TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW October 17, 2008

Articles carried in the October 17th Review
1. Church has place in new planned community
2. Nashville church gives homeless a church home
3. Family Flood Bucket Campaign Leads Relief Efforts
4. Miriam’s Promise Golf Challenge raises over $124.000 as it provides a wardrobe of love
5. Ground Breaking for Family Life Center, Springfield First United Methodist Church,
6. Dickson pastor receives Leadership Award for inspiring ministries of United Methodist Men,
7. Commentary: Providing Red Cross Shelter for 110 Gustav Evacuees8 “Wandering the Earth” Third in a Series on Stewardship of the Environment
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Church has place in new planned community
By the Rev. Kathy Noble*

MT. JULIET, Tenn. (UMNS)- "Live. Shop. Play."

When he saw the billboard three years ago inviting people to become part of a new planned community in Middle Tennessee, the Rev. Jacob Armstrong thought an important verb was missing.

"I thought, 'Why not live, shop, worship, play?'" he recalled. "Why (isn't the church) at the table for new communities?"

Three years later, Armstrong, 28, is the founding pastor of Providence United Methodist Church in Mt. Juliet, 15 miles east of Nashville. The first weekly worship service on Sept. 7 drew 230 adults and children. The following Sunday brought 280 people.

The Rev. Jacob Armstrong is pastor of Providence United Methodist Church, a new church start in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. UMNS photo by Ronny Perry

And, unlike most churches in the fast-graying United Methodist denomination, Providence is a congregation of mostly young families.

Armstrong told the story of the church's beginning to members and staff of the United Methodist Commission on Communication as the church leaders explored issues related to congregational and leadership development. Both are among four areas of ministry focus adopted by the 2008 General Conference for The United Methodist Church. As part of their fall meeting, some commissioners visited Grace United Methodist Church, Providence's "mother church," to learn about the new church experience. Other field trips emphasized the global health initiative and ministry with the poor.

Providence United Methodist Church is a place "for the unchurched, the de-churched and the not-recently-in-church," Armstrong said. The vision is "to reach those who feel disconnected from God and the church and to introduce them to hope, healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ."

Meeting in an elementary school, the new congregation brings "worship" to the planned community of Providence, which is anchored by an 830,000-square-foot outdoor retail complex.
Church members unload equipment for a worship service held in the gymnasium at an elementary school. UMNS photo by Ronny Perry

"It's been a great thing to not have a building," says Eric Coomer, Providence's music director, "because we realize that the people are the church and not the building."

One of those people is Darrell Klein. "It's been just a real positive atmosphere to help me to grow spiritually," said Klein, adding that he was excited to "get in on the ground level of something … that's new, something you can feel a part of."

Initial growth has been significant and steady. On Sept. 28, Armstrong received 84 adult members, heard 17 professions of faith and conducted three adult baptisms. New members covenanted to fulfill the church's mission to seek God, welcome people, offer Christ and respond by serving. Names of 23 children are on the baptized members' roll.

New church grant funds messages
Armstrong was appointed to Grace as an associate pastor responsible for planting Providence. He quickly applied for a New Church Grant from United Methodist Communications, which awarded 19 grants totaling $185,000 in 2008. Ten will be awarded each year during 2009-2012.

Grant recipients receive funds and guidance to develop marketing plans and materials to build community awareness with the aim of launching worship services with a significant number of people in attendance. United Methodist Communications also offers hospitality and inviting training.

The Providence church team rented a billboard bearing a simple illustration and its Web site address, and a similar message was on three mass mailings to Providence residents. Newspaper ads had the same themes. The United Methodist tie is clear, and the overriding message is that "we are a new church, and we're here," Armstrong said.

The messages "are reinforcers for your invitations," he told his core congregation, which was formed in March to prepare for a September launch. Some first-time attendees indicate they are "responding to an ad or a mailing," he said, "but mostly they are being invited by friends or co-workers."

Meredith Denning and Michael Putman learned about Providence from Putman's mother. When they visited, they found a church with "a new, young vibe to it," Denning said. "It's really cool!"
Support for the new church start has come from other parts of the denomination.

The Tennessee Annual (regional) Conference is paying all of Armstrong's salary this year and a decreasing percentage for the next four years, in addition to providing a new church coach. The salary support allows all money given to the church to be used for ministry and outreach. The conference also sent him to the annual United Methodist School of Congregational Development.

Grace--itself born in the 1990s after two local congregations merged--helped to identify the need for another United Methodist church in the growing residential area near Nashville International Airport. Pastors in the conference's Cumberland District opened their pulpits for Armstrong to share the vision for the new church and invite people to help.

Ministry in the community
For months, the Providence team has been in ministry in the community to build for the September launch.

The Saturday before Easter, team members joined 3,000 children for an egg hunt in a city park, where they painted faces and invited people to a sunrise service the next morning. Armstrong noted that, driving to the park, the team passed numerous churches holding Easter egg hunts and wondered aloud if the children they would meet that day did not have a church home. Later in the afternoon, the team visited an apartment complex, talking to residents and distributing information.

Summer brought hotdog cookouts in trailer parks, a prayer wall for Armed Forces Day, participating in Neighborhood Night Out activities at the mall and meals served in churches.

"It's a very giving church, a very servant-oriented church," Coomer said.

Congregants met monthly from April to July for worship. A "soft launch" in August brought weekly services at the school on the first four Sundays. Worship includes a praise band and projected lyrics, and use of the United Methodist Hymnal when Armstrong performs a baptism and as he celebrates Holy Communion each week.

The church's initial Website is being redesigned and expanded. The simplicity was intentional. "We didn't want to give the idea we were a full-service church," Armstrong said. It now promotes "The Reign Forest" children's ministry and-for adults-small groups for Bible study, fellowship, prayer and accountability.

As a church planter-a call he first experienced in seminary-Armstrong is clear that he was "led to start a new United Methodist church." It's a calling that means making sure the church is included "at the table" when new communities are developed.

He described how his calling was affirmed as he found himself meeting with the developer of Providence community to negotiate inclusion of the word Providence in the new church's name. Sitting at the mahogany table and looking around the glass-enclosed board room, he realized, "Wow, now I am at the table."
*Noble is editor of Interpreter magazine and Interpreter OnLine, www.interpretermagazine.org.


Nashville church gives homeless a church home
By Lilla Marigza*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-Even homeless people deserve to have a church home, says the Rev. Paul Slentz, who has dedicated his life to serving an unconventional congregation in a low-income area of Nashville.

Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church holds its weekly services on Saturday evenings to accommodate working poor families and homeless members who are picked up in the church van.

"Our membership, which is right around 70 now, is almost all poor folks," says Slentz, "from people who are working hard but not making very much money working to folks who are living on the streets and who are homeless right now."

The Rev. Don Shockley, a retired United Methodist pastor, tutors children in the after school program at Sixty-First Avenue United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. UMNS photo by Ronny Perry

The church's ministries are an outgrowth of Slentz' work with nonprofit organizations aiding Nashville's homeless people before he became an ordained minister. He realized many of the people he served would not feel welcome in church.

When he came to Sixty-First Avenue in 1999, he set out to meet the spiritual needs of the city's poor in an environment where they could feel comfortable.

Slentz conducts church in a simple fashion, aware that many participants prefer to listen and follow his lead. "Not everybody can read," he says. "We do have a number of folks who are just not able to follow along in a printed bulletin."

A sense of belonging

"Our membership … is almost all poor folks," says the Rev. Paul Slentz.

In keeping with this oral style of worship, the hymns are familiar ones that most people know by heart. On this night, the congregation eagerly joins in to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children." Families with children sit next to men wearing the orange shirts that are standard issue in the county jail. Yet no one seems uncomfortable or looks out of place. This sense of belonging is just what "Pastor Paul" had in mind when he answered his call to serve.

"He doesn't look at how we're dressed, if we've shaved, or even if we've had a bath," says Jerry Andreasen, a church member who lives "under the stars" with his wife, Karren. "His only concern is our souls and safety. Each week he asks how we've been or how we're doing, and what we need."

Other church members share similar stories of how such one-on-one compassion is making a difference.

"I came from using drugs, drinking and all that," says church trustee Calvin Ticey, who went from living on the streets to getting a home and a job through the church. "When I came here, I was down and out. But now, since I done met Pastor Paul, my whole life done changed around."

Changing lives is a full-time job. The church is open seven days a week to serve the unique needs of the community and offers summer and afterschool programs for children and youth.

Instead of going home to an empty house, kids can come to the church every afternoon for a snack and a listening ear from volunteers. Tutors read with children and offer homework help. Recreation includes basketball in the gym and playing on the playground.

"It's more about a safe place. It's about an alternative to what they could be doing in the neighborhood after school," says Nita Haywood, children and youth director, who herself grew up in poverty.

Year-round, Haywood and volunteers make sure children are cared for. They see to it that families have groceries and children have school supplies, and they operate a last-minute toy store at Christmas where parents can shop aisles of donated gifts. In 2007, the store distributed 16,000 toys to 3,902 children and teens. "It's a relief because they know Santa will come to their house or that they'll have toys for their children for Christmas," Haywood says.

The needs are constant, but the resources few. While the pews are packed for Saturday worship, there is never much money in the collection plate. Funding comes from the church's Tennessee Annual Conference and Nashville District, complemented by partnerships with area United Methodist churches.

Spirit of giving
Despite hardships faced by members, a spirit of giving radiates from this humble congregation. Recently, the church launched a Nothing But Nets campaign to raise money for insecticide-treated bed nets to protect children from malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa. In four weeks time, the church raised $440.

The Rev. Nancy Neelley, who is appointed to the church as a deacon, recalls a donation from a homeless man named "Cowboy" who lives in a tent along Nashville's Cumberland River. "He gave me $20 and said he had only planned to give me $10 and spend the rest on a drink," she recalls. "But he changed his mind saying, 'I figure they need nets more than I need booze.'"

A $40 donation came from Jerry Andreasen, who sells homeless community newspapers for a dollar apiece. Andreasen is saving money to rent a home for himself and his wife but pledged to buy one $10 net a week to help "those less fortunate."

Saturday worship services always culminate with a "family" dinner in the fellowship hall as partner churches provide food and members catch up with their church family. Many look forward to the evening all week, knowing that both bodies and spirits will be fed.

"It's just a warm feeling inside, you know," says Ticey. "It's just like God."

While the church has seen lives turned around through its ministries, Slentz believes that people of faith should serve the poor with no conditions.

"I have come to realize that some of the people that worship with us, who are homeless for one reason or another, will never be otherwise," he says. "And yet, they have a place where they can come and have an opportunity to love others and experience love and be a part of the body of Christ."

*Marigza is a freelance producer in Nashville, Tenn.


Family Flood Bucket Campaign Leads Relief Efforts
By Andrew J. Schleicher*

Responding to the needs of floods and hurricanes, one West End United Methodist Church Sunday school class has led the way to provide tools of relief.

Earlier this year floods hit the Midwest. West End UMC issued a call to members to fill flood buckets in order to aid relief efforts. Flood buckets are five-gallon buckets full of all the main tools needed to help scrub a home that has been inundated with water. These buckets are collected and sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief depot in Louisiana. From there the flood buckets are distributed for wherever there is a need to respond to floods or hurricane water damage.

Anna Tettleton, outreach coordinator for the Cornerstone Class saw the call for flood buckets in the West End UMC bulletin and thought that it was something her class could do. “We are always looking for ways to get the kids involved in outreach activities,” Tettleton says. As the class raised the money to purchase the needed items, hurricanes started pounding the shores of the Gulf Coast.
The children of Cornerstone Class figure out what they need to fill the flood buckets.

Tettleton’s sister lives in Houston, her parents are in Meridian, Mississippi, and the rest of her family is closer to the coast. “My parents lived in Katrina and it’s taken three years to get things back together,” Tettleton explains. She knows of the need for relief supplies. “They don’t even have stores to get that stuff.” Many of the stores closed down. Tettleton had to send a tarp for her Mississippi family to use their roof.

So when the call went out, Tettleton knew her class needed to respond. Upon collecting the money, she went to the story looking for items needed to fill the flood buckets. Tettleton was not the only one buying the relief items in bulk. She ran into another woman also filling flood buckets. The connection grows wider.

David Hornsby helps count sponges to add to the relief effort.

On September 14 the Cornerstone Class gathered in the fourth floor theater space at West End UMC. All the supplies were laid out like a store. The 22-24 kids present were each given a bucket with the needed items listed on the lid. They went through the “store” collecting the items needed for their bucket. Parents were on hand to ensure quality control. In all, 26 buckets were filled that day. Several more have also been generated by the church. By the time this article comes out, at least 32 will have been delivered to the Tennessee Conference office.

The Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church continues to load up trucks of supplies to head to the Sager Brown Depot in Louisiana. These supplies are collected from United Methodist Churches throughout middle Tennessee. West End UMC will send team of volunteers to help out at the Sager Brown Depot in February 2009.

Anyone can participate in relief efforts. “After we did this,” Tettleton recalls, “we were looking around saying the whole church could do this.” West End UMC’s October communion offering will go to hurricane relief efforts.

*Andrew J. Schleicher is Minister of Evangelism and Communications, West End United Methodist Church


Miriam’s Promise Golf Challenge raises over $124.000 as it provides a wardrobe of love
Monday, September 29th was an amazing day for Miriam’s Promise! 111 Golfers, 21 Walkers and many volunteers came together to create a miracle through the Miriam’s Promise Golf & Walk Challenge. Even in the midst of a tough economy, the golfers and walkers raised slightly over $124,000 through the collection of donations, pledges and sponsors. The event was also fortunate to have the Corporate Sponsorship of DemoPlus, Inc. Contributing sponsors were Compass Advisory Group, Dr. Jan van Eys and Tennessee Farm Bureau. Generous food and drink sponsors included Chick-Fil-A for a great lunch, Loveless Café, Wal-Mart, Publix, Great Harvest Bread, Lenny’s, Kroger and CVS Pharmacy.

Dr. Jan van Eys, one of the sponsors of the 2008 Miriam’s Promise Golf Challenge.

As we handed out shirts for walkers and golfers on Monday, I thought of a passage from Colossians 3. “Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline...And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it.“ (The Message) That’s what each golfer, walker and volunteer did –they put on “love” and shared it with us – with the staff and board of Miriam’s Promise but more importantly, they shared love and compassion to a group of individuals they will never see.

Women, children and families come to Miriam’s Promise from all over. Common to all of our clients are hearts that are hurting and need to be healed. Last year, one of the many young pregnancy clients who received a gift bag of baby items, food cards, and diapers found one of the notes made by a local church. It simply said, “for you with love from the United Methodist Church.” She was overwhelmed that someone she didn’t know cared about her and her unborn child and did something to help.

The walkers move out – ready for the challenge of a five-mile walking trail

The funds raised through the Golf & Walk Challenge allow us to continue to provide caring and professional services to our clients through pregnancy counseling, jail ministry, adoptions and counseling services. Much of the work we do can only be done through the generosity of others.

To all our golfers, walkers, volunteers, sponsors and donors - Thank you again for your generous spirit and for putting on the wardrobe of love for our children and families.

Our 2009 Event will be October 12 at Nashville Golf & Athletic Club. Put it on the calendar and Please Join Us!

Golf & Walk Fund-Raising Winners included:
Over $10,000 – Steve Cline, Mary Cooper
Over $5,000 – Garry Speich
Over $2,500 – Larry Layne, Vin Walkup, Rick Fox, Nancy Brock, Cathy Davidson, Mike Ripski, David Moore, Frank Waters and Harry Boyko
Over $1,250 - Jay Rogers, Scott Aleridge, Kevin Walkup, Mickey Freeman , Tad Irvin, Allen Weller, Louise Keeling, Lee Parkison, Randall Ganues, Jack Shaw, Wayne Davis, Michael Waldrop, Jim Hughes, Bobby Dodd, Hanes Sparkman, John Abernathy, Kent McNish, Shannon Nussey, Gilbert Lovell, George Butler, Hugh Charlton, Steve Smith, Mort Hill and Harry Robinson

Flight Prizes:
1st Flight – 1st Place: John McNair, Frank McGill, Rob Miller
1st Flight – 2nd Place: Trip Boon, John Lott, Henry Cho, Glenn Bolton
2nd Flight, 1st Place: Garry Speich, Randall Ganues, Eric Speich, Troy Baker
2nd Flight, 2nd Place: Bobby Dodd, Tom Gildemeister, John Abernathy, Shannon Nussey
3rd Flight, 1st Place: Tad Irvin, Ellis Simons, Jeff Haley
3rd Flight, 2nd Place: Larry Layne, Mark Layne, Dick Wills, Tom Halliburton
4th Flight – Betty Ann Ogilvie, Nancy Brock, Barbara Jones, Vickie White


Ground Breaking for Family Life Center, Springfield First United Methodist Church
by Rev. Sally Havens*

Excitement ran high during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Family Life Center at Springfield FUMC on September 11, as local leaders joined with church officials and members in the celebration. Using the Service for the Breaking of Ground for a Church Building from The United Methodist Book of Worship, Senior Pastor Don Hutchinson led those gathered through this joyful and inspirational time. Clarksville District Superintendent John Casey closed the service with prayer. Retired pastor Jeff Fryer, who once served this congregation, also joined those gathered to commemorate the event.

An increase in worship attendance, growing Sunday school classes, active children and youth programs, along with exciting evangelism outreach have all contributed to the current facilities becoming extremely inadequate.

Careful and prayerful planning over a two year period has led SFUMC to commit to a $4.7 million “Building to Serve” campaign for this new facility. The Building Committee held over 30 meetings and sought much input from both members and staff. The church engaged the architectural firm of Hart, Freeland and Roberts to do a space needs analysis and are working with Olympian Construction utilizing a design-build concept. The new addition is targeted to be completed in 12-16 months.

Along with a large multi-purpose room, the facility will contain expanded space - designed specifically for children and youth activities, a music suite, and a large library, as well as offices for the church staff. Plans are included to make both the current sanctuary and the new building handicap accessible through ramps and an elevator to all levels.

*Sally Havens is Director of Adult Ministries at Springfield First UMC


Dickson pastor receives Leadership Award for inspiring ministries of United Methodist Men

DICKSON, TN - The Rev. William Allen Weller III, pastor of the Dickson First United Methodist Church, was presented the G. Ross Freeman Leadership Award for 2008 at his home church on Sunday, August 31st. The date also marked Weller’s 61st birthday.

William Allen Weller III

Ingram Howard of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Conference President of United Methodist Men, made the presentation of the award given by the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the UMM organization.

Rev. Weller is among 49 pastors from the nine-state Southeastern Jurisdiction who have received the award in the last seven years for inspiring ministries of men in evangelism, missions and spiritual growth. He is the fourth pastor to receive the award in the Tennessee Conference.

He was nominated by the Dickson First United Methodist Men president, the district superintendent, and the conference president of UMM. A selection committee appoint by President Howard made the final choice of the pastor to be honored.

John Dowell of Tampa, Florida, President of the Southeastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Men, says that the purpose of the awards program is to identify clergy with the imagination and interest to create effective expressions of ministry for men. “We believe that the best way to strengthen local fellowships of men is to honor pastors who actively participate with the men of his/her church,” Dowell says.

In addition to recognition by the conference, Weller will be invited to participate in a Clergy Think-Tank with 13 other pastors from nine of the fourteen conferences of the Southeaster Jurisdiction January 21-23, 2009.

Weller has demonstrated a heart for the ministries of men wherever he has served. He participates in the meetings, offers ideas, provides resources to help them grow spiritually, and calls their activities to the attention of the congregation.

Since being appointed a year ago to the Dickson First United Methodist Church, he has resurrected the UMMen groups. They had been inactive for more than ten years. In preparation for their first breakfast meeting, he invited the Conference President to be the guest speaker.
.Sixty attended the original meeting and attendance since has averaged between 30-35.
.Already the group is excited about sponsoring a scout troop.
.Soon after, Weller organized and coordinated a ten day missions trip to Guatemala to help Volunteers in Mission build homes and a school building
.He was presented the Harry Denman Evangelism Award for Clergy at the 2007 session of the Tennessee Annual Conference.

As impressive as this first year at Dickson has been, Weller’s 15 years at the Good Shepherd UMC is also remarkable.

At the beginning of his pastorate there the membership was only 92. The community was in transition, so the congregation relocated from the Rivergate Mall area of Goodlettsville to nearby Hendersonville.

The membership grew to nearly 600 by 2006 with major expansion in facilities and discipleship programs.

When the 2006 tornados hit and destroyed large areas in Hendersonville and nearby Gallatin, Tennessee, members of Good Shepherd to a totally destroyed home, salvaged what was salvageable, and moved the items to the church for safekeeping.

Pastor Weller and the congregation nominated this home for rebuilding by the nationally televised program Extreme Makeover. They received national recognition for starting the rebuilding process, gathering community support, sending volunteer work teams to clear the debris and following through with the family.

The abilities Weller brings to The Clergy Think-Tank will inspire participants to be creative in forming new approaches to ministry for men.

Commentary: Providing Red Cross Shelter for 110 Gustav Evacuees
by Kim Joyce, Hillcrest United Methodist Church

A bag of towels from Wal-Mart……$25.00

A BIG canister of lemonade mix…..$8.00

Gas for a trip to the ER/Bus Depot and Wal-Mart…..$10.00

Having a little girl hug you and look up and say “This is the best place I’ve ever been and I never want to leave.”…….priceless

What a week! Wow - confused, frustrated, tiring, enriching, loving and beautiful to be a part of. We had over 200 evacuees arrive at church early on Sunday morning, August 31st. That was nearly 100 more than we had room for, so a lot of juggling happened until about 9:30 or so when 3 buses arrived to take the overflow to Murfreesboro.

Then we began the process of finding out who was here. Not a small task – in fact one that didn’t really get finished until early Tuesday! As we were trying to get everyone registered we began to find out that many of our guests didn’t have necessary medicine – like insulin and blood pressure meds. Several were sick. Many had just finished their first ever plane ride. All had been up nearly 24 hours and were exhausted. We didn’t have enough blankets or towels or soap or underwear –

But we had enough heart to make up the difference. Evacuees were invited to join our back to school bash and emergency pizza was ordered! Food and supplies began to trickle in from the Red Cross and volunteers began to arrive.

I won’t even try to provide names of the many volunteers and groups who helped in the effort, because I would miss someone – but it was a joy to watch them arrive.

Monday brought a little less confusion and a huge response to the needs. Trips were made to the Veterans Administration, Southern Hills Hospital, the bus station and to Wal-Mart!! Folks began to settle in and try to establish some order. I had the opportunity to take one group to Wal-Mart. On the way, at the intersection of Old Hickory and Nolensville, you can see apartments up on the hill. One gentlemen in the van asked if those were condos. I told him that they were apartments and he absolutely couldn’t get over people living so high up on a hill. They all agreed they would be terrified to live that high up - but at least those folks didn’t have to worry about flooding!

Tuesday brought real progress. We finally had the bulk of what we needed, volunteers were lined up to spend the night, towels were washed and meals served without missing a beat.

A funeral and reception while Hillcrest was serving as a Red Cross Shelter meant that the church’s youth room had to be suddenly prepared as a suitable place for the reception—there wasn’t any other place it could be held. Evacuees pitched in to help clean the room, and Jerome, a professional painter from The Gulf Coast, made short work of making the walls look new. Here is grateful youth minister Mike Worden with evacuee and pro-painter Jerome.

We had what will likely be the maddest MAD Wednesday night of the year! With about 120 evacuees and over 30 ESL students arriving – all I can say is if you stayed home because your bible study was postponed, you may have missed the best lesson of the year.

Thursday night we had some artists from music row arrive. They sang songs and led the crowd in a much needed diversion from the monotony that had begun to claim many of them.

Friday – The final remnants of Hurricane Gustav gave us some much needed rain and seemed a little like the final irony for our guests. Some of them said they just couldn’t get far enough away to stay out of the hurricane’s path. We received another 8 adults and a child on Friday night – they came from a shelter that had closed. The crowd began to feel the tension and relief that going home might soon bring.

Saturday, September 6th – We got the word early that today was the day! An ARMY truck showed up to take baggage to the airport and transport for the people arrived shortly after 11:30 a.m. With much huffing and puffing, loading and reloading, the buses were finally ready to leave.

Evacuee children enjoyed the Hillcrest play area while fathers gathered nearby in the shade to watch television news on a special TV monitor.

Some 4 hours - and much sweat equity later the church was largely restored to its pre-event state. The only evidence remaining on Sunday, September 7th were bags of towels, pillows and blankets that need to be laundered and returned to church. A special note of appreciation to those in the congregation who loaded the bags into their cars and provided laundry service after church.

I want to say THANKS to everyone who helped. Whether you listened to a story, helped a child make a necklace, served food, brought supplies, mopped a floor, spent the night or any one of a 1,000 other tasks, we couldn’t have welcomed these people without YOU.

I asked several of the evacuees what they thought about being here and without exception their first expression was of thanks to the church. The Red Cross told us we were the #1 rated shelter in the whole area. You showed the love of Christ to many who apparently had not had a lot of experience with Christian charity. May Christ germinate the seeds that were sown last week and grow them for His Kingdom.


“Wandering the Earth” Third in a Series on Stewardship of the Environment
by: The Wanderers Sunday School Class of Pleasant View UMC

Make Certain to Re-Use

In continuing on with our look at environmental stewardship, the Wanderers Sunday School class spent a great deal of time looking at the issue of reuse. We live in a throw-away society where we perceive everything to be at our disposal, then dispose of everything once we are “through” with it. This causes a depletion of resources that our world is suffering the effects of. Several members of the class remember from a trip to Redbird Mission the lasting effects on eastern Kentucky of “Mountain Topping,” a practice of obliterating mountains and terrain through explosives and machinery in order to acquire coal for energy. The coal is burned up and gone, but the effects on the environment, the wildlife, and the society that had built around it still remains. Is there a better way?

The answer is yes! Reusable energy is the key. Harvesting coal for energy harms so many different aspects of the world we live, but sunlight, wind, and water provide excellent sources or renewable energy. Our class has agreed to purchase ten blocks a month of “green power” from TVA green power switch (http://www.greenpowerswitch.com/) for the church for one year. By purchasing the green power, TVA guarantees that the energy used to power our church will come from renewable resources. In the next year, our goal is to look for ways we can save enough money in energy use at the church (through switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, programmable thermostats, and light switches that turn off automatically) to pay for the green power.

By carrying and using a travel coffee mug like this, you can reduce the amount of waste produced. Coffee shops are glad to fill your reusable mug instead of using a disposable cup

The class also looked at the area of disposable tableware. In our little congregation, we spent over $1500 on disposable tableware last year. This year we are making a concerted effort to use the reusable items we already have on hand. At home, we are carrying refillable water bottles and refillable coffee cups around, rather than grapping a clean or disposable cup every time.

When our Wednesday night dinners started back up on August 20, we set up a dishwashing schedule, using the dinnerware the church already owns instead of hauling the three to four large garbage bags to the dumpster filled with disposable plates, plastic ware, and cups each night. This saves the church money and lessons the waste we produce.

Another area where we are reusing is in the area of rainwater. The Lord blesses us with rain, and in His wisdom he has it fall on all, the just and unjust. Sometimes there is more than we can use at once. But in using even this resource that is given to us freely, we cannot afford to waste it. Members of the class have installed a 275 gallon rain catcher at the Pleasant view parsonage for our pastor and his family to water their garden and plants. Solar pumps could even be attached to water yards, if desired. This is a simple way to reuse water and lessen the burden we place on our environment.

Some of our class has started compost piles. They have been amazed in the amount of waste that goes into it, but not into the trash. The compost pile is a simple way we can reuse the organic portions of what we consume. The compost can then go back into the earth via our gardens and flower beds and potted plants. This also reduces the need to purchase fertilizers and mulch. This is a great way to reuse things we have previously considered trash fills for our trash cans and eventually our landfills.

Libraries are also a great example of reusing. Instead of purchasing a book to read once then sit on a shelf, libraries offer a better use of those resources by offering the books to entire populations of people to read. The Wanderers Class has begun the process of refreshing Pleasant View UMC’s lending library for the congregation. The library is one of society’s great stories of reuse.

On a scout camp run by members of the class, old plastic bottles have been turned into flytraps for use near a barn. There are many creative ways in which you can reuse instead of simply tossing it into the trash.

God has given us his creation to keep manage, and use just like he gave it to Adam and Eve. Reusing all that we can is another way we honor the Creator and the Creation.