TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW December 25, 2009
Stories in the December 25th issue of THE REVIEW
“You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger” (Luke2:12) –two stories of local church advent/nativity celebrations–
1. Holy Land Inspires Artist to create background mural and script for McKendree UMC Christmas Dramatization.
2. "And It Came To Pass" is a unique exhibit of Nativity Scenes and Christmas Angels hosted each year by Tullahoma First UMC.
3. Sara Finger named Administrative Assistant, Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation.
4. Cabinet Announces Mid-Year Appointments.
5. United Methodist Minister Fred Cloud Receives Human Rights Award
6. Fred Cloud has dedicated his life to creation of a healthy society—Cloud responds after receiving the award.
7. Mustard Seed Grant Provides Meals for Clay County Children.
8. The True Message of Christmas by Lucy Adams
9. The Penny by the Rev. Pat Freudenthal
10. Christmas 2009 Greetings from missionary Cherie White to Supporting Churches & Friends.
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“You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger” (Luke2:12)
Holy Land Inspires Artist to create background mural and script for McKendree UMC Christmas Dramatization
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On December 13th, McKendree United Methodist Church, presented a dramatic retelling of the first Christmas in word, song, and strong visual imagery. The original drama was written by church member and artist, Buford Winfrey, who also painted a 16 foot mural of Bethlehem and made full-size animals for the Bethlehem scenes. Nancy Clymer, church member and local actress, directed the drama, and Anthony Mangin directed the Chancel Choir and soloists in Christmas arrangements.
Artist Winfrey has been featured in major exhibits of his works, but probably few of his works of art seem to have meant as much personally as the background mural of Bethlehem, and his retelling of the Christmas story. Prior to the December 13th presentation of the Christmas Celebration, Winfrey shared with the McKendree United Methodist Church congregation what they could expect visually from the dramatization:
Thoughts about the Christmas Celebration:
“I hope everyone can attend the presentation next Sunday at 5:00 p.m. I promise that you will have a ‘visual’ Christmas celebration.
“All of this began actually several years ago when my wife Patsey and I traveled to Palestine with one of our former pastors, Billy Craighead.
“There is nothing that one can see or hear about the Holy Land that can prepare you for this trip. It is not only the sights, but the sounds, smells and tastes that captivate you and cause you to feel in some way to connect with the Biblical stories that we grew up with. In the presentation, I created a large mural of Bethlehem. I could not have done it without seeing for myself the ancient war torn land on which our Savior walked.
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Grandfather tells the Christmas story to his grandson
“I remember standing outside the hotel on the Mount of Olives one late evening after the sun had barely gone down over the city of Jerusalem beyond the Brook Kidron below. As I turned to the east, the town of Bethany clung to the ancient hillside bathed in a faint misty glow across the valley. Just like the town of Bethlehem to the south, I saw vineyards, olive trees, rock walls, rocks everywhere. Patches of dim lights appeared as dots on the horizon. Land scarred by centuries of wars and bloodshed. When I did my mural for the background, I could still see and feel the night air, hear the sounds of Jerusalem and smell the musty Mediterranean breeze.
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“People still go there to die for it is the place where it all began; the journeys of Abraham to David and finally to our Master where he gave his life for our sins. Come see the mural and Mary and Gabriel, the shepherds with their sheep, the angels, the Wise Men from the east on the camels and finally the little child in the manger. The choir will sing the traditional carols that we all love and you will, I hope, feel the ancient land and in your heart and take a journey to Bethlehem.”
"And It Came To Pass" is a unique exhibit of Nativity Scenes and Christmas Angels hosted each year by Tullahoma First UMC
The items on display are all different -- some are whimsical, some crafted individually by gifted artisans, some are contemporary and others created many years ago. A special international section shows nativity scenes from different cultures around the world. One nativity scene depicts the entire community of Bethlehem with dozens of citizens spread around the community and looking skyward in great puzzlement. All items share interpretations of the story of the birth of Christ as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Size of the sets runs from intricate and tiny to relatively large. And depending on when persons view the display, whether from an answer to a question or overhearing comments made by others, one will soon discover that each of the nativity sets, art pieces, or Christmas angels has a history.
A small crèche, described by Jeanne Honeycutt* as “holding an impish holy family and topped with a star bobbling unpredictably on a pencil-coil wire,” has been to Pakistan and Iraq several times with two military sons in one family—reminding them of home and of the birth of the savior. The crèche, which is displayed with two miniature American flags, is about to return to the Middle East due to redeployment of one of the sons. “In a world turned upside down by evil men with evil intentions,” Honeycutt notes, “one searches for answers, for assurance, for hope. Perhaps a whimsical, miniature nativity set with a star wobbling precariously on top can point the way.”
*Quotes are from a colorful hardbound book published by Tullahoma First UMC, And It Came To Pass, which describes the exhibit in photo and word. Narratives in the book are by Jeanne Honeycutt, one of three persons compiling items for the display each year and then arranging them into a meaningful display. The other two persons are Emily Thoma and Nancy Thompson.
Sara Finger named Administrative Assistant, Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation
The Nashville Area United Methodist Foundation has a new Administrative Assistant, Sara Finger. Sara works with Rev. Dr. Vin Walkup (President of the Foundation), with Tiffany Raines (Administrator of the United Methodist Development Fund of TN/KY), and with the churches and individuals who have funds at the Foundation.
Sara Finger
Sara brings a banking, customer relations, sales, and lifelong relationship with The United Methodist Church into this position. She comes to the Foundation from an area bank, having most recently been a Branch Operations Manager. Previously she has been a sales associate for a firm in Knoxville, a clerk at one of our state parks, and a bookkeeper, Personal Financial Manager for a firm in Nashville.
Sara is a graduate of Murray State University and grew up in churches in the Memphis Conference. She is the daughter of Tim and Anita Pafford; Tim is a retired local pastor in the Memphis Conference. She is married to Jarrod Finger, an architectural project manager.
Cabinet Announces Mid-Year Appointments
Bishop Dick Wills and the Tennessee Conference Cabinet have announced several mid-year pastoral appointments effective February 1, 2010. All of these are appointments to senior minister positions. They include Michael Williams from Hendersonville 1st UMC to West End UMC, Don Hutchinson from Springfield 1st to Hendersonville 1st, Fred Hembree from St. Mark’s (Murfreesboro) to Springfield 1st, Craig Goff from Cook’s UMC to St. Mark’s, Lee Stevenson from Mt. Zion to Cook’s, Patrick Woolsey from St. Andrews (Nashville) to Mt. Zion, and Noreen Adams to St. Andrews. David Adams is being appointed to the Bell Buckle Charge effective January 1.
Other recent appointments include: Joe Bowers to Santa Fe, David Rowe to Thompson Station, Michael Hillstrap to Bethel, Charla Tague to Buffalo (also serving Whitwell), Eric Richardson to Zion Hill, Larry Burke to Westmoreland, Mike & Amy Rayson to Palmyra, Patrick Martin to Cumberland Heights UMC, Stephanie Nulty to Cumberland City Chg, Michael Teston to Eno and Oak Grove, Joseph Finn to Sycamore, Charlie Overton (Deacon) to Hillcrest, Stephanie Dunn (Deacon) to Calvary, Tom Gildemeister as Director of Development and Alumni Affairs for Candler School of Theology, and Carol Cavin-Dillon as interim lead pastor for Christ UMC.
United Methodist Minister Receives Human Rights Award
On Thursday, Dec. 10th, in the Nashville Main Public Library there was a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The meeting was free and open to the public.
One feature of the celebration was the presentation to Rev. Fred Cloud of the "Lifetime Achievement Award for Human Rights." Cloud, a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference since 1946, served pastorates for 7 years (Nashville, Clifton. Bell Buckle, and New Providence.) In1953 he was appointed to the Editorial Division of the General Board of Education to edit curriculum for young adults, serving there for 14 years. During the time of his editorial work, he helped to develop indigenous Christian materials in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific; and he lectured at a World Conference on Curriculum in Switzerland in 1964.
In Feb., 1967, Cloud was chosen as Associate Director of the newly-formed Metro Human Relations Commission; the Executive Director for 3 years was Warren N. Moore, from Memphis. In 1970, Moore left to pursue a graduate degree, and the Commission elected Cloud to be Executive Director; he worked at this task for 20 years, 1970 to 1990, at which time he retired. During his time of service, the Commission succeeded in getting Fair Employment, Fair Housing, and Affirmative Action laws passed--the first in the State of TN.
He and Moore also helped to start a Human Relations Commission in Chattanooga; and Cloud helped the Mayor and Council of Birmingham to pass an Affirmative Action law.
In 197l, Cloud was elected Vice President of the International Assn. of Human Rights Agencies; and in 1972 he was elected President of the National Assn. of Human Rights Workers. In this role, he secured from the Ford Foundation a grant to train human rights workers in 12 southern states.
In preparation for retirement in 1990, Cloud earned a D.Min. degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He then taught for 15 years at American Baptist College, 8 years at Scarritt Bennett Center, and 1 year at Vanderbilt Divinity School. For 10 years (1990-2000), he edited the JOURNAL OF INTERGROUP RELATIONS. Currently, Cloud is Chair of the TN Fair Housing Council (10 years), and Chair of the World Cultural Exchange (2 years).
Cloud has been an associate member of Edgehill United Methodist Church for 42 years, where he and his wife sing in the choir. Cloud married Barbara Dickerson from Michigan when she was at Scarritt College on furlough from missionary service in Japan. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. The Cloud family includes two adult children Amanda Karen Cloud and David Bliss Cloud, both living in Nashville.
Fred Cloud has dedicated his life to creation of a healthy society
Editor’s Note: Fred Cloud responded to the presentation of the award with comments on why he continues, long after retirement, and with some health issues, continues to work diligently in the whole area of human rights internationally, nationally, in the State of Tennessee, and in Davidson and surrounding counties.
I’d like to share with our total audience what “keeps me on the case.” TIME Magazine for December 7th—just 3 days ago—printed on its cover in large type “THE DECADE FROM HELL.” They were talking about the 10 years from 2001 to 2010; and they were talking about the United States. In human terms, what constitutes HELL?
First, war is Hell.
Second, hunger is Hell.
Third, homelessness is Hell.
Fourth, having no health insurance is Hell.
Fifth, being unemployed for an extended period is Hell.
Sixth, having an inadequate education is Hell.
Persons suffering from several of these hellish conditions often slip into despair and clinical depression. Suicide rates are up in the military, in colleges, and among homeless and unemployed persons.
What is the answer? What can keep persons of goodwill “on the case” rather than slipping off into a private, hedonistic existence?
There are millions of caring Americans addressing these six major problems, these six “gateways to Hell.” They form SUPPORT GROUPS in order to make a major impact on these problems. Here is an important sample from Nashville and surrounding counties: MANNA and Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, The Tennessee Justice Center, The Tennessee Health Care Campaign, Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, The Tennessee Fair Housing Council, The World Cultural Exchange, Affirmation, Mountain T.O.P.
The human rights agencies in both city and state levels work diligently year-after-year to eliminate discrimination and help build a just and equitable society.
These programs and agencies built a NETWORK of caring and committed citizens, who feel mutually supported and joyful at every breakthrough toward a healthier society. That, in brief, is what “Keeps me on the case.”
Mustard Seed Grant Provides Meals for Clay County Children
During the summer of 2009 Clay County Tennessee’s only United Methodist congregations received a Mustard Seed Grant from the Tennessee Conference to help fund the purchase of food items used to provide back pack’s for elementary age children in the county. Only two United Methodist congregations remain in Clay County Tennessee; Campground UMC in the Cumberland District and Celina UMC in the Cookeville District. Because of recent work in the Five Practices Fruitful Congregations and in the area of Risk Taking Mission and Service each congregation recognized a need for mission and service to the community. Contact was made and the congregations met to discuss the idea. Both churches were aware that according to census data, the number of school age children eligible for free or reduced price lunches was greater than 55%. Everyone agreed there was a great need for feeding children during the summer season when a nutritional meal received during school may not be available. The need was thought to be greater in city limits and this thought proved to be the exact opposite. Over seventy-five families flocked to Campground UMC to participate in the back pack distribution each week while about fifteen families participated at Celina.
With the help of the Mustard Seed Grant, each church helped to make a difference for the children served. Each church enjoys a renewed sense of community and their part in it. All of us are thankful that we are a connectional body of believers with ties to our districts, our conference, and to the support and of grants like the Mustard Seed Grant. Thank you for awarding our churches a Mustard Seed Grant!
The True Message of Christmas
By Lucy Neeley Adams, from 52 Hymn Story Devotions, http://www.52hymns.com/
Walking slowly from the church, we lifted our candles high into the darkness of the night. What a beautiful sight to behold. Those little lights were a symbol of the true message of Christmas as they glowed from our church lawn. God sent the Light of the world to us thousands of years ago. So we sang with gusto , "Go Tell It On The Mountain."
"Go tell it on the mountain.
Over the hill and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountain.
That Jesus Christ is born."
A pretty little girl with red fluffy earmuffs and long blond hair walked in front of me. She eagerly ran over to the big manger scene and called to her mother, "I hope we can always keep the baby Jesus here ‘cause I love him."
We all smiled and nodded in agreement. That simple statement had captured a much greater truth than the child understood. We know what is supposed to happen when the manger scene is packed away. We are to keep the baby Jesus in our hearts forever and continue to tell the Good News of his birth and what happened after his birth.
Therefore the beloved Christmas carol, "Go Tell It On The Mountain" is much more than a Holy birth announcement. Once we proclaim that he was born , the third verse reveals the purpose of that birth:
"Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born.
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn."
How awesome was the glory of that blessed Christmas morn! It unfolded into the earthly ministry of that tiny Baby. The powerful story of His birth continued into the powerful story of his life , crucifixion and resurrection. There is much to go and tell on the mountain and everywhere.
The first printing of this carol was in 1907. It had been originally sung by the slaves on plantations and sometimes the words and tunes varied. John W. Work, III explains those differences in his book, AMERICAN NEGRO SONGS AND SPIRITUALS (1940). The Fisk University professor of Nashville, Tn. stressed that "many of them were passed down from generation to generation, and after much singing, the texts and melodies varied from place to place. But the same gospel message was always proclaimed."
The next generation of the musically gifted Work family, John W. Work, IV, describes the very heart of the African-Americans who gave the world the eloquent spirituals. He says, "Through enduring trials and hardships and in spite of their enslavement, many of these Africans, who had been forced to come to America, knew the love of Christ. With God in their hearts, they composed and sang the inspirational and wondrous spirituals".
One of those ‘wondrous spirituals', "Go Tell It On the Mountain," became a favorite when the Fisk University Jubilee Singers included it in their world-wide concerts in the 1800's. For those of us who sing this beloved Christmas carol, the gospel message is definitely proclaimed. We are actually singing the dynamic command from God's word: "Go and make disciples of all nations...." (Matthew 28:19)
We thank God for His words to ‘go and tell' all the wonder of your purposes for Christmas. In most birthday celebrations, we focus on the one we celebrate for a short while. But with Jesus, we continue to focus on other events of his perfect life. We grow to love him more and more through his teaching, preaching and healing on earth for three years. With his crucifixion and the glory of his resurrection, we are caught up in the continued majesty of his life. The one who receives him as Lord and Savior is redeemed for eternity. We have much to go and tell on the mountain and everywhere.
The Penny
By the Rev. Pat Freudenthal, from the December CCF newsletter. Used here with permission.
In my office a lone penny is taped to a sheet of memo paper. It has been hanging my office for quite some time. It is a very special penny to me. It is not special because of its monetary value, although every penny counts at Community Care Fellowship. It is not special of its date or any markings on the penny. This penny is special because of how I received it.
One day a young girl of about 3 years of age came into CCF with her mom to eat lunch. She was a gorgeous child with big brown eyes and a lovely sweetness to her face. I greeted her and her mom, but the little girl hid behind her mother. This started our relationship.
Over the course of several months the little girl first began by smiling, then waving, and eventually she would come running up to me with arms open wide. We would talk and she would give me a big hug before jumping down from my lap and skipping off to get a meal with her mom. One day the little girl came running in, stuck out her pudgy little hand and said, “Here!” I took the gift and was humbled by her generosity. In her precious hand was a solitary penny. I tried to give it back to her but she was resolute in her choice to give to me. Her mom explained that she had found it and immediately said, “Give to Ms. Pat”.
I’ve kept the penny to remind me of the power of simple grace. In this one moment this little girl demonstrated generosity, awareness of others, and simple, straight forward love. This one penny reminds me to be a good steward of all of God’s gifts and that a simple act of kindness can stretch into a wellspring of action.
God has entrusted CCF with all kinds of pennies over the last 25 years. Some pennies have the names and faces of our guests. These pennies come into CCF worn, dented, and scared. It is our job to help these pennies to find restoration and renewal. Some pennies come to CCF as volunteers and staff. These pennies are the same as the guest pennies expect that their wounds may be better covered and their stories demonstrate different choices. Some pennies have the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side, while others are “wheat pennies”. But, they are pennies, too, and need community and a place of service. I am grateful for all the pennies that come our way at CCF.
I am also very grateful for monetary pennies people have given over the years. It is amazing what a small donation can do for a person when it is used for the glory of God. It is amazing to see how God can change lives for just a few cents. For 39 pennies a person can have a plate of food at CCF. For 200 pennies a person is afforded a shower at CCF. No penny is misused or ignored that comes to us at CCF. All pennies are valuable to CCF!
In order for CCF to continue to affect the lives of men, women, and children, we need your pennies to carry us into the future. As we approach the end of the year, the gap between expenses and revenue has widened. All the while more and more people need our help in order to survive. Please join us in offering dignity and respect to those in need by making a contribution to Community Care Fellowship.
May the One who honored a widow who gave two copper coins shine in your hearts this holiday season.
Christmas 2009 Greetings from missionary Cherie White to Supporting Churches and Friends
What a wonderful and renewing time these 3 ½ month of church visitation have been!
It has been good to reconnect with many of you, to make new friends and see that God is at work everywhere and I am deeply grateful for your support. The news from the U.S about increased troops to the Middle East, conflicting viewpoints on health care reform and a lack of reform in immigration laws is very discouraging to us in Latin America. To see that many of you in the U.S. are concerned from a Christian standpoint is encouraging.
In these months of visitation I have shared about the Mexican reality and the Methodist Seminary where I serve in Mexico City. Mexico is a beautiful and very diverse country culturally, linguistically geographically, in terms of biodiversity, and many other aspects. Yet, at the present time we are experiencing a violent drug war, epidemic levels of violence towards women, and a 60% poverty level that expels people to the U.S. for job reasons. Justice is a key word for economic, political and gender reasons.
Hence, the words of the prophet Isaiah 32:17 are important reminders of God’s call to us as we remember the coming of the Prince of Peace: And the effect of justice will be peace, and the result of justice, quietness and trust for ever.
I am not first to say it, but how true that there can be no peace, unless there is justice for all, and once again Isaiah’s words are my vision for a reality which I hope is not too far away: They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
My vision for the future Methodist ministers that will come forth from our seminary is that they be God’s presence in the world guiding their churches beyond their four walls, making theirs the words of the prophets, which are exemplified and fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry. As Jesus came to show us the meaning of being the Prince of Peace, we too must follow by our example through words and deeds.
May this Christmas and the New Year be ones of joy, health, challenges, and awareness of the world around the corner and way beyond. May you creatively carry out acts of justice, so that peace on earth can lead to goodwill for all of God’s people.
Peace with justice
Cherie R. White
Apartado 20-392
01001 Mexico, D.F.
Mexico
E-mail: velwhite@gmail.com
The Dr. Gonzalo Baez Camargo Seminary of The Methodist Church of Mexico where I serve has two Advances approved by the General Board of Global Ministries, which cover critical needs for us:
Baez Camargo Seminary Scholarships Advance # 10528B
Baez Camargo Seminary Advance # 3020734 (for books for the library & to update the computer lab)
I know the economic situation in the U.S. is difficult at this time, but these are ways to further support the preparation of ministers for the church in Mexico.
Thank you,
Cherie R. White, GBGM Missionary Code # 05068Z
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 10:53 AM
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