TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW May 28, 2010
Articles and photo spreads in the May 28th edition of THE REVIEW
1. Not one flood but two floods hit Middle Tennessee -- a reflection by Tom Nankervis after visiting four different flood areas
2. Plus some other stories from the flood
3. Joaquin Garcia retires as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy
4. The Ubuntu Climbing Competition raises funds for clean drinking water in Africa
5. Cooking School Fun at Pelham United Methodist Church
6. Columbia District Churches collect flood relief supplies for hard-hit Centerville area,
7. Middle Tennessee Churches Respond Quickly to Unprecedented Flooding,
8. Reflection on the impact of flooding on Hickman County,
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Not one flood but two floods hit Middle Tennessee -- a reflection by Tom Nankervis after visiting four different flood areas
Note: Though this remembrance is largely positive, there are still major areas needing volunteer response. These areas are largely in rural areas or smaller communities. You can keep up with needs by signing in to the Tennessee Conference Emergency Relief blogsite at http:tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/. Forty two counties in Tennessee have been acknowledged as Federal Disaster Areas by the President, and twenty-four of those counties are part of the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Mounds of debris lined both sides of the street for block after block in “The Nation” section of Nashville.
“Everything from my life is gone . . . except for three pictures on the wall,’ the elderly woman stated as she glanced from her flood ravaged house to the pile of debris lining the street in front of her property. The feeling of being yanked from all physical connections to the past and thrown into a world where the past has washed away is all too common. Gone are the photos of her mother and father, her siblings, her friends in grade school, prom photos, graduation photos, certificates of academic accomplishment, marriage license, marriage photos, birth certificates for her children, photos of her children growing up, shots of her deceased husband of many years. The night table that has been in her family home for generations smashed beyond recognition. The antique clock from the 1850s—one that still chimed—torn apart. The list could go on and on and the stories were the same throughout Middle Tennessee.
The flood ruined many personal and prized historic mementoes--here a child's toy
For 36 hours everyone in the neighborhood felt secure despite dire predictions by television commentators. “We’ve lived here for years,” they responded to the predictions, “and have had some severe storms but there has never been flooding. Later came the realization that flood waters were moving up to the front of the house and that the depth of the water was continuing to rise.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” panicked residents shouted. Some waited too late and drowned before they could get out, or drowned when their automobile got swept away.” Some swam to safety grabbing tree limbs to hold themselves away from the flow of the water. Others were rescued by concerned neighbors, others by boat as they fought to stay safe at the highest point of their house. Some bewildered individuals even stayed chin-deep in the churning, polluted water as it came into the house. The question for many was, “If we leave, where do we go? Where do we stay?”
Cumberland District Superintendent Tom Halliburton, Bishop Dick Wills, UMCOR Consultant Christy Smith, Disaster Response Director Jason Brock, the Rev. David Rainey, and Nashville DS John Collett. The group gathered at Bellevue United Methodist Church to tour flooded areas throughout the conference and to talk with persons heavily affected by the flood.. Rainey, the Bellevue pastor, bids the group farewell.
The critical thing about this disaster is the peril that persons felt, many of them children, in the place that was the source of safety, comfort, and hope; a fear that can’t be easily erased - fear in the loss of sanctuary, a dissolving of present day connections to the past. Not many survivors are showing outward panic, but there is a sense of dismay in their eyes, a sense that they have to keep doing something to fight the ravages of the storm, but despair in realizing that their usually sharp minds are not thinking clearly. The first flood was and is the cause of nightmares. There is a sense of funereal grief to go with the mental numbness.
United Methodist youth formed a human chain to load Flood Buckets, just delivered by an UMCOR truck, into conference vehicles for distribution throughout the conference.
All of this was due to the FIRST FLOOD – and the sense of hopelessness and despair would have been immense if it wasn’t for the SECOND FLOOD. Even while the First Flood was at its worse there was a flood of concern – police officers, local fire departments, emergency response units. Neighbors with boats and rafts offered assistance in getting individuals and families to safety. When the waters were no longer at flood stage . . . the second flood hit, a flood of hope, love, and concern which struck Nashville and mid-state communities with major magnitude. There were a few scam artists unfortunately, but throughout the affected counties major organizations from Hands on Nashville, to neighborhood groups, to denominations, to concerned individuals and groups from outside the flooded area, even from outside the state, responded. The amount of volunteer labor and the speed with which the volunteers responded even shocked the professional emergency responders. Within hours, not days or weeks, persons were working throughout the community—with strong guidance from the professionals. While flood waters in the major rivers were still rising, trailer loads of UMCOR flood cleanup buckets arrived from the North Georgia and Alabama Conferences. It wasn’t long before a 18-wheeler delivered a shipment of flood cleanup buckets from the Sager-Brown UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, and another was delivered to the Memphis Conference.
Suddenly friends and many strangers were gathered around flood victims for support. The task of cleaning up flood damage began – carpets and carpet pads were remove and thrown out, polluted and soaked wall board was removed and taken outside as garbage; damaged furnishings, stoves, refrigerators, were removed and thrown out, items that could possibly be salvaged or were obviously of personal value to the home owner/renter were taken to safety. All of this was done in consultation with the flood victims. If FLOOD ONE was overwhelming, the show of love and support in FLOOD TWO had mammoth impact. It brought hope where none existed. Flood victims shared their stories, and their fears. Persons listened. They acted as “family,” “consultant,” “worker bees.”
Before long everything that could mold or mildew or was polluted by sewer soaked water was outside – in several neighborhoods the garbage looked like gigantic walls stretching on for blocks on each side of the road. But these walls were different—because they almost seemed like historic monuments. This wasn’t just junk—it was the story, the history, the memories of individuals, or families.
Countless individuals were touched by the group of persons that came to help when life had fallen apart. As they talked to the volunteers they discovered friends, persons they did not know who treated them with love and respect. Volunteer groups contained persons with various backgrounds—at one place there were workers from Church of Christ, Baptist, United Methodist backgrounds working together as well as individuals with no religious faith. There were old people, young people, African Americans working on the home of a white family, Caucasians’ working on the homes of African Americans and Hispanics. The flood will linger in memory but along with the flood will be the vision of the Heavenly Kingdom—all persons working together as one to help a “brother” or a “sister.”
The St. Mark's Early Response VIM team was hard at work in area of Nashville called "The Nation"
That’s not all. Outside on the street were inmates helping to move the garbage into trucks. Other groups and individuals were delivering food and water to volunteer workers. At Midwest Transportation Services, a trucking company near the Radnor Railroad Yards, several groups of youth from outside Nashville, together with adult advisors, had formed a human chain to load flood buckets that came from UMCOR Sager-Brown into a Tennessee Conference trailer and a rental truck so they could be distributed throughout the conference. I can’t even begin to remember all the United Methodist Churches I came in contact with as I made my way from one flooded area to another. David Lay from St. John’s was with me for part of the journey. He is the Nashville District emergency response person. Persons from West Nashville UMC including Sherry Woolsey were helping recruit volunteers as well as collecting food.
The St. Mark’s Emergency Response truck was present along with a bunch of workers from St. Marks and from Murfreesboro. There were literally dozens of United Methodist Churches providing a substantial number of volunteers. In Carthage, Tennessee, Cookeville District Emergency Response person Russ Cain, was coordinating volunteer efforts for an Early Response Team from the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Dr. John Collette, Nashville District Superintendant, preached at Blakemore United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 9th. He focused on the United Methodist motto, “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,” in showing the response of United Methodist congregations to the flood. He noted especially the “Open Doors” part of the motto—as United Methodist congregations opened their doors to receive and harbor individuals and families that had been through the storm. Churches from Carthage UMC in the Cookeville District to Bellevue UMC provided ongoing hospitality, even sleeping accommodations for survivors. “Our doors will be open as long as it takes for people to get the help they need,” indicated Dr. Collette. “UMCOR and United Methodist responders are noted as being the last to leave an area that has suffered natural catastrophe and we will be here to help as long as it takes.
Some other stories
Rebel, a hero dog
As I walked on down the street a German Shepherd barked at me. Being a veterinarian’s son I stopped to talk to the dog. I noted that the only really happy videos I had seen showed two Labrador retrievers – who probably thought they were in heaven with water nearly everywhere to dash through and jump into. The dog owner said “The dog’s name is Rebel.” She went on to explain that he was a genuine flood hero. An adult daughter who couldn’t swim had his leash wrapped around her arms and she held on as the dog swam bravely from heavily flooded house to the safety of dry land. The water had some current and it was over human heads – but nine-year-old Rebel brought his loved one to safety.
Flood victims were desperate to preserve valuable papers, pictures and certificates--and to do whatever it takes to do so
One creative homeowner spread damp pictures and important certificates throughout her automobile—using the heat coming through the windows as a dependable way to dry out (or bake out) moisture from items of personal importance including a picture of her mom, her wedding picture, and various diplomas and certificates.
Joaquin Garcia retires as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy
Colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate Joaquin Garcia’s ministry. Here Garcia greets Eliud and Janet Martinez.
Joaquin Garcia served as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy for the Tennessee Conference until his retirement on January 1, 2010. Due to pressing need, he continued to work after that date, but less than full time, as the Interim Director. Finally, on May 14th, Garcia was feted (and roasted) at a retirement party in his honor at Hillcrest United Methodist Church.
As Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy Joaquin Garcia worked in a joint relationship between The Tennessee Conference Council on Connectional Ministries, and Martin Methodist College. Research has shown that there were more Hispanic children in middle Tennessee schools this past school year than at any time in history. The Academy was formed to provide experiences for Christian Formation and Church Leadership in response to the demographic change in our communal life. It does so by strengthening the faith formation of Hispanic pastors and leaders in the Tennessee Conference by equipping Hispanic pastors and laity to start new Hispanic faith communities and ministries while at the same time strengthening existing ones.
As the celebration ended participants gathered in solidarity and prayer around Joaquin
Under Garcia’s Directorship a Hispanic Incubator Covenant Group was initiated and continues to meet faithfully a full day every month. Pastors and lay leaders pray for one another, participate in prayer and bible study as well as leadership training. They also work together on the development of ministry action plans. Under the leadership of Uziel Hernandez, a junior at Martin Methodist College, an Incubator Covenant group was started on campus allowing Hispanic young adults to mature in their faith and take leadership roles in the community and in the church.
Hispanic/Latino Women have come together in several Spiritual Retreats, one hundred and eight persons were trained during this conference year to begin “Antorchas” (Small neighborhood cell groups), and twenty were trained at a special Boot Camp to start new Hispanic Faith Communities. New Hispanic United Methodist congregations have emerged in different settings around the conference.
We could go on and on listing Garcia’s contributions to the Tennessee Conference during his passionate ministry, but he has also distinguished himself in service to the national church before working for the conference. He served for a number of years with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and was an Associate General Secretary for that agency. He then displayed his love of Christian Education by becoming the Vice President for Student Affairs at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
The celebration of Joaquin Garcia and his ministry was often lighthearted with a number of comments about the number of times he had formally retired from his jobs.. Consensus was that he is far too passionate about ministry and reaching out to those outside the doors of the church to ever totally retire.
Dr. Vin Walkup, Tennessee Area Foundation, presents the Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Award to Joaquin and Barbara Garcia for their great influence upon many lives.
Toward the end of the ceremony Dr. Vin Walkup, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Foundation called Joaquin and his wife Barbara Phillips Garcia forward for a presentation. Joaquin and Barbara were presented the Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Award for their great influence upon many lives, and for leading many into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Ubuntu Climbing Competition raises funds for clean drinking water in Africa
By Bradley Edwards
Newton Dominey, owner of The Crag, where the event was held. Photo by Josh Ritchie.
I am a rock-climber. While it’s not my profession, it is what I do more than anything else. This afternoon, I’m headed to Chattanooga to climb. Tomorrow, I’m headed to Atlanta to climb. Just a week ago, I was rock climbing in Boulder, Colorado, the epicenter of United States climbing. I plan free time around it. I plan vacation around it. I watch climbing DVDs at home, much to my wife’s chagrin. While I wouldn’t place my complete identity in it, it is a huge part of my life in my little corner of the world here in Middle Tennessee.
In the past year, however, my friends and I have been learning about other corners of the world. Not just places to climb, but what is happening outside my bubble of Coffee County. I’ve learned that one in six people don’t have access to clean drinking water. One in six. That means over a billion people on the planet. And it’s so hard for me to make the connection, but these 1 in 6 people live on the Earth that I do.
And over time, this started to mess with us.
The problem was that all we really knew was climbing, and it’s a relatively selfish pursuit. I climb for me. And sometimes I climb because my wife thinks it’s sexy. But mostly, it’s for me. And the reality is that my activities don’t produce a lot of good in the world. As far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, climbing doesn’t feed hungry people, it doesn’t give the thirsty something to drink. It doesn’t clothe the naked or take care of the sick.
What we needed was a way to take our love of rock climbing and our growing love of our international neighbors, and combine the two.
And it was a South African Bishop with a little African word that helped show us the way. Before ubuntu was ever a computer program, it was an African proverb that described the interconnectedness of humanity. Archbishop Desmond Tutu describes ubuntu as, "The very essence of being human. We say, "Hey, so-and-so has ubuntu." Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, "My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours." We belong in a bundle of life. We say, "A person is a person through other persons."
I heard the Archbishop say this and it described what we were all thinking and feeling. He had put words to what we’d been wrestling with. We knew that Jesus said everything hinged on loving God with all we’ve got and loving our neighbors as ourselves. We knew that Jesus went on to say that our neighbor is everyone. And we had this growing sense that Tutu was right…that our humanity was caught up, was, and is, inextricably bound up in other people’s humanity.
And so the Ubuntu Climbing Competition was born. And as soon as the idea was birthed, the youth at Manchester First United Methodist Church stepped up. They helped provide t-shirts, they came up with ideas, came and climbed to raise money for the wells being built. They were priceless in making this event happen.
Over $2000.00 was raised to build fresh water wells in Africa. Photo by Josh Ritchie.
So on April 24, 2010 there were tornado warnings, thunder-storm warnings, and flood warnings in the Middle Tennessee area (this was before the major flooding in Nashville the following weekend). Despite the weather we headed to The Crag at Cool Springs, where Newton Dominey, the owner and climbing buddy, donated his building, his time, and his staff to this unorthodox attempt at building fresh-water wells in sub-Saharan Africa. We climbed for hours. Instead of trying to win the competition, people were helping each other succeed. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were actually creating community and practicing ubuntu while we climbed. People were more concerned with others’ successes than their own. People were showing others the way.
And it was beautiful.
In the process of discovering each others’ humanity and the humanity of our African neighbors, all the while avoiding tornado warnings, we raised over $2000 for Blood:Water Mission, a local Nashville non-profit whose sole purpose is to help solve the water crisis for the 1 billion people without access to clean drinking water.
What’s most interesting is that I think in trying to make life better for other people, I think we began finding a better life for ourselves as well. There’s this reality that we’re connected. All of us, regardless of color, religion, socio-economic status or anything else, are “inextricably bound up” in one another. It’s almost as though God created us in this fashion…
Cooking School Fun at Pelham United Methodist Church
Eighteen Pelham Elementary School students from 5th thru 8th grades attended a “Cooking School” at Pelham United Methodist Church on Friday, March 26, 3:00 -5:00 p.m., and on Saturday, March 27, 9:00 a,m.-1:00 p.m. Members of the Pelham United Methodist Women organized and provided the training, using some of the teaching materials supplied by the Grundy County Extension Office.
On Friday, the students were escorted from their school at 3:00 p.m. to Pelham United Methodist Church - just next-door. They assembled in the fellowship hall and enjoyed a demonstration on identifying, selecting, and preparing fresh fruits, such as, mango, kiwi, papaya, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, plums, pears, pineapple, strawberries, grapefruit, oranges, etc. Then, they were served a snack of cheese straws, fruit dip, a variety of fresh fruit chunks, and lemonade. The students had opportunity to sample many fruits which they had never tasted before and to learn new things about fruits.
Then, the students were instructed on proper table settings for various occasions, use of table cloths, placemats, napkins, fun ways to fold napkins, and table decorations. The students prepared favors, folded decorative napkins, and made floral arrangements for three tables, which would be used the next day (Saturday) to serve their luncheon.
On Saturday, the students began arriving around 7:00 a.m. and each of them was presented with a lovely apron which was hand-made by one of the UMW women. The students viewed a video entitled “Table Scapes” and learned about proper table setting, food service, etc. The UMW ladies instructed on reading recipes, how to make proper measurements of ingredients, how to identify ingredients such as cornmeal, flours, sugars, spices, oils/margarine, etc., and how to identify and understand use of approx. 55 different kitchen utensils. Prizes were awarded to winners of contests on identifying ingredients and on identifying utensils.
The menu for lunch was chicken casserole, choice of tossed vegetable salad or fruit salad, rolls, lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies. The students assisted with preparation of all the foods, and learned about proper hygiene when preparing foods, how to read recipes, measure and mix ingredients, use of utensils, etc., and they were introduced to a variety of fresh vegetables. The students were instructed as they practiced serving guests at the tables, and everyone enjoyed a delicious meal.
In closing at 1:00 p.m., the Pelham United Methodist Women presented each student with a certificate for attending the cooking school, a gift of measurement cups & measuring spoons, a copy of recipes of the foods prepared at the school, small cookbooks, and other written data concerning topics discussed at the school.
That’s the kind of FUN we have in Pelham Valley, Pelham, Tennessee, and the students told us that we should do this again!
Columbia District Churches collect flood relief supplies for hard-hit Centerville area
In response to major flood damage in the Centerville area, Columbia District Superintendent Willie Burchfield called upon district churches to help with flood relief supplies. Centerville had been hit hard by the flooding, and to make matters worse the community and surrounding area was isolated by having all major routes into the area closed by flood waters and closed bridges. Even a week after the flood only two difficult routes into the area are open and passable. There were people living in tents and in their cars. Local churches started to prepare meals and give out food as well as other essential items but even the local store shelves soon became empty.
Six sites in the Columbia District were drop-off locations for collected food and flood relief supplies
Hap Hewgley, Pastor of Centerville UMC, reported that the greatest need for the district food drive would be canned foods, foods that can be easily prepared and served, diapers (all ages, including adult), sports-type drinks for workers, plus cleaning supplies. Though some flood buckets had been received through the conference and district, Hewgley noted that more were desperately needed
Responding to the needs outlined by Hewgley, the Columbia District asked all churches to collect supplies and to drop them off at any of six collection sites on Sunday, May 9th, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Monday, May 10th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The following churches served as drop-off sites: Chapel Hill UMC, Columbia First UMC, Hillsboro UMC, Franklin First UMC, Linden First UMC, and Bon Aqua UMC. The supplies were delivered to Centerville on Tuesday, May 11.
Churches large and small within the District as well as from other districts have responded in various ways. Trinity UMC from Murfreesboro brought down their mobile kitchen and set up at Shipp's Bend UMC the first weekend following the flood. On Saturday they fed 200 people (about half was delivered out to people who had nothing to eat-- people were afraid to leave their places and their stock for fear of thieves.
The Chuck Wagon from Trinity UMC in Murfreesboro provided meals from Shipp's Bend UMC on May 8-9.
The Bon Aqua UMC served as a Red Cross shelter as the flood was happening and for two days. About 20 people received temporary food and shelter there until the Red Cross moved its main operation to Fairfield Church Of Christ which was closer to Centerville and the major needs. Bon Aqua UMC has continued to provide food, water, hygiene kits, pet food, cleaning supplies, flood buckets, and some clothes where there is need. Two of its members have been working with the Red Cross effort at Fairfield Church of Christ, and other members have been traveling through the area identifying specific repair needs. These needs have been shared with Volunteer in Mission team members from First United Methodist Church in Columbia. In addition, the United Methodist Women donated $550.00 to purchase supplies needed for flood buckets and members of the church assembled 10 flood buckets and distributed them along with flood buckets sent from Dickson First UMC, the Conference, and Riverside UMC. Kedron UMC and Nunnelly UMC, on the circuit with BonAqua, have also been active supplying food and water.
Pastor Tom Barger, Bon Aqua/Kedron/Nunnelly UMC, while indicating that food delivered from Westview UMC and Bethlehem UMC is being distributed, noted that the main effort after the first two weeks of emergency response has been in providing assistance to the Columbia VIM in making home repairs.
District Superintendent Willie Burchfield summed up the response of the Columbia District with the words, “This has been a serendipitous response to human need in time of crisis”
Middle Tennessee Churches Respond Quickly to Unprecedented Flooding
Flood waters reached many homes considered safe. An UMCOM photo.
Small, mild creeks were suddenly raging rivers. An UMCOM photo.
Debris in heavily flooded Bellevue.
Tom Halliburton, Debbie DePaul, Bishop Wills, Willie Burchfield, Bill DePaul, Jason Brock, Uta Colwell. Debbie, Bill, and Uta are members of Centerville UMC and members of the disaster relief team of the Red Cross. This is taken in the Family Life Center of the Fairfield Christ of Christ which the Red Cross set up immediately after the flood to feed the displaced and effected people. At the height of the demand they fed 3,200 people in one day. Debbie and Bill are the Co-Chairs of Evangelism at Centerville UMC and are the church’s representatives to Annual Conference. A Christy Smith photo.
Bishop Wills listens to Waverly church organist whose house was flooded. A Christy Smith photo.
Information tent in “The Nation.” Tiffany Israel, Neighborhood Resource Center, with two West Nashville UMC staffers, the Rev. Sherry Cothran Woolsey, and Angela Flannagan.
Volunteers from various denominations gather at Antioch United Methodist Church and wait for assignment from the Southeast Nashville Flood Relief Partnership.
Removing rugs is a crucial step in rehabilitating flooded homes.
The Rev. James Cole leads an interdenominational VIM team in SE Nashville
Damage to roadways and bridges was often severe.
Truck from the Sager-Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, backs into a loading area to have a load of Flood Buckets downloaded.
Unloading the Sager-Brown UMCOR truck at Midwest Transportation Services.
A good old fashioned human chain saved a great deal of time in loading and unloading vehicles.
It was easy to lose track of how many times the conference
emergency response trailer was loaded and unloaded.
A volunteer team from the Holston Conference faces the problem of having to reinstall farm fencing—nearly all of which had been knocked down by swirling waters and disintegrating bales of floating hay.
Everything must be removed from a flooded home, piece by piece
Raging waters in Carthage destroyed homes and businesses.
Outbuildings and automobiles floated down creeks and rivers to destinations far from their origins
It was not unusual to find flooded cards in creeks and parking lots.
Prisoners helped with cleanup—and were genuinely touched when someone stopped by to thank them.
Reflection on the impact of flooding on Hickman County
By Hap Hewgley, pastor Centerville United Methodist Church
Since Centerville United Methodist Church is a downtown church and has limited parking, we warehoused from trailers and small trucks and set up deliveries to the other points of distribution as well as to people who for many reasons couldn't come in.
Fairfield Church of Christ became the place where water and prepared food was given away. The Fairfield Baptist Church (with a new Family Life Center) became the distribution point for canned food and other supplies (such as many of our flood buckets). The City got the old Save-A-Lot space and we are using it as the main warehouse for receiving tractor trailer loads.
John Blackburn (Director of the Red Cross and Chair of the Long Term Disaster Team for Hickman County), explains the depth and scope of the disaster. Hickman County had 27 inches of rain and had 3 tornadoes touch down. The downtown area of Centerville wasn't structurally damaged but in all directions around it the damage was severe. The central part of the county (the largest geographical county in Tennessee includes the town of Centerville) was shut off from the outside world from Sunday at noon until Wednesday with no way in or out of the area. During that time, the radio station was off the air, there were no phone (cell or land lines), no power, and no water. So the word could not get out until Wednesday of even what was needed. 32 bridges were damaged or washed out completely. A Christy Smith photo.
This City facility is managed by Scott Powers, a member of Centerville UMC. Kenny Yates, Centerville UMC Missions Co-Chair, is managing the warehousing of incoming supplies at our church as well as helping with the unloading of supplies at all designated distribution places.. He also manages deliveries from our place out to families in the area. Together Powers and Yates have helped co-ordinate the unloading and distribution of food and supplies at our church and at the city's space.
We have had a tremendous response from the United Methodist church, as well as from agencies representing the Church of Christ and the Southern Baptist Convention. In a truly ecumenical effort our three churches, along with others in Centerville, have co-operated in an amazing and exhausting effort. Devin Pitchard, pastor of Fairfield Church of Christ, Mark Walton, pastor of Fairfield Baptist, myself, as well as others representing a variety of denominations gathered on the Square on Thursday, midst the massive relief effort, and held a celebration for the World Day of Prayer.
Truck from the Columbia District unloaded relief supplies at the Fairfield Baptist Church, Centerville, on May 11 United Methodist minister. Earl Davis is handing items to the Rev. Mark Walton, pastor of Fairfield Baptist. JamesSparks brought the truck; he'd been in Centerville earlier in the week with 200 flood buckets
We have also worked together at the recent dedication of the new wing of the St. Thomas/Hickman Co. Hospital, and at our annual Thanksgiving Service. Devin even attended our mid-night candle light service on Christmas Eve and gave our pastoral prayer.
Hickman County demonstrates the reason why so many people love to live in a small town. These people love and know one another. They are inter-dependent and work together to make this a wonderful place to live.
The needs are still here. We are still finding people who have been trapped and isolated. One family was still in the attic, trapped by water, for nine days when they were rescued recently. One of our members lost everything. We have offered the family the O'Connor House (youth and Quilter's) until they can make permanent arrangements.
Hickman County already was hit by the economy and had the highest unemployment rate in the state (next to our sister county-Perry).
We will continue the relief effort which will take an even longer time than other places due to the remoteness, the many damaged and impassable roads and bridges, and the lack of a strong economy and limited resources here.
1. Not one flood but two floods hit Middle Tennessee -- a reflection by Tom Nankervis after visiting four different flood areas
2. Plus some other stories from the flood
3. Joaquin Garcia retires as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy
4. The Ubuntu Climbing Competition raises funds for clean drinking water in Africa
5. Cooking School Fun at Pelham United Methodist Church
6. Columbia District Churches collect flood relief supplies for hard-hit Centerville area,
7. Middle Tennessee Churches Respond Quickly to Unprecedented Flooding,
8. Reflection on the impact of flooding on Hickman County,
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Not one flood but two floods hit Middle Tennessee -- a reflection by Tom Nankervis after visiting four different flood areas
Note: Though this remembrance is largely positive, there are still major areas needing volunteer response. These areas are largely in rural areas or smaller communities. You can keep up with needs by signing in to the Tennessee Conference Emergency Relief blogsite at http:tnumcrelief.blogspot.com/. Forty two counties in Tennessee have been acknowledged as Federal Disaster Areas by the President, and twenty-four of those counties are part of the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
“Everything from my life is gone . . . except for three pictures on the wall,’ the elderly woman stated as she glanced from her flood ravaged house to the pile of debris lining the street in front of her property. The feeling of being yanked from all physical connections to the past and thrown into a world where the past has washed away is all too common. Gone are the photos of her mother and father, her siblings, her friends in grade school, prom photos, graduation photos, certificates of academic accomplishment, marriage license, marriage photos, birth certificates for her children, photos of her children growing up, shots of her deceased husband of many years. The night table that has been in her family home for generations smashed beyond recognition. The antique clock from the 1850s—one that still chimed—torn apart. The list could go on and on and the stories were the same throughout Middle Tennessee.
For 36 hours everyone in the neighborhood felt secure despite dire predictions by television commentators. “We’ve lived here for years,” they responded to the predictions, “and have had some severe storms but there has never been flooding. Later came the realization that flood waters were moving up to the front of the house and that the depth of the water was continuing to rise.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” panicked residents shouted. Some waited too late and drowned before they could get out, or drowned when their automobile got swept away.” Some swam to safety grabbing tree limbs to hold themselves away from the flow of the water. Others were rescued by concerned neighbors, others by boat as they fought to stay safe at the highest point of their house. Some bewildered individuals even stayed chin-deep in the churning, polluted water as it came into the house. The question for many was, “If we leave, where do we go? Where do we stay?”
The critical thing about this disaster is the peril that persons felt, many of them children, in the place that was the source of safety, comfort, and hope; a fear that can’t be easily erased - fear in the loss of sanctuary, a dissolving of present day connections to the past. Not many survivors are showing outward panic, but there is a sense of dismay in their eyes, a sense that they have to keep doing something to fight the ravages of the storm, but despair in realizing that their usually sharp minds are not thinking clearly. The first flood was and is the cause of nightmares. There is a sense of funereal grief to go with the mental numbness.
United Methodist youth formed a human chain to load Flood Buckets, just delivered by an UMCOR truck, into conference vehicles for distribution throughout the conference.
All of this was due to the FIRST FLOOD – and the sense of hopelessness and despair would have been immense if it wasn’t for the SECOND FLOOD. Even while the First Flood was at its worse there was a flood of concern – police officers, local fire departments, emergency response units. Neighbors with boats and rafts offered assistance in getting individuals and families to safety. When the waters were no longer at flood stage . . . the second flood hit, a flood of hope, love, and concern which struck Nashville and mid-state communities with major magnitude. There were a few scam artists unfortunately, but throughout the affected counties major organizations from Hands on Nashville, to neighborhood groups, to denominations, to concerned individuals and groups from outside the flooded area, even from outside the state, responded. The amount of volunteer labor and the speed with which the volunteers responded even shocked the professional emergency responders. Within hours, not days or weeks, persons were working throughout the community—with strong guidance from the professionals. While flood waters in the major rivers were still rising, trailer loads of UMCOR flood cleanup buckets arrived from the North Georgia and Alabama Conferences. It wasn’t long before a 18-wheeler delivered a shipment of flood cleanup buckets from the Sager-Brown UMCOR depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, and another was delivered to the Memphis Conference.
Suddenly friends and many strangers were gathered around flood victims for support. The task of cleaning up flood damage began – carpets and carpet pads were remove and thrown out, polluted and soaked wall board was removed and taken outside as garbage; damaged furnishings, stoves, refrigerators, were removed and thrown out, items that could possibly be salvaged or were obviously of personal value to the home owner/renter were taken to safety. All of this was done in consultation with the flood victims. If FLOOD ONE was overwhelming, the show of love and support in FLOOD TWO had mammoth impact. It brought hope where none existed. Flood victims shared their stories, and their fears. Persons listened. They acted as “family,” “consultant,” “worker bees.”
Before long everything that could mold or mildew or was polluted by sewer soaked water was outside – in several neighborhoods the garbage looked like gigantic walls stretching on for blocks on each side of the road. But these walls were different—because they almost seemed like historic monuments. This wasn’t just junk—it was the story, the history, the memories of individuals, or families.
Countless individuals were touched by the group of persons that came to help when life had fallen apart. As they talked to the volunteers they discovered friends, persons they did not know who treated them with love and respect. Volunteer groups contained persons with various backgrounds—at one place there were workers from Church of Christ, Baptist, United Methodist backgrounds working together as well as individuals with no religious faith. There were old people, young people, African Americans working on the home of a white family, Caucasians’ working on the homes of African Americans and Hispanics. The flood will linger in memory but along with the flood will be the vision of the Heavenly Kingdom—all persons working together as one to help a “brother” or a “sister.”
That’s not all. Outside on the street were inmates helping to move the garbage into trucks. Other groups and individuals were delivering food and water to volunteer workers. At Midwest Transportation Services, a trucking company near the Radnor Railroad Yards, several groups of youth from outside Nashville, together with adult advisors, had formed a human chain to load flood buckets that came from UMCOR Sager-Brown into a Tennessee Conference trailer and a rental truck so they could be distributed throughout the conference. I can’t even begin to remember all the United Methodist Churches I came in contact with as I made my way from one flooded area to another. David Lay from St. John’s was with me for part of the journey. He is the Nashville District emergency response person. Persons from West Nashville UMC including Sherry Woolsey were helping recruit volunteers as well as collecting food.
The St. Mark’s Emergency Response truck was present along with a bunch of workers from St. Marks and from Murfreesboro. There were literally dozens of United Methodist Churches providing a substantial number of volunteers. In Carthage, Tennessee, Cookeville District Emergency Response person Russ Cain, was coordinating volunteer efforts for an Early Response Team from the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Dr. John Collette, Nashville District Superintendant, preached at Blakemore United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 9th. He focused on the United Methodist motto, “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,” in showing the response of United Methodist congregations to the flood. He noted especially the “Open Doors” part of the motto—as United Methodist congregations opened their doors to receive and harbor individuals and families that had been through the storm. Churches from Carthage UMC in the Cookeville District to Bellevue UMC provided ongoing hospitality, even sleeping accommodations for survivors. “Our doors will be open as long as it takes for people to get the help they need,” indicated Dr. Collette. “UMCOR and United Methodist responders are noted as being the last to leave an area that has suffered natural catastrophe and we will be here to help as long as it takes.
Some other stories
As I walked on down the street a German Shepherd barked at me. Being a veterinarian’s son I stopped to talk to the dog. I noted that the only really happy videos I had seen showed two Labrador retrievers – who probably thought they were in heaven with water nearly everywhere to dash through and jump into. The dog owner said “The dog’s name is Rebel.” She went on to explain that he was a genuine flood hero. An adult daughter who couldn’t swim had his leash wrapped around her arms and she held on as the dog swam bravely from heavily flooded house to the safety of dry land. The water had some current and it was over human heads – but nine-year-old Rebel brought his loved one to safety.
One creative homeowner spread damp pictures and important certificates throughout her automobile—using the heat coming through the windows as a dependable way to dry out (or bake out) moisture from items of personal importance including a picture of her mom, her wedding picture, and various diplomas and certificates.
Joaquin Garcia retires as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy
Joaquin Garcia served as Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy for the Tennessee Conference until his retirement on January 1, 2010. Due to pressing need, he continued to work after that date, but less than full time, as the Interim Director. Finally, on May 14th, Garcia was feted (and roasted) at a retirement party in his honor at Hillcrest United Methodist Church.
As Director of the Hispanic/Latino Academy Joaquin Garcia worked in a joint relationship between The Tennessee Conference Council on Connectional Ministries, and Martin Methodist College. Research has shown that there were more Hispanic children in middle Tennessee schools this past school year than at any time in history. The Academy was formed to provide experiences for Christian Formation and Church Leadership in response to the demographic change in our communal life. It does so by strengthening the faith formation of Hispanic pastors and leaders in the Tennessee Conference by equipping Hispanic pastors and laity to start new Hispanic faith communities and ministries while at the same time strengthening existing ones.
As the celebration ended participants gathered in solidarity and prayer around Joaquin
Under Garcia’s Directorship a Hispanic Incubator Covenant Group was initiated and continues to meet faithfully a full day every month. Pastors and lay leaders pray for one another, participate in prayer and bible study as well as leadership training. They also work together on the development of ministry action plans. Under the leadership of Uziel Hernandez, a junior at Martin Methodist College, an Incubator Covenant group was started on campus allowing Hispanic young adults to mature in their faith and take leadership roles in the community and in the church.
Hispanic/Latino Women have come together in several Spiritual Retreats, one hundred and eight persons were trained during this conference year to begin “Antorchas” (Small neighborhood cell groups), and twenty were trained at a special Boot Camp to start new Hispanic Faith Communities. New Hispanic United Methodist congregations have emerged in different settings around the conference.
We could go on and on listing Garcia’s contributions to the Tennessee Conference during his passionate ministry, but he has also distinguished himself in service to the national church before working for the conference. He served for a number of years with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and was an Associate General Secretary for that agency. He then displayed his love of Christian Education by becoming the Vice President for Student Affairs at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
The celebration of Joaquin Garcia and his ministry was often lighthearted with a number of comments about the number of times he had formally retired from his jobs.. Consensus was that he is far too passionate about ministry and reaching out to those outside the doors of the church to ever totally retire.
Toward the end of the ceremony Dr. Vin Walkup, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Foundation called Joaquin and his wife Barbara Phillips Garcia forward for a presentation. Joaquin and Barbara were presented the Nashville Area Order of St. Andrew Award for their great influence upon many lives, and for leading many into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Ubuntu Climbing Competition raises funds for clean drinking water in Africa
By Bradley Edwards
I am a rock-climber. While it’s not my profession, it is what I do more than anything else. This afternoon, I’m headed to Chattanooga to climb. Tomorrow, I’m headed to Atlanta to climb. Just a week ago, I was rock climbing in Boulder, Colorado, the epicenter of United States climbing. I plan free time around it. I plan vacation around it. I watch climbing DVDs at home, much to my wife’s chagrin. While I wouldn’t place my complete identity in it, it is a huge part of my life in my little corner of the world here in Middle Tennessee.
In the past year, however, my friends and I have been learning about other corners of the world. Not just places to climb, but what is happening outside my bubble of Coffee County. I’ve learned that one in six people don’t have access to clean drinking water. One in six. That means over a billion people on the planet. And it’s so hard for me to make the connection, but these 1 in 6 people live on the Earth that I do.
And over time, this started to mess with us.
The problem was that all we really knew was climbing, and it’s a relatively selfish pursuit. I climb for me. And sometimes I climb because my wife thinks it’s sexy. But mostly, it’s for me. And the reality is that my activities don’t produce a lot of good in the world. As far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, climbing doesn’t feed hungry people, it doesn’t give the thirsty something to drink. It doesn’t clothe the naked or take care of the sick.
What we needed was a way to take our love of rock climbing and our growing love of our international neighbors, and combine the two.
And it was a South African Bishop with a little African word that helped show us the way. Before ubuntu was ever a computer program, it was an African proverb that described the interconnectedness of humanity. Archbishop Desmond Tutu describes ubuntu as, "The very essence of being human. We say, "Hey, so-and-so has ubuntu." Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, "My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours." We belong in a bundle of life. We say, "A person is a person through other persons."
I heard the Archbishop say this and it described what we were all thinking and feeling. He had put words to what we’d been wrestling with. We knew that Jesus said everything hinged on loving God with all we’ve got and loving our neighbors as ourselves. We knew that Jesus went on to say that our neighbor is everyone. And we had this growing sense that Tutu was right…that our humanity was caught up, was, and is, inextricably bound up in other people’s humanity.
And so the Ubuntu Climbing Competition was born. And as soon as the idea was birthed, the youth at Manchester First United Methodist Church stepped up. They helped provide t-shirts, they came up with ideas, came and climbed to raise money for the wells being built. They were priceless in making this event happen.
So on April 24, 2010 there were tornado warnings, thunder-storm warnings, and flood warnings in the Middle Tennessee area (this was before the major flooding in Nashville the following weekend). Despite the weather we headed to The Crag at Cool Springs, where Newton Dominey, the owner and climbing buddy, donated his building, his time, and his staff to this unorthodox attempt at building fresh-water wells in sub-Saharan Africa. We climbed for hours. Instead of trying to win the competition, people were helping each other succeed. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were actually creating community and practicing ubuntu while we climbed. People were more concerned with others’ successes than their own. People were showing others the way.
And it was beautiful.
In the process of discovering each others’ humanity and the humanity of our African neighbors, all the while avoiding tornado warnings, we raised over $2000 for Blood:Water Mission, a local Nashville non-profit whose sole purpose is to help solve the water crisis for the 1 billion people without access to clean drinking water.
What’s most interesting is that I think in trying to make life better for other people, I think we began finding a better life for ourselves as well. There’s this reality that we’re connected. All of us, regardless of color, religion, socio-economic status or anything else, are “inextricably bound up” in one another. It’s almost as though God created us in this fashion…
Cooking School Fun at Pelham United Methodist Church
On Friday, the students were escorted from their school at 3:00 p.m. to Pelham United Methodist Church - just next-door. They assembled in the fellowship hall and enjoyed a demonstration on identifying, selecting, and preparing fresh fruits, such as, mango, kiwi, papaya, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, plums, pears, pineapple, strawberries, grapefruit, oranges, etc. Then, they were served a snack of cheese straws, fruit dip, a variety of fresh fruit chunks, and lemonade. The students had opportunity to sample many fruits which they had never tasted before and to learn new things about fruits.
Then, the students were instructed on proper table settings for various occasions, use of table cloths, placemats, napkins, fun ways to fold napkins, and table decorations. The students prepared favors, folded decorative napkins, and made floral arrangements for three tables, which would be used the next day (Saturday) to serve their luncheon.
The menu for lunch was chicken casserole, choice of tossed vegetable salad or fruit salad, rolls, lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies. The students assisted with preparation of all the foods, and learned about proper hygiene when preparing foods, how to read recipes, measure and mix ingredients, use of utensils, etc., and they were introduced to a variety of fresh vegetables. The students were instructed as they practiced serving guests at the tables, and everyone enjoyed a delicious meal.
In closing at 1:00 p.m., the Pelham United Methodist Women presented each student with a certificate for attending the cooking school, a gift of measurement cups & measuring spoons, a copy of recipes of the foods prepared at the school, small cookbooks, and other written data concerning topics discussed at the school.
That’s the kind of FUN we have in Pelham Valley, Pelham, Tennessee, and the students told us that we should do this again!
Columbia District Churches collect flood relief supplies for hard-hit Centerville area
In response to major flood damage in the Centerville area, Columbia District Superintendent Willie Burchfield called upon district churches to help with flood relief supplies. Centerville had been hit hard by the flooding, and to make matters worse the community and surrounding area was isolated by having all major routes into the area closed by flood waters and closed bridges. Even a week after the flood only two difficult routes into the area are open and passable. There were people living in tents and in their cars. Local churches started to prepare meals and give out food as well as other essential items but even the local store shelves soon became empty.
Hap Hewgley, Pastor of Centerville UMC, reported that the greatest need for the district food drive would be canned foods, foods that can be easily prepared and served, diapers (all ages, including adult), sports-type drinks for workers, plus cleaning supplies. Though some flood buckets had been received through the conference and district, Hewgley noted that more were desperately needed
Responding to the needs outlined by Hewgley, the Columbia District asked all churches to collect supplies and to drop them off at any of six collection sites on Sunday, May 9th, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Monday, May 10th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The following churches served as drop-off sites: Chapel Hill UMC, Columbia First UMC, Hillsboro UMC, Franklin First UMC, Linden First UMC, and Bon Aqua UMC. The supplies were delivered to Centerville on Tuesday, May 11.
Churches large and small within the District as well as from other districts have responded in various ways. Trinity UMC from Murfreesboro brought down their mobile kitchen and set up at Shipp's Bend UMC the first weekend following the flood. On Saturday they fed 200 people (about half was delivered out to people who had nothing to eat-- people were afraid to leave their places and their stock for fear of thieves.
The Bon Aqua UMC served as a Red Cross shelter as the flood was happening and for two days. About 20 people received temporary food and shelter there until the Red Cross moved its main operation to Fairfield Church Of Christ which was closer to Centerville and the major needs. Bon Aqua UMC has continued to provide food, water, hygiene kits, pet food, cleaning supplies, flood buckets, and some clothes where there is need. Two of its members have been working with the Red Cross effort at Fairfield Church of Christ, and other members have been traveling through the area identifying specific repair needs. These needs have been shared with Volunteer in Mission team members from First United Methodist Church in Columbia. In addition, the United Methodist Women donated $550.00 to purchase supplies needed for flood buckets and members of the church assembled 10 flood buckets and distributed them along with flood buckets sent from Dickson First UMC, the Conference, and Riverside UMC. Kedron UMC and Nunnelly UMC, on the circuit with BonAqua, have also been active supplying food and water.
Pastor Tom Barger, Bon Aqua/Kedron/Nunnelly UMC, while indicating that food delivered from Westview UMC and Bethlehem UMC is being distributed, noted that the main effort after the first two weeks of emergency response has been in providing assistance to the Columbia VIM in making home repairs.
District Superintendent Willie Burchfield summed up the response of the Columbia District with the words, “This has been a serendipitous response to human need in time of crisis”
Middle Tennessee Churches Respond Quickly to Unprecedented Flooding
Truck from the Sager-Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, backs into a loading area to have a load of Flood Buckets downloaded.
emergency response trailer was loaded and unloaded.
Reflection on the impact of flooding on Hickman County
By Hap Hewgley, pastor Centerville United Methodist Church
Since Centerville United Methodist Church is a downtown church and has limited parking, we warehoused from trailers and small trucks and set up deliveries to the other points of distribution as well as to people who for many reasons couldn't come in.
Fairfield Church of Christ became the place where water and prepared food was given away. The Fairfield Baptist Church (with a new Family Life Center) became the distribution point for canned food and other supplies (such as many of our flood buckets). The City got the old Save-A-Lot space and we are using it as the main warehouse for receiving tractor trailer loads.
This City facility is managed by Scott Powers, a member of Centerville UMC. Kenny Yates, Centerville UMC Missions Co-Chair, is managing the warehousing of incoming supplies at our church as well as helping with the unloading of supplies at all designated distribution places.. He also manages deliveries from our place out to families in the area. Together Powers and Yates have helped co-ordinate the unloading and distribution of food and supplies at our church and at the city's space.
We have had a tremendous response from the United Methodist church, as well as from agencies representing the Church of Christ and the Southern Baptist Convention. In a truly ecumenical effort our three churches, along with others in Centerville, have co-operated in an amazing and exhausting effort. Devin Pitchard, pastor of Fairfield Church of Christ, Mark Walton, pastor of Fairfield Baptist, myself, as well as others representing a variety of denominations gathered on the Square on Thursday, midst the massive relief effort, and held a celebration for the World Day of Prayer.
Truck from the Columbia District unloaded relief supplies at the Fairfield Baptist Church, Centerville, on May 11 United Methodist minister. Earl Davis is handing items to the Rev. Mark Walton, pastor of Fairfield Baptist. JamesSparks brought the truck; he'd been in Centerville earlier in the week with 200 flood bucketsWe have also worked together at the recent dedication of the new wing of the St. Thomas/Hickman Co. Hospital, and at our annual Thanksgiving Service. Devin even attended our mid-night candle light service on Christmas Eve and gave our pastoral prayer.
Hickman County demonstrates the reason why so many people love to live in a small town. These people love and know one another. They are inter-dependent and work together to make this a wonderful place to live.
The needs are still here. We are still finding people who have been trapped and isolated. One family was still in the attic, trapped by water, for nine days when they were rescued recently. One of our members lost everything. We have offered the family the O'Connor House (youth and Quilter's) until they can make permanent arrangements.
Hickman County already was hit by the economy and had the highest unemployment rate in the state (next to our sister county-Perry).
We will continue the relief effort which will take an even longer time than other places due to the remoteness, the many damaged and impassable roads and bridges, and the lack of a strong economy and limited resources here.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 2:30 PM
