Tennessee Conference Review

Electronic Version of The Tennessee Conference Review a publication of The Tennessee Conference - United Methodist Church

Thomas Nankervis, Editor

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW April 2, 2010

Articles in the April 2, 2010 issue of THE REVIEW
1. A love for the creator translates into a love for creation
2. Youth Ministry Workshop for Mustard Seed Churches provides impetus for the growth of smaller church youth programs
3. Hope Comes to Joelton
4. Clarksville District Superintendent promoted to Colonel in the Air National Guard
5. Committee on Native American Ministries provides yearly training in preparation for Native American Sunday
6. KIDS AND CHRIST: Let the children come by Bishop William H. Willimon
7. Jimmy L. Carr’s Lasting Legacy at Lake Junaluska
8. Lebanon First United Methodist Church provides new look at Native American Survival Mission Study
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Hope for Creation: A Live Simulcast Event, April 21, 2010
A love for the creator translates into a love for creation
by Ryan Bennett*

The Rev. Ryan Bennett

For the longest time, I laughed at “tree huggers” and labeled them left wing extremists. I did not see how the environment fit into following Jesus Christ. In fact, I saw them as opposing forces, working against each other. But that all changed when I met Matthew Sleeth. Matthew loves God. He is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, and he has a call on his life to help the church wake up to its responsibility to be good stewards of God’s creation. I grew to realize the Scriptures are clear on this mandate. From the creation story which tells humanity to rule over creation wisely to Psalm 24’s recognition that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it; all who live in it belong to God.” Jesus’ words that we are to love God with everything we have and love our neighbor as ourselves infers that care for creation is our responsibility. A love for the creator translates into a love for creation, and a love for both current and future neighbors shows a desire to protect our their food supply, air supply, and water supply.

Through Matthew Sleeth, I have learned to watch for trees mentioned in the Biblical narrative. It is not a coincidence that trees are mentioned over 500 times in the Bible, and usually when there is a tree, there is something important going on. The human story begins with the tree of life in the garden, and the story of redemption ends in the book of Revelation with two trees of life and an unpolluted river that runs between them. It is not a coincidence that Jesus died on a tree, or worked with wood as a carpenter. I have learned to embrace the term tree hugger and the connotations it brings.

It is about Jesus! It always has been and always will be. As we turn to look at what we can do as Christians to care for God’s creation, we are not turning away from Christ. We are in fact turning to look him square in the face. I have found that as I have brought this part of stewardship into clearer focus, God has opened doors to be able to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to far reaching areas that I never would have imagined. Just recently I was able to preach chapel service for our state legislature. This opportunity arose because of some work I have done there concerning a bill seeking to ban mountain top removal of coal in Tennessee, a destructive and irresponsible method of harvesting coal. The message was about the passion and joy of following Jesus and serving others. The door was opened because of a growing love for God’s creation.

On April 21st over one thousand churches and one million people will join together around the globe under the banner of a Biblical vision for care of the planet. Matthew Sleeth will be leading the event and will be premiering the newest video series by the people who created the NOOMA video series with Rob Bell. The event is on the eve of Earth Day because the church should be the ones leading the way concerning care for creation. It is not about politics. There are no agendas. Just a desire to come together and share in the hope and good news that we have for all that is God’s creation.

You can sign up to be a host site, get more information, and print off everything you need to promote this event by going to their website at www.blessedearth.org. To host the live event, all you need is broadband internet connection and a way to project the feed from the computer. Even if you do not have that capability, you can sign up to host an event in which you can receive and show two of the film series videos and then discuss their message. Will your church sign up to be a host site? We will also be publishing on listserv and the conference web site several anchor sites in each district where you can go and watch the event live.

Hope for creation is the hope of Jesus Christ, and the church is beginning to understand this.

*Ryan is pastor of Bethlehem UMC in Franklin and is a Blessed Earth board member. If you have questions about the event, you can contact him at 615.794.6721



Youth Ministry Workshop for Mustard Seed Churches provides impetus for the growth of smaller church youth programs

Workshop leader Brad Fiscus used interactive exercises to make important points about the advantages of being a Mustard Seed congregation

Bishop Will’s Life Journal meditation for October 29, 2009 focused on what he called “Mustard Seed Churches.” He dismissed negative comments about small membership churches, and instead showed the value and advantages of healthy small membership congregations. Rather than “small church” or “small membership church” or “circuit church” he felt a more honest descriptive phrase of such churches is “Mustard Seed Churches,” picking up the parable Jesus used in Mark 4:29 when describing the kingdom of God: “It’s like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”




A group of five persons led by host pastor Amy Rayson attempts to navigate a maze





A large group of ten persons attempts to navigate the same maze—they had a much more difficult and time-consuming adventure than a smaller group navigating the same maze.


Bishop Will’s meditation has set a course for the Tennessee Annual Conference—strengthening and enabling “Mustard Seed Churches.” Nowhere was this focus more apparent than on March 11th when Annual Conference Director of Young People’s Ministry, Brad Fiscus, led the workshop “Youth Ministry in Mustard Seed churches” at Palmyra United Methodist Church in the Clarksville District. Representatives from several small churches gathered to explore how their congregations could become “Mustard Seed Churches” that focus on growing a youth ministry when there a few children and youth in the congregation.

Through the workshop Fiscus helped the participants to explore the characteristics of a small church – recognizing both the assets and the obstacles associated with being small. This naturally led to the question, “What are some characteristics of churches who THINK of themselves as small?” The summary statement from the discussion was, “It’s not the size of the church in ministry, it’s the size of the passion for ministry in the church.” As the group segued into discussion of youth ministry there was a feeling that there could be a richer, more satisfying youth ministry in smaller sized congregations than in some of the large congregations. Intermingled with discussion and informative video segments were several interactive exercises that proved the value of rethinking our stereotypes about small churches.

In another interactive moment, a group with eyes shut moves about the room and in their “blindness” prove that people need each other.

Fiscus urged participants to work with their congregations in setting goals. To illustrate the important of goal setting he noted a small regional airline that set goals and followed them even in the face of immense competition from industry giants. Southwest Airlines is no longer a small regional carrier—they have grown considerably with the goal/mantra, “Our planes don’t make money sitting on the ground, we have to get them into the air.” The employees know the goal, and know their airline is different. Within the company, high performance relationships are fostered – one person’s role is not more important than others, company exec or baggage handler. From this comes mutual respect, shared knowledge, and trust among team members.

Group reflection generated good ideas about Mustard Seed youth ministry

Toward the conclusion of the workshop Fiscus prompted participants to think about how congregations relate to youth culture. There are four “E” words that should guide this relationship. “How,” he asked, “does your church Engage, Encourage, Empower, and Equip the young people in the community?” He also stressed the need for congregations within our “connectional” United Methodist system to explore how they could work cooperatively with other congregations.

After the event was over, Beverly Dycus, pastor of the Tennessee Ridge Charge, commented on the value of the workshop: “The Youth Ministry in the Mustard Seed Church training was excellent! I especially enjoyed the interactive components of the training that kept it informative and inspirational. It was evident the event was planned with much prayer in how to effectively reach youth for Jesus Christ. In addition to receiving valuable resources, I left the training energized and equipped with fresh ideas for ministry.” I highly recommend that other “Mustard Seed Churches” work together to sponsor this event in their area for all leaders within Mustard Seed congregations.

Do you want to explore a “Youth Ministry in Mustard Seed Churches” workshop with a cluster of churches in your area? Contact Brad Fiscus, Director of Young People’s Ministry, Tennessee Annual Conference, 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Suite One, Nashville, TN 37211, email bfiscus@tnumc.org, phone 615-329-1177.



Hope Comes to Joelton

Six smaller United Methodist Churches in Whites Creek, Joelton and Pleasant View have banded together to make a greater impact in helping the poor in their area of Northern Davidson County than any of them could have done alone. The Joelton Hope Center opened on February 3 with a time of prayer and blessing. Initially the Hope Center will be a community food pantry supported by a thrift store. At the beginning all the staff are volunteers from the churches. As support for the ministry grows other services will be added, like help with prescriptions, utilities, transportation, housing, and education.

An inviting front entrance offers hope. Sales from the thrift store will help support the work of the Hope Center.

Rev. Frank Billman, part-time pastor at Forest Grove UMC and Vice President of the Board of Directors, says “It has been a process of at least 4 years planning to bring this ministry about. And there have been numerous pastoral changes over those years among these churches. We have never had this level of cooperation among these churches before. It’s a God thing!”

The first contribution toward the center came in the form of a “Helping Hands Seed” Grant from the Tennessee Conference Cooperative Ministries. A second grant was received from the Conference Committee on Mercy and Mission. People from the community and the churches have contributed goods and services to renovate the building (a former Bar-b-Que restaurant) and turn it into the Hope Center. Some of the churches have now put the center in their budget for 2010 and Advance Special status will be applied for. The Hope Center is already registered as a Tennessee non-profit corporation and has 501c3 status from the federal government. The Tennessee Department of State has issued a solicitation permit. It will become a Community Food Partner of the Second Harvest Food Bank.


The Blessing time to dedicate the Hope Center, left to right are Dr. Diana Dewitt of Greenville MC, Rev. Caroline Hewett of Beech Grove UMC, Rev. Jeremy Squires of Pleasant View UMC, Dr. Frank Billman of Forest Grove UMC and Martha Neeley who attends Forest Grove UMC


The churches that have formed this ministry are: Greenville, Forest Grove, and Oakwood in Joelton, Beech Grove and Denton’s Chapel in Whites Creek, and Pleasant View in Pleasant View. They are now reaching out ecumenically to involve other churches in the community. St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Joelton has already come on board. A representative from the Civitan Club is being recruited.

Rev. Caroline Farmer Hewett , pastor of Beech Grove, is loaning her expertise gained as director of the Trousdale County Help Center to get this new Hope center up and running. Caroline is on the Board as Director of Development and is serving as the interim director of the center until a permanent director is recruited. Allen Graham, of Greenville UMC is president of the Board. Each church has at least one representative on the Board.

The Center is located at 7158 Whites Creek Pike, in Joelton across from the Joelton Middle School. It is hoped that the ministry will grow so much in a year that a new location will have to be found. The Hope Center is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10-5.



Clarksville District Superintendent promoted to Colonel in the Air National Guard

On Friday, March 5, Dr. Ron Lowery, the district superintendent of the Clarksville District, became a Colonel in the Air National Guard. His new duties include service for the Air National Guard at the Tennessee Joint Forces Headquarters in Nashville, USAFE Headquarters in Ramstein, Germany and EUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. His assignment includes pastoral care ministry in the Tennessee Air National Guard, coordination of care for the hospitalized military personnel and their families and assisting in chaplain ministry development with the State Partnership Programs between American states and European nations.

With his hand on his childhood Bible and his wife, Connie, at his side, Chaplain, Colonel Ron Lowery takes the oath of office, as Col Gus Schettler, Tennessee Joint Forces Headquarters, presides.

The special “pinning on” service was narrated by Col. Gus Schettler at the Air National Guard Headquarters in Nashville. Major General (Air Guard) Russ Cotney and Connie Lowery, Ron’s wife, Myra Harris and Betty Lowery, installed Ron’s eagles. Bishop Dick Wills and the Cabinet attended the event and Bishop Wills prayed the invocation. Tom Halliburton offered the benediction. Among those attending the ceremony was COL (retired) Melvin Nelson, Ron’s first commander in the Army National Guard, and a member at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The occasion was followed by a reception in the headquarters building.

Ron left on Sunday, March 7, for a ten day tour of duty in Germany to provide ministry to our infirmed and wounded warriors. During the next three years, he will be engaged in these duties to ensure that the needs of our soldiers, sailors and airmen are being meet. As a district superintendent, he is working with a team to develop a ministry to the military community in the Clarksville area. This effort, known as “The Ft. Campbell Connection” will be a way to provide meaningful ministry to the military community.



Committee on Native American Ministries provides yearly training in preparation for Native American Sunday

Cookeville District Representative Pat Bryan points out special items in the display

Each year the Tennessee Conference Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) sponsors an event to train local church Native American representatives and church lay leaders. This event is designed to prepare persons for the celebration of Native American Sunday (To be held officially April 18, 2010) and the special ministries supported by the offering taken on that day. This Special Sunday offering educates Native American seminarians and cultivates Native American outreach in educational endeavors.

Group speaking with Native American Ministry committee chairperson Wes Bryan at the resource table.

CONAM, however, takes “Native American Resource Day” a giant step beyond just supporting an important offering—persons attending the “Resource Day” learn a great deal about all aspects of Native American culture and tradition. The event, held at Blackman United Methodist Church on March 14, 2010, was a good example with rich displays, an exceptional collection of printed resources including books, and the piece de resistance – the serving of Native American Foods including freshly prepared fry bread.

Clarksville District Representative Debbie Fitzhugh with Pat and Rev. Al Geeting.

CONAM also sponsors the nationally acclaimed retreat/festival Native Moccasins Rock which features interactive workshops, music, dance, worship and plenty of fellowship as participants have a chance to learn from noted Native American artists, speakers, story tellers, and performers. This year’s Native Moccasins Rock will be held August 13, 14, and 15th at Camp Lake Benson, Bon Aqua, Tennessee. This is one festival that persons can genuinely enjoy as a family since there will be major interactive workshop experiences for children and youth as well as adults.

Juanita Gardinski readies fry bread for the skillet




Lining up for a traditional Native American meal prepared by Juanita and husband Joe Gardinski.

Because the date for Native American Sunday is not always a good one for some local churches, THIS is a Special Sunday that can be moved to a time that is more convenient for any given congregation. Whenever Native American Sunday is held there are special resources available to help interpret the special offering, including free offering envelopes. Call (888) 346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your congregation can participate in this church-wide offering. They will be sent at no cost to your church!

The Conference Committee has garnered a large amount of resources through the years and will be glad to work with local churches. They have books, displays, audio-video materials and can also provide speakers or teachers. Some of the Committee members are also Lay Speakers.



KIDS AND CHRIST: Let the children come
By Bishop William H. Willimon*
Special Contributor

Bishop William H. Willimon

One day Jesus was teaching. Everyone gathered round was attempting to pay attention (Mark 10:13-16). Nearby, a couple of children scuffled in the dust.

“Can’t something be done about these children?” said one of the disciples. “Send them away. We can’t pay attention to you with the distraction of these children. Don’t we have a nursery for people like them?”

Do you remember what Jesus said? “Let the little children come to me.” And embracing them in his arms, Jesus blessed the children saying, “The Kingdom of God belongs to children. Grownups have difficulty getting into a kingdom with such a small door.”

Children, whom we tend to regard as distractions, were put by Jesus at the center of his realm. Biblical interpreters agree that in a day and a culture when children were considered less than full human beings, Jesus performed a radical, countercultural act when he put children at the center, making them the enactment of his Good News.

What Jesus said about children is similar to what Jesus said about the poor, the marginalized and “the least of these.”

Before I rose to preach last Sunday, the host pastor said, “And now the children are dismissed to go to children’s church.” The implication is that my sermon was for adults only. Was Jesus in error when he said that children have no problem entering the Kingdom of God?

The average age of my church is about 58 years old. The proportion of United Methodists who are under age 12 is in serious decline. Children’s Christian education, judging from the sales of literature, is virtually extinct. We are therefore in violation of Jesus’ clear command: “Let the little children come to me.”

And yet—according to my read of Jesus and the children—one of the distinguishing marks of the church is the active presence of children.

One of my district superintendents recently invited me to preach at Trinity UMC, in the northern part of our conference, to see the transformation that is occurring there.

I had trouble finding a parking place in the streets around this once moribund church. They had quite a crowd gathering for worship. I was amazed. But the most amazing sight was yet to come: The first four pews were packed with children and youth.

“That’s a rare sight,” I commented to the pastor. “You have so many children!”

“Only four of those kids are related to anybody in the congregation,” the pastor told me.

“What? Whose children are they?” I asked.

“They belong to Jesus,” said the pastor as he busied himself with pre-service preparations. “He’s loaning them to us to help turn this thing around.”

The surrounding community lacks the social services to care for children in need, the pastor explained, so he had “cut a deal with the police in this county.”

“When they go in to bust up a meth lab,” he said, “there are usually children present in that horrible place. They can call us day or night, and in 30 minutes we will have trained people to rescue the children and provide them a safe place to stay until the courts can sort things out.

“We’ve got a family court judge who works with us, too. We’ve got six families that are certified foster care parents. Two of these kids were threatened by their parents, who told them that if they didn’t behave they couldn’t come to Sunday school! Our Sunday school is that good!

“Half of our kids are only allowed by the court to live at home with their parents if our church certifies that we are working with the parents properly to care for them.”

There were tears in my eyes.

“Those children have given us more than we’ve given them,” the pastor said. “Like Jesus said, ‘When you receive one such child in my name, you receive me.’”

Our culture is not very child-friendly. Only a tiny proportion of North American children have been introduced or instructed in the Christian faith.

Yet God has blessed many of our congregations with older people who have the talents and the time to lead ministries with children. Any United Methodist church that is bereft of children, that has no program for reaching children and allowing children to reach us, has yet to meet the theological criteria for church.

I can show you churches that grew tired of competing with Sunday morning youth soccer league games. Instead they formed their own soccer league to play at times other than Sunday morning.

I’ve visited churches with after-school programs for latchkey kids.

In one of my congregations, older adults offer a “Parents’ Night Out” on Fridays where parents can bring children for an evening of stories, games and food. The size of their children’s ministry doubled in one year, confirming our conference children’s coordinator’s dictum: “The easiest way to grow a church is with children.”

I appointed a former elementary school teacher to be pastor of a small, declining church with a median age of 60 (a typical United Methodist church, that is). On her first Sunday, she announced, “I am here to see if God can give this church a future,” and told them that the only way for that to happen is to be hospitable to children as a way of embracing the “least of these.”

Unused Sunday school rooms were a disgrace, so she had a team of painters refurbish them. The next Sunday, she gave an altar call and asked people to come forward who were gifted for children’s ministry.

Three older women came and knelt at the altar. The pastor consecrated them to lead the congregation into a new century and promised to equip them. By the next Sunday, she said, each of these teachers would prepare a great lesson and be ready for God’s children.

If no children showed up, the teacher would sit in the newly painted Sunday school room and spend the hour praying that God would bring children who could lead the congregation to Jesus. Then she charged each person in the congregation to bring at least one child with them to worship next Sunday.

A year later, that church is being reborn, confirming the truth of the biblical promise, “A little child shall lead them.”

*United Methodist Bishop Willimon leads the Birmingham Area.

Join the conversation: A “Kids and Christ” Facebook page has been set up by the United Methodist Publishing House.



Jimmy L. Carr’s Lasting Legacy at Lake Junaluska

The Rev. Dr. Jimmy L. Carr


LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Since June 2000, Rev. Dr. Jimmy L. Carr has faithfully served as the Executive Director of Lake Junaluska. With a lasting legacy established because of his strong leadership, Carr recently announced his retirement, effective at the conclusion of 2010.

“I will soon be in the eleventh year as Executive Director here at Lake Junaluska, and I feel that I have given the leadership I needed to give,” Carr said. “These years have been challenging and rewarding. Joy, my wife, and I have enjoyed our opportunities for ministry at this very special place. We both feel now is the time to begin to enjoy a new chapter in our lives.”

During his time as Executive Director, Carr has successfully spearheaded several major campaigns, including a fundraising campaign that collected $11 million dollars for improvements at Lake Junaluska, the establishment of a workplace discipleship program, and renovations of several lodging and meeting facilities around campus. As a result of Carr’s leadership, the Lake Junaluska staff has striven to provide a quality experience to all who visit Lake Junaluska.

Upon retirement, Jimmy and Joy Carr will divide their retirement between Lake Junaluska and Brandon, Mississippi. Carr and his wife plan to enjoy spending more time with their children and grandchildren upon retirement.

“I believe that the best days for Lake Junaluska are ahead. We have dealt with many transitional issues and have implemented many good ministry and business practices that will carry us into the future,” said Carr.

Bishop Larry Goodpaster, the President of the Lake Junaluska Board, and the Executive Committee are in the process of searching for the right person to fill the position.

“We will move forward,” said Bishop Goodpaster. “Transitions are never easy, but being at a strong place like we are now will make it easier. We have assembled a great group of people at Lake Junaluska. Over the next few weeks we will name a search committee. My challenge to them will be to bring us a name for the new Executive Director at the October Board Meeting. Furthermore, we hope that by January 2011, we will have a new Executive Director in place.”

Rev. Carr is an ordained Deacon in The United Methodist Church. A native of Forest, MS, he was educated at Forest schools, the university of Southern Mississippi and Scarritt College, Nashville, TN, where he was awarded the Masters of Arts degree in Christian Education. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Rust College since 1995 and chairs the Student Affairs Committee. He also serves as a member of the Executive Committee.

Prior to his appointment to the Southeastern Jurisdiction position, Carr served as associate general secretary, section of Deacon and Diaconal Ministries with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. He was instrumental in the development of the Order of Deacon having participated in the study of ministry for two quadrennia on behalf of the general church prior to serving in that appointment. From 1986-1988, Rev. Carr also served on the committee that began the process for establishing Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe.

In 2003, Rev. Carr was awarded a Doctor of Humanities from Rust College in Holly Springs, MS, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1995 – 2003 and Chaired the Student Affairs Committee. Rust College is one of the 13 historic African-American United Methodist colleges within the United States.

Rev. Carr served appointments in Pascagoula, Meridian and Jackson as a member of the Mississippi Conference. His commitment to The Church has led him to serve in many conference and district positions throughout his career. In addition he has been active in the life of the communities in which he lived. He served as a governor appointee on the board of Supervisors of Rankin County, MS, and as chair of the Rankin County Democratic Executive Committee.

“It has been a real joy being at Lake Junaluska. I especially appreciate the support of my co-workers, The United Methodist Church, and the local community,” said Carr.

Throughout 2010, Lake Junaluska will be celebrating the accomplishments and retirement of Rev. Jimmy L. Carr. For more information about Rev. Carr’s retirement, please visit http://www.lakejunaluska.com/jimmy-carr.


Lebanon First United Methodist Church provides new look at Native American Survival Mission Study
By Margaret Partee

Lebanon First United Methodist Church sponsored a workshop in February related to a 2008-2009 United Methodist Women Mission Study entitled “Native American Survival.” The event was wonderful. It was sponsored by the UMW but that fact was not advertised. We just asked for interested persons to sign up. As teacher, I only wanted between 20 and 30 participants because I wanted to sit in a circle to encourage participation. The event attracted three men and twenty two women, over half of whom were NOT in the UMW. That pleased me. Of the twenty five, nine participants have Native American heritage. It was held on a Saturday from 9:30 until 2:00.

We met for potlatch (like our potluck) where we shared with one another. I had a focus table with items to discuss - a cornucopia filled with the three sisters (corn, beans, squash—always planted together in Native American tradition), a basket of strawberries, a pitcher of water, and other items. I told about the companion planting and the Cherokee strawberry legend, etc. Others were wonderful in sharing. They were so receptive to the class it made it easy. I had the CD playing in the background during Potlatch and I told some about the music especially it providing a way to preserve the language. We watched the DVD provided with the study after I had given a review of parts of the textbook then discussed it. I used the Iroquois litany and several native prayers that I gleaned from different sources.

We had lunch that consisted of the three sisters in a succotash, turkey, blueberry corn muffins and pumpkin cranberry cake (all available to Natives!) After lunch two women told stories of Native women like those to be found in the back of the text. One story depicted a mother trying to get medical care for her child. It was told by a church member who had actually lived in the far reaches of Alaska and gave birth to two children there. She was quite familiar with the medical issues!!! The other related to the Indian schools where the kids were sent.

Then several women summarized articles from a 2008 issue of Response Magazine that focused on the Native Americans, the Methodist Church, and UMW involvement in Native American ministry. It all really worked out well. Our local church United Methodist Women’s Unit may pick up on one of the ways Response suggested to help Native Americans in addition to providing the school supplies we collected for Native Schools. Collecting and sending coats or the baby supplies to Nome is a real possibility.

I was quite pleased with the way the workshop turned out and have had a number of positive comments on it.

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW March 19, 2010

Articles in the March 19, 2010 issue of THE REVIEW


1. Change Your World by Loving Your Neighbor
2. Partnersteps for Sharing Ministry: A Skillshop for Small Church Leaders,
3. J. Ellsworth Kalas to preach at Carthage United Methodist Church Revival, April 9, 10, and 11, 2010
4. 2010 Annual Conference Offering to aid Central Conference Pension
5. Stories show why the Central Conference Pension initiative is essential
6. Building for Betty, December 6, 2009, Nunnelly United Methodist Church
7. Loyd Mabry Named District Superintendent of the Clarksville District
8. 2010 Confirmation Day with the Bishop, a time of fun, but also a time for exploring difficult questions,
9. Rethink Church and Charting the Course to be held at Lake Junaluska, April 25-29


________________________________________



Change Your World by Loving Your Neighbor
By the Rev. John Carpenter

I am proud of the leadership of Arlington United Methodist Church. We have not only walked through the vision process but we are making our God-given vision become reality. Here is our story.

In January of 2008 a group of leaders, our Joel Vision Community, selected at our previous charge conference, met together for the first time. Our first goal was to answer this question: What is the mission, or purpose, of every church? In order to answer this question we read Acts and made a list of what the New Testament Church did in the name of Jesus. Afterward we read “Part III: The Ministry of All Christians” from The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church: 2008. Again, we stated the mission of every church as: “to make disciples by following Jesus”.

In the summer of 2008 we began a longer process that was completed in March of 2009. This process was to prayerfully determine the more specific vision that God has for Arlington UMC. We did this using a source that was effective for us entitled Leading Congregational Change: a Guide for the Transformational Journey written by Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem and James H. Furr. It encouraged us to ask this question: What is God’s purpose for Arlington UMC? Like every good leadership resource it acknowledges the difficulty of change and gives insight into making change a healthy process. To establish our vision, we divided into four groups and each group took one of the following: take a congregational survey designed to perceive how we see ourselves; study the Percept demographics of our church; study the Percept demographics of our community; interview community leaders such as police, teachers, and business owners; and, interview people who had joined or left AUMC in the last five years. And then from Scripture, prayer, and our research put short and imaginable words to our God-given vision. This is our: “Changing your world by loving your neighbor”.

Now, we are in the continuing process of making our vision reality. Such is the visionpath whose overall objective is to set all our goals and actions based upon making our vision reality. Here are some of the observed effects I have had of AUMC already “changing your world by loving your neighbor”.
  • In 2009 an average of 32 persons per week were fed through our food closet which is a lay-led effort of local churches and businesses (from a church with an average worship attendance of just over 100!);
Those assisted are also invited to be a part of our community of faith by being told of our worship hour and meal times;

  • And, as necessary, people are eating free at both our Wednesday night supper and Sunday morning breakfast;
 The Wednesday night supper (6:00 PM) has intentionally moved to a more inviting scene for our guests by moving from an educational series that builds off of each other to a stand-alone Christ/guest-centered midweek worship or lessons at the table;

 And a separate educational time for children and youth has been established by our children/youth director;

  •  The Sunday Morning Breakfast (8:30 AM), presently known as “The Gathering”, begins with a free meal, and after about 25 minutes, is led into singing, prayers, readings and testimony. This is becoming another means of God's grace reaching the community through the gifts of members and non-members.
  • In 2009, by the grace of God, a child has entered as a baptized member, and twelve persons have united with AUMC. Of the twelve, eight have come as ‘professing members’ making decisions to unite with a local church, the body of Christ, for the first time. In January of 2010 three joined and two were ‘professing members’. The meals that focus on body and soul have become an additional way to reach people for Jesus Christ.
  •  Organizations outside AUMC continue to receive our financial and/or volunteer support such as 61st Ave UMC; Habitat for Humanity; Room in the Inn; and Community Care Fellowship; and,
  • We are coordinating the work of our Child Development Center with the work of bringing people to Jesus Christ.
The more we do it the more familiar we are becoming with empowering change leaders, implementing the vision, and reinforcing the momentum of our vision becoming reality by paying consistent attention to aligning our goals and actions with our vision. Even my personal goals and objectives for the quarter, the week and the day are set with ‘change your world by loving your neighbor’ in mind. It is not always easy, but it is refreshing to see the people born anew to the realities of God working in the world, and indeed through the human organization called ‘the church’.


Partnersteps for Sharing Ministry: A Skillshop for Small Church Leaders


This seminar will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., at Springfield First United Methodist Church, 511 S. Oak Street, Springfield, TN 37172. It is sponsored through a partnership between the Tennessee Conference Cooperative Ministry Team and the Clarksville and Nashville Districts.

Partnersteps for Sharing Ministry is a seminar designed for small churches (under 100 in worship) that are struggling with declining membership and the rising costs of ministry yet still want to be effective in reaching people today for Jesus Christ. Beyond restored hope, participants will also discover:
  • Why your congregation’s future may depend on sharing ministry
  • Types of cooperative ministry and how to select the appropriate form
  • Benefits of shared ministry
  • 6 Partner ‘steps’ to successfully develop ministry together
  •  Leadership tasks (clergy and lay)
It is hoped that each church involved in the seminar will bring a team of at least three persons in order to help implement new and exciting ideas back on the local church level.

Julia Kuhn Wallace

Leadership for the event will be provided by one of American Methodism’s top consultants in the area of cooperative ministry. Julia Kuhn Wallace is co-author of Partnersteps: Developing Cooperative Ministries Today and is the former Director, Small Church and Shared Ministry, General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.

At the end of 2008 Julia made some suggestions in the Tennessee Conference Review related to the importance of Cooperative Ministry. She said: “Powerful ministry is accomplished when leaders take seriously God’s call and share mission through Cooperative Ministry. Churches of every size and in every place can be effective by getting out of the “me, myself and whine” mode to cooperate in making a real difference in people’s lives! When a church says: “here we are, God, use us” miracles happen. Ironically, when we seek to save our life - we lose it.”

“Cooperative Ministry is sharing God’s work with God’s people. It happens whenever a congregation works beyond itself with other congregations (UMCs or ecumenical), community organizations or groups. It claims an area to serve for Christ and works with anyone and everyone in that place who can help heal the hurts and realize the hopes in Jesus’ name.”

“To explore cooperative ministry, gather a group of friends and consider these questions:

What is God’s will for our church and community? A congregation that truly discerns God’s way will always look beyond itself. It focuses on serving the community in which it is located and claims that area for Christ.

Who are our partners in ministry and how well do we work together? Hopefully your congregation sees itself as active disciples in God’s hope for the world rather than settle for mere membership. Ministry isn’t only the work of the one who gets paid. No matter how brilliant your pastor is or how committed the laity are, ministry never happens in solitary confinement. God expects Christians to work together! It comes from our Baptism. Clergy and laity should be on the same team, and cooperative ministry calls us to work with others on a circuit, other denominations, with community leaders, and local organizations.

What resources do we have, or could we have to accomplish God’s mission? Fear is not a resource – it’s a disgrace. No matter how tightly we hold onto our possessions, they’ll never be enough. Successful congregations do not hoard their assets – they give them away in ministry. Make a list of the resources God has given you for ministry: people, facility, talent, location, money, etc. Name one thing you can do with how you’ve been blessed that will bless others! Now, do it!”

Cost for the “Skillshop” is $15 per person, $35 per team of three persons. Registration deadline is May 7, 2010. For additional information and registration contact the District Secretary in your district:

Celena Spiva,, Clarksville District, P.O. Box 847, Clarksville, TN 37041-0847, phone 931-553-8401, email clkdistumc@aol.com.

Lynn Taylor, Nashville District, 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 5, Nashville, TN 37211, phone 615-327-3582, email nashdistum@tnumc.org



J. Ellsworth Kalas to preach at Carthage United Methodist Church Revival, April 9, 10, and 11, 2010

Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Carthage United Methodist Church, Carthage, Tennessee, has scheduled a time of revival for the week after Easter 2010. The Revival will begin on April 9th at 7:00 p.m., continue on Saturday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m. and conclude on Sunday morning, April 11th, at 10:30 p.m. Preacher for the Revival will be the Rev. Dr. J. Ellswoth Kalas.

Dr. Kalas is the Beeson Distinguished Preacher in Residence at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and has been a pastor in the United Methodist Church for nearly 40 years, in Watertown and Green Bay, Wisconsin—“Yes,” he asserts, “I had several Green Bay Packers in my congregation”—and Cleveland, Ohio. He also spent five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council before accepting the call to be mentor and professor of preaching at Asbury.

As a result of what he refers to as “a continuing love affair with the Bible,” Kalas has developed a curriculum series that will enable a person to read and study the whole Bible in 365 days, appropriately called The Great Sweep.

In response to queries, he writes, “I’ve written a variety of things (more than 15 books, including Parables from the Back Side and Ten Commandments from the Back Side) for which I feel some pride of authorship, but The Grand Sweep has a special place in my heart. Here’s why. When I was barely 11 years old and newly converted, a Presbyterian evangelist came to our little Methodist church in Sioux City, Iowa. He challenged me with the insistence that I couldn’t hope to be a preacher (I had felt my call) unless I had read the Bible through, and he gave me a method: three chapters each weekday and five each Sunday, and I would finish the Bible in a year. I believed him, and I did it—the King James Version, at that—as an 11-year-old. I also did it the next year, and the next, etc. Not every year since—but I did last year, and the Lord helping me, I will do it again next year.”

As a result, Kalas has had a lifelong passion for every believer to read the Bible through at least once—catching a glimpse of the “grand sweep,” from Genesis to Revelation. He has enhanced what has worked for him 30 to 40 times by adding a pattern of study that includes reading, writing, reflection, prayer, and more. It’s a 365-day trip through the entire Bible, and it can be made from your living room, a classroom, or a pulpit. It doesn’t matter whether you make the journey alone, with your family, or with friends. What matters is that you make the journey, and continue to have your own “love affair with the Bible.”

Kalas’ books include Jeremiah: Looking for a New Day, Christmas from the Backside, Seven Words to the Cross, The Thirteen Apostles, Through Suffering to Hope: Job, New Testament Stories from the Backside, Old Testament Stories from the Backside, The Grand Sweep, If Experience is Such a Good Teacher, Why Do I Keep Repeating the Course?, and Preaching from the Soul: Insistent Observation on the Sacred Art.

Kalas is married to Janet Stith, and his adult children have followed the two tracks of his own career—teaching and preaching. His daughter is an associate professor of French Language and Literature at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and his son is a United Methodist pastor in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Carthage United Methodist Church is located at 608 Main Street, Carthage, TN 37030. To get to Carthage UMC - - from I-40 take the Carthage/Gordonsville exit, go north on Hwy 53 to second red light and then turn left on Main St. Church one mile on the left. Members of other churches are invited to participate in this time of spiritual renewal with one of America’s top evangelists.


2010 Annual Conference Offering to aid Central Conference Pension Initiative

“Any amount given to the Central Conference Pension Initiative will help those pastors who have served faithfully for many years in our Central Conferences to have a small amount of funds during retirement. Without this help these faithful pastors will have nothing in retirement and will have to seek other work. Thank you for your response to this important ministry.” Bishop Dick Wills.

The Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) is a long-term solution that provides retirement financial security for dedicated clergy and surviving spouses living in Africa, the Philippines and Eurasia, who would otherwise have little or nothing.

United Methodist congregations in the Tennessee Conference are asked to support this effort for relief and financial security for pastors and their families by participating in Pennies of Praise Parade—a 30-day, game-based exploration of the global impact of The United Methodist Church and its dedicated servants worldwide. Throughout the experience, participants will discover the purpose of connectionalism, locate the seven central conferences and explore their efforts to bring people to Christ, participate in relevant Scripture exploration, pray for people worldwide, identify similarities between the lives of people in Tennessee and members of the central conferences, praise God for his faithfulness, and give graciously as a result of their participation. Your whole church can participate in this offering and the activities leading up to it – children, youth, adults, Sunday School Classes, weekday study group . Here’s how to get started:

Download the Pennies of Praise Parade game board, Parade Stop directions, map, global bank instructions, and banner instructions at http://www.tnumc.org/

Introduce your congregation to the dramatic stories of some of the Central Conference retirees, and surviving spouses of ministers. These stories (along with photos) can be found at http://www.ccpi-umc.org/stories/index.asp. Some of the stories are also told through video clips (A sample of three of the stories is included in this edition of the REVIEW, see next article)
A Central Conference Pension Initiative Lenten Toolkit for Pastors was released earlier in 2010. To access these resources, visit the CCPI Web site at www.ccpi-umc.org and click on “Volunteer Resources” in the toolbar at the top of the page (included are sermon starters, prayers, bulletin inserts, sample brochure).

Play the Pennies of Praise Parade game and collect your offering for the Central Conference Pension Initiative.

Make “We Are the Church” Banners that highlight the diversity of our congregations. Bring your offering and banners to the multi-cultural opening session of Annual Conference on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at 4:00 p.m.

Participate in the Offertory Procession during Annual Conference and sing “We Are The World.” You can download the song from i-Tunes or request a copy from the Conference Office.

Pray each day
for the pastors and members of Methodist Churches worldwide that they would continue to reach people for Jesus. Pray as a group, or individually.



Stories show why the Central Conference Pension initiative is essential
These stories and many other together with photos and some video clips are available on-line at http://www.ccpi-umc.org/stories/index.asp.

Albertine Djedjro, Surviving Spouse, Cote d'Ivoire

Albertine Djedjro has many children to support on a small pension she receives as a result of the death of her husband, a United Methodist pastor. “Some of our kids are very young,” says Djedjro. “There is not enough for them.”

Medical care for Djedjro and her family is out of the question. “Before 1985, we could go to the United Methodist hospital in Dabou,” she says. “But the hospital can no longer afford to support us for free, so now they charge us a small fee. We cannot afford it.”

Despite few resources, Djedjro and her husband valued education and their connection to the Church. She continues to instill those values in her children now that her husband is gone.

“All of our kids are educated,” she says. “Three of my kids sing in the choir, one is a lay preacher and one is a teacher."


Rev. Ishaku Vobeyere, Retiree, Nigeria

After serving as the pastor of 30 different congregations over his 44-year career, the Reverend Ishaku Vobeyere struggles to clothe himself, put food on the table and pay medical bills. “In our home, we use a 50-kilo bag of rice each month,” says Rev. Vobeyere. One bag of rice costs almost half of the pension he receives for the entire year. Rev. Vobeyere also suffers from chronic medical conditions, but a single doctor’s visit costs more than a third of his annual pension amount.

“In the past, pastors—active and retired—were able to get free medical attention at Zing Rural Health Center, a United Methodist hospital,” says Rev. Vobeyere. That free care is no longer available, however. While active pastors often ask their congregations to pay for their medical care, retirees, such as Rev. Vobeyere, often must go without care.

Rev. Vobeyere is grateful for the help he receives from the local conference. However, he acknowledges that it is never enough to make ends meet. “I wish that some kind of pension could be regular,” he says. “We do get a little each year, but we never know when it will come or how much it will be. Neither my district nor my children can help me.”

Willie Marare, Retiree, Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)-The Rev. Willie Babopotongerenyi Marare has suffered imprisonment, attacks on his home and the deaths of his two sons.

The setback that finally made him stop preaching was the loss of his eyesight in 2001.

After a lifetime of dedication to The United Methodist Church, he relies on the support of his five daughters and "Christians" because there is no pension money for him or his wife.

When he could see, he had a small garden that helped supplement his diet, but now that he is blind, he has to buy all his food. With Zimbabwe's soaring inflation rate, food has become more costly.

During most of Marare's time as a pastor, Zimbabwe was struggling for independence from Britain, and he says he was arrested several times. His house was attacked during the election in 2002 because one of his sons worked for the opposition party.

His car was smashed, and all but one of the windows in his house were broken in a 4 a.m. attack one Sunday morning. He says he knows some of the men involved in the attack because they are church members, but he doesn't hold a grudge. "I just want them to repent," he says.

He retired in 1994 at age 65 but continued to preach in several appointments for another seven years.



Building for Betty, December 6, 2009, Nunnelly United Methodist Church

On July 22, 2009, Betty Dudley of Goodrich walked out to her garden to pick tomatoes and took a bad fall, severely breaking her ankle. After surgery and some major complications, Betty stayed with her daughter’s family, Angie and Toby Cotham and daughter, Maricia. As Betty slowly healed, she wished to return to her own home but could not negotiate the steps with wheelchair or walker. Often, she and her husband, Ray, would drive to their house and just sit in the yard for a while before returning to Angie’s home. It was time to do something about this situation.

Workers construct a 30 foot wheelchair ramp for Betty

Sunday, December 6, 2009, was a cloudy, windy, 20 degree winter day. At 8 am, 32 men, women and children of the Nunnelly United Methodist Church gathered in Goodrich to build a 30 foot wheelchair ramp for Betty. A bonfire and homemade snacks kept everybody warm and motivated. By 11 am half of the work was done, and a short worship service was conducted, accompanied by the sounds of hammers, saws and laughter. By 4 pm Betty and her wheelchair were pushed up the nearly-completed ramp into the home she had not entered in almost 5 months. She couldn’t wait to bake a pan of cornbread in her own kitchen! Betty’s huge smile and sincere gratitude made this a wonderful labor of love for everyone involved.

Betty Dudley is wheeled into her house
Betty, age 71, has been a member of the Nunnelly United Methodist Church for many years. Her ankle has healed, and she is again able to sing in the choir and participate in church activities. Betty is also a 24 year cancer survivor who, in 1987, received Baptist Hospital’s first experimental bone marrow transplant for lymphoma which saved her life.

Betty says that faith and prayers keep her going. Her positive outlook is a great inspiration to her church, family and friends.






Loyd Mabry Named District Superintendent of the Clarksville District
Bishop Richard Wills has announced the appointment of the Rev. Loyd E. Mabry as District Superintendent of the Clarksville District. Mabry has served since 2007 as the Director of the Tennessee Annual Conference Council on Connectional Ministries. He has served congregations within the Tennessee Annual Conference since 1976 and was District Superintendent of the Columbia District before being called by Bishop Wills to a newly created position in Congregational Development and then to the position with the Conference Council on Ministries.

the Rev. Loyd Mabry
Mabry is a strong supporter of local church ministries, and prefers to view the United Methodist Church as an organism rather than an institution. He recently wrote: “Often, we speak of the church in institutional terms. Words like preserve and maintain replace words like growth and movement. Words like budget and the bottom line replace vision and ministry. The church is not a building nor an institution. The church is a community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ. Growth, movement, change, etc., are not frightening words for an organism but they are for an institution.” These words back up his personal commitment when he originally accepted the Congregational Development job. “This job is not about buildings and property,” he stated, ‘I definitely affirm that we must invest in people not properties. Once a faith community is developed, property can be secured. Without passionate spiritual leaders faith communities can not sustain themselves.

Mabry has had special training in both leadership techniques and church revitalization through the General Board of Discipleship, the Beeson Institute, and the School of Congregational Development (Tipp City, Ohio, 2004; Dallas, Texas, 2005; San Diego, 2006). He has also completed conflict resolution training through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. He makes no secret of things he feels need the most emphasis in ministry: “Increasing the effectiveness of local congregations and enabling the revitalization of congregations is a passion of mine.” When he served as Columbia District Superintendent he began using Natural Church Development as a vehicle to promote healthy churches. Loyd feels that promoting church health is an excellent way to revitalize congregations.

Loyd Mabry received a B.S. degree from Lambuth College in Jackson. Tennessee, and his M. Div. from the Candler School of Theology. He is married to Deborah Louise Pearce Mabry and the couple have two children, Matthan and Rachel.

2010 Confirmation Day with the Bishop, a time of fun, but also a time for exploring difficult questions
Michelle Johnson (r) from Springfield First coordinated Confirmation Day. She stands with fellow worker Sarah Hailey
.

Springfield First United Methodist Church hosted the 2010 Confirmation Day with the Bishop, March 6, 2010. Built on the theme 24/7 Service to God & Others, and focusing on the scripture passage “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:5), the event attracted about 200 young people who are part of the confirmation journey in the United Methodist Church. The group of participants represented 23 local churches from throughout the Conference.

The registration table kept busy.
Everyone, young person or adult leader, was challenged by a question Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” – an incredibly important question that people seem to miss in the 21st century. Confirmation Day with the Bishop explored personal answers to that powerful question in thought-provoking, hands-on ways. During the morning everyone took a journey through Jesus’ life and explored his personal attitudes toward life and toward others.

The band from McKendree UMC in Nashville was a definite hit.

After an opening time together with worship, strong sharing by Bishop Wills, personal response to questions asked by the leadership team, and stirring music by a band from Nashville’s McKendree UMC, the groups moved to Exploration Stations where leaders guided focused discussion on specific attitudes displayed by Jesus throughout his life: Humility, Focused on Scripture, Compassion, and Love. The question throughout the Exploration of Jesus’ attitudes was basically, “How can we have the same attitudes that Christ Jesus had?” or stated another way, “How can we be the heart of Jesus in the world in which we live?”


Bishop Wills shared personal stories about persons that represented the heart of Jesus in his own life.


The day closed with more great music, an inspirational message from Bishop Wills, and a service of Holy Communion with opportunity for personal prayer at the altar.


Patty Smith, conference Director of Children and Family Ministries, engaged the group with interactive teaching.
Participants voted thumbs up or down if they felt a photo on the screen represented the Christ they knew.


Kids did hand motions to the captivating music.




Confirmands brought food supplies as an offering for the

Springfield First UMC’s Backpack Attack Program that provides weekend food bags to Robertson Country Elementary, Middle, and High School students.



Multi-talented Brad Fiscus wearing his acolyte hat.

The exploration sessions were all held in rooms with stunning religious murals


Confirmands were led in a meaningful discussion of the attitudes Jesus displayed toward others throughout his life


A communion and dedication service concluded an exciting day.






Rethink Church and Charting the Course to be held at Lake Junaluska, April 25-29

by Andie Robbins*

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Do you long for your church to “rethink” its mission? Do you want change and growth to be evident in your part of God’s Kingdom? This April, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center will host the Rethink Church workshop which poses the question, “What if Church was a verb?” Rethink Church will be held in combination with Charting the Course, another workshop designed to give attendees specific tools and ideas to reshape the way their church invites, welcomes, and reaches out. Rethink Church and Charting the Course will be held from April 25-29, and those interested have the option of attending either workshop or both.



“I hope participants will take away practical information and practices to put into use in their local churches to make them more welcoming and to learn how to become more inviting,” said Rethink Church leader Reverend Mark Barden, Western North Carolina Conference Director of Communications. Workshop training will cover the areas of welcoming, connecting, and identifying. Barden sees the workshop as “a catalyst that moves the denomination…into dialogue – and ultimately, into transformative, collaborative action.” In addition to answering the question “What if Church was a verb?”, the workshop will “[prod] us to consider church as more about what we do than simply a place to go on Sunday mornings. Grounded in Wesleyan theology, Rethink Church encourages us to move beyond the walls of the church and engage those outside the walls in the action of Christ in the world.” Similarly, Charting the Course will offer practical ways these ideals can be put into play in the Church.

Rethink Church and Charting the Course will feature several leaders, each of whom have experience in discipleship and facilitating personal and church growth. Leading Rethink Church in addition to Reverend Mark Barden of Western North Carolina staff will be Reverend Ms. Dawn Hand, Associate Pastor of Matthews United Methodist Church; and Reverend Mr. Gregg Plott, Pastor of Warrensville Charge and Chair of WNCC Commission on Communications. Leading Charting the Course will be the Reverend Ms. Donna Gaither, who has served as Christian educator and currently serves on the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. Gaither also helped develop the Charting the Course materials with the Little Rivers Conference in Illinois.

Registration fees vary from $70-$85 for early registration, depending on workshop or workshops being attended. After April 1, late registration fees apply and prices vary from $85-$100. More information about the retreats, leaders, and registration can be found at www.lakejunaluska.com/charting, where a printable brochure and lodging information can also be found, or by contacting Pam Naplen at 828-454-6656.

*Andie Robbins, is Communications Intern, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW March 5, 2010

Articles in the March 5, 2009 REVIEW


1. Conference Groups asked to help re-open the Beersheba Chapel
2. World Premier of “Southern Fried Funeral” Set for March 12-20
3. Grants to support Mercy and Mission ministries are available through the Tennessee Annual Conference
4. Art & Pasta for a Good Cause, March 26 at The Factory
5. Missional outreach programs now being considered for inclusion as 2010-2011 Conference Advance Specials
6. FISH CAMP & QUEST: Introducing two NEW Mountain T.O.P. Programs!
7. Broadway at Bethlehem Review Salutes Fifty Years of Broadway Hits, brief article with photo collage
8. Men’s Valentine Bakeoff at Nunnelly United Methodist Church
9. Meals on Wheels Association of America and Walmart Impact Grant is Awarded to Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, article with no graphics or photos.

10. Home from Haiti Relief Effort--Dave and Patty McIntyre finally return home


____________________________



Conference Groups asked to help re-open the Beersheba Chapel

The Chapel at Beersheba Springs Assembly has become unsafe for use and has been closed. For the past decade or more a basement wall has been slowly collapsing—and the front porch has tilted 5 inches toward the front of the building and is in danger of falling in. It will require extensive construction work to make the historic Chapel, one of the Assembly’s most heavily used buildings, safe for future groups.

Beersheba Springs Assembly has entered into an urgent financial campaign so that necessary repairs can be made to the Chapel. According to Camp Director, Dickie Hinton, “the need is $100,000 – and as quickly as we can acquire the funds we will be able to begin the much needed work.”

The Assembly has entered into what is called the “100-100-100 Project” which calls for 100 groups or individuals to give $1,000 (or more) in the next 100 Days. If 100 groups commit to giving $1,000, the $100,000.00 goal for chapel restoration would be met quickly and restoration work could begin.

Individuals are asked to contact groups (UMW, UMM, UMYF, Church) and ask them to partner in raising or giving a gift of at least $1,000 to help save the chapel. All gifts are to be returned in the next 100 days (By May 31, 2010) to the:

100-100-100 Project
Beersheba Springs Assembly
P.O. Box 577
Beersheba Springs, TN 37305

Groups are asked to signify their intention to respond to the appeal by filling out the following form and sending it immediately to Beersheba Springs Assembly

[X] YES! I will be a member of the 100-100-100 Club.

NAME: __________________________

ADDRESS:_______________________

_______________________________

PHONE:_________________________

E-MAIL:_________________________

CHURCH:________________________

GROUP GIFT: [ ] YES [ ] NO

NAME OF GROUP:__________________

INDIVIDUAL GIFT: [ ] YES [ ] NO

AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $___________ OR

AMOUNT TO BE MAILED BY 05/31/10:
$____________ THANK YOU!





World Premier of “Southern Fried Funeral” Set for March 12-20
Trouble abounds and hilarity ensues when “Southern Fried Funeral” hits the stage at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, March 12-20. The family-friendly comedy by noted playwrights Osborne and Eppler features local actresses Kandace Christian, Debbie Robinson and Lisha Pope.

FRANKLIN--- Trouble abounds and hilarity ensues when the world premier of “Southern Fried Funeral” hits the stage March 12-20 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Franklin ’s Grassland community off Hillsboro Road .

Celebrating its 13th year of exceptional family entertainment, the Bethlehem Players are staging their first world premier comedy written by noted playwrights Dietz Osborne and Nate Eppler according to BUMC Music and Arts Director Harry Robinson.

“Osborne and Eppler have developed a reputation of creating fresh comedies which are wildly popular with audiences at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre. We are thrilled that after a decade of presenting annual productions to packed audience of our own, the Bethlehem Players are branching out and taking on this hilarious new play ‘Southern Fried Funeral’ which pays homage to popular stories like ‘Steel Magnolias’ and ‘Fried Green Tomatoes,’” Robinson said.

Osborne says the comedic journey follows the Frye family “after the beloved patriarch dies leaving mamma with a broken down family and a house she loves and is about to lose. There’s tell that Dewey just maybe won last week’s big jackpot. Before you know it, family and neighbors are coming out of the woodwork to pay their respects and claim their share of the prize. “

“Rich, southern comedies are a favorite genre for my writing partner, Nate Eppler, and myself after having appeared in plays like ‘Dearly Beloved’ and ‘Christmas Belles.’ The story of ‘Southern Fried Funeral’ reflects universal experiences and funerals and weddings bring out the best, the worst and the funniest in people. I think audiences will really relate and enjoy taking a moment out of their busy lives for a laugh,” Osborne said.

Opening night for the world premier on March 12 includes the opportunity for a Patrons Party immediately following the play at $25.00 per person which includes a ticket to the play and the party at a Bethlehem Players’ patron’s home with the full cast and playwrights.

Tickets are available for March 12 – 20 for show only and/or dinner on nights when applicable. Shows only are March 12-13 and March 19-20 at 7 p.m. A box lunch matinee is March 14, at 12:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. show. Dinner shows are March 15, 16 and 18 with 4:30 p.m. dinner and 6 p.m. show with food by Barbara’s Restaurant. Show only ticket prices: $15 adults/$10 students. Dinner and Show ticket prices: $20 adults/$15 students. Parties with 10 or more persons paying with one check get a 10% discount and may reserve their tickets today at drama@bethlehemumc.com or 615-791-6456, ext. 2.

The Bethlehem Players are celebrating their 13th year of exceptional family. entertainment staging productions in the Bethlehem Performing Arts Center, Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin (37069). The community theatre outreach program was founded in 1997 by Bethlehem UMC Music and Arts Director Harry Robinson . Since its inception, the Bethlehem Players have successfully staged for packed audiences “The Sound of Music,” “Father of the Bride,” “The Music Man,” “Fiddler On The Roof,” “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Neil Simon's Rumors,” and “A Bad Year for Tomatoes.” For more information, visit http://www.bethlehemumc.com/.

Grants to support Mercy and Mission ministries are available through the Tennessee Annual Conference

The Committee on Mercy and Mission is making grant funding available for ministries of Mercy and Mission. An equal amount of funding has been set aside for applications originating from each district. Local Churches, District Committees, Conference Ministries, and United Methodist endorsed/supported organizations within the TN Conference are invited to apply. Three copies of each application are to be sent to the district office by March 29, 2010. Two copies are to be mailed by the District Office to their representatives to the Conference Committee on Mercy and Mission. The other copy is for the District Superintendent to review, sign, and forward to the TN Conference Office, postmarked no later than April 5, 2010.

There are goals established for the purpose of the grants and how the money is to be used if a grant award is made.

First, the TN Conference Committee on Mercy and Mission requires that Mercy and Mission Grant monies be used for mission and ministry. Priority will be given to ministries that: demonstrate a significant missional impact in Christ’s name for the Kingdom of God and in peoples’ lives; have a clear mission, vision, and strategic plan; have the potential to be sustainable beyond any grant awarded; address significant human needs, such as, relieve suffering, serve refugees/immigrants, address hunger and other poverty related needs, provide healthcare, or otherwise “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison.”

While funds may be used for administration, salary, and promotional costs directly related to a project’s ministry, we encourage the majority be spent on direct program ministry.

Funds must be used in compliance with the Book of Discipline, the Social Principles, the Conference Standing Rules, or other relevant guidelines.

The Committee on Mercy and Mission will periodically request updates about the ministry and require a report of how funds were used.

Additional details, guidelines, and application can be downloaded at:

http://cms.icglink.net/files/756/File/OneTimeGrantGuidlinesrev021210.doc

http://cms.icglink.net/files/756/File/OneTimeMercyandMissionGrantAppRev021210.doc

If you need further information or have questions please contact the Conference Mercy and Mission Chairperson, Rev. Bill Lovell, williamlovell1@comcast.net, 615-834-7058.



Art & Pasta for a Good Cause, March 26 at The Factory

NASHVILLE---A fun-filled evening of distinctive art, delicious Italian food and fine wine will be helping Middle Tennessee families as part of the annual Pasta & Promises Benefit for Miriam’s Promise set for 6 p.m., Friday, March 26 at The Factory in Franklin.

Celebrating over a quarter of a century of service, Miriam’s Promise is a crisis pregnancy, family counseling and adoption services agency which uses the annual fundraiser to assist families throughout the Middle Tennessee area.

The popular Pasta & Promises is celebrating its tenth year and has an impressive slate of artists participating including: painters Leslee Bechtel, Ron York, Dana Kahan and Lisa Gardiner, potter Tom Turnbull, glass artisan Tom Fuhrman, wood artisan Ken Gaidos and jewelry artisan Cameron Simmons.
This stunning vase, produced by Tom Turnbull, is part of the incredible art for sale at the Pasta & Promises March 26 at The Factory.

Dan Elkins, event chairman, said this year’s slate of artisans offers an interesting spectrum of work from which to choose all benefiting a great cause.

“We have an incredible group of talented artists whose work ranges from $50 to over $600. Artists donate a portion of their sales to Miriam’s Promise and a live auction will be held with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the agency’s work. It is an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful evening, find a beautiful work of art and help a worthy cause,” Elkins said.

Miriam’s Promise Executive Director Debbie Robinson said after presenting beautiful, local artwork for over a decade, the art show benefit is an area favorite.

“It is gratifying and thrilling for us to see the incredible participation from the Methodist community in supporting our mission by helping us keep our promise to ensure the well-being of the children of the world,” Robinson said.

Serving Middle Tennessee since 1985, Miriam’s Promise provides pregnancy counseling and parenting services along with domestic and international services. All services to expectant parents are free. Last year, Miriam’s Promise facilitated 9 agency adoptions, assisted in 16 international placements, 22 independent adoptions and provided services to 52 expectant mothers Programs include a prison ministry serving 90 expectant mothers in 2009 as well as attachment therapy and on-going counseling clients.

Tickets for Pasta & Promises are $100 per person. A table of eight is available for $700, if the reservation is made by March 13. After this deadline, it is $800 per table. This includes dinner, beverages, music and the opportunity to purchase tax-free artwork with 75% of the ticket price tax-deductible. For more information or to make a reservation, 615-292-3500 or visit http://www.miriamspromise.org/. The final reservation deadline is March 22.

Missional outreach programs now being considered for inclusion as 2010-2011 Conference Advance Specials

Currently 19 ministries (Conference, District, Agency, and Local Church) are designated as Conference Advance Specials (see list below). The Conference Advance is designed to provide an opportunity to promote second-mile giving to support exceptional missional outreach programs serving persons in the name of Christ within the bounds of the Tennessee Conference.

Programs designated as Conference Advance Specials will be promoted by the Committee on Mercy and Mission and the Office of Connectional Ministries through the Review, Listserv, webpage, and periodic Coordinated Mailings. 100% of any donation to a Conference Advance Special goes directly to the designated ministry. Advance Special programs are evaluated each year as to compliance with the Book of Discipline (particularly the Social Principles) and must be re-approved by the Committee on Mercy and Mission each year.

If your church, Tennessee Conference Ministry, or United Methodist related agency has an exceptional missional outreach program that might be considered for inclusion as a 2010-2011 Conference Advance Special, please contact Rev. Bill Lovell* below for an application, or check our webpage http://www.tnumc.org/MERCY_AND_MISSION/, for a downloadable application. Information that will be required will include such details as mission focus, finances, inclusivity, governing board, staffing/volunteers, etc.

The Application Deadline is April 30, 2010. Fully completed Applications should be sent to arrive on or before April 30th to the Office of Connectional Ministries, attn. Conference Advance Specials, 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 1, Nashville, TN 37211.

*Rev. Bill Lovell, Chairperson, Conference Mercy and Mission, williamlovell1@comcast.net, 615-834-7058

Listing of 2009-2010 Conference Advance Specials (more details on each at http://www.tnumc.org/MERCY_AND_MISSION/)

• 61st Ave. After School Program (Nashville)
• Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
• Community Care Fellowship (Nashville)
• East End Children’s Program (Lawrenceburg)
• Edgehill Brighter Days After School Program (Nashville)
• Feed America First (Murfreesboro)
• Grace Assistance Program (Clarksville Urban Ministries)
• Gallatin Shalom Zone
• Justice For Our Neighbors (UMCOR Immigration/Refugee Program)
• Miriam’s Promise
• Mountain T.O.P.
• Salvus Center (Clinic in Cumberland District, Dr. Ted Hill)

Seven different Advance Specials are sponsored by the Tennessee Conference
• Corrections
• Disaster Response
• Friends of Beersheba
• Friends of Cedar Crest
• Hunger
• Strength for the Journey
• Volunteers in Mission

One story to set you on a journey to discover the special ministries of all Conference Advance Special agencies.

Feed America First was approved as a Conference Advance Special toward the conclusion of the 2009 Tennessee Annual Conference when there was not much time to promote its ten-year-old ministry. It serves as an example of the powerful ministries of all 19 Advance Specials. Feed America First executive director, Tom Henry, shares part of the agency story:

“We at Feed America First focus upon our neighbors in need who live in small towns and rural areas, that portion of the 38,000,000 Americans at risk of missing meals while they pay for rent, utilities, or medicine. Our clients are the citizens who want to help their neighbors by operating church pantries, children's homes, and shelters for the abused, homeless, or recovering. They know their neighbors, and if Feed America First provides them more food, they touch more lives. After all, as I have been told, a loaf of bread given with love by a neighbor has a powerful accountability attached.”

“Feed America First is in its tenth year of providing food monthly to over 160 small agencies in the Mid-South. Feed America First has thus far distributed almost 18 million pounds of food at no charge, and we have done it efficiently: for each dollar donated, Feed America First has historically provided enough food for 12-15 meals. We believe that hunger will cease to be a problem in America when we refuse to allow our neighbors to go hungry.”

You are urged to go to the website to study and to support the important, sacrificial ministries of all Conference Advance Special agencies.


FISH CAMP & QUEST: Introducing two NEW Mountain T.O.P. Programs!

Are you looking for a fun, meaningful, spirit-filled JR HIGH summer mission trip?

Fish camp is a BRAND NEW Mountain T.O.P. program for rising 6th graders - rising 8th graders!! We developed this camp week in response to the needs of our churches. Most people have a great mission trip for Senior High youth, but struggle in finding a similar experience for JR High youth members. Through Fish Camp, JR High youth will get a taste of combining acts of service with a place to explore their relationship with God in a supportive and loving Christian community.

Youth Renewal Group building a porch
At Mountain T.O.P., we are intentional in connecting “what” we do with “why” we do it through morning devotionals, mid-day devotionals, sharing and worship. On the worksites, youth are encouraged to engage in problem solving and work as members of a team moving together to accomplish a hands-on task. Youth are also encouraged to interact with families from lower socio-economic backgrounds, often opening their eyes to issues of poverty within our nation for the first time.

The experience is transformative because youth are putting their theological convictions and beliefs into practice. Here, the words and meditations of Jesus, “I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me...” are brought to life. Similarly, in a time where experiential learning is more prevalent than before, we strive to offer an environment where youth are able to “do” something about their passion for God through directly meeting the physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs of the Cumberland Mountain people.

Youth campers finding rest in God at worship

As Joey Butler writes in the article (Not) talkin’ ‘bout my G-G-Generation, “The more opportunities Millennials have to get their hands dirty, the better. Churches need to look into their communities and see what needs are there - perhaps a pancake breakfast for the homeless, a Habitat build or a community cleanup.” Mountain T.O.P. provides an atmosphere where youth experience what it looks like to reach out to impoverished communities, thus empowering them to reach out to their own upon returning home.

Fish Camp will be offered June 9th - 12th, and will be similar to the YSM program. Campers will arrive Wednesday around noon, work in the community Thursday and Friday, and depart Saturday morning after breakfast and clean-up. Projects will vary based on need, but will include service such as painting, yard work and/or small construction projects. We are hoping to draw in churches within two - three hours of Camp Cumberland Pines, located in Altamont, TN. Cost is $160 per camper, which includes all meals, lodging, material and staffing fees. All participants of Fish Camp will receive a special edition Fish Camp t-shirt!! Registration is taking place now!! Help us kick-off this new program right!! We are hoping for at least 50 campers!!!

Similarly, we are seeking adult participants for Quest! Quest will kick-off during the Summer of 2010 as a BRAND NEW adventure style camp for teenagers who live in Grundy County. Our goal is to provide an experience where youth are able to explore character building through challenging events such as rock climbing and ropes course elements. Mountain T.O.P. partners with the Grundy County High School guidance counselor to recruit youth who would most benefit from this program.

Though Mountain T.O.P. staff sets the program for Quest, Adults in Ministry participants actually facilitate the week. They act as mentors, guides, and caregivers for the youth by encouraging each other in word and deed. Each day's activities are centered around a specific character trait. Specifics of the week and a schedule are provided to AIM participants closer to the week. There are also opportunities for you to share your faith story in group and individual settings. Quest culminates on Friday with a special time to celebrate with friends and family.

Participation in all of the adventure challenges is not a requirement to be involved with Quest and experience is never a prerequisite for AIM. However, a love of Jesus and a calling to share this love in a unique environment is a must!

Quest will be held at Camp Cumberland Pines in Altamont, TN, and will run concurrently with Major Home Repair, July 11th - 17th. Cost is $350 per camper, which includes all meals, lodging, material and staffing fees. Registration is taking place now! We are aiming for at least 15 Adult participants!!

For more information and applications, please visit our new website www.mountain-top.org, call 931.692.3999 or contact Sam@mountain-top.org.


Broadway at Bethlehem Review Salutes Fifty Years of Broadway Hits

Multi-talented BUMC accompanist Bryan Ward with Nancy McNulty, Bethlehem Players producer. The Review is about to begin.

Broadway at Bethlehem returned with an incredible salute to fifty years of Broadway hits on Saturday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Bethlehem United Methodist Church’s Performing Arts Center.

One of broadwayworld.com’s top Nashville performers of the year, Dietz Osborne, served as host for the popular Broadway revue which along with a silent auction raised funds to underwrite the upcoming production of “Southern Fried Funeral,” by Osborne and Eppler, set for March 12-20 at Bethlehem UMC. The Bethlehem Players have been presenting quality, family entertainment for over a decade and will be launching their first world premier of this hilarious, southern comedy in March.

Dietz Osborne, actor-playwright-director, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event along with Nancy McNulty.
Performers for the Broadway at Bethlehem event included international artist Jennifer Richmond, off-Broadway performer Megan Murphy Chambers, Disney/Pixar artist Kandace (Williams) Christian, regional artists Nancy Allen, Annette de la Torre, Mike Baum and noted writer/musician Bryan Ward.







Singer/vocal coach Annette de la Torre
Bryan Ward accompanies Kandace Christian. Christian, a singer, will also have an acting role in the Bethlehem Players production of the comedy "Southern Fried Funeral."





Megan Murphy Chambers and Mike Baum perform a duet





Stage experience showed as singers enacted roles from Broadway musicals. Here international artist, Jennifer Richmond







Nancy Allen, Belmont vocal professor/studio singer performs the evenings closing number.


Performers take their bow to standing ovation, left to right Belmont vocal professor/studio singer Nancy Allen, Disney/Pixar artist Kandace (Williams) Christian, regional performer Mike Baum, singer/vocal coach Annette de la Torre, off-Broadway singer/actress Megan Murphy Chambers, international artist Jennifer Richmond



Men’s Valentine Bakeoff at Nunnelly United Methodist Church

Nunnelly United Methodist Church held its fourth annual Men’s Valentine Bakeoff competition on Sunday, February 7, 2010.

Yes, MEN selected the perfect recipe, then baked and decorated the perfect prizewinning confection. Hopefully, each man then cleaned up the kitchen! Ten contestants participated in the contest.
Men’s Valentine Bakeoff participants

Judges for the fun event were Floy Gatewood, Betty Dudley, Mable Hailey and Marsha Shelton, supervised by Linda Smith. After serious deliberation and much taste-testing, the following winners were announced:

• Best of All – Jesse Woodall’s Oreo Cake
• Prettiest Presentation – Tracey Batts’ Frozen Chocolate Cake with heart-shaped strawberry ice cream center (how did he do that?), decorated with white icing and whole strawberries
• Best Tasting – tie- John Brad Smith’s Reeces Pieces Cake and Kirk Vaughn’s Chocolate Earthquake Cake
• Most Original – Jody Spann’s Swimming Pool Cake decorated with sunbathing dolls, chewing gum slide, cookie diving board and candy umbrella table
• Honorable Mention awards went to Sean Wilson’s Cross-shaped Cake, Brian Buttrey’s Super Bowl Cake, Will Smith’s Chocolate/Raspberry Cheesecake, Lane Vaughn’s Hershey Bar Cake and Steve Turner’s Pecan Pie

And the winning confections are . . .

While the judges were making their choices, guests enjoyed sandwiches and other snacks made by the ladies of the church, then everyone sampled the men’s delicious desserts.

Also, 24 men, women and children wore red clothing to celebrate and support “Go Red”, National Women’s Heart Health Awareness Day.

Nunnelly United Methodist Church is located on Highway 230 West in Nunnelly and is pastored by Rev. Tom Barger. The Sunday morning worship service begins at 11 am. Children’s Sunday School is each Sunday morning at 10 am. Youth Bible Study and supper is every other Wednesday night at 5 pm. Our next church activity will be a Welcome Spring children’s pageant on March 21st. Everyone is invited to attend our friendly little country church.

Meals on Wheels Association of America and Walmart Impact Grant is Awarded to Bethlehem Centers of Nashville

Bethlehem Centers of Nashville’s Feeding program IS THE ONLY TENNESSEE PROGRAM TO RECEIVE THE IMPACT GRANT

Nashville, Tenn. - Bethlehem Centers of Nashville received a grant from the Meals on Wheels Association of America and WalMart, which awarded 139 grants totaling $1.7 million recently to Meals on Wheels programs for homebound seniors.

The Bethlehem Centers of Nashville’s grant was for $3,483 and will be used for the Greater Charlotte Hot Lunch Cooperative to purchase a deep freezer, insulated bags and a computer system. The Bethlehem Center’s Hot Lunch program is for seniors and disabled individuals residing in North Nashville and is run by the Greater Charlotte Hot Lunch Cooperative. The Cooperative is a network of area churches who work together to serve daily (Monday – Friday) nutritious meals to 80 recipients.

Brooke Bell’s, Senior Program Director for Bethlehem Centers, excitement for the receipt of this grant stems from the under-representation that homebound seniors receive in the community. “Seniors are often the forgotten members of our society, so many of them retire and/or age alone. This program provides what essentially is the only meal many individuals on the program receive in a day plus social interaction with volunteers who deliver the meals,” adds Brooke.

Recipients of the contributions include non-profit organizations from all over the United States working to help end hunger among the senior population.
About Bethlehem Centers of Nashville
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville is a non-profit social service agency that promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youths and adults in Middle Tennessee. Delivering and advocating quality programs and services since 1894, Bethlehem Centers is a National Mission Institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Bethlehem Centers operates facilities in north, south and downtown Nashville. Its main campus is at 1417 Charlotte Avenue. For more information about Bethlehem Centers, visit http://www.bethlehemcenters.org/ or call 615-329-3386.

About Meals on Wheels Association of America:
Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) works every day with thousands of local Meals on Wheels programs and hundreds of thousands of volunteers who all share in the mission to end senior hunger. The organization provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services. Visit: http://www.mowaa.org/

Home from Haiti Relief Effort

Editor’s Note: We share this note from the Rev. Dave McIntyre and Patty who thought they were going to spend a delightful time in the Bahamas with Abraham McIntyre, their son. Abe is Director of the Bahamas Methodist Habitat. No sooner had Dave and Patty arrived when the Haiti earthquake hit and the Methodist Habitat was in full-time emergency response mode for six weeks or more.
Retired Tennessee Conference minister David McIntyre.

Patty and I returned home on Thursday, February 18, to Cascade Hollow from Nassau Bahamas where we had been for several weeks. We left here 01/11 and the earthquake occurred on 01/12. We were with Abraham from the moment he began Bahamas Methodist Habitat's response to the Haiti crisis. It was a marvelous experience of watching God use him and so many other people to bring love and hope and help to those hurting Haitians.

Many of you have kept up with the ministry via internet and email updates. We thank you for your financial and prayer support.

I don't have an up to date report of the mission statistics ... but I know that well over 200 private pilots donated their time and plane (and often the fuel) to fly hundreds of flights into and out of Haiti under the auspices of Bahamas Methodist Habitat ... guided and directed by Abraham who was inspired, equipped and sustained by the God whose face we see in Jesus the compassionate shepherd.

Thousands of pounds of medical supplies, food, personal hygiene products, clothing, and shelter supplies were transported by BMH. Scores of doctors, nurses and missionaries were also transported by BMH volunteer pilots ... all of them coming through the "command central" station in Nassau. It was a phenomenal explosion of generosity and Christian concern. We met so many amazing servant people ... most of them folks just like you and me ... not particularly special but especially willing, ready and able to servce ... folks you saw a need and responded with their resources.

Now that commercial flights are beginning to resume into Haiti, Abraham's "emergency" missioin is going to wind-down ... effective Feb. 28th ... with plans to have five follow-up "mass fly-in's" during March ... two day "blitz's" to continue carrying supplies and people into the more isolated areas of the country.

Keep the Haitian society in your prayers ... it's a long, long road ahead. Only by God's grace and massive outside support will they truly recover.

And, thanks again for your interest in this adventure and for your wonderful support!

Gratefully, Dave and Patty
P.S. The story of our return home is one we'll never forget ... we hitched a ride with a returning Haiti relief volunteer pilot ... Dave Tibbals ... who just happens to keep his private plane at the airport five miles from our home here. We flew all the way from Nassau to Tullahoma as his private guests ... what a God send!!!