TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW December 26, 2008
Stories in the December 26th issue of THE REVIEW
1. Jerry Nail's prison ministry offers a different kind of freedom for those behind bars.
2. Historic African American Congregation Started during one of the most tumultuous times in American History.
3. 98% of Fellowship United Methodist Church congregation involved as volunteers in Faith and Action mission.
4. West Nashville fights crime, reprinted from THE TENNESSEAN
5. Ernest Newman, small church with a large vision.
6. Congregation Hoping to occupy New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church building by late spring,
7. Gallatin Shalom Zone has open house for Union High School Resource Center.
8. Whiteside United Methodist Church, small church, heavy hits on Google.
9. Spiritual Moments on a Holy Land Pilgrimage.
A. “The Stone Was Shouting”
B. “The Sea of Galilee glittered like thousands of silver fish”
10. A Story from the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission Gathering.
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Jerry Nail's prison ministry offers a different kind of freedom for those behind bars
By Kathy Gilbert, United Methodist News Service
"As a Christian I’ve always felt like we were in the restoring business, not in the retribution, not in the judging. We leave the judging up to God."
God wanted Jerry Nail in prison. It was a call he couldn’t ignore.
Nail, a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tenn., has just been appointed minister of the prison ministries at his church. His journey into prison began after he attended Disciple Bible classes and his pastor told him about Bible classes being held in North Carolina jails.
Jerry Nail with prisoner
“It was very clear to me,” he said. “A voice said ‘That’s where I want you; I want you in prison.’”
It was a startling development, “I look back on it and kind of smile now but at the time it was almost a ‘Who, me?’ reaction.” Nail had no experience with prisoners or jails but he started working on getting permission to start a Disciple Bible class at Tennessee’s maximum security institute, Riverbend.
Laughing, he said getting into prison proved to be harder than he thought. The inmates at Riverbend joke with him and say it’s easy to get into prison: “Just buy a gun, hold up a Mapco and you’re in prison!”
Nail’s first Bible class started seven years ago and his ministry has grown to include Communion Service on Sunday mornings.
The 30-minute service includes a 10-minute homily, the blessing of the elements and communion. “That service started out with about 10 men in it and now we’re up to 45 men.”
Nail said at first he thought some of the prisoners were probably “conning” him but he has seen changes in the men. He recalls a guard telling him he must be doing something right because some of the men were not only reading the Bible, they were staying on their knees in prayer for five to ten minutes.
Nail knows most of the 25,000 men and women incarcerated in Tennessee will some day leave prison. The recidivism rate, number who will return to prison, is higher than 65 percent.
“They need not only an economic safety net, and not only a community safety net but a spiritual safety net so they can become part of a group that they’ve not been a part of before.”
Several men from Riverbend have become members of Christ United Methodist Church. Some of the men are out of prison but a few are still in prison. “There’s one man there that has over 250 something years (to serve), obviously he’s not gonna be out. But he is a member of our church and he does the same things that members of our church on the outside do.”
Nail said his church has been very open to prison ministry. “I think one of the reasons it has been such a step forward for me personally has been because it illustrated for me what my church family can do … which is support each other.”
His relationship with Christ started as a teenager but he said he “took a detour.” About 15 years ago he joined Christ United Methodist Church and found God was waiting for him. That’s the way he feels when he goes to Riverbend. “I’m not bringing God out there with me. He’s out there waiting for us.”
A Great Resource for local church study and discussion -- "Crucial Time" a DVD showing how one church AND your church can be involved prison ministry. Also a small group discussion pamphlet is part of this DVD. Order from Christ UMC, 508 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. A contribution to Christ UMC of $10 to cover production, mailing, etc will be appreciated. For speaker information call Jerry Nail, 615-790-2112.
Historic African American Congregation Started during one of the most tumultuous times in American History
United Methodist Churches across the connection celebrate anniversaries every year, and this year, Key Memorial United Methodist Church recently celebrated its 143rd year of faithful service in “saving souls and serving God in Murfreesboro since 1865.”
The theme for this year was “What Does the Lord Require of You?” The speaker for the celebration was The Reverend Roger Hobson, Executive Assistant to Bishop Richard Wills of the Tennessee Conference. The occasion was marked by a time of recalling the Church’s rich tradition of faithful discipleship, dating back from the nineteenth century to the present – a tradition steeped in a long history of Methodism for almost 250 years.
The congregation began during one of the most difficult periods in American history – an almost impossible time to establish a church.
It was the year 1865 when a small group of newly freed ex-slaves led by Braxton James and John Clayborne began holding worship services in the Primitive Baptist Church. The Civil War had just ended; and the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted. Undoubtedly this was a great time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the ex-slaves as their jubilant cries reverberated across the land. Surely their singing of plantation songs became bolder, and had more meaning and ring: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last.” During this period, following the assassination of President Lincoln their hopes and dreams of a fruitful life were in all probability dashed. Yet, despite life’s harsh realities of dehumanization and exploitation, this little band of believers stood with sheer courage and determination to establish themselves as a community of faith, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Key Memorial is designated as a United Methodist Historic Site.
Prior to the Civil War, this faithful community, like other African-American groups, had worshipped in the same services and facilities with Whites. Then after Emancipation, they found it necessary to provide their own places of worship. At one time this community had not only worshipped from house to house, but also in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, before settling in the Primitive Baptist Church, located on the corner of Church and Lytle Streets in Murfreesboro. In addition it became necessary to identify persons willing to meet the ordination requirements for ministry. Therefore, one of the leaders, Braxton James traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was ordained an Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in order to extend his ministerial authority in this denomination throughout the State of Tennessee.
With this agreed upon arrangement of a meeting place, it initially appeared that all was going well. However, there was a wave of discontent hovering in the air. Not having one’s own place of worship was creating some difficulty. Then quite unexpectedly a new proposition was presented to them – a proposal that eventually changed the course of their history.
Mr. Pearne of the Methodist Episcopal Church was invited to preach during a Sunday evening worship service. During the course of his visit, it came to his attention that there were particular needs and circumstances of the congregation that were not being addressed. First, they needed a permanent place of worship, but they simply did not have the financial means or resources to purchase the necessary property. Mr. Pearne then presented an offer to them, opening the door for them to secure a house of worship, with only one stipulation: they must accept membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Then without much debate, especially when it came to their attention that they could no longer worship in the Baptist congregation, this little band of sixty or seventy believers by “standing vote” accepted Mr. Pearne’s proposition. In addition, Braxton James would be received into the Methodist Church as an ordained Elder. This congregation’s dream of having their own Church building was finally coming to fruition.
The Methodist Episcopal Church then secured the property where the first Church and parsonage were built on the adjoining lots on the North corner of College and Highland Streets in Murfreesboro. The purchase price was $700.
Therefore, on October 11, 1866 with Bishop Davis Wasgatt Clark presiding over the conference, this congregation was officially organized as James Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. Even though the physical structure of the church had not been completed, this congregation became a distinct ecclesiastical body in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The construction of the church was finally completed in 1880 under the leadership of Hilary W. Key who served the congregation from 1877 to 1880. It was during his tenure that the name was changed to Key Chapel. When The Rev. W. R. Smith served from 1912 to 1915, the name was finally changed to Key Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the pastorate of The Rev. W. B. Crenshaw who served the church from 1921 to 1924, the five room parsonage was destroyed by fire. It was soon replaced by an eight room half story bungalow with funds given by the church membership and the “Centenary Fund.” The assessed value was appraised at $5000.
Under the pastoral leadership of The Rev, H. H. Jones from 1937 to 1947, Methodist groups were organized in the church which included the Women’s Society, Methodist Men, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship. During the tenure of The Rev. M. M. League who served from 1947 to 1957 a building fund was begun for the purpose of remodeling the Church.
In addition it was during this time period that Black congregations were set apart into The Central Jurisdiction. During the General Conference in 1939, a plan was approved to separate Black members into the separate Central Jurisdiction to satisfy the openly racial prejudices of the South. Even though this action was one of the most grievous decisions in the annals of Methodism, Black Methodists rallied to continue moving forward in the Spirit of the living God. Indeed this commitment became evident in the life and ministry of Key Memorial.
Key Memorial United Methodist Church 2008.
During the time of The Rev. Paul Y. Marchbanks’ pastorate from 1958-1968, the old church building was destroyed by fire on June 8, 1963, during the week of Annual Conference. A new site was chosen with adjoining lots at 806 and 810 East State Street. The old church properties were sold as a result of a bid through the “New Supplier Program.” The son of The Rev. H. H. Jones, the former pastor, was the architect. The new church was erected in 1967, and the house located on the adjoining lot was remodeled for use as the parsonage.
The Rev. James S. Gadsden served from 1968 to 1973. During his pastorate, all of the furnishings in the church were replaced. In addition two-thirds of all the indebtedness on the building was retired during his tenure. The Rev. Robert U. Green served in 1974, while The Rev. William Reed Smith served from 1974-1978. During these four years, all of the church’s indebtedness was finally discharged, and an electric organ was purchased.
It was during this time period that The Central Jurisdiction was abolished. In fact during the 1968 General Conference there was such a growing uneasiness with the problem of racism, this body voted to overturn its policy of segregation. Methodism then experienced a major milestone in its history. The abolishment of The Central Jurisdiction became official, and the union between The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church became a reality. The birth of United Methodism was truly an indication that African-Americans would be given an opportunity to participate fully in the life and ministry of the Church.
During the next three decades, Key Memorial was blessed with many gifted pastors who provided exemplary leadership. Some of these pastors were instrumental in accomplishing the following ministries:
*Leading the church out of debt and working diligently to continue upgrading the church’s facilities: The Rev. Daniel Hayes, The Rev. Frederick Yebuah, The Rev. Farai David Muzorewa, The Rev. Issac Davis, The Rev. Dogan Williams; The Rev. Arthur Ford*Reorganizing the Children and Youth Ministries: The Rev. Alvin R. Goodwin *Assisting in the increase of Church membership and establishing new ministries: The Rev. Kenneth R. Edmondson, *Working to reactivate Children, Youth, and Adult Ministries: The Rev. John K. L. Young *Establishing a Tutorial Program for children and youth and Initiating an outreach ministry: The Rev. Arthur Ford; The Rev. Chestina M. Archibald, and the current pastor, The Rev. Graham Matthews.
In June of 2006 The Rev. Dr. Graham Matthews was appointed to Key Memorial. During his brief tenure, the congregation has experienced steady growth, and innovative ministries have soared to new heights. For example, The United Methodist Men have initiated an evangelistic campaign of walking through the adjacent neighborhoods and passing out Bibles and door hangers. The formation of an all male choir, “The Voices of Glory,” has stimulated passionate worship experiences. Pulpit exchanges and other outreach ministries have also enhanced the Church’s awareness of the inclusive and diverse nature of the Church.
In its conclusion, Key Memorial takes pride in the dedication of lay and pastoral leadership throughout its long history of faithful service in the name of Jesus Christ. These 143 years have been marked by many challenges and opportunities. However, by the power of God’s grace the Church has steadily moved ahead. Perhaps the old gospel hymn describes it best: “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet, oh, can’t turn around, we’ve come this far by faith.” Hence, it is because of this deep and abiding faith in God that Key Memorial United Methodist Church will go forward of making Disciples for Jesus Christ in the transformation of the world for the honor and glory of God.
Key Memorial United Methodist Church is truly a family church. For example, our church historian, Mrs. Emily Butler Henry, has been a member of Key Memorial United Methodist Church for four generations. Her grandmother, Rose Williams McKnight, was a member; her mother, Dolores Butler, was a member; she is a member, and her son, William Henry, Jr., who lives in Alcoa, Tennessee, but still retains his membership at Key Memorial United Methodist Church.
98% of Fellowship United Methodist Church congregation involved as volunteers in Faith and Action mission
John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
Fellowship United Methodist Church in Clarksville has taken to heart John Wesley’s words as it reaches out to the community whether through hosting homeless persons through Room in the Inn, sponsoring VIM workers in Gulfport, MS., feeding the hungry through Loaves and Fishes, supporting local schools even to making the church’s facilities and grounds available five days a week to the Football and Soccer programs of West Creek Middle School. In its four-day-a-week Parent’s Day Out program Fellowship UMC has served 112 children.
Persons at an assisted living facility appreciated a good manicure.
Probably nothing showed the congregation’s mission spirit as much as its first Faith in Action weekend in April of 2008. About 98% of the church’s membership worked over one weekend on 26 local projects which included three elementary schools, three nursing homes, and a safe house for stray cats. The project took twelve weeks of planning and was extremely well organized with each of the 26 sites having a project leader and team. Pastor Charles Martin noted the hard work done by the planning team for the weekend, “The way we cast the vision for this project,” notes Martin, “is we encouraged folks to identify their particular talents and gifts and then we divided them into teams, then we began identifying missional opportunities that fit each teams gifts… it was a blast!”
Wheel chair ramps were built for folks living in low income housing.
The groups tackled, among other things, building complete wheel-chair ramps for persons living in low income housing, repairing roofs, painting an elementary school rest room, reconstructing a nursing home gazebo, and doing manicures and hair styling for residents of an assisted living facility. There were not many community needs the teams did not attempt to meet over the weekend.
Even the young had an important part of play during the Faith and Action weekend.
The Faith in Action experience also pointed out the need for some special ongoing ministries. Emerging from discoveries made during the weekend two new mission groups were birthed- RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) and ECHO (Elder Care Healing Outreach). These two groups have visited nursing homes, built wheel chair ramps and moved Military families to new homes.
West Nashville fights crime
Statistics are down, but residents and businesses still work with police
By Nancy DeVille • THE TENNESSEAN • November 28, 2008, Copyright 2008, reprinted here with permission.
While statistics show a 10 percent decrease in crime from last year, West Nashville residents, merchants and community members are still working with police to make sure their neighborhood streets remain safe.
The West Nashville United Methodist Church has hosted a series of community meetings to discuss concerns from developing programs for youths, to crime and drugs problems on Charlotte Pike. Among those attending were residents from Sylvan Park, The Nations and Sylvan Heights neighborhoods, merchants along the Richland Park business corridor and representatives from Metro police.
"The meetings have been incredibly productive," said Sherry Cothran, with the West Nashville United Methodist Church and organizer of the meetings. "The role of the church is to foster good community relations and set goals for the community to work together and dialogue in a safe place."
Besides discussing the issues, the meetings have also been educational, Cothran said. As a number of crimes go unreported, community members are discussing methods to change that.
"We are talking about a systemic way of reporting crimes and getting everyone on the same page," she said.
"Our goal is to develop ways that we can deal with the crime in our community. We want to deal with symptoms of crime like people feeling afraid in their own backyard."
Metro police representatives offered suggestions for homeowners to deter thieves, such as purchasing floodlights, motion detectors or a big dog.
"When citizens come together and meet, it helps them put a face with names and street addresses. It's amazing how many neighborhoods you go in that people have never talked to each other," said Sgt. Connie Tripp, community liaison with the Metro Police West Precinct.
"The citizens are doing things to help reduce crime. They are voicing their concerns, reporting more, being more aware, which are all things that help reduce crime in a neighborhood."
Fred Koller, owner of Rhino Books on Charlotte Pike, has been a victim of crime in recent months, when his bookstore was robbed this summer. While he believes it's positive the community is coming together for discussion, he worries about the increase of homeless people migrating to the Richland Park area.
"We now have more gang graffiti showing up on various buildings," he said. "If business owners, the community and churches can work together, we can keep pressure on the government officials to keep things at a standard that we expect.
"Charlotte Pike is just too wonderful of a strip to see it go bad."
Another meeting is tentatively expected to be scheduled for this month.
Ernest Newman, small church with a large vision
Young drummers took center stage during part of the service.
The family of Bishop Ernest Newman was present on November 16, 2008, to celebrate the 20th Year Anniversary of Ernest Newman United Methodist Church, and to kickoff a Capital Campaign to renovate a portion of the church building into the Ernest Newman Education Center. The Litany of Blessing thanked God for this space “that will be used for education, activity programs, ministry to help those marginalized by our society, and for edifying the church . . . we ask God’s blessing on this center that in its completion might be a facility where people are educated, encouraged, equipped and empowered to live a Christian life and do the work and will of God. Bishop Newman, for whom the church and the education center are named, served as bishop of the Nashville Area of the United Methodist Church from 1984 until his retirement in 1992.
"Bishop Ernest W. Newman was our bishop—the first African-American elected from the Southeast Jurisdiction," said Pamela Crosby, executive director of Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
Bishop Ernest W. Newman widow, Thelma Newman, along with Newman children and grandchildren, were present to help kickoff the Capital Campaign
The November 16th event also celebrated the 11th year of Pastor Gwen Brown-Felder’s call to the ministry. And, in honor of the fact that the location of the original organizational meeting of the new (and yet to be named) congregation was at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Gordon Memorial pastor the Rev. Daniel Hayes was asked to preach the anniversary sermon, and special music was provided by the Gordon Memorial choir.
As it ministers to the community for its 20th year, the membership of the church is not large, and is pressed to meet weekly and monthly expenses. But the word “die” is definitely NOT in the vocabulary of the church members, nor are the phrases “hanging on,” “status quo.” or “sitting on our hands.” Ernest Newman United Methodist Church is looking toward future needs, future growth, and strong “out of the box” ministry to the community. The congregation has initiated a capital financing campaign to renovate the existing building and ultimately to build a Christian Life Center on the back property.
Rev. Gwen Brown Felder presents certificates of appreciation to Dr. Sharon D. Peters, Dr. Sheila R. Peters, and Mrs. Anne Peters for their service to the church. The five Newman UMC members who are accredited Lay Speaking Ministers were also honored.
Pastor Gwendolyn Brown-Felder succinctly states the next steps: “Our plans for the renovation of Bishop Ernest Newman Education Center includes adding classrooms, carpeting, painting, installing new windows as well as a bathroom with shower, a kitchenette, and library. We’ll need a great deal of equipment to meet our planned needs -- blackboards, desks & chairs, bookshelves, computers, and computer fixtures. The new arrangement will allow us to provide education assistance for tutoring, computer literacy, GED preparation, conference workshops, health and parenting classes, health clinic station, blood drive site, AA/EA meetings and overnight facilities to provide hospitality for traveling missionary youth groups.
The Barack Dance Ministry helped revive the church’s youth program.
One example of the focus on the future was much in evidence at the Homecoming service where dance was an integral part of the worship experience. “‘Dance’ was the catalyst to our thriving youth ministry” notes Brown-Felder. “When I got to Newman, our youth did not have any ministries. God definitely guided my spirit to organize the Barack Dance Ministry, a ministry that sparked the interest of our youth and they have been bringing their friends and their parents. The youth ministry has been soaring ever since. The "dance" has many wonderful positive results.
Congregation Hopes to occupy New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church building by late spring
As this December 13th photo shows, construction is well along on the new home for the Nashville Korean United Methodist Church. The congregation is relocating from its present building on Dabbs Avenue to Old Hickory Blvd, near Maryland Farms in Brentwood. There will be 35,000 square feet in the new building . . . more than double the amount of space now available to the fast growing congregation. The amount of parking space will also be considerably expanded. Ground breaking for the Old Hickory Blvd. structure was held on March 9, 2008.
Gallatin Shalom Zone has open house for Union High School Resource Center
The Gallatin Shalom Zone originally started as a Global Board of Mission’s project with the UMC. There are over 300 Shalom organizations in the world, and the Gallatin Shalom is the largest. Drew University now oversees the Communities of The SHALOM.
Since 1996 the organization has been meeting society’s most pressing issues. The Gallatin Shalom Zone is located in the middle of the Clearview community in Gallatin, Tennessee. The average income is $12,500 a year, and if families live in the federal housing that borders the Shalom the average income is $8,500 a year. The high school dropout rate in the area is 48%.
This Shalom over the years has sponsored 12 full-time college scholarships for students, provided day camp, sports and dance clubs, information and referral, after-school homework help, mentors and collaboration for the entire county to name a few of the projects. The focus is to improve the entire underserved area.
A year-and-a-half ago the Shalom Zone Board of Directors started the HUGE project of renovation to Union High School, a 3,000 square foot facility that had been closed. The building now houses various agencies and serves as a one-stop shop for social service agencies in Sumner County, Tennessee. Those agencies include: Shalom Zone Office, Gallatin Police Department, Tennessee Technology Center, Sumner Mediation, Geriatric Social Workers, Family Resource Center, Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, Meals on Wheels Regional Office, TRAC House Administrative Office, Southern Sudanese Youth Program, and the Long Term Care Ombudsman.
The inside of old Union High School has been completely redone to accommodate the large number of social service agencies housed in the building.
The project for twelve years has been volunteer led. Two years ago an Executive Director was hired to work in this special ministry. P.J. Davis serves as the Executive Director and holds a Masters degree in Public Service Administration and Social Work. She has jump started the programs within the building. The building is at a 100% capacity with a wait list of agencies wanting to enter the building. Agencies pay a small fee to rent space within the facility. Churches support the effort along with foundation and grant and private dollars for operating cost.
An upgraded playground was a real plus for Gallatin’s Clearview community
The newest project is to raise $1,317,502 in new gifts and pledges before June 30, 2009. This money will build more office space and provide a state-of-the-art day care center, so parents can seek employment. Gallatin Day Care Center will re-locate to the center late in 2009 and house around 100 children.
Open House for the building was held September 25, 2008, at the 600 Small Street location.
For more information on the SHALOM ZONE project visit the web site at http://www.gallatinshalomzone.org/ or phone 615-452-7575.
Whiteside United Methodist Church, small church, heavy hits on Google
By Joel Tompkins
Our website was created on June10th, 2008 using ourchurch.com.
Being that we are such a small church we didn't have the funds to go out and buy a website nor could we afford to pay someone to help us get recognized on search engines such as Google. So, I took it upon myself to build a website and just go from there.
During this time, I met a gentleman who is very "websmart" here in our community and he taught me a trick or two about getting our site noticed by search engines such as GOOGLE. This gentleman wanted no payment from us. He just wanted to help out a local church. So, he added us to his site which is shelbyvillemainstreet .com.
Within days of being added to his website we were on GOOGLE and the hits were coming in!!! We reached 3000 total hits on November 2nd and today (Nov.9th) we are at 3057!!! Not too bad for a church with less than 30 members.
Ice cream and cake were served to celebrate the 3000th hit on the church website.
We offer several pages to choose from but my favorite is the pastors sermon on video. Again, this is all done on a free site.
You don't have to spend big money to get the word out there...
Look at what we have accomplished in just five months!!!
So, today during our board meeting we celebrated 3000 total hits with cake and ice cream and we hope to do it again when we reach 6000. We hope you all will check us out on the web!!!
On a side note...
Not only are we on the web. But our videos can be found on Godtube as well. There our videos have been viewed 9,851 times.
That’s the story of Whiteside UMC on the web. Have a great week and God bless!!!
Spiritual Moments on a Holy Land Pilgrimage
These amazing spiritual moments came from three pilgrims on a Holy Land Pastoral Renewal Pilgrimage, October 14 – 28, 2008, sponsored by Sewanee through funding by the Cousins Foundation out of Atlanta. Twenty pastors and priests from around the country applied and were accepted to participate at a cost of $250 per person. The Rev. Dr. William Brosend led the group with spiritual direction provided by The Rev. Dr. Julia Gatta. If you are interested in an opportunity such as this, check The University of the South (Sewanee) School of Theology website in the coming months. Or check with the seminary from which you graduated. The Cousins Foundation is working through many seminaries.
The Stone Was Shouting
---Submitted by The Rev. Melisa J. Derseweh*
Melisa J. Derseweh
The stone was shouting at me. Not literally, of course, but the sheer emptiness of the Garden Tomb was so overwhelming as to be a scream of “Look at me! I am the witness! The tomb is empty!” The tomb was hewn from stone, so clean, not even a cranny for the most stubborn weed. Nothing except cold, hard stone. Yelling: Look at the place!
The stone was rolled away not so our Risen Lord could come out (the Risen Lord could pass through doors, so why not stone?), but so that the witnesses could look inside. So WE could look inside.
When I looked inside --- whether this was the actual tomb is not the point; the point is that this is a first century grave in Jerusalem that is calling to me and to thousands of Holy Land pilgrims --- I am made more aware of the spiritual physicality of a resurrected body.
*Melisa J. Derseweh is pastor of the Charlotte-Fagan United Methodist Church, Charlotte, Tennessee
The Sea of Galilee glittered like thousands of silver fish
---Submitted by The Rev. Cherie Parker*
Rev. Cherie Parker
I could not take my eyes away. The full moon had me mesmerized. Its light made a path across the water and it glittered like thousands of silver fish swimming near the surface their backs shimmering with moonlight. A faint warm breeze blew through the flowering trees, a few stars peeked through in spite of the moon. It was the Sea of Galilee…Before dawn the sky was pink, then rosy, then bright red as the sun peeked over the horizon, its first rays cutting through the haze of morning clouds that hung low over the water. No one was present except the birds beginning their morning songs, waking their friends to the new day. It was the Sea of Galilee…The wooden boat made its way through the water, cutting a silent path. Its motor from a distance could not be heard. The water reflected the deep blue sky overhead.
The sunlight shining on the hills across the water was beginning to change colors as daylight began to wane. It was the Sea of Galilee…The sea near which Jesus lived; the sea beside which he called his disciples, taught the crowds, healed the sick, fixed breakfast, walked along; the sea upon which he walked, slept in boat…I spent hours beside it every day and evening for a week, drawn to it with fascination, soothed by its beauty, quieted by its calmness, renewed by the time for silence, reflection and conversation.
This truly was a pilgrimage. We saw sacred sites in the mornings and had the afternoons and evenings for relaxation, reflection, rest, meditation and personal and communal devotion.
*Cherie Parker is Minister for Congregational Care, Christ Church United Methodist, Louisville, KY
A Story from the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission Gathering
By the Rev. Pat Smith. From Pat’s Corner, News from the Bend (newsletter of Rehoboth United Methodist Church), July 2008
I spent two days last week attending the annual SEJ (Southeastern Jurisdiction) Volunteer in Mission gathering. So, I have fresh images and stories of people engaged in short term or extended missions. I was inspired by what I heard and saw. I want to share one of these stories. I believe God really does require of us all “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,” Micah 6:8b. God calls us to be agents of hope—embodied by what we know as the Gospel.
The Rev. Patricia L. “Pat” Smith
Let me share this story. One Tennessee woman went on a VIM team trip to Sierra Leone. She saw an infant die of malnutrition. She saw the tears of the mother. Her tears flowed with her. That nation has the highest infant mortality in the world primarily because 10 years of civil war over the diamond trade destroyed the economy of the country.
That woman came home with a broken heart and asked herself what can help prevent such deaths. She heard of a doctor in St. Louis who had developed a peanut butter based supplement that was having amazing results (97.9%) in saving the malnourished children 6 months to 6 years of age. The woman asked how to get this started in Sierra Leone. She drove to St. Louis to meet with the doctor. He helped her understand how to implement such a feeding program and supported her efforts.
Other members of her VIM team, her pastor, and her church mobilized to raise money for this. They went back to the same area of Sierra Leone with another team with the recipe to make the life giving medicine for the malnourished children. They taught local nurses and health workers. The results were immediate and dramatic. They prayed about how to sustain and expand this ministry. They were connected with a young woman who had just graduated from Lambuth College and felt called to do ministry in Africa. She connected with that church and she raised her support as an individual volunteer to go to Sierra Leone and she went. I met the young woman and she had been transformed by the experience.
She came home recently to get married and now she and her husband will be serving in Sierra Leone. They are still individual volunteers as they wait for the UM Board of Global Ministries to approve them as full time missionaries. Again the church and new young missionaries were challenged to expand the ministry, when a man hearing of the project appeared. He wrote them a check for $50,000! Enough to build a factory in Sierra Leone to make the life giving substance! Don’t you love how God is so good and responds to the faithfulness of His people! All because one woman asked herself and her church asked what could be done to make a difference in the suffering of the people they had encountered.
We are fortunate we can respond to the hunger of people in Gallatin—through meals on wheels, support of Gallatin Cares, and support of Shalom Zone. My prayer is that we keep our hearts open to the needs of those persons in need, both near and far. I pray that we keep our eyes open beyond the limits of our physical location. As a nation, we have a tendency for isolation at times, but as Christians our God’s kingdom value is that we are connected worldwide—especially to the Church—the Body of Christ.
“But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it: if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I Corinthians 12: 24b-26.
John Wesley said “The world is my parish!”
1. Jerry Nail's prison ministry offers a different kind of freedom for those behind bars.
2. Historic African American Congregation Started during one of the most tumultuous times in American History.
3. 98% of Fellowship United Methodist Church congregation involved as volunteers in Faith and Action mission.
4. West Nashville fights crime, reprinted from THE TENNESSEAN
5. Ernest Newman, small church with a large vision.
6. Congregation Hoping to occupy New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church building by late spring,
7. Gallatin Shalom Zone has open house for Union High School Resource Center.
8. Whiteside United Methodist Church, small church, heavy hits on Google.
9. Spiritual Moments on a Holy Land Pilgrimage.
A. “The Stone Was Shouting”
B. “The Sea of Galilee glittered like thousands of silver fish”
10. A Story from the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission Gathering.
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Jerry Nail's prison ministry offers a different kind of freedom for those behind bars
By Kathy Gilbert, United Methodist News Service
"As a Christian I’ve always felt like we were in the restoring business, not in the retribution, not in the judging. We leave the judging up to God."
God wanted Jerry Nail in prison. It was a call he couldn’t ignore.
Nail, a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tenn., has just been appointed minister of the prison ministries at his church. His journey into prison began after he attended Disciple Bible classes and his pastor told him about Bible classes being held in North Carolina jails.
Jerry Nail with prisoner“It was very clear to me,” he said. “A voice said ‘That’s where I want you; I want you in prison.’”
It was a startling development, “I look back on it and kind of smile now but at the time it was almost a ‘Who, me?’ reaction.” Nail had no experience with prisoners or jails but he started working on getting permission to start a Disciple Bible class at Tennessee’s maximum security institute, Riverbend.
Laughing, he said getting into prison proved to be harder than he thought. The inmates at Riverbend joke with him and say it’s easy to get into prison: “Just buy a gun, hold up a Mapco and you’re in prison!”
Nail’s first Bible class started seven years ago and his ministry has grown to include Communion Service on Sunday mornings.
The 30-minute service includes a 10-minute homily, the blessing of the elements and communion. “That service started out with about 10 men in it and now we’re up to 45 men.”
Nail said at first he thought some of the prisoners were probably “conning” him but he has seen changes in the men. He recalls a guard telling him he must be doing something right because some of the men were not only reading the Bible, they were staying on their knees in prayer for five to ten minutes.
Nail knows most of the 25,000 men and women incarcerated in Tennessee will some day leave prison. The recidivism rate, number who will return to prison, is higher than 65 percent.
“They need not only an economic safety net, and not only a community safety net but a spiritual safety net so they can become part of a group that they’ve not been a part of before.”
Several men from Riverbend have become members of Christ United Methodist Church. Some of the men are out of prison but a few are still in prison. “There’s one man there that has over 250 something years (to serve), obviously he’s not gonna be out. But he is a member of our church and he does the same things that members of our church on the outside do.”
Nail said his church has been very open to prison ministry. “I think one of the reasons it has been such a step forward for me personally has been because it illustrated for me what my church family can do … which is support each other.”
His relationship with Christ started as a teenager but he said he “took a detour.” About 15 years ago he joined Christ United Methodist Church and found God was waiting for him. That’s the way he feels when he goes to Riverbend. “I’m not bringing God out there with me. He’s out there waiting for us.”
A Great Resource for local church study and discussion -- "Crucial Time" a DVD showing how one church AND your church can be involved prison ministry. Also a small group discussion pamphlet is part of this DVD. Order from Christ UMC, 508 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. A contribution to Christ UMC of $10 to cover production, mailing, etc will be appreciated. For speaker information call Jerry Nail, 615-790-2112.
Historic African American Congregation Started during one of the most tumultuous times in American History
United Methodist Churches across the connection celebrate anniversaries every year, and this year, Key Memorial United Methodist Church recently celebrated its 143rd year of faithful service in “saving souls and serving God in Murfreesboro since 1865.”
The theme for this year was “What Does the Lord Require of You?” The speaker for the celebration was The Reverend Roger Hobson, Executive Assistant to Bishop Richard Wills of the Tennessee Conference. The occasion was marked by a time of recalling the Church’s rich tradition of faithful discipleship, dating back from the nineteenth century to the present – a tradition steeped in a long history of Methodism for almost 250 years.
The congregation began during one of the most difficult periods in American history – an almost impossible time to establish a church.
It was the year 1865 when a small group of newly freed ex-slaves led by Braxton James and John Clayborne began holding worship services in the Primitive Baptist Church. The Civil War had just ended; and the Emancipation Proclamation had been enacted. Undoubtedly this was a great time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the ex-slaves as their jubilant cries reverberated across the land. Surely their singing of plantation songs became bolder, and had more meaning and ring: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last.” During this period, following the assassination of President Lincoln their hopes and dreams of a fruitful life were in all probability dashed. Yet, despite life’s harsh realities of dehumanization and exploitation, this little band of believers stood with sheer courage and determination to establish themselves as a community of faith, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Key Memorial is designated as a United Methodist Historic Site.Prior to the Civil War, this faithful community, like other African-American groups, had worshipped in the same services and facilities with Whites. Then after Emancipation, they found it necessary to provide their own places of worship. At one time this community had not only worshipped from house to house, but also in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, before settling in the Primitive Baptist Church, located on the corner of Church and Lytle Streets in Murfreesboro. In addition it became necessary to identify persons willing to meet the ordination requirements for ministry. Therefore, one of the leaders, Braxton James traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was ordained an Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in order to extend his ministerial authority in this denomination throughout the State of Tennessee.
With this agreed upon arrangement of a meeting place, it initially appeared that all was going well. However, there was a wave of discontent hovering in the air. Not having one’s own place of worship was creating some difficulty. Then quite unexpectedly a new proposition was presented to them – a proposal that eventually changed the course of their history.
Mr. Pearne of the Methodist Episcopal Church was invited to preach during a Sunday evening worship service. During the course of his visit, it came to his attention that there were particular needs and circumstances of the congregation that were not being addressed. First, they needed a permanent place of worship, but they simply did not have the financial means or resources to purchase the necessary property. Mr. Pearne then presented an offer to them, opening the door for them to secure a house of worship, with only one stipulation: they must accept membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Then without much debate, especially when it came to their attention that they could no longer worship in the Baptist congregation, this little band of sixty or seventy believers by “standing vote” accepted Mr. Pearne’s proposition. In addition, Braxton James would be received into the Methodist Church as an ordained Elder. This congregation’s dream of having their own Church building was finally coming to fruition.
The Methodist Episcopal Church then secured the property where the first Church and parsonage were built on the adjoining lots on the North corner of College and Highland Streets in Murfreesboro. The purchase price was $700.
Therefore, on October 11, 1866 with Bishop Davis Wasgatt Clark presiding over the conference, this congregation was officially organized as James Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. Even though the physical structure of the church had not been completed, this congregation became a distinct ecclesiastical body in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The construction of the church was finally completed in 1880 under the leadership of Hilary W. Key who served the congregation from 1877 to 1880. It was during his tenure that the name was changed to Key Chapel. When The Rev. W. R. Smith served from 1912 to 1915, the name was finally changed to Key Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.
During the pastorate of The Rev. W. B. Crenshaw who served the church from 1921 to 1924, the five room parsonage was destroyed by fire. It was soon replaced by an eight room half story bungalow with funds given by the church membership and the “Centenary Fund.” The assessed value was appraised at $5000.
Under the pastoral leadership of The Rev, H. H. Jones from 1937 to 1947, Methodist groups were organized in the church which included the Women’s Society, Methodist Men, and the Methodist Youth Fellowship. During the tenure of The Rev. M. M. League who served from 1947 to 1957 a building fund was begun for the purpose of remodeling the Church.
In addition it was during this time period that Black congregations were set apart into The Central Jurisdiction. During the General Conference in 1939, a plan was approved to separate Black members into the separate Central Jurisdiction to satisfy the openly racial prejudices of the South. Even though this action was one of the most grievous decisions in the annals of Methodism, Black Methodists rallied to continue moving forward in the Spirit of the living God. Indeed this commitment became evident in the life and ministry of Key Memorial.
Key Memorial United Methodist Church 2008.During the time of The Rev. Paul Y. Marchbanks’ pastorate from 1958-1968, the old church building was destroyed by fire on June 8, 1963, during the week of Annual Conference. A new site was chosen with adjoining lots at 806 and 810 East State Street. The old church properties were sold as a result of a bid through the “New Supplier Program.” The son of The Rev. H. H. Jones, the former pastor, was the architect. The new church was erected in 1967, and the house located on the adjoining lot was remodeled for use as the parsonage.
The Rev. James S. Gadsden served from 1968 to 1973. During his pastorate, all of the furnishings in the church were replaced. In addition two-thirds of all the indebtedness on the building was retired during his tenure. The Rev. Robert U. Green served in 1974, while The Rev. William Reed Smith served from 1974-1978. During these four years, all of the church’s indebtedness was finally discharged, and an electric organ was purchased.
It was during this time period that The Central Jurisdiction was abolished. In fact during the 1968 General Conference there was such a growing uneasiness with the problem of racism, this body voted to overturn its policy of segregation. Methodism then experienced a major milestone in its history. The abolishment of The Central Jurisdiction became official, and the union between The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church became a reality. The birth of United Methodism was truly an indication that African-Americans would be given an opportunity to participate fully in the life and ministry of the Church.
During the next three decades, Key Memorial was blessed with many gifted pastors who provided exemplary leadership. Some of these pastors were instrumental in accomplishing the following ministries:
*Leading the church out of debt and working diligently to continue upgrading the church’s facilities: The Rev. Daniel Hayes, The Rev. Frederick Yebuah, The Rev. Farai David Muzorewa, The Rev. Issac Davis, The Rev. Dogan Williams; The Rev. Arthur Ford*Reorganizing the Children and Youth Ministries: The Rev. Alvin R. Goodwin *Assisting in the increase of Church membership and establishing new ministries: The Rev. Kenneth R. Edmondson, *Working to reactivate Children, Youth, and Adult Ministries: The Rev. John K. L. Young *Establishing a Tutorial Program for children and youth and Initiating an outreach ministry: The Rev. Arthur Ford; The Rev. Chestina M. Archibald, and the current pastor, The Rev. Graham Matthews.
In June of 2006 The Rev. Dr. Graham Matthews was appointed to Key Memorial. During his brief tenure, the congregation has experienced steady growth, and innovative ministries have soared to new heights. For example, The United Methodist Men have initiated an evangelistic campaign of walking through the adjacent neighborhoods and passing out Bibles and door hangers. The formation of an all male choir, “The Voices of Glory,” has stimulated passionate worship experiences. Pulpit exchanges and other outreach ministries have also enhanced the Church’s awareness of the inclusive and diverse nature of the Church.
In its conclusion, Key Memorial takes pride in the dedication of lay and pastoral leadership throughout its long history of faithful service in the name of Jesus Christ. These 143 years have been marked by many challenges and opportunities. However, by the power of God’s grace the Church has steadily moved ahead. Perhaps the old gospel hymn describes it best: “We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet, oh, can’t turn around, we’ve come this far by faith.” Hence, it is because of this deep and abiding faith in God that Key Memorial United Methodist Church will go forward of making Disciples for Jesus Christ in the transformation of the world for the honor and glory of God.
Key Memorial United Methodist Church is truly a family church. For example, our church historian, Mrs. Emily Butler Henry, has been a member of Key Memorial United Methodist Church for four generations. Her grandmother, Rose Williams McKnight, was a member; her mother, Dolores Butler, was a member; she is a member, and her son, William Henry, Jr., who lives in Alcoa, Tennessee, but still retains his membership at Key Memorial United Methodist Church.
98% of Fellowship United Methodist Church congregation involved as volunteers in Faith and Action mission
John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
Fellowship United Methodist Church in Clarksville has taken to heart John Wesley’s words as it reaches out to the community whether through hosting homeless persons through Room in the Inn, sponsoring VIM workers in Gulfport, MS., feeding the hungry through Loaves and Fishes, supporting local schools even to making the church’s facilities and grounds available five days a week to the Football and Soccer programs of West Creek Middle School. In its four-day-a-week Parent’s Day Out program Fellowship UMC has served 112 children.
Persons at an assisted living facility appreciated a good manicure.Probably nothing showed the congregation’s mission spirit as much as its first Faith in Action weekend in April of 2008. About 98% of the church’s membership worked over one weekend on 26 local projects which included three elementary schools, three nursing homes, and a safe house for stray cats. The project took twelve weeks of planning and was extremely well organized with each of the 26 sites having a project leader and team. Pastor Charles Martin noted the hard work done by the planning team for the weekend, “The way we cast the vision for this project,” notes Martin, “is we encouraged folks to identify their particular talents and gifts and then we divided them into teams, then we began identifying missional opportunities that fit each teams gifts… it was a blast!”
Wheel chair ramps were built for folks living in low income housing.The groups tackled, among other things, building complete wheel-chair ramps for persons living in low income housing, repairing roofs, painting an elementary school rest room, reconstructing a nursing home gazebo, and doing manicures and hair styling for residents of an assisted living facility. There were not many community needs the teams did not attempt to meet over the weekend.
Even the young had an important part of play during the Faith and Action weekend.
The Faith in Action experience also pointed out the need for some special ongoing ministries. Emerging from discoveries made during the weekend two new mission groups were birthed- RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) and ECHO (Elder Care Healing Outreach). These two groups have visited nursing homes, built wheel chair ramps and moved Military families to new homes.
West Nashville fights crime
Statistics are down, but residents and businesses still work with police
By Nancy DeVille • THE TENNESSEAN • November 28, 2008, Copyright 2008, reprinted here with permission.
While statistics show a 10 percent decrease in crime from last year, West Nashville residents, merchants and community members are still working with police to make sure their neighborhood streets remain safe.
The West Nashville United Methodist Church has hosted a series of community meetings to discuss concerns from developing programs for youths, to crime and drugs problems on Charlotte Pike. Among those attending were residents from Sylvan Park, The Nations and Sylvan Heights neighborhoods, merchants along the Richland Park business corridor and representatives from Metro police.
"The meetings have been incredibly productive," said Sherry Cothran, with the West Nashville United Methodist Church and organizer of the meetings. "The role of the church is to foster good community relations and set goals for the community to work together and dialogue in a safe place."
Besides discussing the issues, the meetings have also been educational, Cothran said. As a number of crimes go unreported, community members are discussing methods to change that.
"We are talking about a systemic way of reporting crimes and getting everyone on the same page," she said.
"Our goal is to develop ways that we can deal with the crime in our community. We want to deal with symptoms of crime like people feeling afraid in their own backyard."
Metro police representatives offered suggestions for homeowners to deter thieves, such as purchasing floodlights, motion detectors or a big dog.
"When citizens come together and meet, it helps them put a face with names and street addresses. It's amazing how many neighborhoods you go in that people have never talked to each other," said Sgt. Connie Tripp, community liaison with the Metro Police West Precinct.
"The citizens are doing things to help reduce crime. They are voicing their concerns, reporting more, being more aware, which are all things that help reduce crime in a neighborhood."
Fred Koller, owner of Rhino Books on Charlotte Pike, has been a victim of crime in recent months, when his bookstore was robbed this summer. While he believes it's positive the community is coming together for discussion, he worries about the increase of homeless people migrating to the Richland Park area.
"We now have more gang graffiti showing up on various buildings," he said. "If business owners, the community and churches can work together, we can keep pressure on the government officials to keep things at a standard that we expect.
"Charlotte Pike is just too wonderful of a strip to see it go bad."
Another meeting is tentatively expected to be scheduled for this month.
Ernest Newman, small church with a large vision
Young drummers took center stage during part of the service.The family of Bishop Ernest Newman was present on November 16, 2008, to celebrate the 20th Year Anniversary of Ernest Newman United Methodist Church, and to kickoff a Capital Campaign to renovate a portion of the church building into the Ernest Newman Education Center. The Litany of Blessing thanked God for this space “that will be used for education, activity programs, ministry to help those marginalized by our society, and for edifying the church . . . we ask God’s blessing on this center that in its completion might be a facility where people are educated, encouraged, equipped and empowered to live a Christian life and do the work and will of God. Bishop Newman, for whom the church and the education center are named, served as bishop of the Nashville Area of the United Methodist Church from 1984 until his retirement in 1992.
"Bishop Ernest W. Newman was our bishop—the first African-American elected from the Southeast Jurisdiction," said Pamela Crosby, executive director of Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
Bishop Ernest W. Newman widow, Thelma Newman, along with Newman children and grandchildren, were present to help kickoff the Capital CampaignThe November 16th event also celebrated the 11th year of Pastor Gwen Brown-Felder’s call to the ministry. And, in honor of the fact that the location of the original organizational meeting of the new (and yet to be named) congregation was at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church, Gordon Memorial pastor the Rev. Daniel Hayes was asked to preach the anniversary sermon, and special music was provided by the Gordon Memorial choir.
As it ministers to the community for its 20th year, the membership of the church is not large, and is pressed to meet weekly and monthly expenses. But the word “die” is definitely NOT in the vocabulary of the church members, nor are the phrases “hanging on,” “status quo.” or “sitting on our hands.” Ernest Newman United Methodist Church is looking toward future needs, future growth, and strong “out of the box” ministry to the community. The congregation has initiated a capital financing campaign to renovate the existing building and ultimately to build a Christian Life Center on the back property.
Rev. Gwen Brown Felder presents certificates of appreciation to Dr. Sharon D. Peters, Dr. Sheila R. Peters, and Mrs. Anne Peters for their service to the church. The five Newman UMC members who are accredited Lay Speaking Ministers were also honored.Pastor Gwendolyn Brown-Felder succinctly states the next steps: “Our plans for the renovation of Bishop Ernest Newman Education Center includes adding classrooms, carpeting, painting, installing new windows as well as a bathroom with shower, a kitchenette, and library. We’ll need a great deal of equipment to meet our planned needs -- blackboards, desks & chairs, bookshelves, computers, and computer fixtures. The new arrangement will allow us to provide education assistance for tutoring, computer literacy, GED preparation, conference workshops, health and parenting classes, health clinic station, blood drive site, AA/EA meetings and overnight facilities to provide hospitality for traveling missionary youth groups.
The Barack Dance Ministry helped revive the church’s youth program.
One example of the focus on the future was much in evidence at the Homecoming service where dance was an integral part of the worship experience. “‘Dance’ was the catalyst to our thriving youth ministry” notes Brown-Felder. “When I got to Newman, our youth did not have any ministries. God definitely guided my spirit to organize the Barack Dance Ministry, a ministry that sparked the interest of our youth and they have been bringing their friends and their parents. The youth ministry has been soaring ever since. The "dance" has many wonderful positive results.
Congregation Hopes to occupy New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church building by late spring
As this December 13th photo shows, construction is well along on the new home for the Nashville Korean United Methodist Church. The congregation is relocating from its present building on Dabbs Avenue to Old Hickory Blvd, near Maryland Farms in Brentwood. There will be 35,000 square feet in the new building . . . more than double the amount of space now available to the fast growing congregation. The amount of parking space will also be considerably expanded. Ground breaking for the Old Hickory Blvd. structure was held on March 9, 2008.Gallatin Shalom Zone has open house for Union High School Resource Center
The Gallatin Shalom Zone originally started as a Global Board of Mission’s project with the UMC. There are over 300 Shalom organizations in the world, and the Gallatin Shalom is the largest. Drew University now oversees the Communities of The SHALOM.
Since 1996 the organization has been meeting society’s most pressing issues. The Gallatin Shalom Zone is located in the middle of the Clearview community in Gallatin, Tennessee. The average income is $12,500 a year, and if families live in the federal housing that borders the Shalom the average income is $8,500 a year. The high school dropout rate in the area is 48%.
This Shalom over the years has sponsored 12 full-time college scholarships for students, provided day camp, sports and dance clubs, information and referral, after-school homework help, mentors and collaboration for the entire county to name a few of the projects. The focus is to improve the entire underserved area.
A year-and-a-half ago the Shalom Zone Board of Directors started the HUGE project of renovation to Union High School, a 3,000 square foot facility that had been closed. The building now houses various agencies and serves as a one-stop shop for social service agencies in Sumner County, Tennessee. Those agencies include: Shalom Zone Office, Gallatin Police Department, Tennessee Technology Center, Sumner Mediation, Geriatric Social Workers, Family Resource Center, Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency, Meals on Wheels Regional Office, TRAC House Administrative Office, Southern Sudanese Youth Program, and the Long Term Care Ombudsman.
The inside of old Union High School has been completely redone to accommodate the large number of social service agencies housed in the building.The project for twelve years has been volunteer led. Two years ago an Executive Director was hired to work in this special ministry. P.J. Davis serves as the Executive Director and holds a Masters degree in Public Service Administration and Social Work. She has jump started the programs within the building. The building is at a 100% capacity with a wait list of agencies wanting to enter the building. Agencies pay a small fee to rent space within the facility. Churches support the effort along with foundation and grant and private dollars for operating cost.
An upgraded playground was a real plus for Gallatin’s Clearview communityThe newest project is to raise $1,317,502 in new gifts and pledges before June 30, 2009. This money will build more office space and provide a state-of-the-art day care center, so parents can seek employment. Gallatin Day Care Center will re-locate to the center late in 2009 and house around 100 children.
Open House for the building was held September 25, 2008, at the 600 Small Street location.
For more information on the SHALOM ZONE project visit the web site at http://www.gallatinshalomzone.org/ or phone 615-452-7575.
Whiteside United Methodist Church, small church, heavy hits on Google
By Joel Tompkins
Our website was created on June10th, 2008 using ourchurch.com.
Being that we are such a small church we didn't have the funds to go out and buy a website nor could we afford to pay someone to help us get recognized on search engines such as Google. So, I took it upon myself to build a website and just go from there.
During this time, I met a gentleman who is very "websmart" here in our community and he taught me a trick or two about getting our site noticed by search engines such as GOOGLE. This gentleman wanted no payment from us. He just wanted to help out a local church. So, he added us to his site which is shelbyvillemainstreet .com.
Within days of being added to his website we were on GOOGLE and the hits were coming in!!! We reached 3000 total hits on November 2nd and today (Nov.9th) we are at 3057!!! Not too bad for a church with less than 30 members.
Ice cream and cake were served to celebrate the 3000th hit on the church website.We offer several pages to choose from but my favorite is the pastors sermon on video. Again, this is all done on a free site.
You don't have to spend big money to get the word out there...
Look at what we have accomplished in just five months!!!
So, today during our board meeting we celebrated 3000 total hits with cake and ice cream and we hope to do it again when we reach 6000. We hope you all will check us out on the web!!!
On a side note...
Not only are we on the web. But our videos can be found on Godtube as well. There our videos have been viewed 9,851 times.
That’s the story of Whiteside UMC on the web. Have a great week and God bless!!!
Spiritual Moments on a Holy Land Pilgrimage
These amazing spiritual moments came from three pilgrims on a Holy Land Pastoral Renewal Pilgrimage, October 14 – 28, 2008, sponsored by Sewanee through funding by the Cousins Foundation out of Atlanta. Twenty pastors and priests from around the country applied and were accepted to participate at a cost of $250 per person. The Rev. Dr. William Brosend led the group with spiritual direction provided by The Rev. Dr. Julia Gatta. If you are interested in an opportunity such as this, check The University of the South (Sewanee) School of Theology website in the coming months. Or check with the seminary from which you graduated. The Cousins Foundation is working through many seminaries.
The Stone Was Shouting
---Submitted by The Rev. Melisa J. Derseweh*
Melisa J. DersewehThe stone was shouting at me. Not literally, of course, but the sheer emptiness of the Garden Tomb was so overwhelming as to be a scream of “Look at me! I am the witness! The tomb is empty!” The tomb was hewn from stone, so clean, not even a cranny for the most stubborn weed. Nothing except cold, hard stone. Yelling: Look at the place!
The stone was rolled away not so our Risen Lord could come out (the Risen Lord could pass through doors, so why not stone?), but so that the witnesses could look inside. So WE could look inside.
When I looked inside --- whether this was the actual tomb is not the point; the point is that this is a first century grave in Jerusalem that is calling to me and to thousands of Holy Land pilgrims --- I am made more aware of the spiritual physicality of a resurrected body.
*Melisa J. Derseweh is pastor of the Charlotte-Fagan United Methodist Church, Charlotte, Tennessee
The Sea of Galilee glittered like thousands of silver fish
---Submitted by The Rev. Cherie Parker*
Rev. Cherie ParkerI could not take my eyes away. The full moon had me mesmerized. Its light made a path across the water and it glittered like thousands of silver fish swimming near the surface their backs shimmering with moonlight. A faint warm breeze blew through the flowering trees, a few stars peeked through in spite of the moon. It was the Sea of Galilee…Before dawn the sky was pink, then rosy, then bright red as the sun peeked over the horizon, its first rays cutting through the haze of morning clouds that hung low over the water. No one was present except the birds beginning their morning songs, waking their friends to the new day. It was the Sea of Galilee…The wooden boat made its way through the water, cutting a silent path. Its motor from a distance could not be heard. The water reflected the deep blue sky overhead.
The sunlight shining on the hills across the water was beginning to change colors as daylight began to wane. It was the Sea of Galilee…The sea near which Jesus lived; the sea beside which he called his disciples, taught the crowds, healed the sick, fixed breakfast, walked along; the sea upon which he walked, slept in boat…I spent hours beside it every day and evening for a week, drawn to it with fascination, soothed by its beauty, quieted by its calmness, renewed by the time for silence, reflection and conversation.
This truly was a pilgrimage. We saw sacred sites in the mornings and had the afternoons and evenings for relaxation, reflection, rest, meditation and personal and communal devotion.
*Cherie Parker is Minister for Congregational Care, Christ Church United Methodist, Louisville, KY
A Story from the 2008 Southeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission Gathering
By the Rev. Pat Smith. From Pat’s Corner, News from the Bend (newsletter of Rehoboth United Methodist Church), July 2008
I spent two days last week attending the annual SEJ (Southeastern Jurisdiction) Volunteer in Mission gathering. So, I have fresh images and stories of people engaged in short term or extended missions. I was inspired by what I heard and saw. I want to share one of these stories. I believe God really does require of us all “to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God,” Micah 6:8b. God calls us to be agents of hope—embodied by what we know as the Gospel.
The Rev. Patricia L. “Pat” SmithLet me share this story. One Tennessee woman went on a VIM team trip to Sierra Leone. She saw an infant die of malnutrition. She saw the tears of the mother. Her tears flowed with her. That nation has the highest infant mortality in the world primarily because 10 years of civil war over the diamond trade destroyed the economy of the country.
That woman came home with a broken heart and asked herself what can help prevent such deaths. She heard of a doctor in St. Louis who had developed a peanut butter based supplement that was having amazing results (97.9%) in saving the malnourished children 6 months to 6 years of age. The woman asked how to get this started in Sierra Leone. She drove to St. Louis to meet with the doctor. He helped her understand how to implement such a feeding program and supported her efforts.
Other members of her VIM team, her pastor, and her church mobilized to raise money for this. They went back to the same area of Sierra Leone with another team with the recipe to make the life giving medicine for the malnourished children. They taught local nurses and health workers. The results were immediate and dramatic. They prayed about how to sustain and expand this ministry. They were connected with a young woman who had just graduated from Lambuth College and felt called to do ministry in Africa. She connected with that church and she raised her support as an individual volunteer to go to Sierra Leone and she went. I met the young woman and she had been transformed by the experience.
She came home recently to get married and now she and her husband will be serving in Sierra Leone. They are still individual volunteers as they wait for the UM Board of Global Ministries to approve them as full time missionaries. Again the church and new young missionaries were challenged to expand the ministry, when a man hearing of the project appeared. He wrote them a check for $50,000! Enough to build a factory in Sierra Leone to make the life giving substance! Don’t you love how God is so good and responds to the faithfulness of His people! All because one woman asked herself and her church asked what could be done to make a difference in the suffering of the people they had encountered.
We are fortunate we can respond to the hunger of people in Gallatin—through meals on wheels, support of Gallatin Cares, and support of Shalom Zone. My prayer is that we keep our hearts open to the needs of those persons in need, both near and far. I pray that we keep our eyes open beyond the limits of our physical location. As a nation, we have a tendency for isolation at times, but as Christians our God’s kingdom value is that we are connected worldwide—especially to the Church—the Body of Christ.
“But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it: if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I Corinthians 12: 24b-26.
John Wesley said “The world is my parish!”
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 2:20 PM
VBS was fantastic!! All the children were very happy that we were there to play with them, to show them God’s love, and to let them know that we care about them and pray for them every day. Each day after VBS concluded the children would chase our “chicken bus” and wave to us as we drove off. It was hard to say goodbye to all the children on the last day of VBS. They brought us flowers from their homes as a goodbye gift and a thank you. I know that none of us will ever forget those children. The friendships that everyone made with the children at VBS, the workers at the church, the families at the house site and other people we met from day to day are friendships that will last forever. We all became especially close to the guardian family, our cooks, and our bus driver – they were and still are a part of our family. We would have “Disco, Disco” parties at night, which is where Alan Wong and Jimmy Wilson (both of TN) would make their famous fried egg and cheese sandwiches and we would all sing and dance to Spanish songs.
In November the Wesley Foundation at Middle Tennessee State University officially joined the national Nothing But Nets campaign to help defeat malaria on the Continent of Africa. In keeping with the “nets” motif the Wesley Foundation sponsored a basketball challenge.
