Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
SPIRE
January 7, 2013
Mission Statement
Growing Disciples of Christ by Seeking God, Sharing Love and Serving Others
Join us This Sunday, January 13, for a New Sunday School Class!
"Emotional Freedom & Wholeness" Led by Kathy Patten and Sponsored by the Stephen Ministry Come learn ways of managing emotions that can keep you from having greater peace and wholeness - emotionally and spiritually.
(see more on page 6)
Core Values:
Welcoming Outstanding Worship Outreach Different Traditions Mission & Ministry On the Move Nurturing Transforming woodmontchristian.org
Led by Janet Wall & Rev. Anne Alexander Stauffer - The Bay
(see more on page 6)
DivorceCare
The Outreach Grants Committee met last week and approved the following grants for the second quarter of the fiscal year:
Against the Grain Disciples Divinity House Dismas House Eastwood Christian Center
Childrens Center
Salama Institute
Dear Woodmont by Farrell Mason, Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
intimately divine part of us. It is in the act of gripping with all our might to the naive perception that we are actually in control of our lives, not God, that inhibits us from living from our truest nature and potential. It is by our soul, the best part of ourselves, that empowers us to mend the world, speak the language of mercy, and love divinely. To say it more boldly, tucked within each one of our souls is the soul of God. The soul of God lives eternally and it provides the answer to why we are here and for what purpose we spend a measure of time on this planet. If only we would have the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the hearts to first love our own souls, and then love the souls of others. I fear that a great deal of the angst and ache of humanity is a result of our battling with the likeness of God in our soul. We honestly believe that our own strength has a chance against the strength of God. And so we spend a lifetime wrestling with God, instead of allowing God to work through us. It reminds me of the biblical story of Jacob wrestling the angel of God. Jacob, the exemplar of human stubbornness, was determined to fight until the end, wounded hip and all. And then something happened, the light bulb went off deep inside Jacob. He was awakened! Instead of fighting with God, he asked for God's blessing. For the first time, this mule of a man, began to like and honor his soul. We know that Jacob was transformed and experienced an enlightenment because God bestowed upon him a new name, Israel. But more telling was the moment that Jacob looked upon the face of his estranged brother and saw only the face of God.
I found these words, I am starting to like my soul, scribbled in crayon on a sticky note and pinned to my refrigerator recently by a friend. Like a spark they have ignited a curiosity in me to ponder what it means to like one's soul. One of the perks of being on doctor-prescribed bed rest is plenty of sweet time for reading, study, and reflection. You should see the stack of books at my bedside, some of which have waited patiently for months, even years for my attention. Thomas Merton, my favorite Trappist monk and author, had much to say on the subject of the soul. He believed the soul was the only untainted part of us, the ground of our being, the very dwelling place of the Divine. Merton said, "the inner being is as secret as God." I imagine the soul as one of those magical Moroccan lanterns, each unique and intricately carved, to encourage the light to dance across every surface. Our soul is God's creative way of insuring that we would never be without light in the darkness. An ancient philosopher once said to a colleague, "I am aware of something in me which sparkles; I clearly perceive that it is something but what I cannot exactly grasp. Yet it seems if I could only seize it I should know all truth." To which the other philosopher replied, "Follow it boldly. For if you can seize it, you will possess the sum total of all good and have eternal life." I wonder if this is exactly what Jesus meant when he said, "One must lose their life, to gain it." Or rather, we must lose our earthly life, to discover the eternal life that lives within us. Intellectually, I know that if I would spend a little more time listening to my soul, really getting to know that most intimate part of my being, and less time caught up in the noise of this imperfect and unpredictable world, I would certainly be a less knotted human being. I would probably have less fear and more courage, less angst and more peace, less pride and more room for love. I would have an easier time looking past the gnarled parts of humanity to see more of the beauty and likeness of the Divine tattooed on every human soul. But sadly, more than not, I walk this planet stubborn, blind, and completely oblivious to the divine potential and purpose of my soul.
Thomas Merton said, "the truly free man is the one who has restored in his soul the image of God. And thus is able to worthily bear his dignity as a son of God." The Zen Masters instruct their disciples to go and find the face they had before they were born or the face they will have when they have died to this world. If you had any doubts as to the purpose of this quest, it is the soul's adventure to find again the face of God. A hint: It was and always will be tucked inside the souls of each one of us. It seems to me as we begin the adventure of this New Year, we should think less about resolutions and more about becoming reacquainted with that curious, mysterious, and eternal part of our being. We must seriously ask ourselves if we are living each day on this planet as if the Divine truly breathed within us. Oh what a gift to believe that beyond all of these rough edges, deep within me, there is a The name Buddha simply means, "the awakened one." It is softness, the place of my soul, where God dwells. said that the Buddha experienced enlightenment when he realized I and Thou are one. To be "awake" is to know that Live in Hope, Christ lives within us. We become tangled in our humanity Farrell when we are exiled from our soul, from that intuitive and
The Spire is published weekly by: Woodmont Christian Church 3601 Hillsboro Road Nashville, TN 37215 Visit our Webpage: www.woodmontchristian.org (615) 297-8563 fax: (615) 297-9319 email: wcc@woodmontcc.org Kim Adair, Editor Copyright 2012
Some New Year Thoughts by Dr. C. Roy Stauffer, Minister of Church Life
The crystal glass ball has fallen in Times Square. The musical note has descended in Nashville. The woman in the giant shoe has drifted down in Key West. The fleur-de-lis has come down in New Orleans. Folks have kissed the sardine in Eastport, Maine (the easternmost city in the USA). And 2013 is here! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying a happy New Year. I sure did. I must confess I did enjoy the two weeks break from the busy programs at Woodmont to fit in the busy activities of Christmas. But now I'm ready to go again. We have to live but one day at a time, but we are living for eternity in that one day. Yesterday cannot be recalled. Tomorrow cannot be assured. Today only is yours. And if you lose today, you may have lost it forever. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it in all its fullness." (John 10:10) How many of us just exist? And how many live life to the fullest?
If you want to live life to the fullest, you might remember what the three most common answers were when people who As we begin this journey into wherever 2013 might lead us, I had lived to be 95 years old or older were asked, "What would thought Id share some reflections that I think are worth you do differently, if you had life to live all over again?" They said: sharing. The optimist stayed up until midnight to see the New Year in the pessimist stayed up to make sure the old year left. An old Irish saying "May all your troubles in the coming year be as short as your New Years resolutions." Time is like a handful of sand. The tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers. But if you caress it, as a mother does a child in her arms, it will leave in its wake memories of its gentle flow rather than the roughness of it stones. In the New Year, take time to be holy. Let the world rush on. He who prepares for this life and takes no thought of eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever. 1) I would risk more. 2) I'd relax more. 3) I would do more things that will live on after I am gone. Clay asked us in staff what we were going to "stop doing" (or give up) in the New Year. Here's a good suggestion for all of us: Give up grumbling. Instead, "In everything give thanks." Give up 10 to 15 minutes in bed. Instead, use that time to pray. Give up looking at other peoples worst points. Instead, concentrate on their best ones. Give up speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. 2013 will be what you make it. Make it a great one! ~Roy
regularly about what a gift it is in our lives to have such a to be extinct. Then, in 1990, one hundred and ten years later, loving church family. about twenty elephant seals showed up at Piedras Blancas and settled in near the light house. A year later, there were nearly It is because we feel so blessed by Woodmont's community 400. By 1996, there were 1,000 new seal pups in addition to that we often find ourselves inviting people we meet to come the adults and the population explosion was causing changes to worship on Sunday. We feel that we have found a good to the coastline. Soon, the California Coastal Conservancy place, and want to share it with others! Most people find was brought in to create safe viewing structures for the church homes because they were invited by a friend whose curious folks who came to visit the elephant seals. Can you ideas and opinions were trusted. The responsibility of imagine how it might feel for the original little pack of seals attendance and "population growth" at our church is up to in 1990 to see the population explosion taking place around each one of us: Bring yourself and bring a friend! You are them? They had found a good place, and grew their family, both sure to find a meaningful experience for your heart, mind both biologically and by sharing the news of the safety of the and spirit. Piedras Blancas cove with a few other migrating seal packs. This sweet little cove, rich in food and shelter for the seals, I have been so grateful for the steady "population growth" on both Sunday mornings and nights in the last year, because it brought the elephant seals back from the brink of extinction. means people are sharing God's story of love and hope with On the flight home, I found myself wondering how many those who they meet. Lets keep up the good work! Love, Andra PS: For more fun facts and a live webcam of the elephant seal cove at Piedras Blancas, visit elephantseal.org.
different ways we are sharing the news of the good place we have found at Woodmont Christian Church. I imagine the small group of church planters who originally started Woodmont so many years ago: What delight I bet they would feel to see our happy, healthy, thriving church family worshipping and fellowshipping together! Stephen and I talk
Auld Lang Syne by Stephen Daniel King, Creative Director for "The Bridge"
I will never forget the last day of 2012. I received a text from a friend of mine late Sunday night, December 30th. She wanted to know if I was available to play a New Year's Eve gig the following day. I said that I was, and after apologizing for the late notice and explaining she couldn't be there, she went on to give me the details. Her friend's mother had suddenly passed away, and as the entire family was in town from Christmas festivities, they wanted to have a memorial service at the retirement home with close friends and family in attendance. This was not at all the kind of gig I was expecting. But, I was happy to provide background music and help lead the chorus of Amazing Grace. The service itself was very moving. Siblings and cousins and grandchildren and friends delivered inspiring and hilarious speeches. All the while, my brain was busy assembling the family tree dynamics when it occurred to me that I didn't know who the widower was. Everyone spoke of how much "Dan" loved her, and they told touching tales of the many adventures the two of them embarked upon. After many laughs and tears, it was finally announced that Dan would give the final words, in the form of a poem. I looked around the room. Nobody moved. A bit confused, I was preparing to play the last song when I heard a faint buzzing sound. Dan came down the center aisle, from the back of the room, in an electric wheelchair. Once at the podium, he popped the two foot-rests away and began to hoist himself out of the chair, slowly and shakily. Finally, he leaned against the podium, but didn't have any strength left. He asked his granddaughter if she would read the closing poem. The whole family expressed their gratitude for those in attendance and announced there were refreshments for anybody who wanted to stay and reminisce. I was sitting off to the side, so I began to play and sing Auld Lang Syne as background music: "Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind...?" I looked up and Dan was wheeling himself over to me. He stopped directly in front of me. We were sitting toe to toe. He stared straight into my eyes. I sang half a verse for him before my throat closed up and I was choking back tears. So I simply played for him. I strummed the last chord, and Dan wheeled off. As I was packing up my gear and getting ready to leave, I caught Dan's eye across the room and waved. He motioned to his granddaughter to assist him, and he began to stand up. It
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thought of the woman he so loved. And I sang under my took him 2 minutes to walk over to me. He held out his hand breath: and I grabbed it. He said simply, "thank you." I have never "We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies known a stronger handshake. fine; But we've wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne." I drove away and wrestled with the irony of having to endure a time like this on New Year's Eve. I thought of Dan. I ~Stephen
WCC YOUTH
Youth This Week
Wednesday, January 9 5:30 PM EMPATHY DINNER 6:30 PM Bible Study 7:30 PM Dismissal Saturday, January 12 10:00 AM - Boys Basketball at Belmont UMC Sunday, January 13 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Jubilation 11:00 AM Chi Rho & CYF Sunday school Noon Dismissal Noon 3:30 PM: CYF Ice-Skating (A-Game in Franklin) $10 for skating, skate rental, snack Youth This Month 1/20 4:00 PM: Mission Event at WCC 1/25-27 Winter Retreat at Bethany Hills
Adult
Wednesday Night
Education
5-Star Dinners Return January 9. All other Wednesday Night Programming will resume next Wednesday, January 16.
5-Star Dinners Return This Wednesday, January 9 "Empathy Dinner" 5:30 p.m. in Drowota Hall
Menu - January 9 Creamy Baked Chicken Orange Zest Rice Southern Green Beans Spinach Salad Fudge Cake with Ice Cream Gooey Butter Bars Pizza for the kids Menu - January 16 Marinated Pork Loin Savory Corn Pudding Spicy Black Eyed Peas Mixed Green Salad Coca Cola Cake Apple Sauce Bars Pizza for the kids
Calling all Women looking for Re-inspiring, Re-vitalizing, Re-energizing ways to start 2013!
Reverend Anne Stauffer leads a series on Hope -"Real Hope, How to Find It & How to Keep It"
Spiritual Journeys Class for Women Class 9:30 a.m. in the Bay Room
Reservations should be made through the Sunday "connection card," by calling the
church office (297-8563), emailing the church office at sspivy@woodmontcc.org. or thru the website at: www.woodmontchristian.org. The deadline is Monday by noon. Price structure: Adults $8, Children 4 years old thru 5th grade $4 and family cap $28.
On Tuesday, January 15, the WCC Book Club will meet in Room 107 at 10:30 a.m. with Elizabeth Regen leading a discussion of Abraham Verghese's book, CUTTING FOR STONE.
Everyone is welcome to join us.
#2 Bible Study
The New Testament Letter to the Hebrews. Led by Dr. Roy Stauffer, 6:35-7:30 p.m. in Room 105.
#3 Divorce Care
(Please Note Class Start Date Has Changed to January 16, not January 9!) Led by Janet Wall & Rev. Anne Alexander Stauffer, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bay Room. This new session is offered for those whose lives have been affected by divorce. It will deal with such issues as "What's happening to me?" and "The Road to Finding Help and Healing." (See More Below)
GEMS Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Noon Room 105 Catered Meal -- $8.00 Our first 2013 GEMS meeting is almost here. We are very excited as GEMS we look forward to hearing our very own Woodmont member, Fran Stewart, share a presentation about a recent trip her husband, Cyril, and she took to Australia. She will share pictures and experiences from Melbourne, Sidney, the Blue Mountains, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef. If you have traveled to these places, or just dreamed of doing so, please come along as we journey to the Outback. If you are a regular attendee, have not been to GEMS in a while, or never attended a (G)reet, (E)at, (M)eet, and (S)ocialize, you are invited. Feel free to bring a friend. Everyone is asked to please make their reservations by calling the church office 297-8563 or email Stasia at sspivy@woodmontcc.org, by Friday, January 18. Look forward to seeing you all!
Blood Drive Sunday, January 27th 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Drowota Hall
Coming in February!!
"Christian Leadership, Ethics, and Character-Driven Decision Making"
Guest Speaker, Dr. Will Keim (www.willkeim.com)
Sunday School Lessons & Volunteers January 13, 2012 THIS WEEK AT WCC:
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 5:30 p.m. - "Empathy Dinner" Friday, January 11, 2013 6:30 p.m. - Family Movie Night Sunday, January 13 9:30 a.m. - Children's Moment 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Children's Church 5:45 p.m. - The Bridge Service
Stars (2 Yrs) Zacchaeus Jane Clay Meadors LeAnn Stokes Pandas (3 Yrs) John the Baptist Sarah Drury Frogs (4 Yrs) Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples Kim Sheridan Joy and Gloria Jackson Monkeys (5 Yrs/K) Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples Laurie Cooper Molly Rumsey Christ Quest Ruth and Naomi Children's Church Kaitlyn Asher Christy Brown Donuts Still Needed
Bulletin Board
Opportunities at Woodmont
Wednesday, January 9 7:00 a.m. Younger Men's Bible Study (BR) 5:30 p.m. 5-Star "Empathy Dinner" (DH) 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice (CR) Leadership Woodmont (200) Thursday, January 10 Library Workday 7:00 p.m. Restore on Thursday Classes (200, BR, CYF, Chi Rho, Jubilation) Friday, January 11 6:30 p.m. Family Movie Night (DH) Sunday, January 13 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast (DH) 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship 4:00 p.m. Financial Peace University (200) 4:45 p.m. Woodmont Knitters (GH) 5:45 p.m. The Bridge Service (DH) Monday, January 14 4:00 p.m. Small Group for Men (BR) 6:00 p.m. Finance Committee (Mansion Library) Tuesday, January 15 9:00 a.m. Women's Prayer Group (CS) 9:45 a.m. Women's Bible Study (100) 10:30 a.m. WCC Book Club (107) 6:00 p.m. Handbell Practice (234)
(Continuing Concerns continued) Gary Jones, father of Pam Groom, Louisville, KY Jane Drury, sister of Mark Drury SYMPATHY TO: John & Beth Shelton on the death of Beth's aunt, Colleen Hamilton, on January 2 in Fairmount, IN. Funeral services will be held on January 7 in Fairmont. Alma Jean Cook and family on the death of her son, Jackie Cook, a retired minister from Colorado, on December 23. Services were held last week in Colorado. MILITARY PRAYER LIST: Graham Heilig, brother of Kirsten Lowe Cody Bender, husband of Ashley Wilson Bender; son-in-law of Steve & Judy Wilson Clay Perry, son of Tim & Diane Perry Dan King & wife, Ashley King, brother and sister-in-law of Stephen Daniel King THOSE SERVING ABROAD: Jesse Garrison, Peace Corp in Armenia
*Please Note: Continuing Care Concerns will now only be listed for up to one month. If you wish to have a continuing concern remain on the list after one month, please renew your request each month by calling the church office.*
John Thomas Rogers, friend of Steve & Deb LaForge Vicky Galyon, mother of LA Galyon, Knoxville, TN Bryan King, close friend of the Stauffer Family Beth & Daniel Ellis, niece and nephew-in-law of Betty Brent June Stewart, mother of Margie Quin
DEACON SCHEDULE
January 13, 2012
Communion Prep: Service Coordinator: Video Camera: Milly Moore 9:30 - Robert Howell 11:00 - Rich Sanderson 9:30 - TBA 11:00 - TBA 5:45 p.m. Rich Sanderson David Stewart Scott Holley Liz Holley Jeremiah Weeden-Wright Stephanie Weeden-Wright
9:30 a.m. Grant Smothers David Reynolds Jack Derryberry 5:45 p.m. - The Bridge Rev. Trey Flowers, Preaching Marcella Derryberry "Amen" Series: "The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory" Mark Clymer Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Paul Hardin Laura Dovan Weekly Prayer Partner Tom Dovan First Christian Church, Waynesboro, TN
Rev. Clay Stauffer, Preaching Sermon: "Prayer, Presence, and Peace" Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15; Philippians 4:4-9
11:00 a.m. Dennis Beck Cynthia Beck Jeremiah Pyron Deb LaForge Steve LaForge Teri Diamond Jean Ramsey TBA
9:30 a.m. Alan Sowell and Richmond Williams 11:00 a.m. Betty White and TBA 5:45 p.m. Bryan Sargent