TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW September 18, 2009
Articles in the September 18th issue of the Tennessee Conference REVIEW
1. New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church Consecrated in Vibrant, moving service of worship
2. Conference UM Men Join Forces to help those around the world who are unable to walk – Build a P.E.T. Day, October 24th
3. Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation --"On a Journey Together for Wholeness in South Nashville”
4. The Long, Hot Summer? Not at Cedar Crest,
5. A Cultural Celebration of God's Faithfulness—Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church and Cumberland Hispanic Fellowship.
6. “Art on the Edge” displayed the work of over two dozen Edgehill UMC members,
7. Antioch Church Hosts Old Fashioned Fall Fair
8. Macon County church celebrates dog shot by arrow
9. A.C.T.I.O.N. Program Receives Grant from Peyton Manning’s Foundation, article with no graphics or photos.
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New Nashville Korean United Methodist Church Consecrated in Vibrant, moving service of worship
The timing probably could not have been worse to start an $8 million building program – a totally new building and location for the Nashville Korean United Methodist Church. But there was a conviction among the members and leadership that God was responsible and that in all things they were following God’s plan. So with faith in the direction God was taking the Nashville Korean United Methodist Church, despite difficulties and occasional problems, construction was started in March of 2008, and completed in July of 2008. Funding came from generous support of the church membership and a joint participation loan from the Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation‘s United Methodist Development Fund of TN/KY and Tennessee Commerce Bank..
On Sunday, August 30, 2009, the new church building was officially consecrated before a crowd of over 600 persons representing the church membership, and guests from other churches as well.
Rev. Paul Kang, led the consecration liturgy. John Collett, Nashville District Superintendent consecrated the building and Bishop Richard Wills preached the consecration sermon. Loyd Mabry, Director of Connectional Ministries, read scripture and Vin Walkup, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Foundation, gave words of encouragement to the congregation. Jim Hughes, pastor of neighboring Forest Hills United Methodist Church, presented the benediction. Each of them was moved by the experience.
Walkup reflected on the experience later:
“ If ever a church exhibited practices of a fruitful congregation, Nashville Korean UMC did yesterday. We were welcomed with radical hospitality and then experienced passionate worship. Even with the inability to understand all that was said – much of the service was in Korean – we experienced the presence of God’s Spirit in many ways. When the offering was taken, children inspired us with dance, but even more, we experienced risk-taking mission and extravagant generosity through the invitation to give generously to help begin a new church in Mexico and to assist in ministries with the homeless in Nashville. After the service, we were treated to a dinner and once again were shown the radical hospitality of a truly grateful church – grateful to God, grateful for one another, grateful for those who are partners with them.”
Nashville District secretary Lynn Taylor and Loyd Mabry, Director of the Conference Council on Connectional Ministries, were both amazed that even in these difficult times the offering was totally dedicated to mission—reaching out beyond the church walls. Some days later Lynn Taylor shared her feelings on the power of the worship experience: “Being present at Nashville Korean UMC’s consecration service was such an honor and privilege. Along with their gracious hospitality, members of Nashville Korean UMC brought the spirit of God into the service not only in spoken word but also in music and song. It was impossible to sit in their congregation and not feel the immense joy and thankfulness in their hearts. At the same time their vision was coming to life, members extended their ministry to the world by directing the offering to help both local mission needs and to support others with dreams of building a new church in Mexico. I am certain the coming year will find Nashville Korean UMC welcoming their new neighbors into the life of the church as they are blessed with a family of faith that others will want to join. “
During the service the Foundation and Development Fund were recognized for their step of faith in assisting the church to this point. Vin Walkup admits that the vibrancy of the service and the incredibly deep faith displayed by the congregation left him in awe and unable to capture in words how it felt to be a part of the evening.
Note: You can visit the Nashville Korean UMC website (www.nkumc.net) and see additional pictures from the consecration service. And at the bottom center of the home page, just to the right of a photo of robed pastor Paul Kang, there is a small blue rectangle – clicking on the rectangle will take you to a video of the service.
Conference UM Men Join Forces to help those around the world who are unable to walk – Build a P.E.T. Day, October 24th
Many thousands of persons around the world have lost legs through disease, accident, or stepping on landmines—yet many of these persons have strong upper body strength and could find mobility IF they had a vehicle that could be easily peddled and steered with arm movement. Enter several imaginative United Methodists who designed a vehicle that could be operated with arm movement . . . and also contained space enough to carry small loads (groceries, vegetables to sell, work tools). The vehicles are known as Personal Energy Transports and go by the acronym P.E.T.
On October 24th, United Methodist Men , teaming with the United Methodist Founders of the P.E.T. Project in Middle Tennessee, are going to gather at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, to build 10 P.E.T.S for international distribution. Participants attending the National United Methodist Men’s Gathering in Nashville will recall that over a period of two days 30 units were built during time set aside for volunteer activity.
You and your church are invited to participate as volunteers or as financial supporters of the project.. The cost of parts for each P.E.T. is $250.00. You can send checks to the Tennessee Conference treasurer, marked in the memo line “PET Project.” All participants will be helping deliver not only vehicles . . . but HOPE . . . around the word.
Register online at www.tnumc.org or call 615-329-1177 if you have a question or email us at PET@TNUMC.ORG Bring your team to help us on this “Make a Difference Day,” October 24.
St. Marks United Methodist Church is located at 1267 North Rutherford Blvd. , Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
A special webpage has been set up for the project and EVERYBODY should click on the video link to see WHY the P.E.T. project is important. The address for the site is http://www.tnumc.org/custpage.cfm/frm/47220/sec_id/47220
The Long, Hot Summer? Not at Cedar Crest
by Christine Penner, Program Director
Tennessee Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries
The Long, Hot Summer was a blockbuster hit in 1958, adapted from a William Faulkner novel and featuring acclaimed actor Paul Newman. Don Johnson starred in a 1985 remake of the film, and the phrase has come into fairly standard usage in American culture ever since.
That phrase doesn't accurately describe this summer at Cedar Crest, however. A more apt description would be the old saying, "Time flies when you're having fun."
It seems like just yesterday that we were planning programs, writing curriculum, hiring staff, and recruiting campers—and now the summer is over. Smiles, excitement, awe, wonder, and laughter were par for the course among all age groups at camp this summer; and it's been a terrific blessing to be a part of the experience.
For All Ages
New this year was "Mustard Seed Camp," providing opportunities for 1st graders, Kindergarteners, and even pre-K kids to come to camp with their parents, playing and learning together. One parent said, "Mustard Seed Camp is the best thing you could've done. I was nervous about sending my child to camp, but now that I've met the staff and see how the camp runs, I know you'll take care of [my child]. Thank you so much!"
2nd and 3rd graders could choose between two sessions of “Just Me” camp, an overnight event that provides a fun introduction for younger campers. Campers participated in canoeing, swimming, tree climbing, arts & crafts, hiking, talent show, and campfire. One child said of the week, "I was a little afraid when I first got here, but now I don't want to go home."
Agape is the Greek word Jesus used to describe sacrificial love. It's also the name of our 3rd and 4th grade camp weeks, where campers learned how to treat each other and their environment with compassion and love. One boy said of his experience, "I made some great friends; I hope they'll come back again next year."
Three weeks of "Icthus" Camp for 5th and 6th graders wasn't enough for some campers. One girl said, "I wish I could do this all summer long." We did, in fact, have a number of campers who returned for more than a single camp week.
“Camp Challenge” and “Camp Survivor” were our adventure camps for high school and middle school students, offering opportunities for campers to go even beyond traditional camp programming to challenge themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. One teenager remarked, "My mom made me come, and I wasn't expecting to have a good time. Turned out to be a total blast!"
New Experiences
All of the tried-and-true, traditional camping elements continued to be popular this year: canoeing, arts and crafts, water games, swimming, hiking, cookouts, talent shows, and campfires. Six staff members were trained in archery this year to provide a safe, fun bow-and-arrow experience for campers older than 3rd grade. One young man said, "The archery was so cool! I'm going to ask for a bow and arrow for Christmas." (Sorry about that, parents.)
We also added a super slide on the downstream side of beaver dam, which consisted of thick plastic, old mattresses, and water pumped out of the lake draining back into the river. Some days it was more like a water slide; some days it was more like a mud slide; other days a little "human bowling" element was added, as well. Comments about the super slide include: "It's the coolest thing ever!" "This is my favorite thing we've ever done at camp!" and "Can I do it again? Please!?!"
Do No Harm. Be Good. Love God.
Campers of all ages heard stories, sang songs, and participated in small group discussions based on original curriculum written specifically for the Tennessee Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries for this year.
The curriculum was based on John Wesley's three simple rules:
1. Do no harm—to ourselves, to each other, to the environment;
2. Do good—pro-actively seeking ways to show kindness, mercy, and justice;
3. Love God—attending to the ordinances of the faith: worship, prayer, Bible study, etc.
Campers were provided with not only fun activities and bonding experiences with others but also the opportunity to reflect on God’s natural world and feel Christ’s presence throughout the week.
By the Numbers
Attendance at summer camps across the country has been hit by the tough economic times. Yet attendance at Tennessee Conference summer camp rose to more than 350 campers this year, an increase over last year.
Over the past 7-8 years, no single week has included more than 80 kids, but a single week this year boasted more than 100. Apparently, the word is out about the Camping and Retreat Ministries of the Tennessee Conference!
In addition to regular campers, two groups came to offer their time and talents to serve in mission at the camp. One was from Iowa, and one was from Florida. They cleared tons of debris off the walking trails, repaired challenge course elements, and assisted with activities and crowd control on high-volume weeks with younger campers.
The Long Fall-Winter-Spring
Excitement is bounding and vibrant about summer camp within the Tennessee Conference. Many campers departed this year with comments like: "Can we start doing some retreats throughout the year?" "I don't want to wait until next summer to come back" and "When can I sign up for next year?"
Well, it is still a bit early to sign up for next year. But if you'll send a note to cpenner@tnumc.org, we'll send you information as soon as it's available. You can also join our Cedar Crest Camp Facebook group to stay connected. Please don't hesitate to contact us at 931.670.5152 if you have comments or questions.
Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation --"On a Journey Together for Wholeness in South Nashville!"
Crack houses appear, there are signs of gang activity, unemployment is a growing problem, the school drop-out rate is high, families have a strong desire to leave the community, some homes are empty and remain empty, few persons put money into upkeep of property, community leaders are frustrated, businesses pull out. Businesses required in every community—grocery stores, drug stores—seem ever further away from the population density.
It’s a story repeated across the United States. One United Methodist pastor, the late Howard Olds, wondered during a January 2003 sermon at Brentwood United Methodist Church, “What could our Church do if we mobilized all our resources to redeem a single neighborhood in Nashville?” Olds believed that the church must reach outside its walls and invest in places needing transformation.
The end result of Olds’ question is the Harvest Hands Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit Community Development ministry in South Nashville – a ministry that works with the community to solve problems and effect change. The Rev. Brian Hicks, Executive Director of Harvest Hands, admits that the job isn’t always easy. Community leaders nodded toward a well-known crack house, and a murder that had occurred there-- indicating help was needed to close down the house in order for ANY positive change to occur in south Nashville. Harvest Hands found a way to purchase the house and property and a neighboring property. Houses were torn town, the land cleaned up to such an extent that it can now be used as a playground, or a spot for community celebrations.
As Harvest Hands explored after school programs, sponsoring athletic teams, and providing mentoring opportunities for older boys and girls, it became obvious that the building space they were using was too small. At about this same time Humphreys Street United Methodist Church became vacant—it would require remodeling and a great deal of work to bring it up to current codes, but the location and space was worth it. So as 2009 comes to an end, three full-time employees and a host of volunteers are working from Humphreys Street UMC, now know as Harvest House. Brian Hicks is Executive Director; His wife, Courtney Hicks, is the Director of Communication & Development. The newest staff person, Randy Knighten , is Director of the Harvest Hands after-school programs. Both the Hicks and Knighten families live in the heart of South Nashville—a testimony to their commitment to work alongside neighbors for positive change in South Nashville.
Among the ministries of Harvest Hands:
• The Harvest Hands After School and Summer Program are a place where elementary and middle school age students can connect with positive role models and receive the additional support necessary for academic achievement and healthy spiritual development. – the program provides a healthy snack, homework assistance and tutoring, opportunities to engage in the arts and recreation Monday through Thursday, 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Harvest Hands offers a running team called emPower running for middle and high school youth in South Nashville. emPower running seeks to provide youth with a positive recreational outlet to promote a healthy body and soul. The dream is to offer various sports programs. Through emPower sports
• The MIMIC (Men in Mentoring Community) and WOW (Women of Wisdom) are programs that focus on leadership development of young men and women ages 12-21.
• Residential property acquisition and development: Harvest Hands will target geographic sections within the Wedgewood-Houston and Chestnut Hill neighborhoods and will initially concentrate on the purchase of vacant lots, abandoned housing and problem properties.
• Economic Development: After an initial push on problem properties in the neighborhood, Harvest Hands will focus on creating jobs and opportunities to enhance the micro economy of the neighborhood.
• Celebrate Recovery – Harvest Hands will soon offer a Christ-centered recovery ministry for those experiencing hurts, habits and hang-ups.
According to Brian Hicks there are crucial needs.
1. Other congregations need to become involved—and not just United Methodist.
2. There is a need for adult men and women to mentor young men and women, ages 12 – 21 involved in the MIMIC and WOW programs. “Our vision,” notes Brian Hicks,” is to develop young men and women who achieve academic success, give back in service to others and to the community and mature in their relationship with God.”
MIMIC and WOW will also provide an opportunity for youth to learn skills in entrepreneurship through student run businesses based out of the neighborhood. The young men are learning the art of roasting fair trade coffee from around the world, and merchandising the coffee. At the same time the Women of Wisdom program is making and selling all natural handmade soap. Of the $5,500 worth of soap sold so far $1200 went directly to the students and $2000.00 was placed in a college scholarship fund.
3. As the athletic program grows they need male and female athletes to teach running skills—and athletes that could coach other sports such as basketball.
4. Volunteers are needed as tutors and workers for the after-school and summer program.
5. Harvest Hands needs funds to continue and increase programming. Tax-deductible financial gifts can be sent to Harvest Hands CDC. 424 Humphreys Street, TN 37203. Gifts can be given on line through GivingMatters.com, http://givingmatters.guidestar.org/
A Cultural Celebration of God's Faithfulness!
by Joaquin Garcia
In the Bible over and over again we find images of God as the giver of food! --
In the Hebrew tradition, meals were times when people remembered their dependency on God and God's continued blessing, not only in the meals of daily life, but especially in the festivals that remembered and celebrated God’s mighty acts.
On Sunday, August 30, all these stories and signs of hospitality in the Old Testament seemed to coalesce at Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church as the English-speaking congregation and the congregation of the Cumberland Hispanic Fellowship met to celebrate God's love and action in the different cultures represented there.
Stories of God's faithfulness were shared from a variety of cultural backgrounds. The newest members of both congregations were welcomed! Children [some as young as three!] and young people of the Cumberland Hispanic Fellowship shared traditional dances in beautiful, brightly-colored dresses, many of them made by Mrs. Janeth Martinez, the pastor's wife.
Oh, yes! And FOOD! There was so much that it had to be served from a separate room, because over 240 persons were crowded into the fellowship hall--approximately a third from the Hispanic Fellowship! We could recall God providing manna and reassurance of God's presence. We could see Jesus feeding the five thousand...with baskets and baskets left over! We witnessed the festival become an expression of the Lord's banquet where God's people, still depending on God's continued blessing, became one body, were fed more than enough, and where God was indeed present!
May God continue to bless the faithful leadership of the laity in both these congregations and their pastors, Rev. Eliud Martinez, Rev. Lanita Pride, and Rev. Will Wells! And may we find these remembrances of God's love and faithfulness more and more across Middle Tennessee as we open ourselves to God's blessings through all God's people!
“Art on the Edge” displayed the work of over two dozen Edgehill UMC members
Edgehill is an inner city church which has reached out consistently to help serve the needs of the nearby community. The congregational leadership also has taken the time to explore the various talents of the Edgehill membership, a membership which obviously contains a good percentage of persons with notable artistic skills. To showcase these skills Edgehill scheduled an art exhibit. which featured art pieces prepared by over two dozen of its members, young and old. The exhibit was aptly named “Art on the Edge.”
The exhibit began with a worship service on Sunday, August 23rd in which Wesley Chapel UMC (pastor Deborah Owens) joined Edgehill UMC (pastor Judi Hoffman) in honoring the Giver of the many gifts each congregation has been given. The exhibit itself ran from Wednesday evening, August 26th through Friday evening August 28th, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. each evening. Unlike many exhibits which focus on one or two artistic formats, “Art on the Edge” displayed art pieces that were oil paintings, watercolors, collages, photographs, books, pottery, and wood carvings, plus examples of weaving, quilting, and various jewelry styles.
Alathea (from the Greek meaning “truth”) performed on Thursday evening at “Art on the Edge”
The Art Show also include a silent auction, a live auction on Friday night and exceptional musical entertainment every night in a coffee house setting (Wed., The Contrarians, Thurs., Alathea and Friday, Barbara Bailey Hutchison).
Antioch United Methodist Church Hosts Old Fashioned Fall Fair –October 3
The Antioch community has experienced many changes during the past 21 years. But for that same time, one Antioch area congregation has consistently offered the same gift to the community, and will do so again this fall.
That Antioch United Methodist Church will be hosting its 22nd Annual Fall Fair and Auction on Saturday, October 3, from 8 until 2 p.m. at their location on Tusculum Rd. This community-wide event normally draws hundreds of Antioch area residents to come shop, eat, and enjoy being with one another. Each year since 1987 the church has hosted an auction, flea market, country store (with homemade bakeds goods, jellies, and jams), a farmers market (with locally grown produce), country crafts store, barbecue luncheon, and kids carnival as a means of reaching out to the community, and to raise funds for both the ministries of the church and local service agencies. This first Saturday in October will continue the tradition.
"We do really see this as an outreach to the people of Antioch," said Mary Jane Hurt, coordinator of the event. "While this is a fundraiser, half of the proceeds go to agencies and projects outside our church, allowing us to help groups like Habitat for Humanity, Rooftop (providing emergency rent and mortgage assistance), and the Campus for Human Development's Room in the Inn program."
"When I first came to be the pastor of the church," said Jay Voorhees, current pastor, "folks tried to tell how great this event was. Frankly I didn't understand how great until I attended my first one. This is an amazing gift by the people of this congregation to the community."
The Antioch United Methodist Church has been a part of the Antioch community since 1891, meeting on Antioch Pike until the move to its current location at 41 Tusculum Rd., just off of Blue Hole Rd. in Antioch.
For more information on the 22nd Annual Antioch Fall Fair and Auction, please call (615) 832-6248 or visit www,antiochumc.net.
Macon County church celebrates dog shot by arrow
This news report was carried by television station WKRN, Channel 2, on August 30th, and is reprinted here by permission. Copyright 2009 WKRN.
Lafayette, Tenn. - Bibles and animals don't typically go hand in hand, but they did Sunday morning at the Lafayette United Methodist Church.
Madison, TN – The A.C.T.I.O.N. (All Children Together in Our Neighborhood) Program, a ministry of City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, has received a $2,500 grant from the PeyBack Foundation, whose founder is Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.
A.C.T.I.O.N. provides free before and after school care to children in the 5th through 8th grades attending local public schools. Activities include tutoring, recreational activities, arts and crafts, computer skills, and Bible discussions. A free breakfast and after-school snacks are provided. Forty-two students currently participate in the program.
“A.C.T.I.O.N. is one of the few programs in the city specifically designed for middle school students,” said Scott Huddleston, director. “At this crucial time in their development, the program helps them learn how to be of service to others, while offering opportunities for social, spiritual and intellectual growth.”
The PeyBack Foundation, a public non-profit corporation, was established by Peyton Manning in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership growth and opportunities for children at risk. The Foundation has donated more than $3 million since its inception.
A.C.T.I.O.N. is one of 31 organizations in Tennessee awarded a grant. All requests for financial assistance were given careful consideration by the PeyBack Foundation and judged on the unique merits of the individual agency, its goal and mission.
The A.C.T.I.O.N. Program is located at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison. For more information about the program, call 868-1673.
Member Bill Wheeler and his dog Keto were the guests of honor at the Macon County church.
A few months ago Keto (the Navojo word for arrow) was a stray in Wheeler's neighborhood when he noticed someone had shot the dog with a bow and arrow.
Wheeler's family was able to catch the dog and took it to a veterinarian.
Keto has recovered, and now Wheeler plans to put the people-friendly animal to work as a therapy dog.
"We plan on using her in the church ministry, to visit the sick and shut-ins, the nursing homes here in town," Wheeler told News 2.
Pastor Nolen Brunson told his congregation that there was plenty to learn from Keto's story.
"We're all stewards of God's creation, and a part of God's creation are the animals," preached Brunson. "They take care of us as much as we should take care of them."
That's a message that the dog's new owner already knows by heart.
"I think when you treat your animals and pets right, you treat your human beings much better," Wheeler told News 2. "The overflow of caring for an animal passes over to caring for other human beings."
Sunday's animal blessing marked a bright spot in the small church's recent history.
In the days after the deadly February 2008 tornado in Macon County, the Lafayette United Methodist Church also lost their pastor, Michael Welch, and his wife and two children in a deadly traffic accident.
A.C.T.I.O.N. Program Receives Grant from Peyton Manning’s Foundation
Madison, TN – The A.C.T.I.O.N. (All Children Together in Our Neighborhood) Program, a ministry of City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, has received a $2,500 grant from the PeyBack Foundation, whose founder is Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.
A.C.T.I.O.N. provides free before and after school care to children in the 5th through 8th grades attending local public schools. Activities include tutoring, recreational activities, arts and crafts, computer skills, and Bible discussions. A free breakfast and after-school snacks are provided. Forty-two students currently participate in the program.
“A.C.T.I.O.N. is one of the few programs in the city specifically designed for middle school students,” said Scott Huddleston, director. “At this crucial time in their development, the program helps them learn how to be of service to others, while offering opportunities for social, spiritual and intellectual growth.”
The PeyBack Foundation, a public non-profit corporation, was established by Peyton Manning in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership growth and opportunities for children at risk. The Foundation has donated more than $3 million since its inception.
A.C.T.I.O.N. is one of 31 organizations in Tennessee awarded a grant. All requests for financial assistance were given careful consideration by the PeyBack Foundation and judged on the unique merits of the individual agency, its goal and mission.
The A.C.T.I.O.N. Program is located at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison. For more information about the program, call 868-1673.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 11:54 AM
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