Belle Meade United Methodist Church January 8, 2014The Spire
Inside This Edition: 1. Upcomingchurch-wideevents2. YouthandChildren'sMinistrynews3. PrayerList4. NewsaboutThe Spire5. OpportunitiestoServe
If you use email, please consider subscribing to thisnewsletterandotherupdateselectronically. Then, letusknowifyounolongerwishtoreceiveahardcopyinthemail.Emailannamargaret@bellemeadeumc.orgorvisithttp://www.bellemeadeumc.org/#/newsletter-events/the-spire-newsletter
Iliketohike.I'mnotsurewhy,butIquithikingforalmost5years.Funnyhowwedenyourselvestheverythingsthat can enhance our lives, and engage ourselves intheverythingsthatdiminishourlives.Alas,thehumancondition.Gofigure.
Obviously,hikingisgoodphysicalexercise.It'sagreatcardioworkout,andyoucanburnover500caloriesanhour.That'salotmorethanwalkingorweighttraining,andit'salotlessboring.
Notsoobviously,hikingisgoodspiritualexercise.Yes,IprayinthesolitudeofhikingwithwordsthatIthinkorwordsthatIsay.Butfarmoreoften,Iusethesolitudefortheprayerofsilence.Myminddoesn'ttendtowanderwhenIhike–andthat'ssayingsomethingforsomeonewithamonkeybrain(thoughtsthatscatterlikemonkeysswinging through the trees).With the rootsand rocksonthetrail,Ihavetoconcentrate.Istayinthepresentmoment.Mysensescomealive.IfocusonwhatIcansee,hear,smell,andtouch.
Andevery time,Godshowsup…outof thesilence, inthepresentmoment.Andthat'swhyIhike.
Iwenthikingafewdaysago.Isawasinglegreenleafgrowingoutofthedeadleaves.Ithadajaggededge,andwastwo-toned,witha lightershadeofgreenout-linedbyadarkergreen.Didn'tseeanotheronetheen-tirefivemiles.Night-timetemperatureshadbeeninthe20’s.Iwonderedhowthiswaspossible–newlifetaking
abowonthestageofafrozenworld.Butthenagain,I'vereadsomewhereallthingsarepossiblewithGod.
Andthentherewasasmall,scrawnycedartreegrowingbythesideofthetrail.Someonehungasinglegreenor-namentontopofthattree.AChristmastree.Inthemid-dleoftheforest.I'dliketomeetthepersonwhotoppedoffthattree.TheymusthaveareverenceforChristmas,andagreatsenseofhumor.TheHolymixedwithlaugh-ter–thatprettymuchsumsuptheAlmightyforme.AsIapproachedthetrailhead,achipmunkranacrossthetrailnot10feetinfrontofme.ACooper'shawkcameoutofnowhere,andpouncedonthechipmunkwithitstalonsbared.Ijumped,thehawkwasstartled,andthechipmunkescaped. Itwasamomentofsalvationandredemption.ButthenIthoughtaboutthehawkthatjustmissed ameal.Ah, the ambiguity of life, once again,mirroringtheambiguityofGod.
It'sthetimeforresolutions.Howaboutrefreshingyourspirituallifethisyear?I'mstartingaweeklyhikinggroupsoon.It'sformenandwomen.Youdon'tneedtobeingreatshape,butdon'thikeifyouhaven'thadanyexer-cise lately.Wewillkeepamoderatepace.Wewilldoabout2.5milesinsilence(moreorless).Whenwefin-ish,wewilldrinkalotofwaterandreflectonourexperi-ence.Beonthelookoutformoredetails.
Seeyouat theHousecomeSunday–andmaybeonthetrailsinafewweeks.
A C h i p m u n k S t o r y
R e v . T o m G i l d e m e i s t e r
Hello! Please come if you can (yes the guys too!) to the Belle Meade UMW General Meeting and Lun-cheon to be held in the Fellowship Hall on December 8th at 11:30AM. Magdalene Ministries and Thistle Farms will speak and provide an opportunity to shop and purchase their products in the Fellowship Hall. If you can come, please let us know by registering on the signup sheet at the reception desk or by emailing Dana Pirtle at [email protected] or text her at 504-8680.
Welcoming MinistryWecontinuetogetgreatfeedbackaboutourwelcomingministryforfirst-timevisitorsandwewanttocontinuethisvitalministry.Wearelookingformorepeopletojointhisministryrotation.Canyoubakeanddeliveradozencookiesonceeverythreemonths?Ifyouarewillingbepartofthissuccessfulministryofhospitalityandlove,pleasecontactKristinClark-Banksatkristin@bellemeadeumc.org.Thankssomuch!
Warmth in Winter: Sign up Now for this Youth Event!Oneofthegoalsfortheyouthministryin2014istobemore involved in the wonderful youth events that ourTennesseeConferencedoes.Withthatinmind,wearenow registering for the Warmth in Winter ConferenceJanuary31-February2,2014 inMurfreesboro.Wewillbe attending the large group worship sessions, semi-nars,andmoreevents.Wewill stayatanearbyhotelandeatmealsout. This trip isopen to8thgradeandolder.RegistrationwillclosetheeveningofJanuary26.Thecostperstudentis$75,whichincludestheconfer-encefees,housingandsomemeals.Studentswillneedtobringfundsforadditionalmeals.Youcanlearnmoreabouttheeventingeneralatwww.warmthinwinter.com.
ForspecificBelleMeadeYouthquestions,[email protected]: All middle school students: Mark your calendarnowfor theEdgeMiddleSchoolRetreat,whichwillbeApril4-6,2014inRome,Georgia.Detailscomingsoononthisexcitingopportunityformiddleschoolers!
A Day at the SymphonyFebruary7theNashvilleSymphonywillholdadaytimeconcertwithfreepastriesandcoffee.TheconcertisRavel&SaintSaens-GiancarloGuerrero,conductor,&ConradTao,piano.Ravel'sPianoConcertwilltransformtheSchermerhornintoalivelyParisiancabarellewithsomeofthecomposer'sloveliestmusic.Next,thesoundofanorganconcertwillfilltheconcerthallinSaintSaen'sOrganSymphony.Wewillleaveonthechurchbusat9:30AMforthe10:30AMconcert.Theconcertshouldlastaboutanhourandlunchdowntownwillfollow.Groundfloorconcertticketsare$28(payabletothechurch).Signupintheadministrationlobby.
BLOOD DRIVEThisSunday,January12
9:00am–1:00pmLocatedintheFellowshipHall
Toscheduleyourappointmentlogontohttp://www.redcrossblood.organdentersponsorcode:BellemeadeUMCPhotoIDneededContactJohnWilliams(615)[email protected]
Children's Ministry News
Wanted: Volunteers to Help with Children's ChurchAllagesarewelcometoparticipateinthisawesomeministry,spendingtimewithourpreciouslittleonesduringworshipinaspecialtimejustforkidstolearnaboutGodandworship.Volunteerswillworkonarotatingschedule.ContactReginaRigneyatregina@bellemeadeumc.orgorbycallingthechurchoffice.
Children's Ministry OutreachThechildren'sministryisstillcollectingsmall,softtoysforBarthVer-nonUMC.Donationsmaybebroughttochildren'sactivitiesordroppedoffatReginaRigney'sofficeintheadministrationbuilding.
January JOY Program: "In the Growing Places"NextThursday,January16at11:15,RitaJ.Maggartwillshareherpho-tography inaprogramentitled "In theGrowingPlaces."Accomplishedguitaristandsinger/songwriterAngelPontierwillaccompanyavideopre-sentationofimagesandwritingsfromRita'sbookIn the Growing Places withoriginalmusic.Rita'simagesinviteyoutoenterdeeplyintonature'sformandbeautywhereshesays,"Youwillseemorethanwhattheimagelookslike,youwillseewhattheimagehastosay."AngelPontierisaprofessionalsinger,songwriter,guitaristandproducer.Various labelshave recordedmanyofhergospelandChristiansongsandshe iscurrentlyworkingonasecondCDoforiginalmusic.Angelperformsatchurchservicesandwomen’sretreats,aswellasconcertsandsongwriternightsinNashville,TN.SheisoneofonlyafewwomeninNashvilletoownandengineera24-trackrecordingstudio,named“East-sideSound”.
Ritaisanartist,photographerandauthor-illustratorofherbooks.Herbackgroundinoilpaintingandfloraldesignallowhertobeaphotographerwithapainter’seyeinherfineartbotanicalphotography.Shehaswonawardsat theInternationalDigitalArtsShowandtheCentralSouthArtExhibitandshowsherworkingalleriesandprivatehomes.Ritahasrecentlybeenfeaturedwithanartistspot-lightandhonoredinthePhotographer's2013CompetitionintheNashville Arts Magazine.HerbooksincludeIn the Growing PlacesandaseriesofthreegiftbookscalledMama Says... whicharelocally
availableatParnassusandLogosBookStore.
Clockwise from left:Candlesareraisedat theChrist-masEveserviceduring"SilentNight;"Youngadultsen-joyabowlingnightbeforeservingwithRoomintheInn;BelleMeade dancers enhance the carol servicewithinterpretivedancechoreographedbyReginaRigney.
Tuesdays6:30-8:00pm:Journey101Journey101,aneight-weekstudy,helpsustolivealifeofgreatercontentment.Throughastudyof the textJourney to Freedom we learn to understand ourselves at a deeplevelandexperienceanewconnectiontoGod.Thissmallgrouphasalimitedenrollment.PleasecontactMarkAcker([email protected])formoreinformation.
Wednesdaysat6:15pm:Pastor’sBibleStudy:AStudyoftheBookofJob:ShakingYourFistintheFaceoftheDivineorIsItOKtoBeAngryWithGod?6:15-7:00pmIfyouareinterestedinparticipatinginthisstudyledbyRev.TomGildemeister,pleasejoinusinthechurchlounge.
Wednesdaysat6pm:AStudyofHenriNouwen’s Life of the BelovedWewill takeajourneyintothespiritual life,bringingfreshperspectivetoNouwen’sclassicwordsaboutlivingspiritu-ally in a secular world: “All I want to say to you is, ‘YouaretheBeloved.’”ContactGabeHorton([email protected])forinformation.
Wednesdays at 6 pm: Men's Bible Study:A Study of theBookofJohn.IfyouareinterestedinparticipatinginthisstudyledbyBruceKauffman,pleasejoinusintheLogosSundaySchoolClassroomRoom218.
Wednesdays6:00-7:00pm:Companions inChrist:Explor-ingtheWayThisseven-week introduction toChristianspiritual lifeex-plores practices such as prayer, journaling, listening andmeditatingonscripture.DiscoverhowtoconnecttoGodinadeepandmeaningfulwaythroughthisstudyledbyRev.KristinClark-Banks. Contact [email protected].
Thursdays12:15-1:15pm:Women’sBookClubBe inspiredby readingabouthowa lifewaschangedbythesimpleactofprayingforastrangereachday.JoinusforaconversationaroundRiverJordan’sbook,Praying for Strangers.ContactRev.KristinClark-Banksatkristin@bel-lemeadeumc.orgor352-6210formoreinformation.
Fridaysat10am:Women’sBibleStudy:StudyofPsalm119:“ThyWordIsaLampuntoMyFeet”IntroductorysessionJan.10at10:00aminRoom218.Pleasejoinusforatwo-monthstudyledbyTraceyMcAli-ster.Toreserveaworkbook,orifyouhavequestions,pleasecontactHarrietJordan,LeighJohnson,orBettyMcAlister.Detailedinformationsheetsmaybefoundontheentrancedesk.
January 2014 Adult Sunday School
Topics
BridgetheGap1/5–1/19-ProgramsbyBrady
Banks1/26-ProgrambyMarkAcker
Ephesians4:15-TheCrucifiedLifebyA.W.TozerledbyWarrenJohnson
Fidelis–1/5–“WheredoyoufindJesus?”
ledbyWayneUnderhill1/12–TheBookofProverbsledby
classmembers
1/19&1/26-ProgramsbyArtEcherd
Foundations–FollowingJesus:thelifeandministryofJesusChrist
Logos–1/5-The12daysofChristmas1/12–Epiphany1/19&1/26–12Extraordinary
WomenbyJohnMacArthur
Oxford–ProgramsbyPastorTomGildemeister
Shepherds–JourneysofPaulledbyJ.DavidMiller
Trinity–TheBookofJudgesledbyErnestHeard
UpperRoom–1/5&1/12–ReflectionsontheNew
YearledbyChuckLukehart1/19&1/26–ProgramsbyArt
Echerd
WOW–“Faithfulness”fromtheFruitoftheSpiritBibleStudiesbyJacalynEyreledbyclassmembers
YoungAdults-FollowingJesus:thelifeandministryofJesusChrist
Memorials and HonorariaGiftsweremadetotheEndowmentFundinmemoryofMarion"Rocky"Moorby:
Bill,JanetandCarlyWarfieldDr.andMrs.WilliamA.Shell,Jr.
LauraandPeteZabaskiAllanandNancyBailey
BarryandWentworthCaldwellGloucesterSquareCooperativeCorp.
Mr.andMrs.MichaelKaneJohnandMarthaPhippsSkipperandNancyPhipps
GeorgeTomlin
Joy• CongratulationstoAustinLucas
&LindsayCusterwhoweremar-riedonDec.27,2013.
• CongratulationstoTripandMa-ribethNicholson on the birth oftheirson,Levi.
Spire NewsAsweevaluatethecommunicationneedsofBelleMeadeUMC,weareseekingnewwaystospreadinformationandnewstoourcongregationandcommunity.Inthecomingmonths,wewillbeofferingatext-alertservicewhichwillallowsub-scriberstoreceiveinformationattheirfingertipsaboutchurchevents,changestoschedules,andwaystobecomemoreinvolvedinthelifeofthechurch.Weareresearchingvisualcommunicationsforimmediateimpactaroundthechurch(flexiblesignagethatischangedperiodicallytoadvertisechurchinformationtoallwhovisitorregularlyattend).BelleMeadeeventsarenowbeingsharedwithourneighborhoodthroughtheHillwoodlistserv.Inanefforttostretchourcommunicationsbudgetandreduceredundancy,weare trying somethingnewwithThe Spire, aswell.Beginningwith this issue,The Spirewillbemailedtwicemonthly,ratherthaneveryweek.Thiswillsaveover$600.00permonth.Wewillstillcommunicatethroughweeklyemailsandbulletinannouncements.ThischangemeansthateachnewsletterwillcontainNEWS,ratherthanrepeatingannouncementsoverseveralweeks.Thedeadlineforsubmitting information for thenexteditionofThe Spire isnoonThursday,January16.Inconjunctionwiththeseefforts,thewebsiteandfacebookpagewillbeupdatedweekly(ifnotmoreoften),allowingustocommunicateinamoretime-sensitivemanner.Ifyouhavequestions,ideadorwouldliketovolunteertohelpwithcommunica-tionatBelleMeade,pleasecontactAnnaMargaretMilleratannamargaret@bellemeadeumc.orgorbycallingthechurchofficeat352-6210.Wewouldlovetohearfromyouabouthowwecanenhancetwo-waycommunicationandef-fectivelyspreadthewordamongourselvesandourneighbors.IamdelightedtobeapartoftheBelleMeadeteamandamsoexcitedtoseewhatthefutureholdsforthischurchaswereachourcommunityandworldwithChrist'slove!God'sPeace,AnnaMargaretMiller,CommunicationsAdministrator
The SpirePrayer
ConcernsThechurchprayerlistcannotbeincludedonourwebsiteduetoprivacyissues.Youcanfindthelistinthechurchbulletin
orinthee-mailnewsletter.Ifyouwouldlike
toreceivethenewsletterbye-mailpleasecontactthe
CommunicationsAdministrator,AnnaMargaretMiller,at
thechurchofficeat352-6210orsignupat
thechurchwebsite,www.bellemeadeumc.org,
underthenewsletterandeventspage.
Acolyte and Crucifer Schedule
Date Acolyte Crucifer
Jan 12 Joseph Hinchman Lauren Jolly Jan 19 Emily Carro Kang Huh Jan 26 Leigh Ann Schmidt Alex Jolly
Worship This Sunday
8:30 am Worship in the Chapel8:45 am Communion in the Sanctuary
9:15 am - 10:15 am Sunday School for all ages10:30 am - Worship in the SanctuaryPreaching: Rev. Tom Gildemeister
Belle Meade United Methodist Church121 Davidson Road, Nashville, TN 37205www.bellemeadeumc.org(615) 352 - 6210
Place Mailing Label here
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. Postage PAIDNashville, TNPermit No. 1002
