OCTOBER, 2006 ASTOUNDING GOD, ABOUNDING GRACE, ABUNDANT GIVING: STEWARDSHIP 2006 You and I live in a global consumer economy that constantly leaves

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1 OCTOBER, 2006 ASTOUNDING GOD, ABOUNDING GRACE, ABUNDANT GIVING: STEWARDSHIP 2006 You and I live in a global consumer economy that constantly leaves us hungering for more. Mass consumerism challenges our ethical standards and threatens the ecological bank of the earth s resources in unprecedented ways. When and how will we stop our own drive for more? When asked, How much money is enough? John D. Rockefeller is purported to have said, Just a little bit more What is it that makes us want more? We ve lost our way due to the powerful temptation of money and possessions. What is lacking in us is a firm trust in God s astounding abundance. A deep fear pushes us to be anxious and keeps us asking, Is this enough? We confuse the gifts with earnings and a sense of entitlement takes over. In my own life, I knew a transformation, a change that moved me out of my fear and away from my feelings of entitlement into faith and gratitude for God s abundance. I was struck by a tremendous realization of the grace that God had bestowed on me. The Holy Spirit, working in my life, allowed me to change from an inward focus to an outward one. What a liberation! I have tried to remain steadfast in pushing away the temptation to fear. The God that loves me beyond measure will not abandon me. Rather than feeling trapped by scarcity, I see instead an overflow of abundant resources. I see how freely they are given and feel God s call to keep the gift alive by giving freely also. Week in and week out I am buoyed by the energy of this faith community by its commitment to those within the parish as well as to those beyond it. As the Finance Committee and Vestry pour over numbers and budgets, I see your faces each one of you whose generosity makes St. David s such a healthy and vibrant congregation. The work of our hands and the gifts of our hearts continue the cycle of giving giving back what, by grace, we have received. As we enter this season of stewardship, in preparation for the budget year 2007, I invite all of you to join in this journey of generosity, a liberating generosity that frees us from the fear of scarcity. Trust in this Astounding God of Abounding Grace and respond through your Abundant Giving. All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee. E.S.G.

2 THE EPISCOPATE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES FIVE NOMINEES With great joy, the Episcopate Committee has announced the names of five nominees for bishop of the diocese. They are: The Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt, Rector, Christ Church, Covington, LA The Rev. James L. Burns, Rector, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York, NY The Rev. Thack H. Dyson, Rector, St. Paul s Church, Daphne, AL The Rev. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., Rector, Christ Church, Pensacola, FL The Rev. Carter N. Paden, Rector, St. Peter s Church, Chattanooga, TN Biographies, resumes, and responses to questions on each nominee can be downloaded from Each of the nominees will be presented to the diocesan family at a series of forums on the following dates: Thursday, October 19, Lower Cravens University of the South, Sewanee 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Laity Friday, October 20, St. Paul s, Murfreesboro 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon Clergy Saturday, October 21, St. George s, Nashville 9:30 a.m. 12:00 noon Laity These forums will enable both clergy and laity to meet the nominees and hear their responses on various issues. Facilitators will lead each session during which the nominees will answer the same question in one plenary forum. IN OUR PRAYERS We welcome by Letter of Transfer to St. David s Thomas Alva Mitchell, Jr. from the Church of the Good Samaritan, Knoxville. Strengthen, O Lord, your servant, with your Holy Spirit The following persons are being prayed for in our liturgies each week: Billie Sims, Florence Greenwood, the Rev. Sanford Garner, Georgette Willis, Nancy Campbell, Joe Bogle, Cas Schwartz, the Rev. Rod Murray, Jane Sharpe, Ben Chilton, Sandy Thompson, Dr. Charlie Cannon, Johnny Rook, Jackie Hill, and Katie Allen. May the Lord uphold them and fill them with grace 2

3 ONION RINGS by Norman Gillis Dale Rainey spent the summer as the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland at the Street Performance Theater. She reports that it can be great fun being mean and scary as long as you remember that you have to stop when the show is over. Dale also performed Saturday mornings at The Boiler Room in Franklin through the end of September in Janet s Planet. This is a sketch comedy and musical program geared towards elementary and preschool kids with a science educational theme. Janet Ivey (Janet s Planet & Tennessee s Wild Side on Channel 8) stars in the show which she co-writes with the cast. Dale is a sophomore at Hume Fogg Magnet School. She is looking forward to her first year studying Spanish with Bill Gish. Annette Pilcher had a cousin who was the commanding officer of the USS Quincy, the naval ship that took President Roosevelt to Yalta. Each year the crew of the Quincy from that era has a reunion. This year the reunion was in Nashville, and Annette was invited because she and her brother are the only living relatives of her cousin Elliott Senn. Annette attended the closing banquet on September 23 and made some remarks regarding her relationship to the Senn family and their naval tradition. She was very honored to be invited. And more Graces for the good? We wrote that Snake and Judy Grace are going be first-time grandparents in December (Josh and daughter Leah Stewart). Now comes word that older daughter, Martha, and husband Tim Ross are expecting triplets in April. WOW! by G'anne Harmon, Senior Warden St. David's never looked finer than it did Saturday, September 16, with almost everybody -- and the rest in spirit -- at Songwriters' Night 2! We dined, laughed, oggled lovely auction offerings, and bid, bid, bid! Then we listened to some really happenin' music by the generous and talented musicians who gave their evening to us in a terrific concert in the nave at St. David's many thanks to Mitsy Dawn, Trey Bruce, Will Robinson, and Kent Agee, who of course arranged it all. They were fantastic! Patrons, donors, auction donors, ad buyers, and myriad workers created an evening of celebration and togetherness that will help support our outreach and inreach in the next year with a net total of $11, The Vestry will identify and discuss needful areas for the use of these funds and communicate these with the parish in the near future. What an amazing and grace-full place St. David's is! It was indeed evident in the preparation and enjoyment of Songwriters' 2! My sincere gratitude, on behalf of the whole parish, to those who made it look easy. Love in Christ, G'anne ATTENTION: ALL CHEFS/COOKS/MICROWAVERS by Donald Cornelius A rare and unique opportunity for your talents has arisen. As many of you know, our children s choirs meet on Sunday afternoon/evening for rehearsal and dinner. We are in need of volunteer chefs from the parish to provide dinner for these groups during the months of November and December. The meal consists of whatever type of kid food that you wish to serve and should be enough to feed ten children and three adults. If you would like to help us in providing nourishment for the hard-working members of the St. Francis, St. Cecilia, and St. Nicholas choirs, please contact choirmaster Donald Cornelius at to schedule a date. 3

4 Oct. 1 Oct. 4 Oct. 12 Oct. 18 OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES Laura & Don Duke Liz & Richard McLauren Dodie & Bob Nemcik Liz Chilton & Bryan Collier BLOOMIN ONIONS by Stephanie Spector The Bloomin Onions is a group of young families and singles at St. David s that gathers on a semi-regular basis for social and outreach activities. Stephanie Spector took the reins from Laura Duke and Betsy McElroy in coordinating the group starting in June. We kicked off the summer with a great turnout at a barbeque lunch at the home of Jason and Stephanie Spector. In July, we attended a Sounds baseball Faith Night game. With back-to-school in August and Songwriter s Night in September, it s time to plan for our next event. Mark your calendars for October 29 th! After the 10:30 service, we will gather for a chili lunch in Sanders Hall before heading to Walden Pumpkin Farm in Smyrna. Walden is a working farm, complete with assorted pumpkins & gourds, farm animals, play area, and hay maze. Come join the fall fun! Please RSVP to Stephanie at or at Stephanie.Spector@comcast.net. Next month, we hope to assist with feeding and sheltering the homeless at Room in the Inn. In December, we plan to travel to Sewanee for Lessons & Carols. If you ve never participated in our group before, please join us! SONGWRITERS NIGHT 2 by Dot Williams The Songwriters Night Committee wants to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the evening by bringing the many delightful, delicious desserts that were donated. Our thanks to Anne Erwin, Margie Garrett, Bill Gish, Joan Green, Angela Klausner, Lori Kuenneth, Susan Moore, Steve McElroy, Kristin Napier, Annette Pilcher, Suzanne Rawlins, Dolores Rayhab, and Gail Reeve. 10 TOP STRATEGIES TO CHANGE YOUR TEEN S THINKING AND PRE-EMPT CRISIS as printed in HealthNewsDigest.com Today s teens face overwhelming issues peer pressure, widespread instances of substance abuse, concerns about sexuality, the academic stress of high school, the risks and freedom of driving, the worry about getting into a good college. It s no wonder that these years often become filled with poor decision making and a battleground between parents and teens. The 10 guiding principles below enable teens to develop an internal framework and moral compass to stay centered. 1. Realize you are part of something bigger. A connection with spirituality sustains teenagers throughout their inherently rocky transition into adulthood. A spirited life is much more than just decisions about faith. Kids want and need to define their own sense of spirituality. Parents can join their teens in this exploration process, as their children quest for an understanding of the universe and an individual sense of spirituality. 2. Understand that all life is connected and has meaning. Adolescents need opportunities to recognize that they are not alone no matter how different from their peers they may feel. Teens hunger to be a part of something; their need for acceptance runs deep. Support your teens in developing a deeper connection with the natural world, as nature unconditionally accepts them. Plus, social activism and reaching out to others in need gives teens the same assurance that they are connected and can make a difference. 3. Words can profoundly change lives. Tell your teenagers how they delight you, how much you respect their choices, your amazement at their abilities, or your 4

5 appreciation of the way they solved a problem. We need to remember that teens typically struggle with a low self-image, at the same time that their need for love and acceptance is at an all time high. Now is the time to flood them with positive words. Loving words from a parent fuels a child, no matter their age. Your positive words can be the grace that salves their fragile egos. 4. Listen fully acknowledge deeply. In a 2004 survey by Spiritualparenting.com, teens were asked: What do you wish your parents did differently? The overwhelming response was unexpected. They didn t want more freedom, a later curfew, or another gadget. Instead, teens wished their parents actually listened to them more often. A typical response was: I would love it if my mom was around more often to hear what is really going on in my life. We rarely catch up. Teens simply want to be heard and respected. 5. Supported dreams manifest miracles. By helping teens nurture their internal vision of who they are, we may be able to spare them years spent pursuing goals far astray from their personal dreams. We can help them find an authentic sense of purpose in the world; something that comes from connecting the deep currents in their hearts with the abilities of their hands and minds. When parents help kids identify what brings meaning to their daily activities, it s the answer to the fundamental spiritual question: Why am I here? 6. Awaken wonder and spirit flows. Teens crave magic; that moment when time stands still and we re drawn outside our usual busy selves to find something rich and peaceful. Experiences and perceptions that go beyond the ordinary soothe a soulful yearning. But in the teen years, wide-eyed wonder isn t cool. Teens have to learn how to silence their ever present internal critic in order to experience being fully present in an experience. It s hard to be in awe if you re worried about how your hair looks. 7. Remain flexibly firm. Parents have to be willing to shift the rules and become more flexible so their kids can mature into their fully-realized selves. By the time children reach their teen years, parents have gotten complacent about setting rules and creating family guidelines. The revisiting of these parameters provides important perceptions of safety and predictability so teens can function freely. 8. Be what you want to see. Teenage Research Unlimited found that 70% of teenagers name their mom or dad as the person they most admire. Parents need to realize that who we are is much more important than what we say during these years. Teens, while unwilling to listen to our words of wisdom, learn volumes from observing us, even when we think they re not paying attention. 9. Let go and trust. Everyone hits rough patches in parenting, and they can occur almost daily during adolescence. But it is critical during these most trying of times to release our own feelings of shame, guilt, frustration, and pain and remember that we are in spiritual partnership with our teenagers. By letting go of the feelings of struggle, we can strengthen ourselves in the peace of trust. Trust, while still keeping a watchful eye. 10.Each day offers a possibility of renewal. Beginning anew means making small changes in the right direction, rather than quantum leaps toward a perfect relationship. It is truly the small day-to-day stuff that can shift a tense relationship with your teen; one thoughtful compliment a day, replacing irritation with understanding, or suggesting options rather than insisting upon specific solutions. Just when you ve been counting the months until they leave the next, suddenly a whole new direction takes root and you can enjoy your precious and rebellious teen. 5

6 ST. DAVID S NATURE TRAIL by Kevin Green Come and discover or re-discover the trail behind the church! Yes, there really is one! For my Eagle Project I am going to re-establish the trail on our hill. My goal is to clear, re-edge, and mulch. I also hope to establish a memorial area in the clearing. (Did you know that there is a clearing?) If you can donate mulch, tools to spread it, use of a pick-up truck, 2 benches, or funds towards this project, please let me know. If you can lend a hand, expertise, time, and prayer it would really be appreciated. Work days will be announced soon and this project must be completed before December. Contact Kevin Green, , or jellisgreen@aol.com. MISSION AND OUTREACH by Judy Grace The Third World has the potential to humanize because, at least in principle and often in practice, it offers the following values: community instead of individualism, simplicity instead of opulence, helpfulness instead of selfishness, celebration instead of mere enjoyment. --Jon Sobrino, The Principle of Mercy Honduras: The playground for the bilingual school in Epifanía is finished. This project was financed by St. David s and Trinity Episcopal Church, Clarksville. Our friend the Rev. Francisco Peña reports that the children are thoroughly enjoying it. He promises to send photos. After investigating the situation of lack of water at the elementary school at Banderas, one of the areas we support, Father Peña was assured by the local government that it would correct the situation. The people of the village have asked our help to build a fence to enclose the school. St. David s will provide for materials and wages for the laborers. The fence will be an added measure to protect the children and to keep livestock from wandering on to the property. WE ARE NO LONGER COLLECTING CLOTHING FOR HONDURAS since the church helping us in Houston can no longer use the warehouse. We cannot use these clothes for Uganda either (they are very selective about what is shipped there.) Ecuador, a.k.a. Mexico: Now that the Rev. Goldi Santana, our companion parish priest in Ecuador, has moved to the diocese of Southeast Mexico, we are offering her assistance with the missions she is developing. We sent Goldi some funds to provide tables and chairs for the children she is helping. Up til now, there was none. Hispanic Lunch Program: Now that the weather is changing, we need jackets, longsleeve pullovers, and sweatshirts. Always in demand are socks, underwear, and tennis shoes. Uganda: Many good things have been happening regarding this project. It is now considered diocesan, as Bishop Herlong has endorsed it and all churches are receiving mailings about our efforts to help the children there. Here are the following updates: 1. The benefit concert by Elisabeth von Trapp will be Sunday, March 18, at St. George s. All proceeds will benefit the children in Uganda. The Daughters of the King will host a reception immediately following the concert, and Elisabeth will sign her CD s. She will give 10% of the sales to the project. We will have more information (and tickets!) later. 2. The Invisible Children DVD was viewed at the Adult Forum a few weeks ago. If you would like to view it, please see Judy Grace for a copy. We hope that you will show it to an organization to which you belong. We will be glad to give you some brochures also. 3. October 18 th Ingathering at our next (4 th?) convention to elect a bishop, all 6

7 churches in the diocese will bring donations to the Cathedral that will be shipped to Uganda. (For a list of items see the mission/outreach bulletin board.) 4. Saturday, November 11 th we will have a Parcel Packing Party at St. George s to box up the items collected at the Ingathering. There will be lots to do and we will need many hands. More information will be forthcoming, but this is going to be a fun time. If you would like to help with this event, please contact Judy Grace or Susan Huggins. If you have any sturdy cardboard boxes, we need them! They must be no longer than 42 and maximum dimensions (length, width, depth) cannot exceed Tears Into Flowers please take a moment to read this information on the m/o bulletin board. We will be receiving tea towels made by the Child Mothers and we will be taking orders soon. 6. Alternative Christmas December 3 and 10 we will be selling the tea towels those two Sundays. If you can help staff the table one of those days, please contact Judy Grace. St. Lukes: Within the last few days, a family that St. Luke s serves had the tragic misfortune of a fire that destroyed many of the items in their kitchen. Below is a list of just some of things that were lost. If you would like to donate, please be in touch with Hope Christensen at dishes pots & pans baking ware pot holders canister set curtains throw rugs table cloth seat cushions toaster oven coffee pot silverware stove Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 8 Oct. 10 Oct. 11 Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 19 Oct. 23 Oct. 27 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS Dick Klausner Larry Ballantine Howie Fox, Jack Kirkpatrick Susan Moore, Ben Collier Rick Greenwood, Patrick Ruth, Jr. Scott Rayhab Ramsey Leathers Betty Lentz Bonnie Strickland Mary Agee, Gail Reeve Caroline Lester Rebecca Collier, Liz Napier Ardis Leathers, Tom Mitchell Betsey Duggan, Jody Sullivan Bradley Leathers, Lanna Jackson Judy Sweeney, Regan Logan Aaron Gaspard Carolyn Schmidt Nat Howry A WORD ON HOLY BAPTISM The Book of Common Prayer designates certain days in the liturgical year as being especially appropriate for the celebration of Holy Baptism. The next opportunity at St. David s will be Sunday, November 5, the Sunday after All Saints Day. Anyone desiring to be baptized or to have a child baptized should contact the parish office at CELEBRATION DINNER Please join us as we celebrate the ministry of The Rt. Rev. & Mrs. Bertram Nelson Herlong Friday, October 27, 2006 Franklin Marriott Cool Springs 700 Cool Springs Boulevard Reception 6:00 p.m. Dinner ($35/person) 7:00 p.m. RSVP to the diocesan office by October Vantage Way, Suite 107 Nashville, TN