|
MESSAGE TO ALL PRESBYTERS
by Warner Durnell
Seated in the sanctuary of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church on the occasion of the installation of a recently called and received colleague in ministry, I sat non-anxiously as a worshiper. I attended this service in order to show my support to a teaching elder who had just been welcomed into the work and witness of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.
As I gazed about the sanctuary, I counted no fewer than a dozen other teaching elders, only three of which were actually on the Installation Commission. I though to myself, "It sure is good seeing so many fellow Ministers present." This was a stark difference from the absence of very many teaching elders on such occasions since my return to the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee two and one-half years ago.
Sometimes I wonder if we teaching elders have lost sight of an important responsibility that we bear, that of "PRESBYTER."... read more
|
A NEW LOOK FOR THE PRESBYTERY'S WEBSITE
|
and check out the new look for the Presbytery's website.
There are still changes and additions to be made. It is a work in progress and any comments/suggestions are welcomed at [email protected].
|
|
From Presbyterians for Earth Care
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we commit to daily living out our faith. We do this individually, in community with one another, and with the rest of God's creation. On this Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2015, we reflect in particular on how climate and food concerns impact us. How does food production and consumption impact the climate? How does climate change affect growing and accessing food?
Use Creation Justice Ministries' resources for sermon preparation, Christian Education activities and ideas, hymns and songs for worship services, and more.
|
Committee Meeting Dates - April 2015
| Committee on Ministry (COM) April 14th @ 4:00 pm FPC Nashville
Nominating & Representation (N&R) April 21st @2:00 pm Presbytery Office
Outreach Committee April 21st @ 5:30 pm Presbytery Office
Stewardship & Mission Interpretation (SMIC) April 22nd @ 1:30 pm Presbytery Office
Coordinating Committee (CC) April 23rd @ 12:00
Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) April 28th @ 4:00 pm FPC Nashville
Personnel Committee April 29th @ 11:30 am Presbytery Office |
|
2015 NaCoMe Summer Camp Dates
May 31st -June 5th
Sr. High Camp
9th-11th Grade
CIT Wk 1 Rising 12th Grade
June 5th - 7th You and Me Camp 1 Rising K-3rd
June 7th - 12th Elementary 3rd-6th Grade
Jr. High 7th- 8th Grade
CIT Week 2
June 12th - 14th Twilight Camp Rising 9th-11th Grade
June 19th - 21st You and Me Camp 2 Rising K-3rd
Mini Camp Rising 3rd-5th Grade
June 26th - July 1st Elementary 3th-6th Grade
Jr. High 7th-8th Grade
July 10th - 12th Night Owls 6th-8th Grade
For registration and more information, click here.
|
|
|
NEW CREATION CHURCH'S
DEDICATION SUNDAY
by Lauren Powell, New Creation's Program Director
| |
On March 22nd, New Creation Church in Hendersonville, TN, celebrated Dedication Sunday, which "officially" dedicated the space open for worship.
There were over 100 people that attended the service from all over the middle Tennessee area, and local photographers were onsite to commemorate the occasion.
At the church's previous location, there were two facilities located in a storefront, each separated by a different business in the middle. One storefront held the worship space (capacity of around 45 people), while the other storefront held the offices, one classroom, and a nursery. Now, the church has almost doubled their space in their new location! Everything is in one building, there are three classrooms, a nursery, offices, and a worship space with the capacity to hold 140 people. An added bonus is a kitchen that allows for entertaining, which is especially helpful when the church has Bacon & Waffle Sunday!
New Creation Church is extremely blessed to have so many wonderful people praying for them daily for success and growth. Their prayers are being heard! Numbers have steadily grown since moving to the new space and the children's program has exploded to approximately 22 a Sunday. Please come and visit... 1020 Avondale Road Suite 103, Hendersonville, TN 37075. Worship begins at 9:58 each Sunday. We would love to see you! Website: www.newcreationhendersonville.org
|
DIRECTORY OF WORSHIP - PROPOSED CHANGES
| |
By Therese Howell, Stated Clerk
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is in two parts - Part I is the Book of Confessions, and Part II is the Book of Order. The Book of Confessions currently contains 11 creeds and confessions, "In the statements the church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do. . . . " F-2.01
The Book of Order, composed of four parts, sets out the church's foundations of polity, governance, worship, and discipline. The Foundations of Presbyterian Polity speaks to the Church's mission, confessions, principles of order and government, and foundational statements. The Form of Government provides the framework for our polity - the congregations and their membership, ordered ministry, councils of the church, the church and civil authority, ecumenicity, and constitutional interpretation and amendment. The Directory for Worship, in its conviction that the church's worship, witness, and service are inseparable, ". . . . describes the theology that underlies Reformed worship and provides appropriate forms for that worship. . . " (Preface to the Directory for Worship). The Rules of Discipline sets out the church's authority in matters related to discipline, while honoring God, making clear the responsibilities of membership, correcting or restraining wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration as well as addressing those harmed by disciplinary offenses.
The Book of Order was revised in 2010; this action added the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity to the Book of Order, and substantially revised the Form of Government. The 216th General Assembly (2004) asked the Office of Theology and Worship to work with the Office of the General Assembly to develop a revision of the Directory for Worship, one that would be "authentically Reformed," "culturally appropriate," "more accessible and helpful," "shorter and better organized." A draft was developed by a staff team in consultation with a diverse group of pastors, professors, and mid-Council leaders and sent to the 221st General Assembly (2014). The 221st General Assembly voted to send the draft revision to the church for a period of study and comment, ending July 1, 2015. Comments will be reviewed, and the draft revision will be prepared for distribution and action by the 222nd General Assembly (2016).
Many people have already reviewed and commented on the draft revision. In case you haven't - you still have time! The Office of Theology and Worship has assembled some great resources for use in review and study of the draft revision. Included here are the links:
- www.pcusa.org/dfw- the beginning point for study. The website includes a brief history of the Directory for Worship, as well as resources and links. Be sure to take a moment to review the former Directories for Worship of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (1961) and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (1963), as well as the 1645 Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God (online at reformed.org).
- Chart that compares the current Directory for Worship with the draft revision
- Full text of the proposed revision (Word files): English/ Korean/Spanish
- Chart that includes full text of current Directory for Worship side by side with the draft revision
Take some time and review this draft revision.
All comments/suggestions must be received in writing by email. Send your comments/suggestions to [email protected].
Remember, the deadline to respond is July 1, 2015. And don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
|
UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS
| |
HERMITAGE PC 2ND ANNUAL
BIG BAND BASH Saturday, April 25, 2015
Hermitage Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Big Band Bash on April 25, 2015 from 7:00 pm-10:00 pm and will feature the Moonlighters Big Band and a silent auction. Price of admission is $15.00. The proceeds will help with Hermitage's Good Samaritan fund, which helps families in the Hermitage and Old Hickory area who have emergency needs for food, utilities, and housing expenses. For more information, click here.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NASHVILLE
FIRST FRIENDS
MEMPHIS IN JUNE TOUR - June 9-11, 2015
First Friends of First Presbyterian Church announces registration for its MEMPHIS IN JUNE tour, June 9-11. The cost of this tour is $289 (DBL) and $368 (SGL).
Below is a brief itinerary. Anyone who would like a more detailed one or wants information can call Brenda Geise, Coordinator of FPC Older Adult Ministries at 615-298-9515 or email her at [email protected].
DAY 1: Discovery Park of America in Union City
Lunch on your own
Dinner at Casey Jones Restaurant, Jackson
DAY 2: 3-hour guided tour of Memphis
Lunch/Tour of Center for Southern Folklore
Tour Civil Rights Museum
Dinner at Central Barbecue
Trolley rides, stroll Beale Street
DAY 3: Platinum Tour of Graceland
Lunch on your own at local Mall
Return to Nashville
Accommodations will be at the Comfort Inn in Germantown, where buffet breakfasts will be included.
A $75 deposit is required; with the remainder due May 1. Checks should be made payable to First Presbyterian Church and given or sent to Rachel Gresham, 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 37220.
JOIN THE PRESBYTERY STAFF AS WE WALK TO END HUNGER
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Fannie Mae Dees Park, Nashville
Registration: 1:45 pm
Walk: 2:30 pm
Local recipients are: Community Food Advocates, Luke 14:12, Second Harvest Food bank.
Free T-shirt to each walker who raises $50 or more!
To make a donation, click here.
|
|
|