TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW October 16, 2009
Articles in the October 16th edition of the REVIEW
1. The Rev. Tom Gildemeister appointed Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Candler School of Theology.
2. Trinity Church welcomes 64 New Members!, article with two captioned photos
3. Clark Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Mission Trip June 3-7, 2009
4. Time to Rethink Church—Grace UMC offers new worship experience, article with one uncaptioned graphic
5. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any longer!
6. Marshall County Laity Club awards scholarships
7. Lambuth Memorial UMC Initiates special arts ministry
8. And It Came To Pass” – time to schedule group visits to a special Exhibit of Nativity Scenes and Christmas Angels
9. Mission partnership to serve 500 young people
10. Transforming the Conference on Evangelism
11. Jenny Serves Double Anniversaries of Long Standing on 9-11-2009
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The Rev. Tom Gildemeister appointed Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Candler School of Theology
On September 8, 2009, the Rev. Tom Gildemeister began a new chapter in his ministry as Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the Candler School of Theology. Gildemeister graduated magna cum laude from Candler in 1994 as a Woodruff Fellow. He is an ordained Elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference. Prior to his appointment to Candler Gildemeister served Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin, a congregation that nearly doubled in size from 500 to 950 members since he became Senior Pastor in 2001. He served as Chairperson of the Tennessee Conference Board of Higher Education and Ministry which provides campus ministries at seven university locations. He has also chaired the Continuing Education Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry and is currently a member of the Nashville District Committee of Ordained Ministry.
As the new Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Gildemeister is responsible for building and nurturing relationships with graduates of the Candler School of Theology and its related programs. This includes the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of alumni for volunteer leadership and annual contributions intended for restricted and unrestricted use for operating capital, and endowed purposes. In addition, the Alumni Officer seeks to enhance and promote the school’s image and mission among its constituents and to provide resources and support for these relations.
Gildemeister, who is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia, is presently pursuing a D. Min. degree in pastoral psychotherapy from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Prior to beginning his student days at Candler and fulfilling his call to ministry, Tom Gildemeister worked as a political consultant and in real estate development.
Gildemeister has high hopes and expectations for his new appointment. “The most significant dimension of this ministry will be interfacing with other Elders and their congregations across our United Methodist Connection. Further with Candler’s singular commitment to developing future leaders for our United Methodist Church, I cannot think of a way that I could better contribute to the order of the church.”
Trinity Church welcomes 64 New Members!
Trinity Church, the south campus of Brentwood United Methodist Church located in Spring Hill, welcomed 62 new members on Sunday, October 4th. When children are added, 109 people became part of the BUMC family. Trinity Church had its first public service on January 28, 2009 and averages over 200 people each Sunday.
“We are so excited about this commitment of so many people. This is an affirmation of our ministry here and the desire to make a difference in the community,” said Campus Pastor Mack Strange. “These new members and the beginning of our small group time at 8:45 a.m. in mid-September, are all part of the evolution and the maturation of our campus here.” Trinity Church’s motivational focus for all its activities, outreach events, and worship services is *Christ *Compassion *Community *Hope *Fun! Trinity Church meets in the Longview Elementary School. Worship begins at 10am. Everyone is invited to attend.
Clark Memorial United Methodist Church Youth Mission Trip June 3-7, 2009
On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 17 youth and 22 adults of Clark Memorial United Methodist Church departed Nashville, TN bound for a mission trip never to be forgotten.
Upon arrival in New Orleans, we were guided on a bus tour of the lower Ninth Ward. We witnessed first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. There were signs of rebuilding, including the area where Brad Pit is building homes. Four and a half years later, there is still a lot of damage, some of which may never be repaired.
After an emotional tour, we arrived at First Street, Peck, Wesley United Methodist Church. This church, originally known as First Street United Methodist Church, merged with Peck United Methodist and Wesley United Methodist Churches after the storm. Peck and Wesley United Methodist were badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
We were welcomed to New Orleans by Sabrina Short, Executive Director of The Fountain of Youth Foundation (FYF). FYF and the members of First Street , Peck, Wesley UMC, provided a welcome meal of jambalaya, chicken, salad, corn, and drink. After dinner we participated in the Wednesday bible study. Once our stomachs and spirits were fed, we were shown to our living quarters for the remainder of our visit to New Orleans.
The evening was topped off with an evening devotion and meal assignments for the week. Lights out at 11:00 pm.
Thursday, June 4, 2009, we ate breakfast and received work assignments for the day. Long-term volunteers from United Saints of America and Ameri-Corps assisted in job assignments for the mission trip. There were jobs posted on the board and we were allowed to sign up to help at a particular job site. The assignments for the day were Peck United Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, The Angel Food Pantry, The New Orleans Animal Shelter, and painting a mural.
After all assignments were made, we loaded the vans and traveled to our respective work sites. At Peck UMC, Clark volunteers partnered with United Saints and Ameri-Corps to clear two lots. The grass was at least six feet tall and very thick. Many of us had our first experiences with machetes, rakes, lawn mowers, and weed eaters. At Wesley UMC, volunteers worked to clear one lot similar to the two lots at Peck UMC.
A group of volunteers assisted at the animal shelter, walking, feeding, and cleaning the animals and their cages. The volunteers at The Angel Food Pantry assisted workers of the Second Harvest Food Bank with preparing boxes of food for residents of New Orleans.
After five hours of working in the a very hot sun, we returned to First Street, Peck, Wesley UMC to shower and rest, and share time with the youth of FYF before a trip to the skating rink.
Friday, June 5, 2009, we awoke early, but not as energized as the day before. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon, we received our job assignments and loaded the vans. The temperature on this day was a little more forgiving than the day before.
Friday’s work assignments included, Peck UMC, mural painting, and The Green Project, a recycling center for paint and building materials.
After work and a shower, we all loaded the bus for a tour of Dillard University. We also toured other parts of New Orleans. Upon return to the church, we enjoyed a crawfish boil. For some, this was a first time experience.
Saturday, June 6, 2009, the last day of work. After breakfast, we load the vans to complete our job assignments for the week. The day’s assignments included Peck UMC, painting the mural, painting the apartments owned by First Street as well as painting at First Street UMC. This was a short work day which allowed for a ride on the Natchez, a tour of the French Quarter market, and a scavenger hunt for the youth to learn more about the French Quarter.
Sunday, June 7, 2009, was the final day of our mission trip. After breakfast, morning devotion, clean up, and church service, we loaded the bus back to Nashville. This trip was very spiritual and inspiring to all who attended. The youth worked very hard each day, and enjoyed themselves so much that they want to return for another visit. Through our experiences on this trip we all witnessed God at work in and through us.
Time to Rethink Church—Grace UMC offers new worship experience
Grace UMC has started a new monthly lay-led Saturday night service. The service was initiated on September 19, 2009, by Grace lay leader Trey McCampbell, and if comments from worshippers are any indication, it was a very exciting service indeed.
Ablaze is a passionate, high-energy, interactive worship service. Worshippers experience God in a way that is real, personal, and exciting through music, scripture, testimony and personal messages! The Abaze service is held at Grace United Methodist Church, Mt. Juliet, 5:00 p.m. on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
The first ABLAZE service has come and gone, but we hope to feel the effects of it for some time.
Approximately 170 people came through those doors from all over the community and they left with a bright red “Welcome to the Real Joyful Noise / Ablaze at Grace” T-shirt, so the word is on the street!
It was a joy to hear people walking out saying, “I’ve never had so much fun at church,” and “I wish MY church had a service like this...”
Make no mistake, it was a lot of fun and the music was loud, but the HOLY SPIRIT was also clearly in the room. Jen Mulford delivered a message that sent people out with a renewed view of God, the God who answers by fire.
For more information about Ablaze visit:www.graceumc.net/ablaze
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any longer!
A reflection by Ted Hill, M.D.
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any longer!” Anyone who is not in a coma can appreciate this saying in light of the health care debate that raged this past summer. There were those saying and acting this out all across the country and the media covered it with great glee – it sells news. Actually, the saying came about a number of years ago; so long ago I really don’t remember the context in which it was given but I do know there were people who identified with it and it became a watchword for anybody who was being taken advantage of and was fed up with the situation. A lot of people are apparently feeling that way these days about any number of issues and they have been speaking out about it in sometimes loud, vehement and even scary ways.
I’m not usually mad about much of anything these days. The bumps of life have taught me I do not do well with mad because I usually do more harm in the situation than help. I often have to go back, eat humble pie and apologize. But I do care. I do try to do something about the particular situation. I am emotionally invested. I have learned I do not know all there is to know about any one situation. I have learned it is better to listen and keep people guessing what you are thinking than to open your mouth and show yourself to be a fool.
I read a news blip recently from the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, an impressive sounding group, huh? It said, “there continues to be a profound divide in our nation between those with access to the improved results of our research efforts and those without access.” Part of what that means is that uninsured Americans are less likely to undergo cancer screenings, making them more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of cancer and leading to increased mortality. A recent study reported that a 99% increase in cancer rates is expected for the minority population (a higher proportion of which are uninsured) by the year 200. These numbers are in contrast to the expected increase of only 31% non-Hispanic whites over the same time period. Just this past week, a Harvard study said there were not 18,000 but now it has been shown there are 45,000 people who die in the U.S. because of their lack of health care access.
This brings to mind a patient at Salvus. An African American male in his mid 50’s recently was seen at Salvus with what was suspected to be cancer. Through pain-staking efforts to get tests done, he was found to have a b-cell lymphoma which is treatable. His wife works nights at a local nursing home and earns little. He has been too ill to work at driving truck. We had to arrange for him to get a bone marrow biopsy and a lot of sophisticated blood tests in order to confirm the diagnosis and get his treatment underway. Thank God, his church people helped pay for some of the testing. He needed a PET scan ($1000) and did not have the money. Somebody at Salvus donated the down payment so he could get the scan and start his treatment. He had to get a port placed for the delivery of his drugs and payment had to be made for that too. I am proud to say that after weeks and months of tedious work, he is finally being treated. There is no doubt the statement from the cancer society is true.
At church, I recently taught a class on the return of the exiles from Babylon to the Promised Land of the Hebrews. One of the returning groups was led by a priest named Ezra. On his return, he could not get out of his mind the suffering his people endured because of the apostasy of their faith. He prayed a famous prayer of confession on their behalf in order to set them on a straight path for restoration. Ezra did not commit the sin he referred to. Yet he claimed it because it was a sin of the community, a communal sin if you will, and it needed confessing and forgiving just as much as anyone’s individual sin. I think we are in a similar situation these days—the days of “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any longer?” Much of why we say this is because we think we are being denied our rights and privileges. When the God of history looks down on us who are so privileged crying about our “rights” I hope God does not say about us and our selfishness when so many who are suffering and have no voice to cry out, “God is as mad as hell and God will do something about it.” I hope we confess our communal sin of neglect of those in need. I hope God answers us as God did the woman caught in the act of adultery, “I don’t condemn you; BUT, go and sin no more.”
So be it.
Ted Hill, September 2009
*Dr. Ted Hill, M.D., is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and is founder and executive director of SALVAS, a medical service for the working poor.
Marshall County Laity Club awards scholarships.
The Marshall County Laity Club awarded three $1400 dollar scholarships at their bi-monthly meeting on September 28th.
To raise funds for those awards each of the six host churches was encouraged to donate the fellowship meal and the members of the club would donate the normal cost of the meal to their general fund.
At the September meeting at Chapel Hill UMC for the second year in a row there was a huge basket auction to top off the Scholarship fund. Over $1600 was raised at that one event. The largest basket was a Lil' Red Wagon full of Christmas items already wrapped for holiday gift giving. One of our own Marshall County pastors, Kimi Brown, had the winning bid for that treasure trove. Thanks to President Bruce Kimball and Treasurer Carol Williams this was another exciting night to see God move in a powerful way.
Rev Ray Hartman reporting
Lambuth Memorial UMC Initiates special arts ministry
Gene Martino, Jo Bell Livingston, and Dianne Boles respond to the audience’s standing ovation
Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church, Gallatin, presented the first of a series of musical concerts as the congregation moves more heavily into arts ministry. The church is still the place where believers can experience the love of God through music and other art forms. People are enjoying music and the arts in their everyday lives now, more than ever. It is Lambuth’s goal that The Arts at Lambuth will accomplish the following: 1. Entertainment; 2. Outreach; and 3. Edification through varied styles of music, art, drama and lectures that will nurture the varied interest of the audience.
“An Evening of Music and Dining” was presented on Sunday evening, September 20th, featuring performances by former club/cabaret singer Jo Bell Livingson, and Lambuth Memorials opera-trained minister, the Rev. Eugene L. Martino, Jr. Vickie Pike performed a duet with Jo Bell Livingston on one number. Solo instrumental pieces and accompaniment for the singers was provided by professional organist and piano teacher Albert Dittes. The Lambuth Chancel Choir under the direction of Gary Stewart concluded the evening with a rousing version of One Voice with Livingston, Martino, and Dianne Boles singing as a trio.
The music for the evening was a rich and varied collection of opera classics, show tunes, and selections from major motion pictures.
Livingston formed the popular 4-woman singing group “Eclipse” while she lived in Atlanta (named Musical Group of the Year for Two consecutive years by Atlanta Magazine) before moving to Gallatin with husband Heath Livingston. She has worked in numerous clubs and cabarets, as well as recording and touring nationally with several country singers. Just prior to coming to Tennessee she was producing and starring in “Red, Hot, and Cole,” a musical about the life of Cole Porter.
Martino is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and has served in a variety of positions and churches in Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Germany. Gene has performed with a number of theatre and opera groups, both amateur and professional, in a wide variety of roles both in Europe and the U.S. Besides enjoying work as a pastor and singer, Gene also rides with the Freelancers Jousting Troop and is the reigning U.S. National Jousting Champion.
Albert Dittes started taking piano lessons during early grade school and added organ to his musical studies when he became a teenager. Besides being a professional musician he has also worked in journalism and public relations. He also teaches private piano lessons and has written three historical books.
“And It Came To Pass” – time to schedule group visits to a special Exhibit of Nativity Scenes and Christmas Angels
While Christmas has become a vastly secular holiday, Christians the world over rejoice at the birth of a child, over 2000 years ago, whom they believe to be the Christ. In an effort to capture the mystery of that holy night, the nativity scene or crèche has become an integral part of the Christians’ Christmas tradition.
For the past five years First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma, Tennessee, has hosted an exhibit of nativity scenes and a multitude of Christmas angels. Over 500 of these keepsakes have rendered a display which has been enjoyed by hundreds of visitors from the community and surrounding areas.
Bathed in candlelight, fragranced by fresh evergreens, and reverberating with the echoes of harp strings, the event is more than a mere display-it is a sensory celebration of the Christmas season.
2009 Exhibit hours will be:
Saturday, December 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
Monday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and
Tuesday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m..
Tullahoma First United Methodist Church is located at 208 West Lauderdale Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Mission partnership to serve 500 young people
By Tim Ghianni*
Sept. 8, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
More than 500 young people are expected to converge on the city next summer to perform mission work, learn leadership skills and discover more about what it means to be United Methodists.
And they will be doing it all with the help of a multidenominational mission planning group looking to expand into Music City.
The seven-week Denominational Mission Experience to be held June 20 to Aug. 6 is the result of a partnership linking the Minneapolis-based YouthWorks with Young People’s Ministries, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
“YouthWorks approached me about it,” Hank Hilliard, director of Young People’s Ministries, said of the organization that this summer helped send 35,000 junior high and high school students on mission trips in the United States Canada and Puerto Rico.
“They’ve never had a site in Nashville before,” Hilliard said. “Nashville offers a lot of opportunities for mission projects.”
Great opportunity
The youth and their leaders will come to Nashville throughout the summer – camp sessions will last from Sunday evening to Friday. In addition to performing mission tasks established by YouthWorks, participants will spend time with denominational staff, touring church facilities and worshipping together at the Upper Room.
“I think it will be a great opportunity. One of the things we want this camp to accomplish is to have the groups have a sense that you are United Methodists; and you are a part of a movement that’s a lot bigger than ourselves,” Hilliard said.
If all goes as planned, from 70 to 80 United Methodist youth from different church groups will gather in Nashville weekly to be involved in projects throughout the area.
Teamwork as United Methodists will be stressed, as the young people will be put into a pool during the day “so youth will be working with other youth who are not in their (individual church) groups,” Hilliard said.
Bright future
“We’re in the process of lining that up now,” Hilliard said. “We are partnering with places who are already doing ministry and offering the opportunity for us to help strengthen what they are doing.”
If it is successful, the partnership could set the stage for a long-running summer missions program in Nashville, officials said.
“We are excited for this opportunity to really be an extension of what The United Methodist Church is striving to do, to get back to its roots, in serving itself and serving among its community,” said Louise Ward, YouthWorks vice president of marketing.
Early indications are positive, Hilliard said. Two youth groups signed up on Aug. 20, the first day of registration.
*Ghianni is a Nashville-based freelance writer for the Board of Discipleship.
Transforming the Conference on Evangelism
Nearly 60 persons attended the 2009 Conference on Evangelism at Hillcrest United Methodist Church. Built on the theme “Same Message, Different World” the event explored the media rich world, and how it impacts sharing the Gospel. It also presented proven, practical methods for connecting people to the life-changing message of grace and love give to us through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Promotional material indicated that this year’s Conference on Evangelism was being transformed into a one-day event, and participants in the September 15, 2009 would likely agree that the experience was transformational.
Plenary speaker for the Conference was the Rev. Clint Thomas, pastor of Slowburn Church in Spring Hill who shared his approach to evangelism.
Workshops opened a wide variety of Evangelism possibilities:
• God Sighting: Helping Kids Share Their Faith
• Keeping It Real: Youth Sharing with Youth
• By Line: Adults Sharing with Adult
• Good News: Sharing the Gospel with Children
• Going Deep and Reaching Wide: Sharing the Gospel with Youth
• Word and Deed: Missions and Evangelism
Jenny Serves Double Anniversaries of Long Standing on 9-11-2009
By Patty Sue Harper
Jenny’s Restaurant at Mason’s Motel on Dickerson Road had as their guests a very unique “series of doubles” on September 11th. Motivated by the 9-11 theme of “Lest We Forget,” Fred and Patty Sue Harper of White House, along with Raymond and Lillian Motley of Donelson, were again having anniversary dinner for the 44th consecutive year together – this time with Jenny and that excited Friday evening crowd.
But 44 was not their only double figure. The time together began on the Harper’s 11th anniversary and the Motleys 22nd, forming a 33. (Fred’s marriage age was 22.) The two couples learned in 1965 that they shared the same anniversary when Fred became the Motley’s pastor at Donelson Heights UMC.
But the “doubles” continued higher and higher. After 44 years, the Harpers were now having number 55, while Raymond and Lillian were experiencing number 66. Fred’s present age is 77 and Raymond’s is 88.
A close neighboring table repeatedly echoed “What a blessing! What a blessing!” to the hearty applause of the surprised “party” group, all of whom had endured the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001, 8 years ago.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 12:39 PM
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