Our Ministry Council has a single purpose: to help us plan, do, and evaluate our ministry. It meets 6-8 times a year, each time with a focus on just one area of our common ministry like outreach, worship, communication, or education. At the first meeting on Wednesday, August 21, anyone involved in any capacity in any of our ministries is encouraged to come. We will have a meal, and most of the evening will be dedicated to a review and update of the 15 key strategies of our strategic plan. This plan has guided our work for three years, and our goal is to update it for the next three years due to two fortunate challenges: the celebration of our 200th anniversary in 2020 and the disruptions presented by our building renovation plans. In the past, this kind of work would have been done by the Official Board. Under our new governance structure, the Administrative Council takes care of all financial, building, and personnel matters (things to do with the resourcing of our ministry), allowing the Ministry Council to focus exclusively on the doing of ministry! We hope you will make plans to join us on Wednesday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Pool party
Children and parents are invited to a pool party at the Freeman’s on Sunday, August 18. Come over right after worship (don’t forget your swimwear and towel!). We’ll grill hot dogs for lunch (please bring a side dish!). The Freeman’s address is 835 Tyne Valley Court, Nashville, TN 37220. If you haven't already, please RSVP to Allison today to help with lunch planning.
Big Day August 25
Our children’s choir will begin rehearsals on Sunday, August 25, after worship, and all children in grades K-5 are encouraged to join the troupe! Children’s choir is a wonderful way for our children to find and use their voices, share their gifts, and have fun together. Also starting August 25, we’ll be facilitating family programming twice a month after church. We’ll share a meal and conversation together, spend time learning and fellowshipping with our own age groups for programming (Children K-5 will do children’s choir, parents/grandparents will have an opportunity to meet/connect/discuss parent-y things, and youth will have the opportunity for age specific programming), and gather together to close in prayer. The hope is that this will help children, youth, and families meet in ways that are helpful, fun, and emotionally significant (living into our goal of increasing small groups).
A Word from Terri
General Minister and President reflects on General Assembly
Dear Church –
My heart is still singing from the holy time we shared in Des Moines last month. The Spirit was present and real in worship. The discussions were deep in the workshops. The joy was tangible at the meal events. Our programming for youth and young adults included education about the governance of the church, and we saw how important multi-generational worship is when we gather. Many of those gathered spoke strongly for justice in the business sessions, at the candlelight vigil and the post-assembly rally. As the General Youth Council reminded us with their resolution, we must continue to invite one another to listen and discuss, even when we disagree. To walk together in love even when we disagree is at the heart of being “Disciple”. Read more