TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW July 23, 2010
Articles in the July 23rd issue of THE REVIEW
1. Tennessee Conference Bishop’s Relief Appeal
2. Native Moccasins Rock, Nationally known Festival/Workshop/Retreat, August 13-15, 2010, Camp Lake Benson
3. Vacation Bible School in Florida unearths treasure for Tennessee Conference Church
4. Harvest Hands Camera Club gives children opportunity for self expression, and the ability to see world in a different way
5. Bonnaroo
6. July 2010: “Tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning” [Psalm 30:5]
7. Journal Dedication 2010 to lay person Glenn Abernathy
8. Journal Dedication 2010 to the Rev. Farris Farmer Moore
9. Tennessee Conference Advance Special, the Salvus Center
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Congregations urged to take special offering on Sunday, August 22
Tennessee Conference Bishop’s Relief Appeal
Wind and water have passed for now, but tens of thousands of survivors have just begun a long path to recovery in more than 29 counties across the Conference. Along this year’s lengthy journey, many will need our assistance in the form of spiritual/emotional support, building materials, volunteers, and more. On Sunday, August 22, or another Sunday of your choice, give in Christ’s name to serve your neighbor. Checks can be made payable to your local church, and designated: “2010 Spring Flood”
For additional information, contact:
Tennessee Conference Office Disaster Response
615-695-2765 or DisasterResponse@tnumc.com
Vacation Bible School in Florida unearths treasure for Tennessee Conference Church
Vacation Bible School, “High Seas Expedition,” First United Methodist Church, Orlando
The children of Orlando, Florida’s First United Methodist Church, were involved in an exciting Vacation Bible School using the theme “High Seas Expedition,” a theme that conjures up all kinds of dramatic imagery from underwater exploration to historic sailors searching the ocean blue for whatever lay across the uncrossed sea. It also brings to mind the imagery of pirates in search of treasure. And, as the man with a black patch over one eye would like to tell you, “Aye, matey, the motion picture and television industries have kept OUR pirate story alive for a very long time.”
The children signed up for Vacation Bible School, in fact, were each given “a treasure chest” with suggestions on how to collect money over the 5-days of VCS to be used in First UMC’s mission outreach. In this case ALL the money raised was to be used in reconstructing an historic but heavily flood damaged United Methodist Church in the Tennessee Conference. The parent newsletter summed it up: “Our mission project this year, in keeping with our water theme, is raising funds to help restore one of the oldest churches in Tennessee, Dodson Chapel UMC, which has been a victim of flooding. 100% of the money raised will go to repair their church.”
Treasure chests used to collect money to assist flood recovery by Tennessee’s Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church
Children were asked to fill their treasure chests with coins/dollars based on some simple explorations at home—all related to water:
• Day 1—the number of showers, tubs and toilets in your home.
• Day 2—the number of hoses and spigots outside your home.
• Day 3—the number of faucets in your home.
• Day 4—the number of sprinklers in your yard or garage.
When the treasure chests were returned on Friday the children of Orlando First United Methodist Church had raised $1500.00 for Dodson Chapel’s recovery.
*Orlando First United Methodist Church is located in downtown Orlando. In its 125 year history the congregation has seem numerous changes in its community – from being a smaller community in the center of Florida’s citrus belt in 1885 to 2010 when it is the 27th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and a major tourist destination.
Native Moccasins Rock, Nationally known Festival/Workshop/Retreat, August 13-15, 2010, Camp Lake Benson
Jaime Russell teaching Native flute techniques to the Rev. Fred Harper
Native Moccasins Rock 2010 will be held August 13, 14, 15 at Camp Lake Benson. This week end is a tremendous opportunity for the local church and the community at large to be a part of an event which is celebrating nine years of bringing Native American artists, performers, speakers and dancers together for a time of teaching their various skills. The workshops are interactive and are led by nationally known artists. The evening entertainment brings well known performers to the stage. Recording artist Jamie Russell, Emerson Begay and Grady Jones are know in our conference as well as across the southeast. Boe Harris has performed internationally and Freeman Owle will enthrall you with traditional stories of the Cherokee. Ragghi Rain will keep you spellbound with stories she has written. Her stories are from the heart and will touch you deeply. New this year is the workshop on making a flute. Also new this year is how to make a gourd rattle. Gourd rattles have more meaning than just hearing the sound. Even though it will be August, there will be a workshop on how to cook with clay vessels on a fire and a popular (and taste tempting) workshop will return, “ how to make authentic frybread.” A new session on youth leadership is on the schedule in the youth track. It is entitled “Walking the Spirit Path” (Generosity, Courage, Respect, Wisdom –values then and now). The workshop session “Time for Spirit” will be a comparison of Dreams, Visions, as Circles are found in native spirituality and the Bible.
Choctaw basket maker Ramsey King and Marilyn Huey, basket maker from Alabama
Join us for a week end of understanding through education. There will be a time of worship, a time of dance, a time of laughter and a time to learn from the rich culture of Native Americans.
Contact Mary T Newman via e mail: mtnewman@tnumc.org; phone, 615-695-2760/ 800-403-5795 You may download a brochure from the webpage http://nativeamerican.tnumc.com
Harvest Hands Camera Club gives children opportunity for self expression and also the ability to see world in a different way
Jesica photographs a favorite stuffed toy.
The young boy glanced out the window just in time to notice a big truck pass by—obviously a work truck with a lift, and other appendages that would allow workmen to operate safely at telephone pole heights. The configuration of the truck amazed him and he shouted to no one in particular, “I’ve got to get a picture of that truck.” Unfortunately, the truck was gone almost as soon as it was spotted. The episode shows what is happening in the lives of a group of youngsters called the “Camera Club” a summer program sponsored by Harvest Hands, an agency envisioned by the late Howard Olds and other leaders at Brentwood United Methodist Church. The goal was to make a true community of a large area close to Nashville’s State Fair grounds—the area was becoming “fractured” by older residents moving out, a blend of persons from various racial groups moving in, emergence of illegal drug sales, increase in crime, working parents, latch-key kids, scarcity of grocery stores within walking distance—things symbolic of rapid change in what had been an established community in South Nashville.
Ivana proudly shows a photo to interns Lindsey and Laura (holding the photo). The interns are devoting their summer to Harvest Hands and to the Camera Club kids as well. A second Camera Club member, Andrea, watches the response of the interns.
This spring two volunteers, Jackie Shields and Sharon Cox, envisioned using photography with young children as a means of self-expression—and the children that became involved are very young, mainly kindergarten through third grade. By raising funds through a “Making a Difference” program at Brentwood UMC it was possible to purchase a dozen small digital cameras with rechargeable batteries. And so on June 8th the group got underway—and the goal was NOT to make professional photographers by teaching the lexicon of photography. The goal was to allow the children to have a means of self expression . . . and the natural byproduct of working with a camera, you begin to see common ordinary things around you in new and exciting ways.
Andrea, one of the older children, helps Evelyn with her scrapbook. Evelyn is the youngest child in the Camera Club.
What? Not teaching about focal length, color balance, lens openings, shutter speed, the difference between wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Avid photographer Tom Nankervis had to visit class and see for himself what was going on. What he saw shocked him – in five weeks the kids could spot a good picture and capture the image – whether it was on a walk through the neighborhood or, on the Tuesday morning that Nankervis visited, to bring something that each child loved from their homes and make several photos of it during the weekly Camera Club meeting—which they did, bringing everything from stuffed toys to a formal photo of their family. On arriving each child is given her/his personal bag containing the camera they use, prints of all the photos they have made from the beginning, AND ingredients for a home-made scrap book which would allow them to choose, mount, and display favorite photos.
Decisions, decisions. Miranda selects the best shots for her album.
CHOOSING was a challenge because as the children thumbed through photos they were ALL good, displaying various scenes, people, places, objects in interesting ways. With the help of volunteers including intern AK (who will be serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer overseas starting in the fall), the children cut out color backgrounds, cut photos into various shapes, and mounted photos page by colorful page. The scrap books will be an ongoing project along with various types of photo shoots (including visiting a park with a naturally flowing creek). Ongoing, that is, until the 29th of July when the kids will have a gallery showing (two favorite photos for each child, blown up and mounted in professional style) at the Harvest Hands building, 434 Humphreys Street, Nashville, TN 37203 (the old Humphrey’s Street United Methodist Church). The individualized scrap books will also be available for viewing on the 29th.
Ruben (9th grade) and Victor create background designs for their albums.
Back to the story of the boy and the truck. These are kids that now see everything in a different way including the neighborhoods in which they live. They can now share personal feelings, creative insights, remarkable close-ups –through an art form, photography. There is no doubt that one young boy could see many photo possibilities in a passing truck, a truck that probably would have been ignored six weeks previously.
Sisters Andrea and Leslie include a flower in their shot of favorite toys.
One of the volunteers proudly displayed a close-up photo of two pieces of fruit hanging on a neighborhood tree. “Another boy, one of our older kids took this photo as our group went through the neighborhood. He was shooting photos from every conceivable angle short of standing on his head.” There was no doubt in the volunteers mind that the boy WOULD stand on his head if that was necessary to get a good perspective.
Victor, Brittany, and Andrea enjoy themselves while serving as models for a photographer friend.
Leslie focuses the camera on her favorite toy.
Brittany gallery photo, Photographer photographing photographer
Bonnaroo
By Bradley Edwards
Teri and Bradley Edwards at Bonnaroo
Bonnaroo. Depending on who you are, the word conjures up images of drug-induced hazes, free love and beer. So much beer. Legend has it there’s a river of it running through the farm if you’re willing to look for it. Or it makes you think of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Stevie Wonder, and workshops called Social Change Thru Music. Either way, you’d be right.
Opinions on the yearly Manchester, Tennessee, music festival vary from disgust to life-giving. Contempt to love. The devil’s playground to a new kind of Eden. And that diversity of opinion is just in the local church.
And it’s in the middle of those opinions and in the middle of Bonnaroo that I find myself. I’m a regular attendee of both the local church and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. But the more I attend both, the more they’ve started to look more similar than different.
My wife Teri and I went this year with some friends and spent the weekend listening to Kings of Leon, Tenacious D, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Norah Jones, and Stevie Wonder. I’m somewhat ashamed to say we skipped Jay-Z. It was while listening to Michael Franti that I began to notice something. All the artists would ask us, the audience, “How are you Bonna-roo?!?!” What an odd, unorthodox thing to say.
But it was afterward that I realized, these artists were talking about Bonnaroo as a group of people. For Norah, Kings, and Stevie, Bonnaroo wasn’t just where people came, it was people. It wasn’t just a farm in Manchester. It wasn’t simply a big event that had lots of programs, activities, and music. First and foremost, every single artist I heard referred to Bonnaroo as a group of people. Of course there were programs and there were activities, but it was people that seemed to be the focus.
And these people treated each other like they mattered. They threw the Frisbee with strangers, smoked with new friends, and danced as though they had grown up together all-the-while they just met. Some might think it a stretch, but they looked like a tight-knit community, not a bunch of strangers. And there’s something of truth and beauty in that.
If I’m allowed to say it, it’s the kind of truth and beauty we need more of in the church.
The truth is that while Kings of Leon perpetually asked us, the people that are Bonnaroo, how we were doing, the Church confuses the facilities for the Body. We’ve confused screens, projectors, and programs with a Wedding Feast. It’s in this that both the people and the event of Bonnaroo have reminded me what the Church really and truly is: A Body.
And we’re actually a Body that was created for community. While the people of Bonnaroo hula-hooped with strangers, we the Church have, at times, spent more time deciding if guitars or organs are more holy (and somehow forgetting that worship was never intended to be about our preferences at the same time). While the people of Bonnaroo popped open a cold one with friends, we the Church have, on more than one occasion, been more consumed by building projects than consumed by people.
The truth is that we need community in a real and tangible way. Jesus had it. The Trinity lives in it. Bees have hives. Wolves have packs. Dolphins have pods and fish have schools. It’s all around us. We the Church need each other in a challenging, beautiful, terrifying, and God-breathed kind of way.
So I continue to go to Bonnaroo. I continue to listen to Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews Band and Ben Harper. I continue to realize that God is not just located in a particular building a few hours a week on Sunday mornings. I continue to realize that God is bigger than most of us ever imagined. I continue to find God in the most unorthodox of places, and so I’ll continue to go to those places.
July 2010: “Tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning” [Psalm 30:5]
By the Rev. Gary Brock
Our neighborhood has changed since the flood. It has become very dark at night … too many houses flooded … gutted … uninhabitable … windowless … a For Sale sign already in one yard.
Our neighborhood and some of its people are in exile … with families … in apartments … safe … some gone at least for now … a few will not return … people left in limbo waiting for Metro to decide about building permits.
Our neighborhood has changed because of the flood … the initial rallying with help came when it was so needed … now folk have more or less retrenched back to their pre-flood behaviors … aloofly friendly … secure in their own homes.
The sounds of our neighborhood has changed … there is a frightening quietness … evening and night sounds dramatically loud … sometimes unnerving … an occasional car slowly drives by and you wonder if it belongs … there was some theft early on that brought increased police patrols … the growling of a coyote being chased through our yard by a neighbor’s dog … the cries of an animal in pain … the occasional screech owl … and then just the dark silence.
Our neighborhood has changed because of the flood … most of it will be re-built … perhaps a few new folk will move in … lights will be turned back on … the dark will again become friendly … comforting … familiar.
The healing already begun will happen … the scars will remain of course … they will no longer be the first thing seen … felt … talked about … “Do you remember when” will become the conversation starter, rather than, “Oh God! What are we going to do now?”
The brown high-water mark staining the trees will be washed away … leaves will become green again … nature cleansing itself … the joyful sounds of the birds making this more bearable.
Our neighborhood will slowly renew itself … with hope … in hope … because hope is God’s gift of being able to see beyond the present.
We will emerge a little wiser … a little sadder … there will always be a twinge of pain when reminded of what has been lost … can’t be replaced … doesn’t need to be … maybe … for a book is never just a book … a birth certificate is so much more than a legal document … a picture is never just a picture … so many things with meanings far beyond what they seem.
“Lord, this has been a rough time. There was simply no way to be prepared for the unexpected. Yet, you have stuck with us through it all. Our faith had long told us that you would – but it sure is different talking about it and then experiencing it. Thank you for surprising us. Thank you for your patience with us. We know that tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning. Give us the grace and hope to await each sunrise. Amen.
Journal Dedication 2010 to lay person Glenn Abernathy
The Abernathy family
The Rev. Skip Armistead remembers the day in May of 1980 when Glenn Abernathy told him, Glenn’s pastor at the time, that he was retiring at age 55 to answer a call by God to use his gifts and talents as a missionary both at home and abroad. His main gift was building or renovating church facilities. His first efforts were to do some simple renovations at our Beersheba Springs United Methodist Assembly grounds. Since then (all after 55 years of age), Glenn has been involved in eighty-eight mission efforts serving in whatever capacity he was needed-- designer, engineer, builder, or overseer of (all free of charge) these projects:
He has built parsonages, family life centers, churches, church additions, and made repairs to damaged church buildings and even one Wesley Foundation. Nor has this United Methodist layperson restricted the use of his gifts and talents to one denomination. Beside serving numerous United Methodist Churches, Glenn’s efforts were extended to Baptist, Catholic, Cumberland Presbyterian, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, and Lutheran congregations.
Internationally he has led Tennessee Conference Volunteer in Mission teams to the Island of Dominica (2 times), various locations in Panama (16 times). He has helped build churches, medical clinics, schools, water systems, dormitories, parsonages, community centers, conferences centers, in addition to providing major repair to church and school buildings. In one instance his team built a bridge over an often flooded river so children on the other side of the river could get to school during the flood season.
Under the guidance of the United Methodist Committee on Relief of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Glenn has helped to build fifty homes for those displaced by an invasion of Panama. Glenn’s ministry has extended to churches across America. He has led mission teams for the Board of Global Ministries from Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, California, New York, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
In addition to all of the above, which took a lot of time and effort, Glenn had led 3 mission trips to Appalachia with his home church, Salem UMC. He helped start and develop with Myranel Harker Brown, Saints Alive, a week-long mission camp similar to Mountain T.O.P.--sponsored by Salem UMC, Clarksville, for 17 years.
In response to the terrific damage done along the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, he has lead three Volunteer in Mission trips to the Gulf.
Through everything Glenn remains very active at his home church, Salem United Methodist Church. "I’m not even going to go into all of his other contributions to God’s kingdom,” notes Skip Armistead, “such as his serving on the Clarksville - Montgomery County School board when the board first began building its school buildings back in the 1960’s, as well as his work with the Civitan Club and all kinds of little league and softball teams.”
Glenn does not want any recognition for his work. In fact, Pastor Armistead, nominator for this award, says, “I’m convinced he’s probably a little embarrassed we are making this recognition. We had to literally ‘pull out’ the information through his family. But we thank God for what God has done, and continues to do, through Glenn, even during this year at age 85. I am confident that Jesus is already saying to Glenn Abernathy, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’”
Journal Dedication 2010 to the Rev. Farris Farmer Moore
By Rev. Charles F. “Skip” Armistead
Born in July 21, 1909, Farris Farmer Moore is our oldest living pastor of our Tennessee Conference. Growing up in Robertson County, Farris was licensed to preach in 1935, admitted as a probationary pastor in 1941, ordained Deacon in 1943 and became a full-time Elder in 1944. From his first local church appointment in 1935 to Crossville Mission (where rumor has it that he received a salary of $435 a year) to his final local church appointment in 1970, Farris served almost every type of congregation from rural to urban and suburban, small to large. He also served a variety of appointments including District Superintendent, Director of the Fiscal Office (Now called Director of Administrative Services), and finally, Director of Development for McKendree Village.
Farris Moore, Conferences Oldest Living Minister at 101
During his active ministry, Farris was one of our Tennessee Conference delegates to General Conference three times and to Jurisdictional Conference four times, was chair of many of our Tennessee Conference Boards, Councils and Committees, and mentored many a young pastor into effective ministries.
After forty-five years of active ministry, Farris retired in 1980. However, as long as his health permitted until very recent years, Farris continued being one of the most popular pastors, preaching in revivals and homecomings, and presiding over funerals and other special occasions. In fact, last year he preached to a packed congregation at Springfield First United Methodist at a special celebration of his seventy five years of ministry.
Those who know Farris the best say that he probably would have been a bishop except that both Thornton Fowler and he were such great leaders the support of our conference was split between the two. As a kind benevolent leader of our conference and follower of Jesus Christ, people in our conference knew that if Farris was supporting any ministry, any new initiative, any resolution or whatever, it was most likely going to succeed.
Farris reaches age 101 on July 21, 2010. His health is weakening, but the Holy Spirit is still very much alive and his mind is still very alert. God has been very productive spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Farris Moore.
One of Farris Moore’s favorite hymns is “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” He has said many times, “If I could go back, I would do the same thing again.” Thus, it is an honor for all of us to make this year’s clergy dedication for our Tennessee Annual Conference Journal to Rev. Farris Farmer Moore.
Tennessee Conference Advance Special, the Salvus Center
By Ted Hill, M.D., Medical Director, The Salvus Center
We have all been recently touched by the economic crisis. Not only those of us in the U.S., but persons all across the world. So has Salvus.
Underneath this economic crisis is a crisis of values. It has and should raise questions such as “What are the priorities of our society? What are the true measures of success? What is the condition of our moral and spiritual well being? And, what are the ultimate goals and purposes of our lives, including our economic lives?” This crisis has given us an opportunity for evaluation and transformation if we seek to take opportunity to seize it.
For many, the most important question seems to be “When will the crisis end?” Perhaps a different question might be just as or more important, “How will this crises change us? Or will it?” The fact is, we need an economic AND a moral recovery. We must set aside the maxims that overtook us: “that greed is good; that it’s all about me; that I want what I want and I want it now.” These values have wrecked our economies, cultures, families and perhaps most importantly, our souls. We must reclaim virtues like: “enough is enough” and “we’re in this together.” We must also ask the question, “How will this impact our future or the future of our children?” Our traditions and even religious teachings offer some correctives. Christianity says: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you; don’t worry about material possessions, God is aware and will supply your needs.” Judaism tells us: “to leave the edges of the fields for the poor to glean; welcome the needy to your table.” Islam proposes to prohibit unfair usury, the excessive interest one could charge on a loan. Change for the common good and correction of our distorted values can begin when we make different choices than have been made and will grow when we make these choices together. (Rephrased from an excerpt from Jim Wallis’ Rediscovering Values.)
An archetypal story gives reference to this. It is an old story from the beginning. The story of Cain and Abel. It is the story of two brothers. Both lived by higher standards by which they measured their behavior. They worshiped a higher being than themselves. They both brought offerings for their worship but for reasons that may escape us, one’s offering was accepted and the other rejected. The response and behavior of Cain was one of rage and he killed his brother. The Higher Power shows up and asks Cain, “Where is your brother?
The questions continues today, particularly in light of the crisis mentioned above. Rephrased another way, the question becomes: “What is our responsibility for each other?” I want to pose an answer to this using two scenarios. One with those persons closest to us and secondly, our “enemies.”
Those closest to us are our families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, grocery clerks, fast-food servers, bank clerks—anyone you come in contact with often. They and we are all part of the human family. These persons should come to mind first when posed with the question—are you willing to take some responsibility for those you spend some time with? Cain refused responsibility.
I can hear someone saying, “But we should take care of ourselves” and yes that is true, but God’s question implies in some regard that we are responsible for what happens to those around us. If someone you know is in need, shouldn’t you respond in some way? The people involved with Salvus have answered the question, “Yes.” And we have worked with over 100 consultants all across Middle Tennessee who have also answered the question, “Yes” as they and you have supported the work we do.
We had a patient who encountered a different answer. He presented a history of abdominal pain, weight loss, a change of bowel habits and passing blood in his stool - - all cardinal signs of colon cancer. He was told, come back when you have money or insurance and we will run some tests. He had neither money or insurance. Some months later, friends told him of Salvus and he came and had the needed tests, and unfortunately he did have metastatic colon cancer. But he did get surgery to avoid a complete bowel blockage and chemotherapy which did extend his life, though he might have lived longer had he been cared for at the original opportunity. The question of how to care for one another is difficult and must be answered individually. However, that we are all connected to each other and our actions or inactions affect others around us.
The question who is our brother or sister challenges our responsibility to our enemies. Like the story of Cain and Abel, we have some responsibility to see our enemies as brothers and sisters in the human race. Cain must have seen Abel as his enemy. There is a medieval legend that relates to this. There once were two warriors riding in full armor on the same path. Each thought they were completely alone. Their path crossed in the darkness of the woods and they startled each other. Their movements were interpreted by the other to suggest hostility and they began to fight to defend themselves against the perceived threat of the other. The fighting escalated until finally one knocked the other off his horse and with a mighty effort, thrust his lance through the heart of the fallen. The victor dismounted and struggled over to pull the mask off his adversary. To his horror, in the pale moonlight he recognized his brother.
Today do we see the uninsured as an enemy? Who are the uninsured? 20/5% are adults. 11% are children. They are 1/3 of all adults from ages 19-64. They are 2/3 of all low income earning adults. There are close to 50 million of them in the U.S. There may be 22,000 of them in Sumner County, Tennessee. Many are living on such marginal income that if they bought insurance they would not have enough money for the basic necessities of life like food, heat or rent. Yet 79% of these people work! More than 30,000 of them die each year unnecessarily because they get into the present health delivery system late or not at all for lack of money or insurance. When they enter, they are sicker and their medical outcomes are worse for the delay. The largest group of these are kids from 19-24. Many are without insurance because of layoffs or lost work. Some work for small employers who cannot afford health benefits for their employees. Some have been insured on the job and are unable to work. Some own their own small business and cannot afford health premiums. Some have been divorced and lost the coverage of their spouse. Some are going to school to try to advance their education and wage opportunities.
Salvus has had over 12,000 patient visits from these folks, these neighbors of yours in the past 4 years. They are your neighbors; your brothers and sisters.
Let me leave you with these questions as you reflect on this crisis. Who is the suffering brother or sister that you need to recognize? What is the crying need of our community? Where do you and I need to respond to the human need around us today? Where can you contribute to the common good? Part of the answer for me is, of course, the Salvus Center. Even if the new healthcare legislation survives its present form, the 32 million U.S. citizens to be covered will not get coverage for 4 more years. Please, do not forget us and them during the next 4 years; these are your brothers and sisters still in need of quality health care. Don’t forget them or us as we try to serve them. God bless you as you help those around you in our community and thanks for your support of the Salvus Center.
The Salvus Center is an Advanced Special of the Tennessee Annual Conference. The Salvus Center seeks to reach some of the estimated 22,000 uninsured Sumner Country residents as a “faith-based health center that seeks to reclaim the Biblical and historical commitment to care for those who are sick and in need so they might experience wholeness, wellness, and healing.”
1. Tennessee Conference Bishop’s Relief Appeal
2. Native Moccasins Rock, Nationally known Festival/Workshop/Retreat, August 13-15, 2010, Camp Lake Benson
3. Vacation Bible School in Florida unearths treasure for Tennessee Conference Church
4. Harvest Hands Camera Club gives children opportunity for self expression, and the ability to see world in a different way
5. Bonnaroo
6. July 2010: “Tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning” [Psalm 30:5]
7. Journal Dedication 2010 to lay person Glenn Abernathy
8. Journal Dedication 2010 to the Rev. Farris Farmer Moore
9. Tennessee Conference Advance Special, the Salvus Center
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Congregations urged to take special offering on Sunday, August 22
Tennessee Conference Bishop’s Relief Appeal
Wind and water have passed for now, but tens of thousands of survivors have just begun a long path to recovery in more than 29 counties across the Conference. Along this year’s lengthy journey, many will need our assistance in the form of spiritual/emotional support, building materials, volunteers, and more. On Sunday, August 22, or another Sunday of your choice, give in Christ’s name to serve your neighbor. Checks can be made payable to your local church, and designated: “2010 Spring Flood”
For additional information, contact:
Tennessee Conference Office Disaster Response
615-695-2765 or DisasterResponse@tnumc.com
Vacation Bible School in Florida unearths treasure for Tennessee Conference Church
The children of Orlando, Florida’s First United Methodist Church, were involved in an exciting Vacation Bible School using the theme “High Seas Expedition,” a theme that conjures up all kinds of dramatic imagery from underwater exploration to historic sailors searching the ocean blue for whatever lay across the uncrossed sea. It also brings to mind the imagery of pirates in search of treasure. And, as the man with a black patch over one eye would like to tell you, “Aye, matey, the motion picture and television industries have kept OUR pirate story alive for a very long time.”
The children signed up for Vacation Bible School, in fact, were each given “a treasure chest” with suggestions on how to collect money over the 5-days of VCS to be used in First UMC’s mission outreach. In this case ALL the money raised was to be used in reconstructing an historic but heavily flood damaged United Methodist Church in the Tennessee Conference. The parent newsletter summed it up: “Our mission project this year, in keeping with our water theme, is raising funds to help restore one of the oldest churches in Tennessee, Dodson Chapel UMC, which has been a victim of flooding. 100% of the money raised will go to repair their church.”
Treasure chests used to collect money to assist flood recovery by Tennessee’s Dodson Chapel United Methodist Church
Children were asked to fill their treasure chests with coins/dollars based on some simple explorations at home—all related to water:
• Day 1—the number of showers, tubs and toilets in your home.
• Day 2—the number of hoses and spigots outside your home.
• Day 3—the number of faucets in your home.
• Day 4—the number of sprinklers in your yard or garage.
When the treasure chests were returned on Friday the children of Orlando First United Methodist Church had raised $1500.00 for Dodson Chapel’s recovery.
*Orlando First United Methodist Church is located in downtown Orlando. In its 125 year history the congregation has seem numerous changes in its community – from being a smaller community in the center of Florida’s citrus belt in 1885 to 2010 when it is the 27th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and a major tourist destination.
Native Moccasins Rock, Nationally known Festival/Workshop/Retreat, August 13-15, 2010, Camp Lake Benson
Native Moccasins Rock 2010 will be held August 13, 14, 15 at Camp Lake Benson. This week end is a tremendous opportunity for the local church and the community at large to be a part of an event which is celebrating nine years of bringing Native American artists, performers, speakers and dancers together for a time of teaching their various skills. The workshops are interactive and are led by nationally known artists. The evening entertainment brings well known performers to the stage. Recording artist Jamie Russell, Emerson Begay and Grady Jones are know in our conference as well as across the southeast. Boe Harris has performed internationally and Freeman Owle will enthrall you with traditional stories of the Cherokee. Ragghi Rain will keep you spellbound with stories she has written. Her stories are from the heart and will touch you deeply. New this year is the workshop on making a flute. Also new this year is how to make a gourd rattle. Gourd rattles have more meaning than just hearing the sound. Even though it will be August, there will be a workshop on how to cook with clay vessels on a fire and a popular (and taste tempting) workshop will return, “ how to make authentic frybread.” A new session on youth leadership is on the schedule in the youth track. It is entitled “Walking the Spirit Path” (Generosity, Courage, Respect, Wisdom –values then and now). The workshop session “Time for Spirit” will be a comparison of Dreams, Visions, as Circles are found in native spirituality and the Bible.
Choctaw basket maker Ramsey King and Marilyn Huey, basket maker from Alabama
Join us for a week end of understanding through education. There will be a time of worship, a time of dance, a time of laughter and a time to learn from the rich culture of Native Americans.
Contact Mary T Newman via e mail: mtnewman@tnumc.org; phone, 615-695-2760/ 800-403-5795 You may download a brochure from the webpage http://nativeamerican.tnumc.com
Harvest Hands Camera Club gives children opportunity for self expression and also the ability to see world in a different way
The young boy glanced out the window just in time to notice a big truck pass by—obviously a work truck with a lift, and other appendages that would allow workmen to operate safely at telephone pole heights. The configuration of the truck amazed him and he shouted to no one in particular, “I’ve got to get a picture of that truck.” Unfortunately, the truck was gone almost as soon as it was spotted. The episode shows what is happening in the lives of a group of youngsters called the “Camera Club” a summer program sponsored by Harvest Hands, an agency envisioned by the late Howard Olds and other leaders at Brentwood United Methodist Church. The goal was to make a true community of a large area close to Nashville’s State Fair grounds—the area was becoming “fractured” by older residents moving out, a blend of persons from various racial groups moving in, emergence of illegal drug sales, increase in crime, working parents, latch-key kids, scarcity of grocery stores within walking distance—things symbolic of rapid change in what had been an established community in South Nashville.
This spring two volunteers, Jackie Shields and Sharon Cox, envisioned using photography with young children as a means of self-expression—and the children that became involved are very young, mainly kindergarten through third grade. By raising funds through a “Making a Difference” program at Brentwood UMC it was possible to purchase a dozen small digital cameras with rechargeable batteries. And so on June 8th the group got underway—and the goal was NOT to make professional photographers by teaching the lexicon of photography. The goal was to allow the children to have a means of self expression . . . and the natural byproduct of working with a camera, you begin to see common ordinary things around you in new and exciting ways.
What? Not teaching about focal length, color balance, lens openings, shutter speed, the difference between wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Avid photographer Tom Nankervis had to visit class and see for himself what was going on. What he saw shocked him – in five weeks the kids could spot a good picture and capture the image – whether it was on a walk through the neighborhood or, on the Tuesday morning that Nankervis visited, to bring something that each child loved from their homes and make several photos of it during the weekly Camera Club meeting—which they did, bringing everything from stuffed toys to a formal photo of their family. On arriving each child is given her/his personal bag containing the camera they use, prints of all the photos they have made from the beginning, AND ingredients for a home-made scrap book which would allow them to choose, mount, and display favorite photos.
CHOOSING was a challenge because as the children thumbed through photos they were ALL good, displaying various scenes, people, places, objects in interesting ways. With the help of volunteers including intern AK (who will be serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer overseas starting in the fall), the children cut out color backgrounds, cut photos into various shapes, and mounted photos page by colorful page. The scrap books will be an ongoing project along with various types of photo shoots (including visiting a park with a naturally flowing creek). Ongoing, that is, until the 29th of July when the kids will have a gallery showing (two favorite photos for each child, blown up and mounted in professional style) at the Harvest Hands building, 434 Humphreys Street, Nashville, TN 37203 (the old Humphrey’s Street United Methodist Church). The individualized scrap books will also be available for viewing on the 29th.
Back to the story of the boy and the truck. These are kids that now see everything in a different way including the neighborhoods in which they live. They can now share personal feelings, creative insights, remarkable close-ups –through an art form, photography. There is no doubt that one young boy could see many photo possibilities in a passing truck, a truck that probably would have been ignored six weeks previously.
One of the volunteers proudly displayed a close-up photo of two pieces of fruit hanging on a neighborhood tree. “Another boy, one of our older kids took this photo as our group went through the neighborhood. He was shooting photos from every conceivable angle short of standing on his head.” There was no doubt in the volunteers mind that the boy WOULD stand on his head if that was necessary to get a good perspective.
Victor, Brittany, and Andrea enjoy themselves while serving as models for a photographer friend.
Leslie focuses the camera on her favorite toy.
Brittany gallery photo, Photographer photographing photographer
Bonnaroo
By Bradley Edwards
Bonnaroo. Depending on who you are, the word conjures up images of drug-induced hazes, free love and beer. So much beer. Legend has it there’s a river of it running through the farm if you’re willing to look for it. Or it makes you think of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Stevie Wonder, and workshops called Social Change Thru Music. Either way, you’d be right.
Opinions on the yearly Manchester, Tennessee, music festival vary from disgust to life-giving. Contempt to love. The devil’s playground to a new kind of Eden. And that diversity of opinion is just in the local church.
And it’s in the middle of those opinions and in the middle of Bonnaroo that I find myself. I’m a regular attendee of both the local church and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. But the more I attend both, the more they’ve started to look more similar than different.
My wife Teri and I went this year with some friends and spent the weekend listening to Kings of Leon, Tenacious D, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Norah Jones, and Stevie Wonder. I’m somewhat ashamed to say we skipped Jay-Z. It was while listening to Michael Franti that I began to notice something. All the artists would ask us, the audience, “How are you Bonna-roo?!?!” What an odd, unorthodox thing to say.
But it was afterward that I realized, these artists were talking about Bonnaroo as a group of people. For Norah, Kings, and Stevie, Bonnaroo wasn’t just where people came, it was people. It wasn’t just a farm in Manchester. It wasn’t simply a big event that had lots of programs, activities, and music. First and foremost, every single artist I heard referred to Bonnaroo as a group of people. Of course there were programs and there were activities, but it was people that seemed to be the focus.
And these people treated each other like they mattered. They threw the Frisbee with strangers, smoked with new friends, and danced as though they had grown up together all-the-while they just met. Some might think it a stretch, but they looked like a tight-knit community, not a bunch of strangers. And there’s something of truth and beauty in that.
If I’m allowed to say it, it’s the kind of truth and beauty we need more of in the church.
The truth is that while Kings of Leon perpetually asked us, the people that are Bonnaroo, how we were doing, the Church confuses the facilities for the Body. We’ve confused screens, projectors, and programs with a Wedding Feast. It’s in this that both the people and the event of Bonnaroo have reminded me what the Church really and truly is: A Body.
And we’re actually a Body that was created for community. While the people of Bonnaroo hula-hooped with strangers, we the Church have, at times, spent more time deciding if guitars or organs are more holy (and somehow forgetting that worship was never intended to be about our preferences at the same time). While the people of Bonnaroo popped open a cold one with friends, we the Church have, on more than one occasion, been more consumed by building projects than consumed by people.
The truth is that we need community in a real and tangible way. Jesus had it. The Trinity lives in it. Bees have hives. Wolves have packs. Dolphins have pods and fish have schools. It’s all around us. We the Church need each other in a challenging, beautiful, terrifying, and God-breathed kind of way.
So I continue to go to Bonnaroo. I continue to listen to Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews Band and Ben Harper. I continue to realize that God is not just located in a particular building a few hours a week on Sunday mornings. I continue to realize that God is bigger than most of us ever imagined. I continue to find God in the most unorthodox of places, and so I’ll continue to go to those places.
July 2010: “Tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning” [Psalm 30:5]
By the Rev. Gary Brock
Our neighborhood has changed since the flood. It has become very dark at night … too many houses flooded … gutted … uninhabitable … windowless … a For Sale sign already in one yard.
Our neighborhood and some of its people are in exile … with families … in apartments … safe … some gone at least for now … a few will not return … people left in limbo waiting for Metro to decide about building permits.
Our neighborhood has changed because of the flood … the initial rallying with help came when it was so needed … now folk have more or less retrenched back to their pre-flood behaviors … aloofly friendly … secure in their own homes.
The sounds of our neighborhood has changed … there is a frightening quietness … evening and night sounds dramatically loud … sometimes unnerving … an occasional car slowly drives by and you wonder if it belongs … there was some theft early on that brought increased police patrols … the growling of a coyote being chased through our yard by a neighbor’s dog … the cries of an animal in pain … the occasional screech owl … and then just the dark silence.
Our neighborhood has changed because of the flood … most of it will be re-built … perhaps a few new folk will move in … lights will be turned back on … the dark will again become friendly … comforting … familiar.
The healing already begun will happen … the scars will remain of course … they will no longer be the first thing seen … felt … talked about … “Do you remember when” will become the conversation starter, rather than, “Oh God! What are we going to do now?”
The brown high-water mark staining the trees will be washed away … leaves will become green again … nature cleansing itself … the joyful sounds of the birds making this more bearable.
Our neighborhood will slowly renew itself … with hope … in hope … because hope is God’s gift of being able to see beyond the present.
We will emerge a little wiser … a little sadder … there will always be a twinge of pain when reminded of what has been lost … can’t be replaced … doesn’t need to be … maybe … for a book is never just a book … a birth certificate is so much more than a legal document … a picture is never just a picture … so many things with meanings far beyond what they seem.
“Lord, this has been a rough time. There was simply no way to be prepared for the unexpected. Yet, you have stuck with us through it all. Our faith had long told us that you would – but it sure is different talking about it and then experiencing it. Thank you for surprising us. Thank you for your patience with us. We know that tears may linger at nightfall, but joy comes in the morning. Give us the grace and hope to await each sunrise. Amen.
Journal Dedication 2010 to lay person Glenn Abernathy
The Rev. Skip Armistead remembers the day in May of 1980 when Glenn Abernathy told him, Glenn’s pastor at the time, that he was retiring at age 55 to answer a call by God to use his gifts and talents as a missionary both at home and abroad. His main gift was building or renovating church facilities. His first efforts were to do some simple renovations at our Beersheba Springs United Methodist Assembly grounds. Since then (all after 55 years of age), Glenn has been involved in eighty-eight mission efforts serving in whatever capacity he was needed-- designer, engineer, builder, or overseer of (all free of charge) these projects:
He has built parsonages, family life centers, churches, church additions, and made repairs to damaged church buildings and even one Wesley Foundation. Nor has this United Methodist layperson restricted the use of his gifts and talents to one denomination. Beside serving numerous United Methodist Churches, Glenn’s efforts were extended to Baptist, Catholic, Cumberland Presbyterian, Church of God, Church of the Nazarene, and Lutheran congregations.
Internationally he has led Tennessee Conference Volunteer in Mission teams to the Island of Dominica (2 times), various locations in Panama (16 times). He has helped build churches, medical clinics, schools, water systems, dormitories, parsonages, community centers, conferences centers, in addition to providing major repair to church and school buildings. In one instance his team built a bridge over an often flooded river so children on the other side of the river could get to school during the flood season.
Under the guidance of the United Methodist Committee on Relief of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Glenn has helped to build fifty homes for those displaced by an invasion of Panama. Glenn’s ministry has extended to churches across America. He has led mission teams for the Board of Global Ministries from Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, California, New York, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
In addition to all of the above, which took a lot of time and effort, Glenn had led 3 mission trips to Appalachia with his home church, Salem UMC. He helped start and develop with Myranel Harker Brown, Saints Alive, a week-long mission camp similar to Mountain T.O.P.--sponsored by Salem UMC, Clarksville, for 17 years.
In response to the terrific damage done along the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, he has lead three Volunteer in Mission trips to the Gulf.
Through everything Glenn remains very active at his home church, Salem United Methodist Church. "I’m not even going to go into all of his other contributions to God’s kingdom,” notes Skip Armistead, “such as his serving on the Clarksville - Montgomery County School board when the board first began building its school buildings back in the 1960’s, as well as his work with the Civitan Club and all kinds of little league and softball teams.”
Glenn does not want any recognition for his work. In fact, Pastor Armistead, nominator for this award, says, “I’m convinced he’s probably a little embarrassed we are making this recognition. We had to literally ‘pull out’ the information through his family. But we thank God for what God has done, and continues to do, through Glenn, even during this year at age 85. I am confident that Jesus is already saying to Glenn Abernathy, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’”
Journal Dedication 2010 to the Rev. Farris Farmer Moore
By Rev. Charles F. “Skip” Armistead
Born in July 21, 1909, Farris Farmer Moore is our oldest living pastor of our Tennessee Conference. Growing up in Robertson County, Farris was licensed to preach in 1935, admitted as a probationary pastor in 1941, ordained Deacon in 1943 and became a full-time Elder in 1944. From his first local church appointment in 1935 to Crossville Mission (where rumor has it that he received a salary of $435 a year) to his final local church appointment in 1970, Farris served almost every type of congregation from rural to urban and suburban, small to large. He also served a variety of appointments including District Superintendent, Director of the Fiscal Office (Now called Director of Administrative Services), and finally, Director of Development for McKendree Village.
During his active ministry, Farris was one of our Tennessee Conference delegates to General Conference three times and to Jurisdictional Conference four times, was chair of many of our Tennessee Conference Boards, Councils and Committees, and mentored many a young pastor into effective ministries.
After forty-five years of active ministry, Farris retired in 1980. However, as long as his health permitted until very recent years, Farris continued being one of the most popular pastors, preaching in revivals and homecomings, and presiding over funerals and other special occasions. In fact, last year he preached to a packed congregation at Springfield First United Methodist at a special celebration of his seventy five years of ministry.
Those who know Farris the best say that he probably would have been a bishop except that both Thornton Fowler and he were such great leaders the support of our conference was split between the two. As a kind benevolent leader of our conference and follower of Jesus Christ, people in our conference knew that if Farris was supporting any ministry, any new initiative, any resolution or whatever, it was most likely going to succeed.
Farris reaches age 101 on July 21, 2010. His health is weakening, but the Holy Spirit is still very much alive and his mind is still very alert. God has been very productive spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Farris Moore.
One of Farris Moore’s favorite hymns is “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” He has said many times, “If I could go back, I would do the same thing again.” Thus, it is an honor for all of us to make this year’s clergy dedication for our Tennessee Annual Conference Journal to Rev. Farris Farmer Moore.
Tennessee Conference Advance Special, the Salvus Center
By Ted Hill, M.D., Medical Director, The Salvus Center
We have all been recently touched by the economic crisis. Not only those of us in the U.S., but persons all across the world. So has Salvus.
Underneath this economic crisis is a crisis of values. It has and should raise questions such as “What are the priorities of our society? What are the true measures of success? What is the condition of our moral and spiritual well being? And, what are the ultimate goals and purposes of our lives, including our economic lives?” This crisis has given us an opportunity for evaluation and transformation if we seek to take opportunity to seize it.
For many, the most important question seems to be “When will the crisis end?” Perhaps a different question might be just as or more important, “How will this crises change us? Or will it?” The fact is, we need an economic AND a moral recovery. We must set aside the maxims that overtook us: “that greed is good; that it’s all about me; that I want what I want and I want it now.” These values have wrecked our economies, cultures, families and perhaps most importantly, our souls. We must reclaim virtues like: “enough is enough” and “we’re in this together.” We must also ask the question, “How will this impact our future or the future of our children?” Our traditions and even religious teachings offer some correctives. Christianity says: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you; don’t worry about material possessions, God is aware and will supply your needs.” Judaism tells us: “to leave the edges of the fields for the poor to glean; welcome the needy to your table.” Islam proposes to prohibit unfair usury, the excessive interest one could charge on a loan. Change for the common good and correction of our distorted values can begin when we make different choices than have been made and will grow when we make these choices together. (Rephrased from an excerpt from Jim Wallis’ Rediscovering Values.)
An archetypal story gives reference to this. It is an old story from the beginning. The story of Cain and Abel. It is the story of two brothers. Both lived by higher standards by which they measured their behavior. They worshiped a higher being than themselves. They both brought offerings for their worship but for reasons that may escape us, one’s offering was accepted and the other rejected. The response and behavior of Cain was one of rage and he killed his brother. The Higher Power shows up and asks Cain, “Where is your brother?
The questions continues today, particularly in light of the crisis mentioned above. Rephrased another way, the question becomes: “What is our responsibility for each other?” I want to pose an answer to this using two scenarios. One with those persons closest to us and secondly, our “enemies.”
Those closest to us are our families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, grocery clerks, fast-food servers, bank clerks—anyone you come in contact with often. They and we are all part of the human family. These persons should come to mind first when posed with the question—are you willing to take some responsibility for those you spend some time with? Cain refused responsibility.
I can hear someone saying, “But we should take care of ourselves” and yes that is true, but God’s question implies in some regard that we are responsible for what happens to those around us. If someone you know is in need, shouldn’t you respond in some way? The people involved with Salvus have answered the question, “Yes.” And we have worked with over 100 consultants all across Middle Tennessee who have also answered the question, “Yes” as they and you have supported the work we do.
We had a patient who encountered a different answer. He presented a history of abdominal pain, weight loss, a change of bowel habits and passing blood in his stool - - all cardinal signs of colon cancer. He was told, come back when you have money or insurance and we will run some tests. He had neither money or insurance. Some months later, friends told him of Salvus and he came and had the needed tests, and unfortunately he did have metastatic colon cancer. But he did get surgery to avoid a complete bowel blockage and chemotherapy which did extend his life, though he might have lived longer had he been cared for at the original opportunity. The question of how to care for one another is difficult and must be answered individually. However, that we are all connected to each other and our actions or inactions affect others around us.
The question who is our brother or sister challenges our responsibility to our enemies. Like the story of Cain and Abel, we have some responsibility to see our enemies as brothers and sisters in the human race. Cain must have seen Abel as his enemy. There is a medieval legend that relates to this. There once were two warriors riding in full armor on the same path. Each thought they were completely alone. Their path crossed in the darkness of the woods and they startled each other. Their movements were interpreted by the other to suggest hostility and they began to fight to defend themselves against the perceived threat of the other. The fighting escalated until finally one knocked the other off his horse and with a mighty effort, thrust his lance through the heart of the fallen. The victor dismounted and struggled over to pull the mask off his adversary. To his horror, in the pale moonlight he recognized his brother.
Today do we see the uninsured as an enemy? Who are the uninsured? 20/5% are adults. 11% are children. They are 1/3 of all adults from ages 19-64. They are 2/3 of all low income earning adults. There are close to 50 million of them in the U.S. There may be 22,000 of them in Sumner County, Tennessee. Many are living on such marginal income that if they bought insurance they would not have enough money for the basic necessities of life like food, heat or rent. Yet 79% of these people work! More than 30,000 of them die each year unnecessarily because they get into the present health delivery system late or not at all for lack of money or insurance. When they enter, they are sicker and their medical outcomes are worse for the delay. The largest group of these are kids from 19-24. Many are without insurance because of layoffs or lost work. Some work for small employers who cannot afford health benefits for their employees. Some have been insured on the job and are unable to work. Some own their own small business and cannot afford health premiums. Some have been divorced and lost the coverage of their spouse. Some are going to school to try to advance their education and wage opportunities.
Salvus has had over 12,000 patient visits from these folks, these neighbors of yours in the past 4 years. They are your neighbors; your brothers and sisters.
Let me leave you with these questions as you reflect on this crisis. Who is the suffering brother or sister that you need to recognize? What is the crying need of our community? Where do you and I need to respond to the human need around us today? Where can you contribute to the common good? Part of the answer for me is, of course, the Salvus Center. Even if the new healthcare legislation survives its present form, the 32 million U.S. citizens to be covered will not get coverage for 4 more years. Please, do not forget us and them during the next 4 years; these are your brothers and sisters still in need of quality health care. Don’t forget them or us as we try to serve them. God bless you as you help those around you in our community and thanks for your support of the Salvus Center.
The Salvus Center is an Advanced Special of the Tennessee Annual Conference. The Salvus Center seeks to reach some of the estimated 22,000 uninsured Sumner Country residents as a “faith-based health center that seeks to reclaim the Biblical and historical commitment to care for those who are sick and in need so they might experience wholeness, wellness, and healing.”
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 7:38 AM
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