Sept2014 - Cumberland District
Transcription
Sept2014 - Cumberland District
THE UNITED METHODIST REVIEW CUMBERLAND DISTRICT Macon, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson and parts of Clay, Smith, Robertson, Davidson, and Cheatham Counties Volume 7, Issue 9 September 2014 Cumberland District Staff Cumberland District Family, Rev. Scott Aleridge, District Superintendent Robin Stanfield, Interim District Secretary Scott Hilgadiack, Editor Cumberland District Review Inside this issue: Our Wesleyan Heritage Cedar Crest Camp Celebrates a 2-4 5 Summer of Growth Feeding Story Thanks from Martin Methodist 6-7 7 College Fulfilling The Hunger of the Heart 8-9 Bicycles and Backpacks 10 Westland Tutoring Ministry 11 Lay Servant School 12-13 Adult/Older Adult Ministries 14 New Room Conference 15 Clergy Covenant Conversation with 16 Bishop McAlilly Changes in the District Office 17 Blessing from Carolyn 17 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries 18-19 Upcoming and Sponsored Events Local Church Events 20 Charge Conference 2014 21 In December of 2011, the Southern Baptist Convention engaged in a major nation-wide study of how favorably or unfavorably Americans view different faith groups including Catholics, Protestants, Mormons and Muslims. The study revealed that The United Methodist Church has the most positive religious “brand” in America. 62% of Americans have a favorable view of United Methodists. This is the highest favorability rating among all faith groups in the survey. The study also discovered that United Methodists have the lowest unfavorable rating of any of the faith groups that were surveyed. People in America like United Methodists for many reasons, including our emphasis on GRACE instead of judgment, our reputation as an orthodox yet open- minded church, our balance between faith of the head and faith of the heart, our combination of evangelism with social ministry, our affirmation of gender equality, and our efforts to be an inclusive “big tent” church both theologically and politically. In short, people are impressed with a denomination that tries to live out its motto of “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors.” This study is yet another reason to invite your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to a United Methodist Church. Most of them already have a favorable impression of our denomination. Many of them would gladly visit any one of our great churches in the Cumberland District, if they received a personal invitation. So why not invite someone this week? My challenge is for each of us to invite ONE person to church this week. People need to hear the amazing Love Story of Jesus! It is my privilege to be your District Superintendent. Scott PAGE 2 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Our Wesleyan Heritage Distinctive Emphases Wesley and the early Methodists were particularly concerned about inviting people to experience God’s grace and to grow in their knowledge and love of God through disciplined Christian living. They placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today. The distinctive shape of our theological heritage can be seen not only in this emphasis on Christian living, but also in Wesley’s distinctive understanding of God’s saving grace. Although Wesley shared with many other Christians a belief in salvation by grace, he combined them in a powerful way to create distinctive emphases for living the full Christian life. Read more from The Book of Discipline. Grace Grace is central to our understanding of Christian faith and life. Grace can be defined as the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. We read in the Letter to the Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our United Methodist heritage is rooted in a deep and profound understanding of God’s grace. This incredible grace flows from God’s great love for us. Did you have to memorize John 3:16 in Sunday school when you were a child? There was a good reason. This one verse summarizes the gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” The ability to call to mind God’s love and God’s gift of Jesus Christ is a rich resource for theology and faith.” 1 John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, described God’s grace as threefold: prevenient grace justifying grace sanctifying grace Prevenient Grace Wesley understood grace as God’s active presence in our lives. This presence is not dependent on human actions or human response. It is a gift — a gift that is always available, but that can be refused. PAGE 3 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 God’s grace stirs up within us a desire to know God and empowers us to respond to God’s invitation to be in relationship with God. God’s grace enables us to discern differences between good and evil and makes it possible for us to choose good…. God takes the initiative in relating to humanity. We do not have to beg and plead for God’s love and grace. God actively seeks us! 1 Justifying Grace Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). And in his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul wrote: “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). These verses demonstrate the justifying grace of God. They point to reconciliation, pardon, and restoration. Through the work of God in Christ our sins are forgiven, and our relationship with God is restored. According to John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, the image of God — which has been distorted by sin — is renewed within us through Christ’s death. Again, this dimension of God’s grace is a gift. God’s grace alone brings us into relationship with God. There are no hoops through which we have to jump in order to please God and to be loved by God. God has acted in Jesus Christ. We need only to respond in faith.1 Conversion This process of salvation involves a change in us that we call conversion. Conversion is a turning around, leaving one orientation for another. It may be sudden and dramatic, or gradual and cumulative. But in any case, it’s a new beginning. Following Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “You must be born anew” (John 3:7 RSV), we speak of this conversion as rebirth, new life in Christ, or regeneration. Following Paul and Luther, John Wesley called this process justification. Justification is what happens when Christians abandon all those vain attempts to justify themselves before God, to be seen as “just” in God’s eyes through religious and moral practices. It’s a time when God’s “justifying grace” is experienced and accepted, a time of pardon and forgiveness, of new peace and joy and love. Indeed, we’re justified by God’s grace through faith. Justification is also a time of repentance — turning away from behaviors rooted in sin and toward actions that express God’s love. In this conversion we can expect to receive assurance of our present salvation through the Holy Spirit “bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).2 Sanctifying Grace Salvation is not a static, one-time event in our lives. It is the ongoing experience of God’s gracious presence transforming us into whom God intends us to be. John Wesley described this dimension of God’s grace as sanctification, or holiness.1 Through God’s sanctifying grace, we grow and mature in our ability to live as Jesus lived. As we pray, study the Scriptures, fast, worship, and share in fellowship with other Christians, we deepen our knowledge of and love for God. As we respond with compassion to human need and work for justice in our communities, we strengthen our capacity to love neighbor. Our inner thoughts and motives, as well as our outer actions and behavior, are aligned with God’s will and testify to our union with God. 1 PAGE 4 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 We’re to press on, with God’s help, in the path of sanctification toward perfection. By perfection, Wesley did not mean that we would not make mistakes or have weaknesses. Rather, he understood it to be a continual process of being made perfect in our love of God and each other and of removing our desire to sin.3 Read more from The Book of Discipline. Faith and Good Works United Methodists insist that faith and good works belong together. What we believe must be confirmed by what we do. Personal salvation must be expressed in ministry and mission in the world. We believe that Christian doctrine and Christian ethics are inseparable, that faith should inspire service. The integration of personal piety and social holiness has been a hallmark of our tradition. We affirm the biblical precept that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).4 Mission and Service Because of what God has done for us, we offer our lives back to God through a life of service. As disciples, we become active participants in God’s activity in the world through mission and service. Love of God is always linked to love of neighbor and to a passionate commitment to seeking justice and renewal in the world. Nurture and Mission of the Church For Wesley, there was no religion but social religion, no holiness but social holiness. In other words, faith always includes a social dimension. One cannot be a solitary Christian. As we grow in faith through our participation in the church community, we are also nourished and equipped for mission and service to the world. “From Wesley’s time to the present, Methodism has sought to be both a nurturing community and a servant community. Members of Methodist Societies and class meetings met for personal nurture through giving to the poor, visiting the imprisoned, and working for justice and peace in the community. They sought not only to receive the fullness of God’s grace for themselves; but...they saw themselves as existing ‘to reform the nation...and to spread scriptural holiness over the land.’” 3 Excerpted from Teachers as Spiritual Leaders and Theologians. Used by permission. Excerpted from “The United Methodist Member’s Handbook,” George E. Koehler (Discipleship Resources, 2006), pp. 78-79. Used by permission. 1 2 Excerpted from “Who Are We? Doctrine, Ministry, and the Mission of The United Methodist Church, Revised Leader’s Guide,” Kenneth L. Carder (Cokesbury, 2001), p. 46. Used by permission. 4 Excerpted from “The United Methodist Primer, 2005 Revised Edition,” Chester E. Custer (Discipleship Resources, 2005); p. 59. 3 V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W PAGE 5 Cedar Crest Camp celebrates a summer of growth Thursday, July 31, 2014 Cedar Crest United Methodist Camp & Retreat Center, located in Lyles, Tennessee, just completed its 55th season, making 2014 their largest summer since 2008. Elementary, junior high and senior high age groups had an opportunity to experience all that camp has to offer. Campers participated in classic camp activities including: archery, canoeing, nature hikes, capture the flag, low ropes, swimming, kayaking, field games, cooking out and more. Campers also experienced a deeper level of growth in their personal faith development through summer devotions. Cedar Crest’s theme this summer was “Rise Up.” It centered on the stories of bible characters that rose up from where they were to follow God in a meaningful way. During the morning and evening devotions, campers had the chance to sing and worship together then hear and participate in scripture stories and lessons. On the last night of every week, campers participated in a talent show, allowing them to share a skit or song with their family group or cabin with the rest of camp. We ended our time at camp together with a bonfire, celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Christ with a time for small groups to reflect on both their faith and the time they had together throughout the week. Campers from over 60 churches across the Tennessee Conference joined in on the fun this summer, along with 138 first time Cedar Crest campers. The camp gave over 90 partial and full scholarships to students wanting to attend Cedar Crest with financial assistance. 35 percent of the campers at Cedar Crest were of racial and ethnic diversity. Russell Casteel, the Director of Cedar Crest Camp says that while Cedar Crest has room to improve its diverse campership, the staff celebrates the diversity they have. “We give thanks to the many churches, individuals and the Bishop for their support of our scholarship program this summer,” Casteel said. “Because of the support of many, we showed growth in every age category, particularly our junior high and senior high campers.” Though traditionally Cedar Crest has been identified as an “elementary camp,” Cedar Crest now serves children and youth of all ages, because the staff knows that camp is a meaningful experience for everyone. Casteel said Cedar Crest had over 90 youth attend camp this summer, which is the largest number they have had in years. “Our newest experience at Cedar Crest this summer was Outpost Camp,”Casteel said. “Campers had the opportunity to cook their own meals over an open fire, and then spend the night under the stars in a hammock. It was a meaningful experience for all of our outpost campers, some of whom were having their first Cedar Crest experience.” Three weeks of outpost was offered and all were filled. Other highlights of the summer included weekly communion led by the Tennessee Conference Camping Executive Director Rev. Dickie Hinton, a July Cedar Crest visit by Bishop Bill McAlilly, who got to take part in a Luau and encourage the campers and staff to listen for God’s calling in their lives, three completely full weeks of summer camp, hosting 15 senior high campers for the first time in many years, eating vegetables from the camp garden and having campers give their life to Christ on the first day. “It was incredible summer, and we give thanks to our amazing summer staff who served as amazing mentors, leaders, and caregivers during this camp season,” Casteel said. “We give thanks also to our many conference churches, leaders, and parents, children and youth that made our summer such a success.” PAGE 6 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Feeding Story We hosted our second FEED the NEED Mobile Food Pantry powered by Second Harvest in June. Thanks to great work by the team leaders and all our volunteers we set up, unloaded the food, and were ready to start serving by 9:00. All that went very well. But as I headed to the front I discovered that we only had 10 people waiting. We had been very successful in our planning and preparation but we had not done the same apparently in our communication to our greater community. I went back to the volunteers and told them that today might just be a failure and that would be OK, because often we learn more from our failures than our successes. I told them that we have had a lot of successes over the last year, too many perhaps, and that we needed a good failure to wake us up. That got everybody's attention and then I asked them to start Facebooking their friends and anybody they could think of to contact and tell them we have food. I encouraged them to shop for someone they knew who need food. That started everybody furiously making contacts. At the same time one of my volunteers came to me and said we have to get outside. So she took cardboard and make signs that said free food, took some of our youth and along with Cassie Davenport, our youth minister, went outside. Their signs began bringing people in. Then others began calling all their contacts and agencies. One of our older members went through the entire Glenbrooke shopping center to see about posting flyers. Someone went to IGA I found out later because we had people who came because of that. There were other folks who stepped into high gear. And then they came and they came...They came because everybody took it upon themselves to be sent and do their part to get the word out. When it was all over God showed up and shown out through us in a powerful, indescribable way. Oh the stories of heartbreak we heard and the love of God we tried to share. In the end what could have been a failure (it wouldn't have been just not as fruitful) ended up being an event where we gave away every last bit of food to over 250 families and 7 agencies amounting to at least 800 people served and that is a conservative estimate. To God be the Glory when all of us gather together in his name to GO... After our June FEED the NEED, Target came to us and said they were so impressed by this ministry that they wanted to pay for one in July. Unfortunately the date they chose was right when we were trying to get ready for VBS as well but we decided we had to do it and we would make it work. We were all set when Target's corporate office decided to cancel their plans. We had told the families in June to come back in July and we felt we just couldn't cancel. So I went to the congregation and explained what was happening. Our congregation rose to the challenge to do a second mobile food pantry, raise the 2.500 it costs all while we prepared for VBS to start on Sunday...It is thanks to incredible servants of God and people who are extravagant generous that we were able to pull it off...That day we served right around 285 families (we can only serve 288 completely). In addition we sent food to the Hendersonville Samaritan Center, VFW, and a halfway house in town. Nothing was left. Repeat not a thing :) Thanks be to God for the 100 plus folks who came out to help including a big thanks to Mt Calvary Church in Madison who sent 10 volunteers and Living Word Fellowship who came as well. V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W PAGE 7 I also wanted to send you something one of my newer members wrote on Facebook about her experience...Jennifer Roddy, now incidentally the associate director of our Little Lambs Preschool...use or not just wanted someone to hear her experience besides me...because it is things like this that tell me we are heading in the right direction...these events have really transformed my congregation :) So... The experience I always have at the Feed the Need mobile food pantry is hard to put into words. However this picture stopped me in my tracks. I didn't know it was taken. This just happens to be a photograph of the back of me and my favorite guest today, Ms. Jayne. As I was escorting our guests today many of them commented on something that looked really yummy or a meal that they were going to make with their fresh produce. Although she was very appreciative of her food - she was most appreciative of her bible which Sharon helped her find. It was our last large print bible and had been highlighted heavily. She was tickled though. When I handed her the bible from the shopping cart she looked right at me and said, "Oh, thank you. I have been wanting a Bible for a long time!" It was a sobering moment. I am sitting here looking at no less than 6 Bibles on my bookshelf and my study Bible right beside me. I am surrounded by a church family that reminds me and encourages me with the word of God daily. I have a Christian book on my end table that I am currently reading. I have the opportunity to access a bible on my phone anytime I want to but not this kind lady. She was giddy about what I take for granted. Be salt and light, folks. Remember, people would be so happy with much less than you have right now! I will go back often and think of her. Peace in Christ, Jeremy Thanks from Martin Methodist College To the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, Martin Methodist College recently closed out it's 143rd fiscal year on June 30. We wanted to take this opportunity to show our profound appreciation to the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church. Your generous support contributed to overall giving increasing more than 9 percent from a year earlier. Martin Methodist has been and continues to be a college of opportunity with 54 percent of our enrollment being firstgeneration college students. Additionally, Martin Methodist is investing in the church’s future with thirteen of our recent United Methodist students currently in seminary. The investment you are making in their lives is making a lifetime difference. Again, thank you so much for what you have done and continue to do to make this happen. Blessings, Ed Trimmer Center for Church Leadership Martin Methodist College [email protected] PAGE 8 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W PAGE 9 MORE EVENT INFO: Learn more about the 5-Day Academy at http://academy.upperroom.org/events/five-dayacademies?page=2 REGISTRATION: Online: www.memphis-umc.org/5DayAcademy-reg Printable Form to Mail: https://memphis.brtapp.com/files/fileslibrary/academytn_final_brochure.pdf ONLINE FORMS FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS TO COMPLETE: Participant Information Form: https://memphis-reg.brtapp.com/FiveDayAcademyParticipantInformation Participant Arrival Schedule, Special Needs, and Emergency Information: https://memphis-reg.brtapp.com/FiveDayAcademy-Arrival-Needs-Emergency CONTACTS: Carol Ingram [email protected] Linda Douty [email protected] The Right Question Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions. Sometimes we neglect to make sure staff and volunteers have what they need to do their jobs well. A question that can profitably be used at least once a year with those with whom you work may identify feasible ways you can help them. Is there something you need that would immediately help you do your job better? PAGE 10 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Bicycles and Backpacks Recently I met with our new school partner George A Whitten Elementary and principal Rhonda Roach along with their long time guidance counselor. We were talking about different ways to help them with as we try to live into the challenge of being the 72 led by Bishop Bill McAlilly and Lynn McAlilly. We talked about usual things like backpacks and school supplies. Another one of the things mentioned was trying to get some 'prizes' to help in their behavioral enhancement program. These kids earn 'dollars' based on their good behavior and then use dollars to 'purchase' things. Unfortunately the school can't really afford larger prizes so even for large dollar amounts the kids only get trinkets. I said what you really need is something like a bike that the kids could aspire to and look at but they said that would be great but they can't afford bikes. I went away trying to figure out how we could get a bike or two to them. Later that week, we received a rather strange call. It was from Clark Metal and Iron in Murfreesboro and they had 28 bikes, including 14 youth and children bikes, and they were looking for a place to donate them. I was floored and could hardly believe what I was hearing. We asked for one bike and here we are being blessed with 28. But the God story here gets better. Davis Taylor, one of my church member, who picked the bikes up found something else when he arrived to get them. Let me tell you a little story. We, that is my church, were already planning on packing a bunch of backpacks with school supplies, but more on that later. So PJ said what the school needed was a bike for the kids to aspire to have. Well ,about the same time he was saying that, a stranger called the church and said he had 28 bicycles he needed to get rid of. So, a plan was put into place for me to use a truck from work and go to Murfreesboro and pick up the bikes. Well that happened today. The bikes were left over from a mission project two years ago and were taking up space at the mans business. So, I'm there to pick up bikes and in the way of the bikes are some other things. The guy asked me if we needed anything else and I said depends on what you got. He opened a box and inside were backpacks and in other boxes were school supplies....you know the stuff I mentioned at the beginning. There were 70 backpacks, several boxes of school supplies and almost 1000 plastic water bottles.Our God is an amazing God. All it takes is a little faith! And one of the things not mentioned is that I had also talked to the school about possibly getting water bottles for the upper classes from their desk. I was about to order 200 and figure out how to pay for it later. I kept putting it off and then we heard about the almost 1,000 water bottles. They were the perfect size for the students to use. And we found out that some children at the school didn't even have proper shoes to wear especially in the Winter. So our 1-3rd graders had been collecting shoes for another project and it happened we collected 24 pairs of kids shoes that could go to the school instead. The guidance counselor was overwhelmed by that more than anything. We don't stop to think about what the students, teachers, and administrators face outside of just basic school supplies needs as they try to educate. In addition to all of this, we packed almost 200 S.O.S (Supply Our Students) backpacks and delivered 50 backpacks to the school. Principal Rhonda told me that we should have seen how the kids were smiling and so proud of their backpacks when they left school registration. The backpacks were gone in the first ten minutes. As we delivered the backpacks, the teachers also couldn't believe our extravagant generosity. And we gave another 50 backpacks to United Way of Sumner County for their Stuff the Bus program. They had requested 500 for the entire county and on their own GSUMC provided 10% of the county's need. We still have more to distribute as the need arises. We are committed to being one of the 72...How about you? All it took for us to start was going to one of our local schools with more than 50% on free or reduced lunch and just ask how can we help you. And then God took over and we just tried to be faithful to what God was calling us to do. I didn't know where all this would go when we started and now I can't believe where all God has taken us since. Be one the 72. Peace in Christ, Jeremy PAGE 11 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Westland Tutoring Ministry Mission: Establish a safe and nurturing space for children and families to learn to love in, love out, and love up. Goals: To collaborate with area churches to minister to the Byars Dowdy Community through neighborhood tutoring program. Start Date: September 16, 2014 Location: Westland United Methodist Church Time: 3:30-5:00pm The program will meet weekly on Tuesday Evenings following the Lebanon Special School District Schedule. (No meetings if Lebanon Special Schools is not in session due to holiday or weather). Community Involvement Donation Needs: Pencils Paper (wide ruled and college ruled) Hand Sanitizer Kleenex Erasers Pens (black ink) Pencil Sharpeners Volunteer Needs: Tutors Snack Coordinator Transportation Coordinator Registration Coordinator Devotional Coordinator If interested to volunteer or make donations please contact Alice Stricklin at 615-574-0474 or email at [email protected] You can also sign up by going to www.westlandumc.org PAGE 12 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Lay Servant School Next School is November 7-8th. Basic and Advanced: $40.00 DUE with Registration: *$10.00 (Non-Refundable, in District Office no later than October 31, 2014) Registration before October 1, Book will be mailed ** $30 Due the first day of class Make check payable to: Cumberland District Mail registration form and check to: Carolyn Bullock 525 New Shackle Island Road Hendersonville, TN 37075 DOWNLOAD FORM HERE: Lay Servant NOV 2014 or SUBMIT ONLINE Your Pastor Must Approve you going to Lay Servant School. Please have them send a confirmation email to [email protected] PAGE 13 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 PAGE 14 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 ADULT/OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES TENNESSEE CONFERENCE The following Conference events are planned for Adult/Older Adults for the remainder of 2014: Adult /Older Adults in Action and Service St Marks United Methodist Church Murfreesboro TN Tuesday, October 21 Speakers: Bishop Bill McAlilly & Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas UMC Minister, Author and Professor CHRISTMAS AT BEERSHEBA Tuesday, December 2 Thursday, December 4 Friday, December 5 Tuesday, December 9 Thursday, December 11 Inspirational Program, Christmas Music, a delicious lunch Served in the beautifully decorated hotel at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Grounds Choose your day to come and bring your adult /older adults and others ALL CHURCHES AND ADULT/OLDER ADULTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THESE EVENTS As the Conference Committee on Adult/Older Adult Ministries makes plans for 2015, we will be looking for new ways of reaching more churches and adult/older adult groups, creating an OAM Web page and developing a Conference OAM Newsletter. If you would like your name to be added to the CCOCM Database for Adult/Older Adult emails or other ways of contacting you, call CCOCM 329.1177 or send an email to Tracey Karl: [email protected] If you have ideas you would like to share or questions to ask, contact me at [email protected] Shirley Vaughn, Chair—Adult/Older Adult Ministries Tennessee Conference PAGE 15 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W http://newroomconference.com/ V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 PAGE 16 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Clergy Covenant Conversation with Bishop McAlilly All clergy under appointment are required to attend one of these two offerings: Monday, Oct. 13 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northside UMC Jackson, Tenn. Lunch included OR Tuesday, Oct. 14 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brentwood UMC Brentwood, Tenn. Lunch included Goals of the Day: Recover the richness and grace of our covenant together through our baptism and our vows Determine how the covenant will enhance our life together Hear how the covenant will and will not be used Cost: $10 per person Registration: https://memphis-reg.brtapp.com/CovenantConversationforClergywithBishopBillMcAlilly Pre-event readings and prayers will be emailed to all participants. PAGE 17 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Changes in the District Office Just wanted you all to be aware that as of August 18th, Carolyn Bullock has resigned from her position as Cumberland District Secretary. Carolyn has faithfully served the Cumberland District for 11 years and we wish her many blessings and much happiness as she chooses a new path. I want to also let you know that effective immediately Robin Stanfield will be filling in as interim secretary. Robin has worked along side Carolyn for 2 years and has a lot of the basic knowledge of the office duties. She is available to help each of you as the need arises. Her email is [email protected]. I too, am here for you and together we are confident and excited about moving forward! Office hours will now be Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm. Thank you for all you do for the Cumberland District! Dearest Readers of the Cumberland District Review: I write this with a little sadness but a great deal of happiness. Many of you know that I have "left the premises" of the district office. I know that it was a surprise, but it was the easiest way to do it. Reason being this: Over the years I have developed a loving relationship with many. That being said it would have been far too emotional for me to say goodbye. This way, I never have to do that, and the relationships will not end. You may even see me in the pew one Sunday or just a pop up visit. It's time for me to be a hands on Grandmom and I have the grey hair to do it! Heck, I may even apply for a job as a seasonal Mrs Kris Kringle. It's a new season in the district office and DS Scott is going to be awesome! A man of God a heart for mission, and a vision to make disciples of Jesus Christ. For now, so long and God Bless.—Carolyn PAGE 18 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries Upcoming and Sponsored Events Located at 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville TN 37072 | 877-857-9372 | aldersgaterenewal.org | [email protected] Join us for a onderful day ith other omen e orship, pray and learn The Fall Women's Day Apart ll take Saturday, September 20th, ith an evening of p r a i s e a n d p r a y e r on Friday, September, 19th. event takes place at the Aldersgate Renew Center, 121 East Avenue Goodlettsville, TN Cost s $25 and includes unch! (Rates go up to $30 on September Bring a group from your church! R ster da As e gather ith other omen in a safe, nurturing environment, e’ll healing of body, soul and spirit and to bless ith healing We’ll experience orship, “Kingdom, Power and orkshops, a keynote address, and prayer challenged to receive around the theme of Our keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Diana DeWitt. She has been in pastoral ministry since 1996, serving in the TN Conference of the UMC. She has a powerful message to share! Our worship leader is Stacy Saunders, who leads worship at White House First UMC. Stacy is also a singer / song-writer and sees worship from the heart as her core. Workshop Choices include: And Lead Us Not into Temptation, but Deliver Us From the Evil One led by Sharon Bailey and exploring the power of forgiveness and the cross. Kingdom Living – Experiencing God’s Power and Glory led by Mary Bolton. Mary will be looking practically at how we can accomplish Kingdom living in our everyday lives. Praying Kingdom Priorities led by Margie Burger will look at what it means to pray “They Kingdom come”. Portals into the Kingdoms led by Diana DeWitt. Diana will explore the circumstances needed in our lives to walk with full kingdom authority. PAGE 19 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 The Power to Overcome led by Carol Gullatt will focus on how we can engage the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome obstacles and hindrances. The Kingdom of God is Within You (Luke 17:21) led by Kathy Hershman. Kathy will teach how the supernatural Kingdom of God that is within you can affect and change the natural environment and circumstances that surround you. Kingdom Leadership – Imparting God’s Truth to the Next Generation led by Holly Roe. Holly will teach how you can leave a legacy and influence the next generation no matter what age you are! SCHEDULE A RENEWAL EVENT FOR YOUR CHURCH TODAY! PERFECT FOR THE 2015 LENTEN SEASON! Aldersgate Renewal Ministries can bring any one of our team-led local church renewal events to your church: The Lay Witness Mission has been going strong for over 50 years and uses a team to share Jesus transforming power in individual lives. Your people will hear lay people just like them share about their faith journey, they’ll participate in small groups going deeper in their own faith walk and your church will grow together as a result. www.LayWitnessMission.com Venture in Discipleship, designed as a follow up to the Lay Witness Mission, has laypersons sharing their personal experiences in trying to live the Christian life with others. The central focus is on personal commitment to Christ and His ministry. There is opportunity for your people to sign up for areas of service at the end of the event. www.VentureInDiscipleship.com The Life in the Spirit Seminar adds a teaching component where team members share Biblical teachings along with personal testimony about living a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life. www.LifeInTheSpiritSeminar.com The Lord, Teach Us to Pray also has teaching and sharing components as team members share about different aspects of a personal prayer life. There are practical tools shared and practiced in addition to the teaching and personal testimony. www.LordTeachUsToPraySeminar.com Pathways to a Praying Church is filled with teaching and personal testimony relative to corporate prayer. Your congregation will experience a concert of prayer, learn how gifts of the Holy Spirit enhance praying together, learn tools for corporate prayer and how to minister healing to body, soul and spirit. www.PathwaysToAPrayingChurch.com The Worship in Spirit and Truth seminar team teaching seeks to help your congregants deepen their relationship with God, overcome hindrances to worship, discover Biblical worship and gain vision for their church. www.WorshipInSpiritAndTruthSeminar.com Supernatural Ministry Seminar is our newest event. This event presents practical and Biblical instruction and helps your church immediately put ministry into practice, stepping beyond what YOU can do to what ONLY GOD can do! It is custom designed for your church. www.SupernaturalMinistrySeminar.com We ask for about a six month lead time to schedule an event so any of these would fit well in the Lenten season [starting February 18, 2015] Call or email Rev. Dr. Frank Billman ([email protected]) to discuss what event might best suit your church’s spiritual growth and find out more about the Local Church Renewal Events we can bring to YOUR church! PAGE 20 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Local Church Events Weekly Schedule Sunday School at 9:45 AM for all ages! Traditional Worship - Sunday Morning at 10:55 AM Lafayette United Methodist Church 506 Bratton Avenue P.O. Box 122 Lafayette, Tennessee 37083 Phone: 615-666-3497 E-mail: [email protected] Bible Study each Monday night at 6:00 p.m. Hispanic Church meets every Monday and Thursday at 7:00 PM Lambuth UMC, 1042 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN September 13 - 5:00 pm, Fish Fry/Fall Fling, Fun & Games, Fellowship Hall (rsvp 452-3715) September 20 - 7:00 am- 2:00 pm, Fall Yard Sale, Fellowship Hall October 11 - 7:00 am - 2:00 pm, Annual Bazaar (food, bake sale, silent auction and a variety of vendors), Fellowship Hall and outside October 31 - 4:30 pm, Halloween Trunk or Treat, parking lot PAGE 21 T HE U NI T E D ME T HO D I S T R E V I E W V O LU M E 7 , I S S U E 9 Charge Conference 2014 You can find Charge Conference 2014 paperwork and forms at: http://cumberlanddistrictumc.org/chargeconference-2014/. The start times for the charge conferences are for the meeting with the PPR/SPRC teams prior to Charge Conference September 7: 11am: Lambuth Memorial 1:15pm: Cairo 3:30pm: Saundersville 5:30pm: Good Shepherd September 10: 6pm: Key Stewart 7:30pm: Hartsville/Chapel Hill September 21: 12pm: Forest Grove 1:30pm: Denton’s Chapel 3pm: Oakwood September 22: 6pm: Bethpage September 28: 12pm: Smith Chapel/Campground 2pm: Beech Grove/Trousdale 3:45: Willow Grove September 30: 5:15pm: Gladeville 7pm: Leeville October 1: 5:45pm: Cross Plains CUMBERLAND DISTRICT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Mailing Address: P.O. Box 477 Hendersonville, TN 37077 District Office Location: 525 New Shackle Island Rd Hendersonville, TN 37075 (Inside Good Sheppard UMC) Telephone: 615-822-1433 FAX: 615-822-3729 Deadline for the next Cumberland District Review, September 18, 2014. Please send any information you wish to be printed in this edition to [email protected] Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cumberlanddistrictumc Check out our updated web page: http://cumberlanddistrictumc.org/. Texting Communication Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. To be added to our texting list, text “JOIN CUMBERLAND” to 94033 Prayer Request: -Bishop Bill McAlilly will be present at the dedication of a new parsonage (home and office) for the East Congo Conference, funded by the Nashville Episcopal Area. He is scheduled to preach at this dedication. He will be in the Democratic Republic of Congo until this upcoming Wednesday, August 20. -Rev. Bill Lovell, who is also visiting the East Congo Conference. He is currently visiting Bishop Unda Yemba in Kindu at his new parsonage.