MIDTENN
Presbytery of Middle Tennessee E-Newsletter

July 23, 2015
In This Issue
Photo credit:
Bread for the World
School's out for summer
 (but hunger's not)
by Barbara Howell, HAE
School's out for the summer! But millions of low-income children may have more reason to worry than celebrate without the guarantee of receiving at least one daily nutritious meal that school lunch programs provide.

Two new bills are pending right now that would strengthen and expand access to summer meal programs and help low-income familites purchase groceries during the summer months while children are out of school.  We need your help to make sure these bills pass through Congress.

TAKE ACTIVE TODAY:
Please send a letter (click here) to your legislators urging them to co-sponsor the Summer Meals Act of 2015 and the Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2015 before they leave for the August recess.



OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERS OF FAITH AND OTHER SERVING PROFESSIONS
STARTING 
OCTOBER 28-30, 2015

COURAGE TO LEAD:
A COURAGE AND RENEWAL RETREAT SERIES

Marjorie Thompson

One of the Retreat Facilitators
Marjorie Thompson
is a Prepared Facilator with the Center for Courage and Renewal who has helped guide "Courage to Lead" retreats for clergy and church leaders of several denominations.

WHERE:
ST. MARY'S SEWANEE
 on the Cumberland Plateau

DATES & THEMES:

Oct 28-30, 2015
Discovering Seeds of True Self

Feb 3-5, 2016
Embracing the Paradox of Dormancy and Deep Growth

Apr. 27-29, 2016
Finding New Life and Possibility in Spring

July 13-15, 2016
Moving for Scarcity to Abundance in Life and Leadership

Oct. 19-21, 2016
Journeying Toward an Undivided Life

For flyer, click here
For website, click here

Quick Links

122nd Stated Meeting Highlights
July 18, 2015
Hillwood Presbyterian Church, Nashville
by Therese Howell, Stated Clerk
Hillwood PC, Nashville
  • Presbyters gathered at Hillwood Presbyterian Church, Nashville, on Saturday, July 18, 2015 for the 122nd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.  The Rev. Dr. Rik Rouquie, pastor of the host church, welcomed commissioners. 
  • Ruling Elder Melinda Sanders, chair of the Coordinating Committee, led a discussion of the draft structure proposed by the Coordinating Committee in response to the VISION 2020 plan.
  • The Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk led an orientation session for first time commissioners.
  • Worship leadership included The Rev. Dr. Rik Rouquie, pastor of the host church, and The Rev. Dr. Bill Barger, Ruling Elder Geeta McMillan, and The Rev. Warner Durnell.  Ruling Elder Claire Harris Kramer provided the offering interpretation, and the offertory music was provided by soloist Mr. Brian Warford, music director, and Mr. Michael Hooper, organist.
  • An offering of $819.03 was collected for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. 
  • Session minute review dates were provided:  Saturday, August 22; Thursday, September 24; Thursday, October 22; Saturday, December 12.  Locations and times to be confirmed by July 31; information will be posted on the presbytery's website, www.pbymidtn.org.
  • Treasurer Mike Ingram reviewed financials and presented the 2014 audit.
  • The Coordinating Committee presented revised job descriptions for the Hunger Action Enabler and the Administrative Assistant, and the presbytery approved revisions to the Executive Presbyter's job description, as well as the Stated Clerk's job description.   
  • The presbytery approved revisions to the Gracious Separation Policy. 
  • From left to right:
    Diane Stark, CPM Chair,
    Whitney Booth, Claire Harris Kramer
    Claire Harris Kramer (Westminster Nashville) and Whitney Booth (First Nashville) were approved for candidacy. 
  • The Committee on Ministry reported on the call between The Rev. Jane Herring and Normandy Presbyterian Church.
  • The presbytery approved the installation commission of The Rev. Lindsey Groves as pastor of UKIRK Nashville - August 30, 2015, 2pm, St. Augustine's Chapel, Vanderbilt University.
  • The presbytery approved the installation commission of The Rev. Jane Herring as part time pastor of Normandy Presbyterian Church - September 6, 2015, 4pm, Normandy Presbyterian Church. 
  • From left to right:
    Rev. Dr. Carol Tate and Rev. John "Bo" Burgener
    The presbytery welcomed two new teaching elders:  The Rev. Dr. Carol Tate (First Fayetteville); and The Rev. John "Bo" Burgener (member-at-large).   
The 123rd Stated Meeting will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015, and will be hosted by the Sumner County Presbyterian Churches.
GA Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegate
 Nominations Needed!
Bill Caruso, Chair
 Nominations & 
Representation Committee

 

The Nominations and Representation Committee of Presbytery is seeking nominations (you may self-nominate) for Commissioner to the 222nd General Assembly, June 18-25, 2016.  Our Presbytery is allowed three Teaching Elders and three Ruling Elders; there will also be Alternates.  As well, we are allowed one Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD), who must be 17-23 years of age.

 

The Presbytery will see to all expenses and training (funds come from Per Capita funds of the General Assembly).  Links below give the Guidelines for Electing Commissioners and YAADs and Nominating form.

 

Guidelines for Electing GA Representatives

GA Service Nominating Form

 

Nominations should be mailed to:

Bill Caruso, Chair of Nominations and Representation Committee

504 Bonerwood Drive

Nashville, TN 37211, 

 

DEADLINE TO RECEIVE NOMINATIONS IS AUGUST 4, 2015.


 
The N & R Committee will present its nominations to the October presbytery meeting.  


 

 

 
East Brentwood Presbyterian Church
9000 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 
presents a free music event
MUSIC IN THE GROVE
Saturday, July 25 3-6 pm


DOWNTOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SECOND ANNUAL BENEVOLENCES BAZAAR
154 Fifth Avenue N.
Nashville, TN 37219
Sunday, August 2, 2015
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Downtown Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN
Nashville has needs. You've got a desire to help. Put all that together at Downtown Presbyterian Church's Second Annual Benevolences Bazaar.


We'll host 15 nonprofit groups that make the city a better place for everybody who lives here, from advocating for affordable housing to helping women recover from drug addiction. You'll have the opportunity to walk around, ask questions, cool off with some iced tea and lemonade and enjoy the congregation's finest

hors d'oeuvres.

All the nonprofits represented benefit from DPC members' money or elbow grease. Find your volunteer tribe at this free bazaar. We're welcoming representatives from: Siloam Health, Room in the Inn, The Next Door, Magdalene House/Thistle Farms, The Contributor, Monroe Harding, Nations Ministry, Downtown Presbyterian Church meals team, Hope Clinic for Women, Martha O'Bryan Center, UKIRK, NOAH, Poverty and the Arts, Nashville OIC and Safe Haven.

 

Visit Facebook page for more info: click here

You are receiving this e-newsletter because you are a member or friend of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee or one of its congregations.

Disclaimer:
Articles and events that appear in the e-newsletter are believed to be of interest to some segments of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee.  However, these articles and events are not necessarily endorsed by the Presbytery.