TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW April 16, 2010
Articles in the April 16th issue of THE REVIEW
1. Meet Feed America First—a Tennessee Conference Advance Special
2. Ivy Bluff United Methodist Church presents Last Supper and Ministry of Christ from the perspective of Women Disciples
3. Documentary film “Robert Churchwell: The Jackie Robinson of Journalism” World Premiere, August 22, 2010, Nashville Film Festival
4. Calvary United Methodist Church pays off 2008 apportionment shortfall – in 2010,
5. Hope for Creation International Simulcast, April 21st, 6:30 p.m.
6. Change the World—Starting With Your Community, April 24-25
7. Conference workers with youth trained to recognize and intervene when a young person is considering suicide
8. Scripture gives us insight on how to treat our earth by Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr.
9. Pasta & Promises raises over $55,000 for Miriam’s Promise programs
10. Many Thanks to Mark Forrester and the Students of the Wesley Foundation at Vanderbilt
11. Spiritual Friends Network shares the movement of the Holy Spirit in today’s world
12. Mission: Cost and Benefits
13. Sacred/Liturgical Dance Workshop to be led by Tiffany Kirkland, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, July 21-25, 2010
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Meet Feed America First—a Tennessee Conference Advance Special
Bread distribution at Allen's Chapel UMC in Smithville.
Feed America First is an ecumenical organization chartered in faith by Don Herbert and Tom Henry in June 2000 with the mission “to provide food to those who feed the hungry.” The purpose of FAF is to seek and collect large-scale donations of food from manufacturers, distributors, growers, and other charities, and to distribute that food at no charge to the numerous small ministries feeding hungry families in poor and rural communities in this region. To date Feed America First has distributed approximately 21 million pounds of food, serving almost 150 small charities each month in the Tennessee Conference area.
Feed America First was approved as a Tennessee Conference Advance Special in November 2009. Director Tom Henry says that “ Feed America First focuses upon our neighbors in need who live in small towns and rural areas, that portion of the 49,000,000 Americans at risk of missing meals while they pay for rent, utilities, or medicine. Our clients are the citizens who want to help their neighbors by operating church pantries, children's homes, and shelters for the abused, homeless, or recovering. They know their neighbors, and if Feed America First provides them more food, they touch more lives. After all, as I have been told, a loaf of bread given with love by a neighbor can change lives.”
Feed America First operates from a small warehouse in Murfreesboro with a staff of three and lots of volunteers, and serves in a radius of about 150 miles from Nashville. FAF’s efficient “bare bones” approach has allowed it historically to provide enough food for 12 -15 meals for each dollar donated. FAF has coordinated potato drops, food drives, and food distributions throughout the Tennessee Conference.
Tom Henry, Director
Feed America First
1105 Blue Springs Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
(615) 512-5915
Ivy Bluff United Methodist Church presents Last Supper and Ministry of Christ from the perspective of Women Disciples
Dramatizing the story of the Last Supper has become familiar across the church with congregations using Leonardo DiVinci’s famous painting as a model. The problem, of course, is that the traditional depiction of the Last Supper is totally male oriented—the twelve Disciples and Jesus sharing a final meal before the crucifixion.
Taking as a model a United Methodist Women dramatic retelling of women who were affected and changed by Christ’s ministry, the seats at Ivy Bluff United Methodist Church’s commemoration of the Last Supper on April 1st were all held by women.. The drama The Supper That Wasn’t began with Mary Magdelene and continued on with Martha and other women who experienced Jesus’ ministry personally—but also included women from the New Testament who were touched with Jesus’ message and the presence of the Holy Spirit months or even years after the crucifixion and resurrection.
One by one, twelve New Testament women told their stories and reflected on their personal encounters with Christ or their experience of Christ through the Disciples or through the Apostle Paul. In their midst was the Traitor who had much in common with Judas Iscariot and felt she had turned from Christ and betrayed Him. The strong conclusion to the evening’s worship experience came at the end of the Service of Communion when Traitor Lady came down the center aisle and asked if she could receive communion, asked if she could be forgiven. Pastor Danny Freeman reassured her that Christ could and would forgive her sinfulness and then she too was served communion.
The play was directed by Sherry Freeman with staging and costumes by Barbara Bailey and Candice Powell. Playing biblical characters in The Supper That Wasn’t were Joan Shirley (Mary Magdalene), Kelly Speed (Martha), Amber Harris with Hayleigh Harris (Widow of Nain), Melanie Parker (Mary, the mother of Mark), Sherry Freeman—filling in for Paula Parker who was ill the day of performance (Lydia), Trina Koltay (Traitor), Gail Davenport (Dorcas), Angela Moore (Phoebe), Kendra Speed (Claudia), Brenda Bogard (Lois), Retha Muncey (Priscilla), and Brenda Lewis (Elect Lady). Anita Duke served as off-stage narrator. Music was provided by two vocal trios, an adult trio including Donna Gunter, Holly Crawford, and Jodie Bogard and a children’s trio featuring Haven Davis, Kayleigh Harris, and Alyson Harris.. Pianist was Stanka Ferrell; and the two biblically costumed ushers were Joyce Lane and Elaine Bogle.
The Traitor . . . she didn’t sell Christ out to the religious authorities like Judas, but nevertheless suffers deep guilt because of her indifference and by her silence at crucial times.At the conclusion of the drama pastor Danny Freeman and District Superintendent Cathie Leimenstoll served communion to the congregation assisted by Candice Powell and Barbara Bailey.
Documentary film “Robert Churchwell: The Jackie Robinson of Journalism” World Premiere, August 22, 2010, Nashville Film Festival
First paragraph from Tennessee Tribune, Thursday April 1-7, 2010
This inspirational documentary highlights the extraordinary life and legacy of the late award-winning journalist Robert Churchwell. The distinguished Nashville Banner reporter made history in 1950 after becoming the first man of color to work as a journalist at a major daily newspaper in the South. Churchwell wrote passionately about the lives and issues facing African-Americans in Nashville—exploring various topics including the Civil Rights Movement. While at the Nashville Banner, Robert Churchwell rose above each obstacle, challenge, and barrier that he faced with great dignity while never forgetting the significance of family and the importance of serving God.
Churchwell was a life-long member of the Seay Hubbard United Methodist Church in Nashville. His pastor, the Rev. Ken Murray, reports that through the years Churchwell taught Sunday School, worked with the youth group, and was part of the United Methodist Men. “Seay Hubbard misses him—he was an icon. He always had wisdom to share and that voice is greatly missed by our congregation.”
On February 1, 2009, Churchwell passed away. He was 91. His wife of 57 years, Mary Elizabeth Buckingham, and their five children are left to cherish Churchwell’s memory.
The Nashville Film Festival is held at the Regal Green Hills Cinemas, and the Churchwell documentary will be shown at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2010, Tickets for Festival screenings are available online at http://www.nashvillefilmfestival.org/
Calvary United Methodist Church pays off 2008 apportionment shortfall – in 2010
Calvary United Methodist Church’s long tradition of paying 100% of apportionments suddenly ended in 2008 when only 81.6% of its 2008 apportionments could be paid. Many congregations across the country would have shrugged and promised to make certain that the next apportionment was paid in full—but that didn’t fit into Calvary’s plans. Jim Allen, Conference treasurer, recalls talking in January of 2009 with Don Birdwell, a lay leader at Calvary, about the congregation’s plans to remit 2008 apportionments in full over the coming year. An amazed Allen celebrated Calvary’s dedication to the connectional ministry of the United Methodist Church, and rejoiced with them when the apportionment was paid in full.
According to Calvary pastor Peter van Eys some of the shortfall was paid in 2009 along with 100% of the 2009 apportionment and the 2008 commitment was completely paid in March of 2010. “Calvary embraces its identity as a United Methodist Church,” says van Eyes, “and considers paying apportionments part of its DNA. When circumstances left us short in fulfilling our 2008 commitment by the end of that year, the Church Council determined that we would send in the balance, no matter how long it might take to do so. Calvary wants to be counted among the congregations that pay 100% of their apportionments each year.”
Calvary lay person Dave Nichols noted that Calvary has a history of strong support for the connection. “Someone told me not long ago,” reported Nichols, “that Calvary is generally considered to be one of the ‘most Methodist’ congregations in the conference. I hope that's true.”
“The decision to send in less than 100% of Calvary's apportionments during the tough economic episode we've all been enduring was very difficult for many of our members to accept,” says Nichols. “We felt it was important to keep our commitment as soon as possible, even though it required difficult choices. We understand that conference bookkeeping really doesn't allow for apportionments to be made up once the year's books are closed, but we felt this was an issue of a higher priority than bookkeeping conventions. We saw it as an opportunity not only to model the high value we place on our commitments, but to also model the importance of the connection for some who have become United Methodists more recently than we old-timers. I believe God still honors faithfulness whenever it can be found.
While immensely proud of Calvary UMC’s commitment, conference treasurer Allen points out that five congregations fell short of paying their 2009 apportionments in full by the deadline but “moved on to perfection in their connectional financial ministry” by completing 2009 payments in early 2010. Those churches were Liberty (Pulaski), St. Joseph (Loretto), Johnson’s Chapel (Brentwood), Maggart (Livingston), and Gallatin First.
Hope for Creation International Simulcast, April 21st, 6:30 p.m.
Will you join the call to action on April 21st, the eve of Earth Day? Will you join with what hopes to be 200 Christian Colleges, 1000 churches, and 1,000,000 people gathering together for a night of no politics, no agenda –just a biblically based call to care for the wonder that is God’s creation? It is not too late to sign up and promote this event in your church. It is free, and you can sign up at http://www.blessedearth.org. This will be hosted by Dr. J Matthew Sleeth and will be broadcast to locations all over the world. Dr. Sleeth will also be sharing the world premiere of the new film series, blessed Earth, by the same people who produced NOOMA with Rob Bell. If you are not able to host the event, below are host sites throughout the conference where you can go to participate in the event. This night will serve as a great opportunity to share the love of Christ in a unique way as Christians will come together and share in the hope and good news that we have for all that is God’s creation. Everything you need to sign up and promote the event can be found on the above website. If you have questions, contact Ryan Bennett at 615.794.6721.
Tennessee Conference Simulcast sites
Clarksville District: Pleasant View UMC, Salem UMC, Madison Street UMC, Hilldale UMC
Columbia District: Bethlehem UMC (Franklin), Coleman Memorial UMC
Cookeville District: Friendship UMC, TTU Wesley Foundation, Crossville First UMC, Smithville First UMC, Celina UMC
Cumberland District: Hermitage UMC, Gallatin First UMC, Hendersonville First UMC
Murfreesboro District: Winchester First UMC, Walnut Grove UMC, Tullahoma First UMC, Shelbyville First UMC, Murfreesboro First UMC
Nashville District: The Upper Room, Calvary UMC, Blakemore UMC, Belmont University
Pulaski District: Martin Methodist College
Change the World—Starting With Your Community, April 24-25
What if…on one weekend all around the world, United Methodists came together to work with their local communities? What if…as we serve people locally, we unite globally to eliminate apreventable, treatable disease that kills one child every 30 seconds?
"We all want to see change in the world and by serving our local communities, we get to see that change up close and personal. But we can also touch those we do not see and may never meet. By raising awareness and funds, we can save lives and conquer malaria – a disease that the U.S. has already defeated.” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.
Rev. Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio has written a book called “Change the World: Recovering the Mission and Message of Jesus,” set to be released in February 2010. He emphasizes, “As the United Methodist Church, we have worried too much about getting numbers into our churches instead of getting the people in our churches out into the world in relative ways. Even our smallest churches can have incredible impact when they when they leave their four walls to serve the needs of their neighbors, alongside of their neighbors.” Go to the website http://www.umcom.org/site to link to further resources and suggestions on how to get involved.
Conference workers with youth trained to recognize and intervene when a young person is considering suicide
Michele Nevel of Tennessee Lives Count led the Nashville workshop
Alarming statistics prove that youth and young adult suicide is a serious and growing problem across the United States. The Tennessee Conference Young People's Ministry vowed to help local church youth workers, pastors, and parents recognize when a young person is experiencing thoughts of suicide and how to intervene and save a life. With Youth Suicide and Early Intervention training provided by the Tennessee Lives Count project in partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, six workshops were held in various parts of the Conference in early 2010 with 140 persons receiving this crucial training.
The final workshop was held at the Tennessee Conference Center on March 25th and attracted over 50 persons. Michele Nevel of Tennessee Lives Counts provided leadership for the session. If you are interested in arranging a similar pastoral care event in your local church or district contact Brad Fiscus for further information, 615-329-1177 or bfiscus@tnumc.org
Tennessee Voices
Scripture gives us insight on how to treat our earth
By Bishop Richard J. Wills Jr., March 30, 2010. Letter from Bishop Wills printed under “Tennessee Voices” in The Tennessean.
The first mandate given to humanity in Genesis after God created and pronounced creation good was for humans to take dominion over it and rule over it wisely.
As stewards of God's creation, we must care for all the earth and place the value of creation over the temptations of power and greed.
Today, our state legislators will decide whether private coal companies should be allowed to destroy Tennessee's mountains using an unnecessary extraction method known as mountaintop removal mining. I would encourage all members of the legislature to seek guidance from the Scripture as they embark on this decision.
Our elected leaders are under a great deal of pressure to make the right decision.
At times when I find myself in difficult situations, I need to be reminded of where I can turn to find the truth. As we look at the issue of mountaintop removal, Scripture gives us clear insight into how we are to care for creation. Jesus himself reminds us that the whole of the law can be summed up through loving God and loving one's neighbor. Dynamiting mountain peaks, filling valley floors with discarded earth and poisoning our air and drinking water are not acts of loving one’s neighbors.
When I see the eternal scars and listen to stories of families left in the wake of the destruction, I can't help but turn to Psalms 24:1 which says, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." Those words speak to the sanctity and sacredness of human life and the natural environment, and as servants we should not allow either to be destroyed in the name of corporate profit.
The United Methodist Church, along with every other major Christian denomination has taken a strong position against mountaintop removal mining.
In 2008, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church issued a formal resolution calling for "the end of this economically, environmentally and socially destructive practice" urging all United Methodists to stand with residents of the communities hit hardest by this practice and to advocate on their behalf to their elected representatives.
I would encourage all lawmakers to seek solace in prayer. This issue is much bigger than re-election or the desire to seek higher office. This issue is about serving as stewards of God's creation and loving thy neighbor as thyself.
Over 500 mountains and 2,000 miles of rivers and streams have been destroyed across southern Appalachia as a result of mountaintop removal mining operations. The detrimental health and environmental effects of this mining practice have been unequivocally proven by the science community. All worldly evidence shows that this practice is unhealthy, unsustainable and its impacts are catastrophic to all living creatures.
I pray for our elected officials and hope that all citizens will join in the effort to ban this unnecessary form of coal mining.
Richard J. Wills, Jr. is Resident Bishop, Nashville area, The United Methodist Church.
Pasta & Promises raises over $55,000 for Miriam’s Promise programs
What do you call an evening of terrific pasta, incredible fellowship, exhibits by local artists and artisans, a lively auction of great art pieces and other valuable prizes – all this PLUS information about one of the Tennessee Conference’s most meaningful ministries? The answer of course is the Miriam’s Promise annual Pasta & Promises celebration and fund raiser which was held March 26th at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
Miriam’s Promise Executive Director Debbie Robinson enthusiastically sums up the evening: “Pasta & Promises was a fabulous event for Miriam’s Promise! We send thanks to all who participated as artists, sponsors, guests, and volunteers! It was a glorious evening and we are grateful for everyone participating. As we planned Pasta & Promises, we were concerned that the current economy would reduce the number of guests but we were blessed with a room full of guests with hearts for children. “
Master of Ceremonies Mort Hill introduces Marian’s Promise Executive Director, Debbie Robinson
Thanks to so many friends, volunteers and supporters, the event raised almost $70,000 with over $55,000.00 net for agency programs. Miriam’s Promise was fortunate to have 8 local artists give their time and talents; RonYork, Cameron Simmons, Dana Kahan, Tom Fuhrman, Tom Turnbull, Lisa Gardiner, Ken Gaidos and Leslee Lewis Bechtel.
Thanks to the proceeds from Pasta & Promises, we can continue to be here for the young women, children and families who need us. For women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, Miriam’s Promise provides counseling and assistance in meeting basic needs such as housing, food, clothing and transportation. It is a haven for women who must make difficult decisions about the future of their children, while also suffering related emotional, health and financial struggles. Our “Expecting the Best Program” provided group pregnancy counseling to more than 90 expectant women incarcerated in the Davidson County, Sumner and Rutherford County jails. Services at Miriam’s Promise center on the creation and stabilization of families leading us to provide pregnancy, parenting, adoption and attachment therapy services to almost 200 individuals and successfully placing 44 children in forever families in 2009!
We are blessed with fabulous corporate sponsors: Gold sponsors were Pinnacle Financial Partners and Tigert Communications, Silver Sponsors: Enterprise Electric and Interstate AC Services; Bronze Sponsors included BB&T, Bloom Electric Supply, Burr & Forman, Dotson Electric, Dr. Jan van Eys, Fleet One, HCA/Tristar, J & D Equipment Hauling, Parkway Wholesale, Simplex Healthcare, Walker Electric, Williams Wholesale, and Wolfe and Travis Electric.
As bidding was taking place Sandy Hunt and others took art work through the banquet hall so everyone could have a close look
In-Kind Sponsors were Athens Distributing Company, Liberty Party Rental, McQuiddy Classic Printing, Sargent’s Fine Catering, Dolphini Networks, Just Love Coffee Roasters, Romano’s Macaroni Grille and Jenny Garland, Musicians Harry Robinson and Brant Harwell.
Many Thanks to Mark Forrester and the Students of the Wesley Foundation at Vanderbilt
by Debbie Robinson
Part of the Vandebilt Wesley Foundation volunteer team that helped serve the meal, and then clear the tables.
At Miriam’s Promise, we think of the Wesley Foundation as special friends. They have volunteered their time and talents over and over again when we needed help. When we opened our new office at Tulip Street, the students gave their week-ends to help us paint and get ready to move.
On March 26th, the students once again stepped in to help at Pasta & Promises. Thanks to them and other volunteers, Pasta & Promises was a success. For the fifth year, the Wesley Foundation came to help as servers and clearers, allowing us to reduce costs and provide even more funds for agency programs. We are so grateful for their help but especially for their cheerful, giving spirits. Our guests love the happy attitudes and hospitality the students bring to the event. MANY THANKS!!!
Spiritual Friends Network shares the movement of the Holy Spirit in today’s world
On March 19, 2007, Rev. Jo Reece and Rev. Sandra Griggs invited a few friends and colleagues to come for “a conversation and brown-bag lunch” at Glendale UMC. 28 persons attended the first meeting with 50 positive responses for interest in this type of networking group. The 3rd Monday of each month was selected for the meeting. 11:30-1:00 Over the last three years the 45 min. programs have been presented by networking membership. The group selected the name "Spiritual Friends Network of Middle Tennessee."
The Spiritual Friends are a network of persons sharing together how the Holy Spirit is moving in traditional and nontraditional, although often ancient, ways in our lives and life-work throughout Christian traditions. At last count there were ten denominations including non-denominational participants.
Members of the group include trained and certified Spiritual Directors, Christian Counselors, Pastoral Counselors, Intentional Prayer Ministers, Hospice Chaplains, Clergy and Lay members actively involved in various areas of healing ministry, and even a few artists. It is an open group and our programs are often experiential in nature. For example, last month Jean Hastings shared about Centering Prayer and led the group in 20 min. of corporate silence.
The next meeting will be April 19, Glendale UMC (http://www.glendale-umc.com/). United Methodist Spiritual Director Kasey Hitt will present the program beginning around 12:00. Kasey Hitt, MDiv, CSD, has been a spiritual director for 7 years in Seattle, WA, and Mt. Juliet, TN. She says that God’s sense of humor and her own burn-out as a youth pastor led her to this ministry of helping people befriend silence and recognize God’s presence & invitations in their ordinary lives. Kasey offers individual direction via Skype, phone and in-person, group direction locally, silent retreats at Mercy Convent, and regular classes in prayer & discernment through Providence United Methodist Church in Mount Juliet.
This is an open group and if you are interested in being placed on the e-mail list contact us at spiritualfriends@comcast.net
Mission: Cost and Benefits
by Ted Hill, M.D., March, 2010
I am on my way back home from another medical mission trip to Mexico. This is mission trip #14 or #15 and I must admit I have lost count.
After all this time I still feel the pre-trip anxiety cause by leaving a well-worn routine. Leaving tends to be anxiety producing for me and always has been. To this comes the unsettledness caused by a different place, people, society, language, food, environment, and relationships—I could go on and on. Even the trip home brings its own set of anxieties from hopefully getting to the airport on time, flight delays, going through customs, making connections in far-away airports, and even returning to the old, well-worn ruts.
Sleep has betrayed me this trip. My anticipation of journey and change seemed to deny restfulness. This time, I find myself reflecting on the “cost-benefit” of this mission trip—this is a real “guy” thing to do, you know, facing the question, “Have I accomplished anything?”
I remember the 78 year-old grandmother who was accompanied by her 9-year-old grandson wearing a school uniform . . . and exhibiting a precious demeanor as he looked for grandmother behind the “doctor tent” exam room where I was working.
We were in a poor Mexican village, which was dusty, windy, and noisy. I discovered the boy’s mother had abandoned him to the care of the elderly grandmother. Who knows about the father? Grandmother had long-standing and uncontrolled diabetes, had lost her elderly husband the year before and was now the lone heir apparent to long-term responsibility for her grandson’s future.
She had walked some distance to our clinic that day with the aid of her cane. Thirty years previously she had suffered a left leg fracture, but the outcome had left her knee at a 45 degree angle, the lower leg turning inward from the upper at the knee. Her leg looked almost like an “L.” A year ago as she walked down an incline her trusty cane (a stick) had broken, and she fell hard, fracturing her right ankle. She suffered some pain but it was not unbearable. Little did she know that her diabetes had left her legs insensitive to pain and she had walked on this unhealed, fractured and deformed leg (technically know as a “Charcot joint”) since the accident.
For the sake of her grandson she had come to see the gringo doctor from the U.S. to see if she could restore the mobility she needed to keep up with a nine year old. On her arrival she reported her diabetes and the medical crew dutifully checked her blood sugar. Fortunately for her, she had not taken her diabetes medicine because her blood sugar was low, and she would never had made it to the clinic if she had taken the medicine. We quickly got her some food the crew had stashed away and she was able to complete her interview. We supplied her with what we had for her ankle and leg – some Tylenol, love, tears, prayer, and a ride home. I promised her my prayers.
As she left the “exam tent,” I had a conversation with God. I said something like, “Where are you for her? What will happen to the grandson when she is gone before he’s grown?” I admit that my anger and emotion grew: “Didn’t you promise no burden too heavy to bear? Where are you for her?”
My answer came, as it often does, in a way I did not want to hear. I recalled the book Night by Elie Weisel. In the book Weisel tells about his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. He mentions a thin teen-ager who was executed by hanging in front of all the other prisoners—an example to them not to resist of disobey the Nazi captors. The young lad did not immediately die. His weight could not break his neck and sever his spinal cord, which would cause suffocation as is usual with hangings. So he hung for an eternity it seemed, kicking and squirming and moaning and crying while the prisoners all watched in horror. A cynical, atheist prisoner mate of Weisel whispered to him, “Where is your God now?” Weisel replied, “Right there. Hanging, struggling.” The “word” for me, the answer to my question, “Where are you God?” was “Right here in this woman, this child, you.”
I was there representing God to her and the boy. She was there being God to me—challenging me to look beyond my own need to hers, to the needs of the boy. God was there in that innocent child who was like Matthew 25 says needing to be clothed, fed, visited, cared for.
We left today. I told my translator for many trips of the possibility that I might not return. I gave some excuses—sensible, viable excuses I thought to myself. I was caught off guard by his reply. He did not appear sad, he did not cry (in other words, he did not feed my ego!) He just said, “I will fast and pray God will make a way for you to return next year.”
Is there cost for such a trip as this? You bet! Is there benefit now and for eternity for me and others? You can count on it.
Sacred/Liturgical Dance Workshop to be led by Tiffany Kirkland, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, July 21-25, 2010
“The workshop provides an opportunity to learn more about liturgical dance and explore resources, which will in turn help others experience God in a new way, either as a dancer or in worship,” according to Loy Lilley, Director of the Good Word Resource Center and coordinator of the workshop.
The workshop will be led by Tiffany Kirkland, Director of Children’s Ministries at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN. Ms. Kirkland has a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University, and she also graduated from Phillips Seminary. As such, she has much experience in dance, and has participated in dance ministry. She has also led previous workshops in liturgical dance, and is pursuing becoming a Deacon in The United Methodist Church.
“Lake Junaluska strives to incorporate the arts into its worship programs. We are proud to once again offer a Sacred/Liturgical Dance experience for all persons to learn and grow as dancers in a spiritual setting,” said Executive Director Jimmy L. Carr.
The workshop is open to adults, as well as middle and high school students, and childcare for ages 2-11 is also available for a fee. Participants will learn a minimum of four dances, grow in their understanding of this ministry, learn criteria for dance in worship, and explore resources for dance ministry. In addition to information about liturgical dance, the workshop will also provide a look at signing, ballet, and other ways to enhance participants’ leadership in worship.
Before June 15, participants may register for a fee of $75; after June 15, the cost is $90. This year, an extra day has been added to the workshop so that participants will have a free afternoon to explore the local area and participate in some of the many opportunities in the Smoky Mountains. Workshop attendees will also be involved in Sunday morning worship at Stuart Auditorium. A detailed schedule, registration form, and more information about lodging and directions are available at , or by calling Pam Naplen at 828-454-6656.
http://www.lakejunaluska.com/dance
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 11:57 AM
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