|
Statement of Apology
|
Dear Readership of THE MID-TENN:
In our most recent issue of The MID-TENN, the E-Newsletter of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee, there was an invitation from Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, to join with them for a Monday morning conversation with Dr. Mark Archtemeier as he shares thoughts and answers questions regarding our recent General Assembly action regarding same gender marriage.
That this invitation was included in our E-Newsletter without a disclaimer gave the perception that the Presbytery has taken a position on this controversial matter, which it has not. As the Executive Presbyter who decides what gets included in each issue of The MID-TENN, I apologize for creating this impression and the disappointment that it evoked.
Warner R. Durnell, EP
|
|
September Is
Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month is a nationwide campaign mobilizing the public to take action on the issue of hunger. Organized by the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, the campaign brings greater attention to the issue of hunger in America and promotes ways for individuals everywhere to get involved with the movement to solve it.
Join Feeding America and Second Harvest Food Bank this September. Together we all have a role to play in getting food to those in need. Together we can solve hunger.
On Hunger Action Day,
Turn Orange for Hunger
Orange is the symbolic color of hunger. On Thursday, September 4 show your support by wearing orange to raise awareness for those at risk of hunger.
Show your support online, too. Change your Facebook and Twitter profile orange. By taking action online and in your community, you can be a part of the solution to end hunger.
|
|
Committee Meeting Dates
| |
PRESBYTERY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
Monday, September 1, 2014
Congregational Development (CDC)
Thursday, September 4
2:00 pm
East Brentwood, Brentwood
Committee on Ministry (COM)
Tuesday, September 9
4:00 pm
FPC Nashville
Christian Education Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, September 11
11:30 am
Presbytery office
Administration and Finance (A&F)
Thursday, September 11
4:00 pm
Presbytery office
Outreach
Tuesday, September 16
5:30 pm
Presbytery office
Coordinating Committee (CC)
Thursday, September 18
4:00 pm
Glen Leven, Nashville
Guatemala-Peten
Thursday, September 25
6:30 pm
Presbytery office
119th Stated Meeting of Presbytery of Middle Tennessee
Saturday, October 4, 2014
FPC Franklin
|
|
Presbyterian Women's Fall Gathering
September 27, 2014
FPC Nashville
| |
|
|
One in the Spirit
is a monthly email, from Linda Valentine of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, strengthening community between the Presbyterian Mission Agency and mid councils.
To read the latest email, |
|
Join Our List
|  |
|
|
|
VISION FOR 2020 - Part I
by Warner Durnell, Executive Presbyter
| | |
For the past ten months, the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee has engaged in a vision quest. At the last three Stated Meetings of Presbytery we gathered for large and small group dialogue, and this spring we met in four neighborhood (cluster) group settings for more intimate conversation. These sessions were all part of a prayerful process of discernment, seeking to discover where Jesus Christ is calling us in ministry and mission for the foreseeable future. The enthusiastic participation of some 200 ruling and teaching elders from throughout the presbytery in the aforementioned settings, coupled with the earnest effort of our nine member Special Visioning Task Force to capture and codify in summation all the input and information assembled, we now have a proposed VISION FOR 2020 that will be presented to the Fall Stated Meeting of the Presbytery for adoption.
In this August 29th issue of The MID-TENN, and in the two anticipated September issues, my column will be devoted to providing you a glimpse of "The VISION 2020" being proposed. It is my sincere hope that you will take the opportunity to study the three Objectives and fifteen Goals contained in this Vision document so that if you have questions or comments before the upcoming Presbytery Meeting you might send them to me at ep@pbymidtn.org. It will be my aim to reply to all submitted questions and comments as they come, or on the floor of Presbytery when we gather on Saturday, October 4th, at First Presbyterian Church Franklin.
Actually, I trust you will find the information provided in this article, and in the next two, a more crisp, clear, and compelling presentation of what God is leading us toward than what has been reported in prior visioning discernment and feedback sessions. Please note that the order in which the Goals are listed under each Objective is merely alphabetical, and in no way is an attempt to suggest a prioritization. It is the prayer of the Special Visioning Task Force that our Presbytery will find this VISION, in all its parts, a worthy challenge that will call forth the best that we together can bring to it for the glory of God and "for building up of the body of Christ!"
Click here to read:
2020 Objective 1:
Building Up the Body through Connections
of Mutual Support
|
|
Visit of the International Peacemakers
from Russia-Ukraine area
October 2-7, 2014
| |
The Presbytery of Middle Tennessee is honored to be part of the PC(USA) International Peacemaker program for 2014.
 We will have a visit from Victor Ignatenkov and Ellen Smith, who are from the Russia-Ukraine area. Victor is a senior presbyter or bishop of the Smolensk region of Russia (from the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians/Baptists), as well as pastor of Central Baptist Church in the city of Smolensk.
Ellen is the PC(USA) mission co-worker for Eastern Europe  and will be translating for Victor. They are both involved in ministries of reconciliation, including an orphanage ministry and rehabilitation ministry, and Ellen works with issues of HIV and AIDS.
The Outreach Committee is coordinating their schedule. At this time Sunday morning and evening, October 5th, are open for worship and youth group respectively. Friday, October 3rd and Monday, October 6th are open for college classes and pastoral study groups. If you would like to schedule a visit to your church, ministry group, university, youth group, etc., please contact Linda Griffis at the presbytery office, and she will forward your request to the Outreach Committee.
To read more about Victor Ignatenkov and Ellen Smith and the International Peacemaker program, click here.
|
|
CHURCH EVENTS
| | |
Hillwood Presbyterian Church
Dedication Concert of the
Allen Organ
Sunday, September 7th, 2014,
7:00 pm
Hillwood Presbyterian Church
6220 Hickory Valley Road
Nashville, TN_____________________________________________
Priest Lake Presbyterian Church
31 week series based on the book
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
starting September 7, 2014
 Priest Lake Presbyterian Church 2787 Smith Springs Road
Nashville, TN 37217
Beginning Sunday, September 7th, Priest Lake Presbyterian Church is beginning a 31 week series based on the book The Story: One Continuing Story of God and His People. You are invited to join them for this series in two ways:
1. Join them in person 2. Listen to the recorded sermon on the website each week.
______________________________________________
COME MEET LORIANNE CROOK
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF
GALLATIN
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER FUNDRAISER September 13, 2014, 1-3 pm Tickets can be purchased at First Presbyterian Church, Gallatin or you can go to the church's website for more information, www.fpcgallatin.org.
|
|
Living Waters for the World
| |
 Regional Conference"Sustaining Our Clean Water Mission"
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Memorial United Methodist Church
Elizabethtown, KY
There are a number of churches in Kentucky and surrounding states that have been involved in the Living Waters for the World work and many of the team members will be gathering in Elizabethtown on Saturday, October 18, 2014, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (Eastern time). LWW's founder, Will Howie, will share experiences and plans for the future. There will also be an opportunity for anyone who is thinking of becoming involved to hear about the basic outline of LWW's mission.
You can direct any questions
Lots more information about LWW is available |
| | |
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
Let us know what is happening in your corner of the Presbytery. Please submit request for articles to pbymidtnoffice@gmail.com. |
|
|
