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries and Williams is the Conference Lay Leader.

The Board of Laity presented a check to Martin Methodist College’s Cal Turner, Jr. Center for Church Leadership, during its annual meeting on November 13th The check for $907.40 represented the total raised during a special offering at the 2007 Annual Conference Laity Luncheon and will be used to support scholarship funding for the newly established Academy for Congregational Leaders. The Academy for Congregational Leaders is a nurturing/educational experience designed to facilitate the development of effective ministry through innovative and comprehensive leadership training. The Academy offers church leaders an opportunity to grow in the spiritual life, deepen their biblical faith, expand their theological understanding as servant leaders, and gain practical skills for the purpose of becoming effect leaders in their congregations
The check was accepted by Dr. Domenic Nigrelli, Director of the Center for Church Leadership. In his remarks after accepting the check, Dr. Nigrelli also shared the success of the Center in recruiting United Methodist Student to Martin Methodist College through the Church Leaders Scholarship. The College offers two full scholarship to outstanding United Methodist students, who are showing leadership potential and commitment to the United Methodist Church. Last year, of the 27 invitees to the competition, 22 students decided to make Martin Methodist their college and embark on a journey of learning and church leadership.

For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities please contact Rev. Mary Noble Parrish at www.martinmethodist.edu/ccl/ or call 931.33.9864


One God, one calling… Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of All
By Joaquin Garcia*

On November 2, 3, 4 the Nashville District offered the Lay Speakers Training where 19 Hispanic/Latino persons participated and were blessed to be with other students to explore and affirm their call. They were affirmed in the recognition that there is one God who calls in different ways, to different persons, for different tasks. The Hispanic/Latino students represented congregations and faith communities from Smithville, Nashville and Riddleton/Hartsville. Rev. Alejandro Hernandez taught the basic course in Spanish.

Participants in the Nashville District Hispanic/Latino Lay Speaking class pose with teacher, the Rev. Alejandro Hernandez.

The Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters will be serving in their congregations and faith communities to proclaim the Good News and serve Jesus Christ, and the Hispanic/Latino Academy expresses great appreciation to the Board of Laity that administers this program.

The Academy will continue identifying and engaging persons in their own context where God has put them, affirming their call and passion for ministry, and equipping them to develop mission sites where the gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached and lived among the Hispanic/Latino communities to make Disciples of Jesus Christ.

*Joaquin Garcia is Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy, a cooperative effort between The Tennessee Conference Council on Connectional Ministries and Martin Methodist College.


Mountain T.O.P. Offers a chance to minister in 2008

ALTAMONT, Tenn. -- Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project) has announced its schedule of ministry events for 2008, with opportunities for church youth groups, young adults and adults to change their own lives by changing the lives of others.

Mountain T.O.P. is an interdenominational ministry to the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee affiliated with the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Its major program areas include:

Youth Service Ministry
In the summer, youth groups serve at one of Mountain T.O.P.'s two camp facilities for a week in either the Service Project or Day Camp programs. Participants in the Service Project will perform minor home repair projects for four different Cumberland Mountain families over the course of the week. These projects could include yard work, painting a trailer, or building a wheelchair ramp. Service Project campers are placed in small work teams, staying with the same work team all week.

Summer options at Mountain T.O.P. provide opportunities to help with building wheelchair ramps and with major home repair.

Teens serving at Day Camp will run large and small group activities for local children ages 6 to 10 from remote mountain communities. The Day Camp program gives these children a safe environment to have fun and learn about Christ. Youth Summer Ministry 2008 begins June 8 and runs every week until August 2. Early registration is recommended to ensure that the desired camp week is available.

Adults in Ministry
Adults from all over the country give of their time and come together to serve in this program. Campers in Major Home Repair will work in teams on major construction projects such as roof repair, room additions, and siding. Major Home Repair is an option at week-long camp events during the summer but is also offered at long weekend camps (Thursday night through Sunday morning) in the spring and fall. All skill and experience levels are welcome, from novices to professional contractors.

The Adults in Ministry (AIM) program has many major construction and repair projects but also offers opportunities to work with teens and special needs children.

In the Summer Plus program, teams of adults lead sessions for local teenagers on topics from self defense to creative writing. Kaleidoscope is a program for local special needs children. Volunteers help these children learn about and experience the visual and performing arts.

AIM weekends for 2008 are April 3-6, April 24-27, Oct. 2-5, Oct. 9-12, Oct. 16-19, Oct. 23-26, and Oct. 30-Nov. 2. AIM full weeks are June 22-28 (choice of Major Home Repair or Summer Plus and July 6-12 (choice of Major Home Repair or Kaleidoscope.)

Young Adult Ministry
Each summer, one AIM Major Home Repair week is designated as Young Adult Week; this year's event, June 8-14, is an opportunity for twenty-somethings to serve together. BreakOut is another chance for young adult or college groups to serve in the Cumberland Mountains. Throughout the spring, a less structured mission trip / retreat experience is offered. Groups will participate in minor home repair, projects around camp, and optional low ropes activities and caving adventures. Scheduling is flexible.

More information about the AIM program, as well as applications for 2008 camp events, can be found on the Mountain T.O.P. web site, http://www.mountain-top.org/, by e-mailing info@mountain-top.org or by calling (931) 692-3999.

November-December Interpreter Magazine features Gordon Memorial story
Read about Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, a part of the Tennessee Conference, in the November-December 2007 issue of Interpreter, the official ministry magazine for the people of The United Methodist Church. A story of the "Gift of Hope" scholarships funded through the United Methodist Student Day offering features Camela Jordan, a member of Gordon Memorial. You may read the story on-line at http://interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=12459.

This issue of Interpreter focuses on spiritual growth and ways congregations and individual United Methodists are growing spiritually. One feature looks at ways young people are engaging in simple lifestyles.

Learn, too, how United Methodist churches celebrate Epiphany and read also about the proposal for a new Social Creed for the denomination. As always, enjoy reading the popular "It Worked for Us" and "IdeaMart" departments as well as the new "Leadership Link" and "Lighter Fare" pages.

Refocused and redesigned Interpreter serves lay leaders -- those who serve by role as well as position -- and clergy with inspiration and information to connect leaders and potential leaders across the denomination with God, with each other and with ideas and resources.

Check out Interpreter OnLine at http://www.interpretermagazine.org/. Then order your personal subscription by calling United Methodist Communications at 888-346-3862.