June 2011 - Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee
Transcription
June 2011 - Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee
Connections:home… parish… diocese Middle Tennessee Floods, May 2010 Vol. 4, No. 6 June 2010 Bishop’s Notebook… page 3 ● Feature Story… page 4 ● Diocesan News… page 6 From the Field… page 8 ● Around the Diocese… back cover The Mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee is to encourage and equip one another as baptized people of God, to witness to the transforming and reconciling power of Jesus Christ. The Episcopal Church In the Anglican Communion A global communion of 77 million Anglicans in 25 member provinces Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Rowan Williams Anglican Consultative Council Partnership House 157 Waterloo Road London, England Episcopal Seat: Canterbury Cathedral In the United States A communion of 2.5 million members in 112 dioceses in the Americas and abroad Established 1789 Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Episcopal Church Center 815 Second Avenue New York NY 10017 800-334-7626 Episcopal Seat: Washington National Cathedral Mount St. Albans Washington DC 20016 Welcome to the June 2010 issue of Connections: home… parish… diocese. We will accept submissions for Connections from throughout the diocese. As space permits, we will use as much content as possible, subject to editorial revision. Short announcements of 100 words or less may be sent via email to [email protected]. For feature-length stories, contact us in the diocesan office at 615-251-3322. Digital photos can be submitted as above and must include activity, date and identities of everyone in the photo. Submissions are accepted until 12:00 Noon on the 15th of the month prior to the upcoming issue and will be given consideration on a first come/first served basis. Protecting children from sexual abuse. Preventing adult sexual misconduct. A diocesan workshop for vestries,* nursery workers, Sunday school teachers, volunteer youth leaders and employees, part‐time and full‐time, anywhere in the diocese. September 21 6:00-9:00 PM Christ Church Cathedral Nashville Please call the diocesan office at 615‐251‐3322 to sign up. *Newly elected vestry members should attend. Safeguarding God’s People is a curriculum provided by the Church Pension Group. Receiving Connections - three ways, your choice. In the Diocese of Tennessee A communion of 16,000 Episcopalians in 48 congregations in Middle Tennessee Established 1828 Online Edition: Connections is posted on the diocesan website for viewing, reading or printing! Visit www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org for the Online Edition of Connections. Past issues are archived. Bishop The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee 50 Vantage Way, Suite 107 Nashville TN 37228 615-251-3322 Print Subscription: If you do not have Internet capabilities, or you simply prefer the Print Edition of Connections, call the diocesan office at 615-251-3322 to subscribe. Connections will be mailed to your home. Episcopal Seat: Christ Church Cathedral Published by the Diocese of Tennessee. Publisher: The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt Editor: Cathy Hendrix Email Updates: If you would like to be added to the diocesan Email Distribution List, visit the diocesan website and subscribe. A reminder will be sent to you when the latest Connections is posted. Connections: home… parish… diocese The Flood of 2010 Today I did a double-take, as I pulled up behind a city bus on my morning commute and noticed an ad for a Cincinnati company on the back. For a moment I wondered why Nashville was such an attractive market for business, marveling at our scope and reach, and then I realized that the bus had Ohio plates, and was clearly “on loan.” The MTA took losses in the Great Flood, and Nashvillians still have to get around. Thank God for the Queen City. Some of the effects of the Flood of 2010 will be around for longer than those buses. There has been heartbreaking loss of life, and significant damage to public and private property in Middle Tennessee, especially to people’s homes. There has also been an outpouring of aid from across the United States, and especially within our own communities as people have lined up to help their neighbors. Within our own Church, St George’s Church experienced significant damage, but has also been able to step up to the plate and move into recovery with the help of many friends, and other local churches and synagogues. St Luke’s Community House has been the critical helping institution in West Nashville in the first week after the Flood. Episcopal Relief and Development made emergency grant money available to meet some immediate needs known to parish clergy. If the challenge has been significant, so has the response. Many of us in the Diocese will need to take stock over the next few weeks. It’s a curious effect of disasters like Dismas Forgiveness Breakfast Bishop Bauerschmidt gave the invocation at the Dismas, Inc.’s Forgiveness Breakfast held at the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel on May 19, 2010. Pictured left to right: Bill Coleman, CEO of Dismas, Inc.; Robyn Smith, St. Ann’s Church Nashville; George Barnard; St. Michael’s Church Cookeville; Bob Allen, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville; Barbara Reynolds, St. Michael’s Church Cookeville; Bishop Bauerschmidt; Ann Olsen, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville; Mark Alan Burnett, Christ Cathedral; Tony Garr, Tennessee Health Care Campaign; Liz Melcher and John Melcher, St. Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville. Founded in Nashville in 1974 by Father Jack Hickie, a Jesuit chaplain involved in the Prison Project at Vanderbilt, this that many folks, even those who have not been directly affected by the Flood, may experience some feeling of disorientation. We don’t know “where we’re coming from,” because this experience is beyond the limits of the “normal” for most of us. People have had different experiences, but we have all been affected, even some of us who may not be very aware of the stress. We need to be patient with each other. We need to take time to mourn. Our community is already moving out of the relief phase and into recovery, as we begin to address the short-term and long-term needs that will emerge. How will the Episcopal Church be involved? How will the Diocese of Tennessee reach out to help our neighbors? There are opportunities to give listed on our web site, and I encourage you to be generous. But most importantly, we will be looking for practical ways that we can be part of recovery in Middle Tennessee. I look forward to the days ahead because they will be full of opportunity for the Church. — Bishop John Dismas is a program to provide transitional housing for exoffenders to re-introduce them into society. An important aspect of the Dismas House Program includes university students living in the houses with the residents. There are two Dismas Houses in Tennessee in Nashville and in Cookeville. The board and staff of St. Luke’s Community House invite you to the RESCHEDULED Bishop’s Breakfast with the Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt, Wednesday June 9 from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. No charge, but RSVP by May 3 required. Contact Chris Sanders at 350-6936 to RSVP or receive more information. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org Connections June 2010 3 Were You Prepared? Just two issues ago, the headline on the cover of this publication posed the following question: ARE YOU PREPARED? The cover story addressed emergency preparedness, especially focusing on tornado season. But on the first weekend in May, when the rains came down and the creeks and rivers came up, unfortunately in many cases, the answer was a resounding no. “It happened so fast.” “This area has never flooded before.” “No one thought it would be this bad.” “I didn’t know what to do.” How many of you heard comments like these in the last month? Homes were destroyed; lives were lost. And while it’s true that the people of Middle Tennessee, the people of the Diocese of Tennessee, are very resilient, it is also true that hearts are broken and families are still in shock. Since the flood, there have been telethons, benefit concerts and other fundraising efforts - all worthy in their own way. Bishop Bauerschmidt has chosen three entities that he is recommending to those who want to help. In a letter to the people of the diocese, the bishop writes, “Those desiring to support Recovery Work by financial gifts through the Diocese of Tennessee are encouraged to give in these ways: 1. A gift to Episcopal Relief and Development, which is committed to supporting recovery work sponsored by the Diocese of Tennessee. 2. A gift to St Luke’s Community House, which is actively engaged in recovery work in its heavily impacted neighborhood. 3. A gift to the Dandridge Trust, which will support recovery work through its own grant funding process. All gifts so designated will be disbursed for short and long term flood recovery in Middle Tennessee.” 4 Connections June 2010 The office of the Diocese of Tennessee was closed due to mandatory evacuation of Metro Center from Monday May 3 to Thursday May 6. The bishop, canons and staff stayed in constant communication and worked from remote locations. It was important to remain connected to each other and to the clergy and parishes in the diocese. What follows here is a breakdown, by location, of the stories from throughout the diocese, not only of the flood and destruction but of the rebuilding - of churches and of hope. St. George’s Church Undoubtedly the hardest hit parish in the diocese, St. George’s Church Nashville took on water when Harding Pike flooded. According to Larry Trabue, every inch of the ground floor - the sanctuary, chapel, kindergarten, kitchen, bookstore, administrative offices, library, Johnson Hall, Hampton Hall saw at least 3 inches and at most 18 inches of water. The parking lot became a lake and the current was so strong, the pressure of it blew out a window, allowing even more water to come in. During the early service, Sunday May 2, at the first sign of water creeping into the sanctuary, those who were able helped move all they could to higher ground. Some items were placed on tables and desktops, some things were taken to the second floor. Once the immediate need was met and later, after the water had finally subsided, professionals movers and cleaners were called in. The idea was, of course, to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Although the building remained damaged and the parking lot was unusable, on Sunday May 9, the parishioners of St. George’s attended service. What should have been a happy occasion of homecoming was marred by the fact that the 11:15 service that day was a funeral for two members, Bill and Frankie Rutledge, who died in the floodwaters while on their way to church the previous Sunday. They were interred in the columbarium. Yet St. George’s has another story to tell: the story of the parishioners who worked late into the night that first week to remove debris and relocate what could be saved, the story of the more than 200 members who volunteered in the community to help their neighbors, the story of a church family carrying and supporting one another in a time of unexpected hardship. As the Rev. Leigh Spruill, rector of St. George’s, wrote in one of his updates, “We remember who we are by remembering who God is: ‘Alleluia, Christ is risen!’” St. Bartholomew’s Church Pam White, Director of Operations for St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville, reported minimal damage, with some of the rooms in their basement flooding rooms used for Sunday School and PreSchool. They managed to get the water pumped out and used fans to further dry the carpet, and were up and running by Mother’s Day Out at the end of the week. However, they did have several church families displaced by the flood and the parish is working with them to assist in the recovery process. St. Philip’s Church News reports of the flooding around Opry Mills caused a great deal of concern regarding St. Philip’s Church Nashville. Located just off Briley Parkway, this area appeared to be in great distress. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org The Rev. Vicki Burgess says, “We canceled our second service Sunday morning and made the decision to send out a One Call Now (our automated phone tree) to tell everyone to stay home. We only had a very little water come in our building - a little soaked carpet and water on the linoleum. Most of our parishioners are fine. They have a few issues with wet basements that have never been wet before; one family evacuated from the Old Hickory area (their whole first floor was under water).” She also explained that, as a new Second Harvest distribution center, they were giving out food to anyone who came by and shared a need. All Saints’ Church All Saints’ Church Smyrna experienced severe flooding of the fields and property used by Kurios Farm, the ministry begun two years ago as a cooperative venture between the congregation and its Karen parishioners from Myanmar. Ironically, the farm’s two pumps floated away. A memorial gazebo was relocated to a tree. Happily, workers were able to retrieve it and put it back where it belongs. While the floodwaters may have been good for the fields, the loss of equipment is problematic. Insurance will help with replacing what was lost. Rectory, which made it difficult to be in touch with parishioners. Church of Our Saviour Parishioners of Church of Our Saviour Gallatin worked all weekend to the keep the church buildings dry. On Sunday, they were pumping and mopping away water and getting furniture and other items to higher ground. But wet and dirty, they stopped briefly for the Eucharist… and then went right back to work. They spent Monday May 3 cleaning up the damage left behind. The Rev. John Bender says, “Small church ministry benefits in times like these from having a dedicated congregation of folks who are used to doing most of the cleaning, maintenance and repairs without benefit of paid staff or outside contractors. We are pretty selfreliant and when we are in trouble and need help, a couple of phone calls always generate immediate response. What a blessing!” Mindful of the needs of their community, parishioners joined together with other local congregations to help families whose homes were damaged in an area called Hollywood Hills. They have also reached out to residents of a trailer park on Steam Plant Road. These families lost almost everything. A collection of easy to prepare food, clothing and baby needs was called for and the members of Church of Our Saviour answered. The need is still great in this area and will be for some time to come. St. John’s HomeChurch There is good news to report. The Rev. Michael Spurlock says, “Our parishioners are all okay and their homes seem fine too. No damage to the church.” Church of the Advent Church of the Advent Nashville had some basement flooding and other minor storm damage. They lost power and phone service at both the Church and www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org Mission Clarksville, the outreach of the St. John’s HomeChurch Clarksville, saw youth workers whose own homes were damaged reaching out to help oth- ers. Many businesses have months of recovery ahead but in the short term, a work day was organized and the youth cleaned the Salvation Army Thrift Store and Shelter. Church of the Epiphany The town square in Lebanon was under several feet of water with literally every business there damaged. While Church of the Epiphany Lebanon was untouched, some of the parishioners were not so fortunate. The Rev. Anne Fraley has a way neighbors can help neighbors restore their homes to some sense of normalcy - see page 10 for details. In other areas of the diocese, the news is varied. Christ Church Cathedral and Holy Trinity Church both were spared from the waters of the rising Cumberland River as was St. Ann’s Church on the east side. The Rev. Rick Greenwood of St. David’s Church Nashville was unable to get from the church to his home (and a large family gathering) until late in the day on Monday. The Rev. Joe Davis of Church of the Resurrection Franklin had a similar situation. The Rev. Rob Courtney’s home sustained quite a bit of damage from the water. The clergy of parishes in areas not affected by floodwaters reported that they and their congregations were fine. They sent prayers out to their fellow clergy members who were affected by the water. And some of them started raising relief funds immediately. At Calvary Church Cumberland Furnace, with a total of 20 members in attendance, $2500 was collected for people in the area who had flood damage. On Monday May 3, the rains were gone; Tuesday May 4, the high water was starting to recede. But this disaster is not over, not for the people who are wondering where they will go and what they will do with virtually nothing left of their homes. One thing is for sure: houses and churches will be restored and the people in the Diocese of Tennessee will grow closer to each other, and to God. Connections June 2010 5 Clergy News Condolences to the Rev. Lane Denson of Calvary Church Cumberland Furnace and his family on the recent death of his brother, Thomas Denson of Temple TX. Wishes for a speedy recovery go out to the Rev. Tony Welty of St. George’s Church Nashville as he recovers from a torn calf muscle. The Rev. Ann Walling was recently nominated for the Mary Catherine Strobel award in the category of Community Impact for Parish News Recent confirmations: Roberto Coco Jr., Don Mabry, Sue Raulston, Keith Sorrels, Jay Joyner, St. Augustine’s Chapel Nashville; Heather Stanton, Hillary Williams, Amy Pugh, Madeline Welch, St. Philip’s Church Nashville; Jenifer King, Lana Suiter, Taylor Suiter, Thomas Broussard, Jacob Grams, McClellan Kirkpatrick, Maureen Kirkpatrick, Grace Wholley, Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood; James Aiello, Sarah Goss, Hannah Hopkins, Jennifer Horton, Grace Oberholtzer, Mary Roth, Jackson Turner, St. Paul’s Church Franklin. Recent receptions: Michael Davis, Melissa Davis, Adam Rennhoff, Christina Rennhoff, Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood. Recent baptisms: Tucker Bock, St. Philip’s Church Nashville; Elizabeth O’Reilly, Benjamin Bartsch, Timothy Bradford, Ruby Gaither, Shelly Watson, St. Paul’s Church Murfreesboro, Emma Peterson, St. Paul’s Church Franklin; Basil Zaher, Audrey Weedman, Emmaline Weedman, Margaret Weedman, Clara Weedman, Kellie Gollapudi, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville; Rider Recla, St. Mark’s Church Antioch. the Mekong Blue Project. The Rev.s Tim and Jill Zook-Jones led the recent St. Bartholomew’s Women’s Retreat at St. Mary’s Sewanee. The Rev. Tom Hutson, chaplain to the retired clergy, spent several days in a New Orleans hospital following a fall and a head injury. His wife Shirley and their daughter were in New Orleans as well. He was finally released and returned to Nashville to recuperate at home. Prayers go out to the Hutson family. Michael’s Church Cookeville will have elementary-age summer Sunday School, beginning June 2. And although there is no Sunday School at Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood during the summer months, there is Children’s Worship Time during the 9:00 service. The Young Adults of St. Paul’s Church Franklin will gather at Arrington Vineyards on June 6, for a picnic and wine tasting. For more information, contact the Rev. Monna Mayhall at [email protected]. St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville recently celebrated two years in partnership with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. In that time, members of St. B.’s team have served over 2500 meals to the homeless and impoverished. On May 13, Church of the Resurrection Franklin held their Ascension Day service followed by an old fashioned Ice Cream Social. The St. Catherine’s Chapter of the Daughters of the King of Christ Church Cathedral Nashville placed a memorial crabapple sandstone bench in celebration of the lives of several beloved members of the chapter. St. Barnabas’ Church Tullahoma will, on June 13, celebrate St. Barnabas Day with a 9:30 service followed by a potluck picnic lunch in the parish hall. They will also bless and dedicate the new signage that has been recently installed. Church of Our Saviour Gallatin is engaging in Food Fight II with Lambuth United Methodist Church and Indian Hills Baptist Church, a 30-day food drive to benefit Gallatin C.A.R.E.S. Trinity Church Winchester has a new website at www.trinitywinchester.org. St. Peter’s Church Columbia has announced their summer worship schedule. From June 6 through August 8, they will only have two services each Sunday: 8:00 and 10:00 AM, with no children’s Sunday School during the summer. St. Youth News On May 12, the Sr. EYC of St. Peter’s Church Columbia spent the evening loading backpacks with school supplies to give to students in need for the 2010-2011 school year. The EYC of St. Michael’s Church Cookeville made their annual camping trip to Fall Creek Falls in May. Student Ministries of St. Paul’s Church Murfreesboro will be attending ReCreation Experiences in Asheville NC, July 11-17. They will make a difference in the lives of a family in rural North Carolina. The Youth of Church of the Advent Nashville are attending as well. For more details, visit www.stpaulsyouthonline.com. The GODownstairs Children’s Group of Trinity Church Clarksville is a parent-led class for elementary school-age children which meets on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings. The children learn music, crafts and Bible stories. 6 Connections June 2010 www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org St. Bernard’s Church To Close in June The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee announces the closing of St. Bernard’s Church Gruetli-Laager. While there is sadness in this announcement, there is also the joy of knowing that St. Bernard’s has had a full life of ministry and service in this community. It is the nature of all of God’s creation that there is a natural cycle of birth, growth, maturity, and death, and individual churches are no exception. St. Bernard’s has over the years been a training ground for countless clergy of the Episcopal Church, often giving them their first experience in assisting with pastoral care, pre-marriage counseling, weddings and funerals. There were other experiences as well. One current Episcopal priest and former seminarian, Fr. Hugh Jones, remembers working on the Parish Hall that was built in the mid 1970s, sitting on top of the newly erected concrete block walls and filling the walls with insulation. The Parish Hall served the entire community for many years. and available to all members of the church. Two other Episcopal churches in Grundy County, Christ Church in Tracy City and the Church of the Holy Comforter in Monteagle continue to be open and grow. The Rev. Bill Barton may be reached at 931-598-9267. Individual congregations may come to an end, but the Church continues. The final service is scheduled for Wednesday June 16, at 5:00 PM with Bishop Bauerschmidt celebrating. St. Mary’s Sewanee 2010 Fall Programs & Retreats September 5-6, 2010 The Language of Loss: Putting Grief Into Words Presenter: Amy Lyles Wilson St. Bernard’s was founded in 1931 after the closing of St. Alban’s in Coalmont. The land was donated by Fred and Lisette Ruch Born and the church was dedicated on October 2, 1932. Many of the furnishings came from St. Alban’s. Mary Suter, one of the earliest members remembered that there were deep snows and hard winters on the mountain in the 1930s. She told stories about heating flat rocks on her hearth and putting them in the farm wagon that brought many members to church, to keep the feet of the children warm. St. Bernard’s historically has had roots deep in the Swiss community of the area. Until his death, Jake Suter practiced the art of wine making, providing the church with homemade wine for Communion, as well as giving bottles of wine as gifts to visiting seminary professors. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org Much has changed from those early days of wagons and warmed rocks, and homemade wine, but through it all St. Bernard’s has continued to be a place of welcome and hope in an often difficult world. St. Bernard’s has been the spiritual home for many people in this part of Grundy County, with Sunday worship, baptisms, marriages, funerals, and good meals shared by friends. Over the years the church has been the site of many quilting groups, community meeting, Christmas dinners and summer dinners on the ground. While the church building will no longer be used, the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and its Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt continue to be committed to being an active part of the life of Grundy County. The Rev. Bill Barton will continue to be present September 10-12, 2010 Why Pray? Presenter: Dr. James L. Crenshaw September 10-12, 2010 Celtic Spirituality and Jungian Psychology Presenter: Jerry R. Wright October 8-10, 2010 The Buddha’s Four Noble Truths: A Blueprint for Dancing with Life Presenter: Phillip Moffitt October 29-31, 2010 All Things Made New: On Being a 21st Century Christian Presenter: The Very Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Lloyd, III For more information please check our website: www.StMarysSewanee.org or telephone us at (931) 598-5342 Connections June 2010 7 day Evening Club Award in Preaching. The organization produces 30 Good Minutes, a weekly television broadcast that explores topics of faith. Alpha USA’s “The Marriage Course” at Good Shepherd The Rev. Cynthia Seifert will present “The Marriage Course” from Alpha USA on Wednesday nights in June and July, at the Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood. “The Marriage Course,” for couples who want to reinvest in their relationship, is seven sessions set in a relaxed atmosphere. Couples will be served a candlelit dinner while listening to practical talks that are both informative and fun. For more details or to sign up, call the church at 615-661-0890. Magdalene Graduates Eleven Women in May On May 21, eleven women proudly completed the Magdalene program, a two-year residential community, helping women overcome their struggle against drug addiction and prostitution. On that same day, Thistle Farms, Magdalene and their supporters celebrated the completion and opening of the Arthur House. The home, rebuilt by Borntrager Homes and Taylor Made Plans is the newest residence for the women in Magdalene. The Magdalene program is supported by sales of Thistle Farms products. These wonderful body lotions, healing oils, candles and more, can be purchased online at www.thistlefarms.org. 8 Connections June 2010 IN MEMORIAM: John Allen Long-time Trinity Church Clarksville parishioner John M. Allen died on May 9 and was interred on May 13 at the church’s columbarium. A veteran of the wars in Vietnam and Korea, John was an ordained Baptist minister before he and his wife Betty were confirmed into the Episcopal Church. After the tornado of 1999, in which Trinity Church was badly damaged, and following the sudden death of the Rev. David Murray, John was asked to take over many of the daily tasks of holding the congregation together. For the next two years, he performed pastoral care duties and welcomed new people to Trinity. After a new rector was called and a new assistant rector was hired, John continued to serve, especially relating to military persons visiting Trinity. John’s style was unique and so was his perseverance in bringing people to a place of service. Condolences go out to his family and to his friends at Trinity Church. The Rev. Gene Manning Receives Preaching Award In May, the Rev. Gene Manning of Christ Church Cathedral Nashville received her D.Min. degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston IL. Her thesis topic was “A Wandering Storyteller Was My Ancestor: Listening to and Preaching God’s Story.” She also had the distinction of being awarded the first annual Chicago Sun- The Rev. Dr. Ted Curtis, her D.Min. advisor, says, “Gene presents well, speaks distinctly and forcefully, and brings her heart to the most uncomfortable, for her and her hearers, sermonic situations. She is bold, prepared, passionate, composed and a powerful communicator.” St. George’s Nashville Celebrates Earth Day In observance of Earth Day 2010, St. George’s Church Nashville held an event on April 25 to celebrate God’s creation. Approximately 100 reusable grocery bags were distributed along with sticker images of the world, bookmarks with the prayer, “At your c o m ma n d a l l t h i n g s c a me t o be…” (BCP, p.370), lists of “Seven Easy Things You Can Do” and on-site recycling information. The Rev. Marcia King, coordinator of the event says, “In Genesis 2, humans are charged with caring for creation. In recognition of this as God’s will, St. George’s has a “Green Team” which emphasizes renewing and reusing. There are recycling bins located throughout the building as well as in every office. Each day, another step closer to replenishing the Earth.” A display was created with books from St. George’s gift shop relating to environmental subjects and God’s creation, produce to promote buying locally or planting a garden, a sign-up sheet for volunteers to the Green Team and other elements. Douglas Graham won the “Name the Dumpster” contest with his entry: Bumpster Dumpster. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org Icon Writing Workshop at Christ Church Cathedral i s f r a me d w i t h p r a y e r a n d reflection. No artistic ability is required to participate. There will be a weeklong Icon Writing Workshop held at Christ Church Cathedral Nashville, June 14-18. The daily sessions run 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. “It is humbling to experience this process and to realize that it has less to do with the ability to paint than with a willingness to let go and trust,” says Teresa. As part of the Sacred Space for the City Art Series, the workshop will be led by Teresa Harrison. Participants will create an icon of Christ Pantocrator in an atmosphere of contemplation, creativity and fellowship. In the Orthodox tradition, an icon is a link between human and divine. The act of creating, or writing, an icon To register online, visit www.christcathedrdal.org/ sacredspace/ticketsales or call the Cathedral at 615-298-2711 for more information on the workshop. God’s Green Earth… … and by “green” we mean mold! Yes, the recent flood in Middle Tennessee touched many aspects of daily life, and those are addressed elsewhere in this issue. But the environmental damage to our area cannot be overlooked. The most obvious issue is mold: if you see a discoloration on walls, floors or other hard surfaces, that’s mold. If you smell a musty or sour odor in carpets, upholstered furniture, towels and bedding, that’s mold too. When cleaning areas of mold, protect yourself by wearing a mask, gloves and boots if necessary. Open windows, if possible, to air out the affected area and remove drywall, carpet and furniture that was in water for more than 48 hours. To remove or prevent mold growth from hard surfaces, wash them with a bleach solution - no more than 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. For more information, call Metro Public Health Department at 615-340-7775. People working on homes should also be aware of the possibility of the presence of asbestos and proceed with caution. The local news has been full of pleas to conserve water. With one Nashville water treatment plant down, it is imperative to conserve - in a big way. Residents are asked to cut water consumption in half, do laundry only when necessary, refrain from watering lawns and turn off automatic sprinklers, let that car wash wait. Volunteers have been out at designated locations with cases of water available to those trying to conserve even more. Metro Water has prepared a very helpful document which can be found at http://nashville.gov/flood/docs/waterusetipsheet.pdf. Once you get in the habit of conserving water, you might not go back - even after restrictions are lifted. With so many homes in ruins, waste management is an issue. Appliances line the streets of affected areas - those are being collected for recycling where possible. EarthSavers recycling company has collected more than 95,000 lbs. of carpet and padding for recycling, however just as much was merely sent to landfills. Home owners are asked to separate their debris on the curb to ensure proper sorting and placement of the detritus. Another big problem is contamination. The floodwaters contained sewage and other contaminants. Any items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned should be discarded immediately - even canned food. When in doubt, throw it out! The issue of most concern is likely to be the true toxic waste. Some of the river area locations which were flooded were storage areas for fuel, oil and other chemicals. As the warehouses flooded, the containers were compromised and spills were easily observed with the naked eye. Automobiles overtaken by flood waters leaked oil and gas and other fluids. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a website with lots of information on what to look for, how to report spills and instructions for clean up and restoration: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/oilhow.htm. Do not try to handle these substances on your own. There are many resources and experts available to assist you. Be careful, be smart and be safe. But also be mindful of the impact on the earth as you are putting your world back together. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org Connections June 2010 9 Rebuilding... One Kitchen at a Time St. Luke’s Community House - Caring People Help Them So They May Help West Nashville Many of us have friends, family or neighbors who suffered extreme losses as a result of the recent flooding in Middle Tennessee. We are blessed that our communities are filled with giving people who are reaching out to help those who have suffered loss and damage to their homes and property. Many of us are unable to be there in person to lend a hand, but we can help in other ways. One of Bishop Bauerschmidt’s designated relief recipients, St. Luke’s Community House is well known throughout the diocese. Many parishes perform outreach to St. Luke’s and the people of West Nashville. The area was flooded and homes were damaged. Many residents held jobs at Opryland and Opry Mills; those jobs are gone. Morale is low and the people are vulnerable - real estates agents are already trying to buy properties for redevelopment, which would change the neighborhood. Do you know someone who has been forced from their home and lost their possessions? Would you like to help victims of this flood restock their kitchens? The Rev. Anne Fraley, Priest-in-Charge at the Church of the Epiphany Lebanon and a part-time consultant with The Pampered Chef, has a suggestion. Consider hosting a “kitchen shower” to help individuals and families replace what they have lost with new pots and pans, utensils and other necessary items. A kitchen shower works much like a wedding shower. A wish list is prepared by the guest of honor and items are purchased from that list by shower guests. As the purchases add up, so do the benefits for the guest of honor, including free, half-price and discounted products. There is no cost to the recipient. Replacement kits of basic equipment may also be purchased and donated to families in need. Showers may be hosted by individuals or an entire parish. For more information or to schedule a kitchen shower, please contact Ms. Fraley at 615-453-9620 or via email at [email protected]. She will work with you to find a convenient date for you or your parish to host a kitchen shower for flood victims. It will make a world of difference in someone’s life. 10 Connections June 2010 As soon as the area was cleared for re-entry, help was on hand. St. Luke’s kitchen cooked meals for those who needed them and volunteers on site. The West Nashville Partnership conducted a thorough survey of the homes, checking on the residents, helping them leave if they wanted to and informing those who stayed about relief services available. Hands on Nashville sent work groups out to help with demolition of homes. FEMA set up a station to assist residents with filing for aid. Individuals brought clothes, cleaning supplies, baby needs, toys and food, and residents of the area gratefully accepted. The children served by the pre-school and other school programs got back on schedule pretty quickly. Within just a few days, all classes were in session. As the news of flooding spread, so did the offer of aid. A radio station in Maryland conducted a supply drive, spearheaded by a DJ originally from West Nashville who wanted to help his neighbors. A truck, loaded with school supplies, toys, toiletries and more, pulled up to St. Luke’s and the items were distributed immediately. The Rev. Maggie Zeller, rector of St. Christopher’s Church Kingsport TN and her congregation there wanted to collect items to send. She and the Rev. Chris Harpster of St. Paul’s Church Kingsport drove the supplies to St. Luke’s themselves, unloaded the van and visited with some of the neighborhood residents. Fourth grade students at the Episcopal School of Knoxville held a walkathon during Phys.Ed. class. Funds pledged will go directly to St. Luke’s. Since the class was coming to Nashville for a field trip, they brought cleaning supplies and toured St. Luke’s pre-school to meet some of the area kids they are assisting. Nashville’s Mayor Karl Dean appointed St. Luke’s a formal Distribution Center for items such as mattresses, furniture and new clothing and toys. St. Luke’s biggest immediate call is for food to stock emergency food boxes. There is still much work to be done in West Nashville. To get involved, contact Christie at 615-350-6937. www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org TENS July Conference On Stewardship TENS, The Episcopal Network for Stewardship will hold their 2010 Stewardship Conference on July 30-31 in Indianapolis IN. Clergy and lay leaders, diocesan and parish staff, lay ministers and seminary students concerned with deepening the commitment to discipleship, enhancing evangelism efforts and sharpening skills for stewardship are all encouraged to attend. E p i sc o p al - S t y l e s p e ak e r s b o th addressed issues of congregational development. The speakers talked about such things as how to make it easier for newcomers to find a place of involvement in a parish and how to watch for members that might be slippin g away. Congregational Development has become an important part of the overall work of the Diocesan Evangelism Committee. If one combines the broader focus of the committee with the typical Episcopal allergy to the word “evangelism,” then it makes sense to change the committee’s name, slightly. Therefore, with the bishop’s approval, we present our new name: three dioceses operating as one state-wide organization. The E p i s c o p a l Churchmen of Tennessee raise money through offerings at the conference and through the sale of shirts and caps displaying E p i s c o p a l symbols. The funds raised are used to cover expenses and to support outreach efforts. The Evangelism and Congregational Development Committee of the Diocese of Tennessee (or ECDC for short.) This will be easy for fans of the band AC/DC to remember. The program this year features the Rev. Dr. Daniel Matthews, Fr. Charles Strobel and Larry Gates. The bishops of the three dioceses will also be at the event. Visit www.episcopalchurchmen.net for more information and registration forms. The conference, held at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre, will offer two full days of workshops and keynote speeches from the Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Kate Gillooly, the Rev. Bob Honeychurch and Richard L. Kloop, as well as networking opportunities and social interaction. Please pray for us as we seek to help parishes in their work of evangelism and congregational development. — The Rev. Cynthia Seifert, Chair, ECDC For more information on the conference or to register, go to www.tens.org or call 800-699-2669 ext. 1. Churchmen of TN Laymen’s Conference Name Change for the Evangelism Committee The 2010 Conference of the Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee will be held at the DuBose Conference Center Monteagle, during the weekend of August 27-29. The annual conference is said to be the largest gathering of its type in The Episcopal Church. At a recent meeting, the Diocesan Evangelism Committee decided to ask Bishop Bauerschmidt if it may alter the name of the committee. It has been noticed by committee members that the true scope of said committee is often quite larger than evangelism. The Magnetic Church and Evangelism www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org The first Churchmen’s conference was held at DuBose in September 1947. After the creation of the two dioceses in West and East Tennessee in 1983 and 1985, the organization continued with the laymen of all Editor’s Note As you know, Connections is published 11 times a year with online editions available at www.episcopaldiocesetn.org. The issues for January, March, May, July, September and November/ December are printed and mailed to those who have subscribed. However, due to the importance of the story of the flood, the relief and recovery, and information to share, this June issue is a print/mail issue. To offset the cost, the July issue will be online only. After that, the print/online schedule will resume as normal. Please see the inside cover (or page 2) for the various ways to receive Connections, whether with an email notice or a print subscription. The cover photo was taken by Jan Pate and is used with permission. Connections June 2010 11 50 Vantage Way, Suite 107 Nashville Tennessee 37228 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Nashville, Tennessee Permit No. 431 June 2010 -2 3-6 5 6 9 12-19 13 13 14-18 20 20-26 27 Vacation Bible School, various parishes in the Diocese of Tennessee Family Movie Night, St. Barnabas’ Church Tullahoma Camp Gailor-Maxon Pre-Camp, DuBose Conference Center Monteagle Ordination to the Diaconate, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville Bishop’s Visitation, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville Breakfast with the Bishop, St. Luke’s Community House Camp Gailor-Maxon Camp I, DuBose Conference Center Monteagle Bishop’s Visitation, St Luke’s Church Springfield Bishop’s Visitation, Grace Chapel Rossview Icon Writing Workshop, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville Bishop’s Visitation, Grace Church Spring Hill Camp Gailor-Maxon Camp II, DuBose Conference Center Monteagle Bishop’s Visitation, St. Ann’s Church Nashville Italics denote Bishop Bauerschmidt’s visitations For a complete listing of events throughout the diocese, see the Calendar of Events at www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org This document was produced on Anthem Gloss by New Page. It is very earth-friendly and is 10% post-consumer recycled fiber.
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