EXTENSION MINISTRIES 

Eden Seminary professor tells MMC ‘words can create worlds’ (Press release, 2/14/12)

Martin Methodist College
Contact: Grant Vosburgh, Dir. of Communications (gvosburgh@martinmethodist.edu)

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis speaks at annual Convocation on Religion and Race

PULASKI, Tenn. – As a young girl, she heard the adage that “sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you,” but as she grew into adulthood, Dr. Leah Gunning Francis learned that was not completely true.

“Even as a child I knew there was something illogical about that familiar refrain, but it was not until adulthood that I came to understand how sticks, stones and names have the power to hurt the body and bring sullenness to the soul,” she said. “Fortunate for me, my childhood world was filled with words of affirmation, hope and love, so the occasional zinger from a peer didn’t do too much damage, I don’t think. But what about people whose worlds are dominated with negative and dehumanizing words. What kind of world has been created for them?”

Gunning Francis was the keynote speaker at Martin Methodist College’s annual Convocation on Religion and Race, held Jan. 24. As assistant professor of Christian education at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, she is a passionate teacher, drawing on her marketing experience, pastoral leadership and academic training to creatively equip graduate students for transformative leadership in congregations and society.

But standing at the podium in the Curry Christian Life Center on the Martin Methodist campus, just eight days after the national holiday celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, she had a single focus and a powerful message: words and the different types of worlds they can create.

“Ask any advertising executive, seventh grade English teacher, psychologist or speechwriter, and he or she will elaborate on the nature and scope of the power of words, and the meanings we attach to them,” she said. “Words can persuade, influence and inspire. Words can heal. Words can hurt. Words can empower. Words can oppress. It is no wonder the writer of (the biblical book of) James cautions us to listen more quickly than we speak, so that our actions and words might correspond with God’s idea of righteousness. We can bless and praise God, yet curse those who are made in God’s image? My brothers and sisters, the writer goes on to say, this ought not be so.”

Once that truth is established, she told the Martin Methodist students, faculty and staff assembled for the convocation, a larger question comes into focus.

“So instead of diminishing the effects of words with the sticks and stones logic, what if we took seriously the claim that words create worlds, and ask ourselves, ‘What type of world are your words creating?’ In our classrooms, are our words subtly reinforcing antiquated patterns of exclusivity, subjugation and indifference? Or do they open the way for the classroom to become a sacred space where critical thought, exchange of ideas, and construction of new realities can take place without diminishing or devaluing anyone in the room? What about our common spaces on campus and out and about town? Do our words create a world that is conducive and healthy for all people, or only a select few?”

Dr. King, she reminded the audience, dreamed of a different world than the one facing the United States during the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s, and he chose his words – both those he said and those he chose not to say – carefully, with the hope that his words would help create that world.

“What if we, through our words, embodied the type of world we long for, hope for?” Gunning Francis asked. “What if we, like King, mustered the courage to dream a world where love was the order of the day, and peace and justice were inextricable bedfellows? We may not be about to always influence discourse in the public square, but what worlds do our words create in our homes, among our friends, on this campus, in this town?

“Are our words creating a world where God’s tenets of faith, hope and love can take on flesh in ways that transform us, and the world we inhabit? Or do they regularly contribute to the promulgation of indifference, prejudice or even despair? Do we believe that our words have the power to create a pattern of action that inspires a new reality?” she added.

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Please observe Camp & Retreat Ministry Sunday this March 18 (from TNUMConnects 2/8/12)

“The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.” (Mark 6:30–32)

The outdoor ministry and retreat sites of the TN Conference serves thousands of United Methodists and guests every year. We are partners in growing the church and enriching the faith walk of all who participate in these ministries. Many clergy and lay leaders realize their call at our sites, while many youth find a place where they are safe and feel God’s endless love.

On Sunday, Mar. 18, 2012 we are asking that you support these ministries through your congregation, community and self. There are many ways to support your camping and retreat ministry sites. Help us continue this strong and important tradition our faith.

Below are some helpful ideas and resources to support your Camp & Retrat Ministry Sunday plans.

Downloadable resources:
> Order of worship template for Camp & Retreat Ministry Sunday
> Church bulletin insert template
> Church bulletin cover template

For more, please contact:
Cedar Crest Camp
7900 Cedar Crest Camp Rd
Lyles, TN 37098
931.670.3025
crestcrest@tnumc.org
www.tnumcamps.org

Beersheba Assembly
55 Hege Ave
Box 577
Beersheba Springs, TN, 37305

931.692.3669
David.Johnston@tnumc.com
www.tnumcamps.org

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Celebrate the Promise Old Hollywood Style (Miriam's Promise)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Miriam's Promise
Contact: Dietz Osborne (dietzo@miriamspromise.org)

Signature dinner/dance set for March 24, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn - Old Hollywood style will transform The Factory at Franklin’s Liberty Hall into a vintage movie studio for the March 24 “Celebrate the Promise” dinner and dance with popular big band, The Kadillacs, benefitting Middle Tennessee’s premier pregnancy, parenting and adoption services agency.

With over a quarter century of service, Miriam’s Promise is hosting its annual benefit with regional artists Michael and Madonna Bush. Michael has created the event’s signature painting capturing the magic and whimsy of the night according to event chairman, Dietz Osborne.

“In addition to the event’s signature piece, Michael Bush is creating several custom pieces benefitting the important work of Miriam’s Promise available for purchase that evening and generously allowing 50% of the art proceeds for the agency’s benefit.  Also, Michael’s wife Madonna will have her one-of-a-kind jewelry available. With a delicious dinner presented by Chef Jason McConnell of Red Pony Catering and executed by Chef, Carl Schultheis and dancing to the hits from the Kadillacs, this is one of the year’s top events for fun while supporting a very worthy cause,” Osborne said.

[ Pictured above: Capturing the magic and whimsy of the annual Celebrate the Promise dinner/dance, regional artist Michael Bush created “Celebrate…Dance to the Music!” as the event’s signature piece—a focal point of the live auction the evening of the event. ]

Last year, over 100 families were served by the non-profit organization including its service to incarcerated mothers in the Davidson, Rutherford and Sumner County jails in addition to the many expectant parents who sought counseling in the midst of a crisis pregnancy. Critical to the agency’s work are the tireless volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents. At this year’s event, Miriam’s Promise is honoring the contributions of founding board member Dr. Jan van Eys. Agency Executive Director Debbie Robinson said his support has been essential.

“Children and families throughout the Middle Tennessee area have benefitted from the leadership and vision of Dr. van Eys. We are taking a moment during the night of music and fun to honor and celebrate his contributions to the families served by Miriam’s Promise,” Robinson said.

Tickets are $125 per person or $900 for a table of eight and include dinner, dancing and adult beverages. Corporate partnership opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Miriam’s Promise at 615.292.3500 or visit www.miriamspromise.org.

Miriam’s Promise is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization founded in 1985 to offer hope and healing with those coping with issues of grief, loss and transition with a mission to ensure the well-being of children—before, during and after birth by providing pregnancy, parenting and adoption services.

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Johnston family hired by Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries (TNUMC Camps)

For Immediate Release
Contact: campusminister@citlink.net, dhinton@tnumc.org

Board of Camp and Retreeat Ministries announcement from Chair Bud Alexander

In order to enhance our ministries, the Conference Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries (BCRM) is pleased to announce that the Director, Dickie Hinton, will be devoting much of his work to development, marketing, and fund raising for Cedar Crest and Beersheba, as well as continuing to supervise both facilities. In order to expand the quality of work Dickie has brought to Beersheba, the BCRM has hired David Johnston as Director of Beersheba Springs Assembly and his wife Vanessa as Director of Food Services.

David comes to Beersheba from having served as the Executive Director of Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center, a United Methodist Camp in upper New York. He has a B.S. in Education from Springfield College and an M.A. in Administration from the University of New Hampshire. He has completed requirements to become a certified Camp Director of the United Methodist Church. Vanessa brings experience at camp as well as food service and many radical hospitality skills.

These staff changes will continue the rich tradition of Welcoming, Restoring, and Transforming ministries at Beersheba and will develop a sustainable future for our camping ministries and facilities. Please join the Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries as we welcome the Johnston’s to Tennessee and Beersheba Springs Assembly.

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Waltrips continue to help feed hungry (Feed America First)

Vehicles pull through food distribution lanes at Nashville Family Church in Franklin, as volunteers load donated food and personal hygiene products, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and his wife, Stevie, were among the volunteers.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and his wife, Stevie, continued their local hunger relief efforts at a recent event that put food into the hands of 800 families in Williamson and Davidson counties.

The food distribution was a combined effort of several agencies and individuals. An anonymous donor paid for the food, which was provided by Feed The Children. Feed America First coordinated the distribution with the help of Nashville Family Church’s hunger ministry, 1GenAway, and local hunger ministry Feed Franklin First.

This was the second time this year the Waltrips joined this combined effort, the first being in June, when 400 families were fed. The event was part of Feed The Children’s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan.

The host agencies for the event were Feed America First, a non-profit hunger relief agency, and OneGenAway, a ministry of Nashville Family Church.

“It’s in our community, and it’s just such a wakeup call to think that there might be some kids who might go to bed hungry tonight,” Darrell said in June. “To give them a helping hand just makes you feel good.”

The Waltrip family resides in Franklin and attends Parish Presbyterian Church.

Since 1979, Feed The Children has consistently ranked as one of the largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Their mission is providing hope and resources for those without life’s essentials. In FY 2010, Feed The Children distributed more than 133 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. For more information, visit www.feedthechildren.org.

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