2020 Leadership Retreat with Dr. Susan Beaumont, Saturday, Nov. 14 & Monday, Nov. 16
Zoom link will be sent via email
Saturday, Nov. 14, “Leading in an Age of Uncertainty,” 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - How do you lead an organization stuck between an ending and a new beginning—when the old way of doing things no longer works but a way forward is not yet clear? Such in-between times are called liminal seasons—threshold times when the continuity of tradition disintegrates and uncertainty about the future fuels doubt and chaos. In a liminal season it simply is not helpful to pretend we understand what needs to happen next. But leaders can still lead.
Monday, Nov. 16, “Leadership Roles in a New Era,” 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM - In the large church, the staff team manages, the board provides oversight and committees coordinate and innovate. How does all that work together? Throw in a pandemic and negotiating our work and objectives feels downright impossible. In this workshop, we will explore the mutual but sometimes competing needs of leadership roles in the large church.
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Dr. Susan Beaumont is a consultant, author, coach, and spiritual director. She has consulted with over one hundred congregations and denominational bodies across the United States and in Canada. She is known for her ground-breaking work in the leadership dynamics of large congregations. Before establishing her own practice, Susan worked for nine years as a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute. She has also served on the faculty of two business schools, teaching graduate level courses in leadership, management and organizational behavior; and she consulted with nonprofit organizations and corporate clients in leadership development and change management. An ordained minister within the American Baptist Churches, USA, she holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a M.Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary. In addition, she is a graduate of the Shalem Institute Spiritual Guidance program. |
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Sunset Vespers with The Bridge begin Sunday, Nov. 1 |
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Sunset Vespers with The Bridge
Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22
3:30 PM to 4:15 PM on the lawn at Campbell West
Music, Scripture & Prayers
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Laura & Garrett Ramsey, joined Oct. 7 |
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Katrina & Greg King, joined Oct. 1 |
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Lindsay Rios-Corbin & Thad Corbin with Elliot, joined Oct. 1 |
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Adriana Ullman, joined Oct. 1 |
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Civility Should Help Us Navigate Faith and Politics
by Clay Stauffer
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My undergraduate course this fall at Vanderbilt is called “Faith, Politics, and Polarization in American culture.” We are closely studying the research of NYU’s Jonathan Haidt and Harvard’s Arthur Brooks.
Haidt is a social psychologist who has done significant research on morality and the basic moral foundations of liberals and conservatives. In his book the Righteous Mind, Haidt defines moral systems in the following way: “Interlocking sets of values, virtues, norms, practices, identities, institutions, technologies, and evolved psychological mechanisms that work together to suppress or regulate self-interest and make cooperative societies possible.”
It’s a fancy, all-inclusive definition, but as we all know, the words “suppressing and regulating self-interest” is a universal human challenge.
Haidt is not a religious person but acknowledges that religion plays a major role in the development of moral foundations for many people around the world. Teachings on compassion, humility, mercy, forgiveness, service, and loving one's neighbor permeate the world’s great religions.
Arthur Brooks’ recent book Love Your Enemies is a must read for this current political climate. He has become very concerned about America's “culture of contempt” that is present in American life which goes well beyond anger and disagreement. “Believing your foe is motivated by hate leads to something far worse; contempt. While anger seeks to bring someone back into the fold, contempt seeks to exile. It attempts to mock, shame, and permanently exclude from relationships by belittling, humiliating, and ignoring. While anger says, ‘I care about this,’ contempt says, ‘You disgust me and are beneath caring about.”
In this current election cycle, contempt abounds. Just watch the way people talk to each other, starting with the presidential candidates themselves. Contempt is what happens over time in marriages that end up in divorce. Resentment builds to a point where a couple moves to the point of no return. Too much damage has been done.
Brooks spent a significant amount of time interviewing marriage and family expert John Gottman for insight on how we can begin to remedy this major problem in our politics, and in our public square. Many fully acknowledge that civility and human decency have been in sharp decline. According to the Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma,” social media is a big part of the problem.
Gottman identifies four ideas to improve civility and dialogue in the public square. First, learn to focus on other people’s distresses to build empathy. When others are upset about politics, listen empathetically. Try to understand exactly where they are coming from and why they are upset.
Secondly, adopt the “five to one rule.” Offer five positive comments for every criticism. This must include our virtual interactions on social media platforms.
Third, recognize that contempt is never justified, even if, in the heat of the moment, you think someone deserves it. Contempt is always bad for you, emotionally and physically, and will not convince others that they are wrong.
Fourth, Gottman says go to places and forums where people disagree with you and learn from them. This will involve being uncomfortable while also making new friends. (Love Your Enemies 40-41)
These are four specific ideas to heal and improve conversation in a toxic culture. Haidt recognizes that politics, religion, and morality are all very complicated. Yet we are now reaching a dangerous tipping point in our democratic experiment. As one who teaches college students, it is clear that they recognize the challenges and the dangers. Everybody has an important role to play in the process.
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"Analyzing the 2020 Election" with Dr. John Geer, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 PM on Zoom |
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John Geer is Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt. He has published 5 books and over 20 articles on presidential politics and elections, and recently served as editor of The Journal of Politics. His most recent book is In Defense of Negativity: Attacks Ads in Presidential Campaigns published by the University of Chicago Press, which won the Goldsmith Book prize from Harvard University.
Geer has provided extensive commentary in the news media on politics, including live nation wide interviews for FOX, CNN, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, and NPR. He has also written op-ed pieces for Politico, The Washington Post, LA Times, USA Today, and Chicago Tribune.
Geer is currently working on a series of projects that looks at the news media's coverage of attack advertising and how negativity may help voters make better choices.
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"Five Thoughts on Marriage & Relationships" workshop series for couples begins tomorrow, 6:30 PM on Zoom
Zoom link to attend:
Passcode: 5 Thoughts
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Woodmont's Outreach Grants Committee met on Oct. 8 and awarded grants to the following:
Disciples Divinity House
Faith Family Medical Clinic
Fifty Forward
Men of Valor
Nash. Tools for Schools
The Next Door
Second Harvest Food Bank
Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Layman’s Lessons
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"Common Ground" sermon series continues this Sunday with "Could You Do It?" Justin Gung, Matthew 5:17-20
YouTube Service 7:00 AM
Drive-in Service at 9:00 AM
Sanctuary Service at 10:30 AM
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Overflow seating for Sanctuary Service
The sanctuary has limited seating due to the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines; if seating is not available when you arrive, you will be ushered to the Gathering Hall overflow area with live streaming of the service.
Reservations are no longer required for our sanctuary service. Social distancing, temperature checks, and masks are still required.
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Watch 10:30 AM Sanctuary Service live
Livestream link: https://youtu.be/NnK3bAuMTh8
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Stressed? Discouraged? Lonely? Sad? Don't Suffer Alone. Help Is Available. |
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Sometimes we fall into a trap where we think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help. So when we’re stressed, discouraged, lonely, or sad, we try to keep our struggles hidden and are reluctant to ask for help. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others—and allow others to care for us in our time of need.
If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We’ve got a team of Stephen Ministers (members of Woodmont) who are ready to provide confidential one-to-one care, encouragement, and support to help you through a tough time. Find out more about Stephen Ministry by contacting Sara Kate Hooper for more information at allsk@aol.com. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care into your life.
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Wednesday night classes Oct. 14 |
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Dr. Janet Hicks "Five Thoughts on Marriage & Relationships" 6:30 PM
Zoom link to attend:
Passcode: 5 Thoughts
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Dr. Rubel Shelly "Grace, Mercy, & Love: An Encouragement" 6:30 PM
Zoom link to attend:
Passcode: 478316
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Deeper Bible Study 6:00 PM
Zoom link to attend:
Passcode: Disciples
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DivorceCare 6:30 PM
Zoom link to attend:
Passcode: 990449
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Latest sermon "Does Prayer Really Work?" |
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Prayers for our church family
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
- Ashley and Kendall Hill on the birth of their daughter, Leighton Sara Hill, on Oct. 3. Big brother is Finn.
- Annsley and Brad Reynolds on the birth of their daughter, Marie Caroline Reynolds, on Oct. 1. Big brother is William.
SYMPATHY TO:
- Bill and Trudy Carpenter, Frances Andrews, and Clare Carpenter on the death of their mother, Clare Anne Drowota Carpenter, who passed away peacefully at her home Thursday night, Oct. 8. A small service is being planned for the family with a larger celebration later on.
NEW CONCERNS:
- Roy Stauffer's sister, Cora Sawyer, in Lebanon, TN - surgery delayed - now in rehab for broken bones in foot and ankle
- Martha Elzen's granddaughter, Emerson Elzen - heart ablation on Oct 15 at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
CONTINUING CONCERNS:
- Betty Brent - Belmont Village
- Ellen Dillon - now at The Lodge at NHC at the Trace
- Lyle Lankford
- Billy Pirtle - surgery on October 15 at St. Thomas West
- Angela Powers
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Tallu Quinn - https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/talluquinn
- John Ramsey
- Virginia Rippee
- Wilbur Sensing
- Jim Thomas
FAMILY/FRIENDS OF MEMBERS - CONCERNS:
- Beth Sowell's sister, Barb Vial - infection in knee
- Marilyn Gardner's sister, Pat Anderson - Alive Hospice Residence, Nashville
- Kimmy Bennett's mother-in-law, Arline Bennett - Malta, Ohio
- LuAnn Brent's brother-in-law, Earl Milroy in Pine Bluff, AR
- Mark Clymer's mother, Marilyn Randall - now is rehab in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Bill Heyne's mother, Edie Holmstrom (90 yrs) in Ohio - chemo
- Katherine and Finley Kivett
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Our elders invite you to join them in prayer
- Pray for the leadership of our church as we strive to bring God's love and healing to our members.
- Pray for those who are facing upcoming surgery and the surgeons who have dedicated their lives to helping others.
- Pray for our families with children who continue to face many challenges due to COVID.
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Giving
September 20: $81,422
September 27: $12,642
October 4: $100,577
October 11: $32,241
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Growing disciples of Christ by seeking God, sharing love, and serving others. |
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