Child dedication
Hannah Clare Pyron, daughter of Jeremiah & Mary Clare Pyron
Sunday, Oct. 17
Photos by Steve Lowry
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"Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic" with Clay Stauffer & Dr. Alex Jahangir is Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 PM in Carpenter Chapel
Just announced! In two weeks, we will host Dr. Alex Jahangir, chair of Nashville Metro's Board of Health, for a special meeting called "Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic."
Jahangir is a Vanderbilt surgeon who was thrust into the local spotlight in March of 2020 when Mayor Cooper appointed him chair of the new Metro Coronavirus Task Force and launched daily news briefings about the city's response to the virus.
This event is designed for all Woodmont elders and deacons and is also open to the entire congregation.
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Trunk or Treat is next Friday, Oct. 29, at 5:00 PM
Our annual Trunk or Treat is Friday, Oct. 29 at 5:00 PM in the front parking lot. This is a churchwide event for "kids" of all ages. Park your car, bring your candy, and dress up for a fun time!
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Breakfast at church begins Oct. 31 in Drowota Hall
Beginning on Halloween, we are going to try something new! Because a lot of us haven't seen each other in awhile, we will be offering free breakfast in the gym from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM four Sundays in a row after fall break.
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Father-Son Campfire is Sunday, Nov. 14, at 4:00 PM
Join us on Sunday, November 14, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM for a little campfire with other dads and sons. We'll roast hot dogs, makes s'mores, and play games. Bundle up!
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New series - "Philippians: Living with Joy"
by Clay Stauffer
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This Sunday, Oct. 24, we will begin a new sermon series focused on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This was one of Paul’s letters written from jail sometime around 60 CE. Paul had visited Philippi a few times and he was corresponding with the church. The people had heard that Paul was imprisoned and he wanted to assure them that he was OK and still spreading the gospel message.
Philippians has been referred to as the “Epistle of Joy.” It is one of my favorite books of the Bible because of its hopeful and encouraging tone. It is a reminder that we get to choose our thoughts and attitude in life.
After everything we have lived through over the past year and a half - a pandemic, racial tension, divisive politics, stress, loss, grief, fear - this letter can serve as a much-needed antidote for a better way of living and thinking. At this time, our world needs more hope and less despair, more peace and less anger, more gratitude and less envy, more positivity and less cynicism. This short epistle can help us with all of that.
I hope you will read Philippians on your own and join me as we begin this new series.
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"Joy Despite Adversity" this Sunday, Oct. 24
New series "Philippians: Living with Joy" begins
Clay Stauffer
Philippians 1:3-6, 15-26
This new series will focus on Paul’s short letter to the Philippians, written from jail. The stress of the past year and a half has made experiencing joy much more difficult and elusive. How can we get it back? How can we press forward with hope? How can we turn off the news and focus on the good in life? How can we live with gratitude? This sermon series will explore all of these questions and more!
Service times
9:15 AM Informal sanctuary worship & livestream
9:30 AM The Bridge worship outdoors at Campbell West
10:45 AM Traditional sanctuary worship & livestream
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The Bridge
Sunday, Oct. 17
Photos by Steve Lowry
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On Being Interrupted & Trust Issues
by Jenny Simmons
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This past weekend did not turn out as I had originally planned. I had been moving a friend from one apartment to another for three days straight and was on the heels of a bad reaction to my COVID booster + flu combo (pro-tip: space. them. out.) My girls were in Texas for fall break and Saturday was my finish line. If I could make it through feeling sick and moving a friend and 2 Divinity school projects I could rest on Saturday. And then my friend called. She was getting married in less than 20 hours and her officiant had just backed out after the rehearsal due to Covid exposure and she needed a favor: could I officiate her wedding?
When I started down the path of ministry I did so because, among many reasons, I felt a deep calling to meet people in their moments of pain and suffering and help them connect with God’s presence. I was prepared for hospitals and funerals—not weddings! It never occurred to me that I would get to be a part of people’s dying AND living! What a profound gift. But it’s a gift that I am learning myself into and as of Saturday I had only performed one wedding ceremony ever. Perhaps a last minute wedding would be old-hat for the seasoned among our staff but I was a nervous wreck. She didn’t have time to meet with me or talk me through anything she just said: “Pick the vows, pick the words for the intent and rings. I don’t have the space to care at this point, I trust you.”
I was terrified.
“I trust you” might be three of the most loving, scary, necessary, humble, strong words we can offer one another. I remember suspiciously eyeballing everyone as a new mom. Did they know how to hold my baby’s head correctly? Never mind they were thirty years older with kids and grandkids, I had my doubts. It’s hard to trust people with our most valuable treasures. Our children, our weddings, our funerals, our living and dying, doubts and fears, hopes, dreams, homes, love and hearts. It’s tempting to play it safe. Life is one long experiment in opening our hearts and hands to others or closing our fists and suspiciously eyeballing those around us as if they may not know how to hold the baby’s head just right. And the thing is, they might not. I definitely said to the bride, “Do you take this man to be your wife?” And he replied loudly, “HUSBAND! I’m gonna be the husband!” and the whole room died laughing. Trusting others isn’t about perfection. It isn’t about getting it exactly right, or doing it the way you would have done it, or even about whether the person being trusted has messed up in the past or has more than one wedding under their belt. When we trust someone, we invite them to fully show up as themselves and release our grip on controlling what that looks like. We assume the best, give the benefit of the doubt, release our need to micro-manage, and set someone else free to shine.
As I started writing this article I intended to write about having the space to be interrupted in our lives, but here we are talking about trust and maybe that’s exactly what needs to come first. Those whose lives can be interrupted have learned to trust that there is time and space and room for all of it. When we operate out of scarcity, it’s hard to trust anyone let alone make the space for that which you eyeball suspiciously. When we release our grip and trust the goodness of those around us, it’s a bit easier to allow the interruptions to call us into more full, whole-hearted living. May you have the courage to trust others this week and be interrupted.
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Be a neighbor in Waverly! |
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We plan to start rebuilding two homes in Waverly, TN. The current plan is to work Oct. 25 through Nov. 5, but may fluctuate a little.
Barry (pictured here with Molly) and his 82-year-old mother Sandra are sharing a home and providing much-needed care for each other. Barry truly loves his 'Momma' and wants her to be cared for. Sadly he has his own physical challenges and really needs some help!
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Randy and his wife Joanne are still living in their gutted home. There is not a kitchen and only a makeshift bathroom.
We will be installing flooring, insulation, and drywall as well as adding the finishing touches to each home.
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Woodmont's Fall-Hamilton parking lot ministry is back
Prior to Covid, Woodmont members were helping Fall-Hamilton Elementary raise money on Nashville Flea Market weekends by volunteering in their parking lot (typically $4,000+ per day). This is important because the school does not have many opportunities to raise funds for things not covered in the MNPS budget (past money has helped fund such "luxuries" as textbooks).
Now, we've gotten the OK to resume our parking lot ministry! This is a fun, 4-hour, socially distanced, outdoor way to serve others with fellow Woodmont members of all ages. Basically, it involves directing cars where to park on the Fall-Hamilton campus... and that's it!
If you can walk and wave, this volunteer opportunity was created for you. It's also a fun way for families to volunteer together (kids under 18 must have parents present, and kids must be age 12+, please). If it rains, we cancel.
All volunteers meet at the school, located at 510 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville, TN 37203. Park Owen and Allen McDonald are the main contacts at the parking lot.
Questions? Contact
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Watch Fall-Hamilton Minute for Mission by Allen McDonald & Jim Thomas
Sunday, Oct. 17
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Our 2021 Fannie Battle Angel Tree
Due to potential supply chain issues this holiday season, we've decided to launch our 2021 Angel Tree a month early! Click the button below to take an angel from the tree.
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Feed cancer patients with all the profits from this shirt this week! |
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Titan’s Coach Mike Heimerdinger (Offensive Coordinator 2000-2004, and 2008-2010) passed away from cancer in 2011. Mike’s family and The Heimerdinger Foundation continue his winning legacy by delivering free and healthy meals to Nashville area cancer patients (and their families) for twelve weeks while they are undergoing treatment. The meals are prepared next door at Calvary!
Section119.com is generously donating the profits from the sales this week (Oct. 18-24) of their Dancing Bear short sleeve shirt to Nashville’s Heimerdinger Foundation.
If you hate cancer and want to help feed Nashville cancer patients, won’t you order this shirt?
Go to section119.com for details. Sale ends this Sunday, Oct. 24 – order today!
P.S. - This shirt attracts compliments... but order a size up! For example, if you normally wear a large, order an XL, etc.
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New Endeavors
by Michael Graham
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It is with sadness that I share with you that Russell Davis, our pianist and choir accompanist who has been with us for five years, has accepted two other positions in Nashville. He will begin serving Nov. 1 at Christ the King Catholic Parish as lead accompanist on both piano and organ and music director for service music, instrumentalists, and weddings.
In September, Russell "retired" from all school accompanying and accepted a position with the historic Belmont Mansion as the director and buyer for retail operations including their gift and online shops. He will also begin development of new product offerings specific to the mansion history and educational goals along with increasing their presence in the Nashville tourist industry, a return to his original college majors of Retail Management and Marketing.
While at Woodmont, Russell has shared his inimitable style with us on both piano and organ, accompanied soloists, and played memorable offerings in solo service music. It is an understatement to say he will be missed, but we are happy for him in his new responsibilities at Belmont and Christ the King. I know everyone's prayers will be with him in his new endeavors.
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Jenny Simmons, Woodmont’s Youth Ministry Coordinator, will be sharing stories full of laughter and hope from her book, The Road to Becoming, this coming Tuesday, Oct. 26, with the GEMS group that meets at noon in Room 105.
Jenny will talk about leaning into the changing seasons and reflecting on traveling mercies that accompany us when life gets turned upside down.
In addition to working with our students, Jenny is a mom of two young girls, an author, and finishing her final year of divinity school. We hope you will join us for this inspiring luncheon. Bring a friend, some extra kleenex!, and a heart ready to receive life-giving hope.
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Kids' Percussion Ensemble is back for another 4-week session beginning Oct. 27
Catie Pratt is offering another 4-week music session for kids, this time for K-2, starting on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The group will then share what they've learned with a performance on Sunday, Nov. 21, at the 9:15 AM and 10:45 AM services.
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DivorceCare session "Family & Friends" tomorrow at 5:30 PM in the Bay Room
Divorce changes all relationships—not just the marriage. The insights in this session teach group members how to navigate changes in their relationships with their former spouses as well as with family and friends.
DivorceCare at Woodmont is a series of one-hour small group sessions in the Bay Room with Rev. Anne Stauffer and Janet Wall in a safe, confidential, supportive, healing environment. Video format and workbook are available online. Please email Amber Moss if interested at amber@woodmontcc.org
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Virtual vespers with The Bridge 6:30 PM Thursdays
Gather with Andra Moran & friends from The Bridge for virtual vespers on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM on Zoom.
Zoom link:
Password: together
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Watch latest sermon "Why Are You Sleeping?" by Chris Cox
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Church calendar
Click here for a full listing of all events on Woodmont's campus
Sunday, Oct. 24
Stephens Child Dedication
9:15 AM Disciples Class, Room 105
9:15 AM Challenge Class, Room 200
10:45 AM Pathways Class, Boardroom
10:45 AM Points of View Class, Room 105
10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200
4:00 PM Jubilation Rehearsal, Choir Room
5:00 PM Youth Group, Youth Wing
Monday, Oct. 25
3:00 PM "Geezers," Boardroom
6:00 PM Leadership Woodmont, Carpenter Chapel
Tuesday, Oct. 26
9:00 AM Women's Prayer Group, Boardroom
12:00 PM GEMS Luncheon, Room 105
6:30 PM Alateen (ages 12-19), South Hall
6:30 PM Parents AL-ANON Group, Room 105
8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 27
6:15 AM Men's Small Group, Room 107
7:00 AM Younger Men's Bible Study, Boardroom
8:00 AM "Original" Men's Bible Study, Room 105
12:00 PM Stuart Gordon Class, Room 100
5:30 PM DivorceCare, The Bay Room
6:15 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thursday, Oct. 28
10:00 AM Sit & Stich, Gathering Hall
5:30 PM Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room
6:30 PM Naranon, Room 105
6:30 PM Virtual Vespers with The Bridge, Zoom
8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall
Friday, Oct. 29
5:00 PM Trunk or Treat, Parking Lot
Saturday, Oct. 30
10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall
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Prayers for our church family
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
- Kreigh & Kelsey Bourff on the birth of their son, Beckett Edward Bourff, on Oct. 14.
- Aaron & Sandra Hastings on the birth of their daughter, Penelope, this past weekend.
SYMPATHY TO:
- Dr. David Moore, former Woodmont minister, on the death of his wife Jean on Oct. 19 in Jamestown, TN. Service details forthcoming.
- Christy Brown and family, on the death of her mother, Patricia Burton Brown, on Oct. 12.
CONTINUING CONCERNS:
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Our elders invite you to join them in prayer
- For those who are sick, recovering from surgery, or facing hardship;
- That all of Woodmont’s members feel safe in returning to campus for services, meetings, and fellowship with our faith family;
- That we desire and pray for the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives;
- That we be good stewards of all the abundance and resources entrusted to us.
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Giving
Sept. 26: $54,984
Oct. 3: $63,064
Oct. 10: $21,388
Oct. 17: $37,950
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Growing disciples of Christ by seeking God, sharing love, and serving others. |
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