Gleanings Hickory Leaf

Transcription

1 Love one Another John 13:34 Gleanings Hickory Leaf February 2019 by Rev. Melisa Derseweh D ear Church Family, Luke 4:16-19 Common English Bible Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor and to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. As Jesus followers or as people who are attempting to be Jesus followers we are part of this on-going mission. The mission accomplished will be the world transformed! What are you doing today as part of the mission? We make vows as United Methodists to give our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. These are our vows. Living them is taking steps forward in the mission! So, what are you doing today as part of the mission??? If you are living out your vows you are moving ever closer to Christ, and as we do this move toward Christ, we then move closer, always closer, to one another. Thanks be to God! In Christ s grace, +Melisa P.S. Kindly remember some of the prayer joys and concerns before us now: For our two churches as we become one congregation! For the people you chose to serve on our Forward Together team for their faithful and joyful work! For all the people of the world, including those without shelter in the cold this winter. (See Deane s article in this newsletter for inspiration.) For those who are sick, or afraid, and those who grieve. For those who have new love in their lives. For our United Methodist Church as delegates gather February at General Conference. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide!

2 Welcome Michael McGarvey Next Gen Discernment Fellow As our Next Gen Discernment Fellow, we are excited to introduce a fresh face to our Charge for the next few months. It s likely you ve seem Michael at worship on Sunday morning. Recently, we asked Michael to tell us a few things about himself, so we can get to know him a little better. How did the Discernment Fellowship come about for you? The fellowship came about through some brainstorming with HG, Cody, and Rev. Melisa about Embrace. It was a wild idea that was just crazy enough to work out. I am so thankful that AP and HB have welcomed me with open arms. What is your schedule with us? I will be in the office on Tuesdays from about 9-3 and on Sundays of course. If members would like to set up a time to meet with me on different days, I would be open to that and they should just me to set that up. Did you grow up in Nashville? I am a Nashville native. I was born in Baptist Hospital and raised in Nolensville, TN, about 30 minutes south of Nashville. Tell us about your faith background. Have you always been in the Methodist church? I started going to church in the third grade. My mom decided we were going to start going, and we tried out a couple places until landing in Nolensville First UMC. We've gone there ever since. The UMC just feels like home now. What are you most excited about working on with us? I am excited to get to explore my gifts in communications, online presence, social media, and also exploring the combination of the two congregations. A part of my call is in church planting, so this is a wonderful opportunity to get to experience that to some degree. What sorts of things do you enjoy doing when you're not working or at school? I enjoy reading books and poetry - some of my favorite authors are Bob Goff, C.S. Lewis, Maya Angelou, John Green, Adam Silvera, and John Grisham. I also watch way too much reality TV and series on Netflix. If I'm not at church, school, or home, I'm normally at a coffee shop. I truly believe that coffee should be recognized as a sacrament. If you would like to connect with Michael, he can be reach via m.mcgarvey@apmumc.net Michael with one of his favorite authors, Bob Goff. With nephew, Declan age 3.5

3 Church Life For a complete list of church calendar activities & events, visit our Charge website, OneVoice at: WEDNESDAYS TOGETHER Wednesday s at AP Hope to see you there! 6-7:30 PM Upcoming for Adults: You are welcome to participate in three Wednesdays Together study of classic Black Sacred Music, its roots and continuing presence. The genius of the messages and power invoked will be explored in the words those who know and live and live it. Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 February 6, 13 and 20. AP HB WORSHIP MTG. FEB. 3RD, 12:30 PM (AP) FUEL TEAM FEB. 7TH & 21ST 9 AM (AP) OUTREACH MISSIONS: FEB. 7TH, 5:30 PM (AP) FORWARD TOGETHER MTG.: FEB. 10TH, 1:30-4:30 PM (HB) AP FINANCE MTG FEB. 17TH, 1:30 PM McDonough Rm AP COUNCIL MTG FEB. 17TH, 2:30 PM McDonough Rm TRAINING FOR HOME- LESS YOUTH HOSTING: FEB. 20TH, AT AP We are excited to host the next training event. Stay tuned to our blasts for the exact time of this event. We hope to see you there! SPRING 2019 CHARGE-WIDE RETREAT Henry Horton State Park *SEPTEMBER 27-29TH The previously announced spring retreat for the Andrew Price/Hickory Bend Charge has been postponed until the fall. The new date is September 27-29, at Henry Horton State Park. The retreat will be a time for being outdoors enjoying nature both individually and/or with other church participants, engaging with one another at table together, and in recreation and fellowship designed to continue to get to know one another better as we go forward together. We will also have some focused group time to hear from our Forward Together Team the team elected at the Charge Conference to plan how we will go forward together as one congregation to accomplish a shared mission in our changing context. The date change was made to allow more time for this new team to gather information, prayerfully discern, and frame recommendations. So save the date and watch the Gleanings and The Hickory Leaf s for information to register your attendance. BOOK CLUB FEB. 5TH, 1 PM McDonough Rm You re invited to join us as we discuss February s selection: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout Upcoming March Selection: Damaged by Lisa Scottoline 2ND HARVEST FOOD BANK: FEB. 28TH 4-6 PM St. Philip s Episcopal Church. Did you know that in addition to winter weather information, prayers are recorded weekly, for our community? Prayers can be heard by calling

4 INSIGHT COUNSELING CENTERS OFFERS COUNSELING IN DONELSON New location at Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church will serve Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Madison, Lebanon, East Nashville Nashville, TN, January 28, 2019 Insight Counseling Centers has opened a new location at Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church, 2846 Lebanon Pike in Donelson. With this key addition, Insight will expand its reach and services to communities across Middle Tennessee. We are grateful to Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church for their hospitality. The church is centrally located so that we not only serve clients who live in Donelson, but Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Madison, Lebanon and East Nashville, as well. It is our honor to serve residents of these communities in such a lovely space, said Insight Executive Director Pam Brown. Grand opening ribbon-cutting inside one of the two Insight Counseling offices at Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church Pictured, left to Right: Pam Brown, executive director, Insight Counseling Centers; Carol Smith, director of clinical services and training, Insight Counseling Centers; Karen Montgomery, board treasurer, Insight Counseling Centers; District 15 Metro Councilmember Jeff Syracuse; Ralph Foley, trustee, Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church; Melisa Derseweh, senior pastor, Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church Insight Counseling has proved a reliable partner in helping people to reach more of their God-given potential. I am grateful for their work and the wonderful way their work blesses our community, said Reverend Melisa Derseweh, senior pastor of Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church. Youth Update Hello from the youth! We have had an amazing January together! We have been preparing to go to Warmth In Winter in February, and we are excited that it is finally here! We want to thank everyone for your donations that made going to Warmth In Winter possible! Thank you to everyone who signed up to bring dinner to the youth on Sunday nights! We still have a few dates available, so if you would like to volunteer in this way, please let Liz Egan know. We also have a website that makes signing up really easy: We are continually meeting every Wednesday and Sunday! Here are the upcoming dates for the youth! February 1-2: Warmth In Winter February 3: No youth February 6: Youth at AP 6:00-7:30 February 10: Youth at AP 5:00-7:00 February 13: Youth at AP 6:00-7:30 February 17: Youth at AP 5:00-7:00 February 20: Youth at AP 6:00-7:30 February 24: Youth at AP 5:00-7:00 February 27: Youth at AP 6:00-7:30

5 Angel Encounter by: Deane Gardner For the last month, our charge has been in the process of responding to the call to help homeless youth in our community. On December 16 th, we heard from H.G. and Pastor Melisa about a very serendipitous meeting, led by the Bishop, where opportunity began to bloom for this mission. An organization called Launchpad, in connection with the Oasis Center of Nashville, is working to address the immediate need for food and shelter, for young adults, age who have nowhere to turn. They offer overnight resources for these younsters to have dinner, a hot shower, a warm/safe place to sleep and breakfast the next morning, Sunday Thursday. Overnight shelter is currently being provided by 3 organizations: West End UMC, City Road Capel UMC, and Boys & Girls Club (Andrew Jackson Club). What has been established by Launchpad already, is a true blessing for those who are impacted by homelessness. But what about Friday and Saturday nights? There are no locations available for overnight accommodations these two nights of the week. This is where our door of opportunity has opened. Could AP HB help close this gap? If you were at church on Dec. 16 th, listening to this opportunity being presented to us, you might have felt similar to how I was feeling, Wow this is a lot to take in! I m going to be really honest, I was feeling pretty overloaded with the work cut out for our Forward Together team. Bringing two well established congregations together as one community is no small undertaking for the coming year; is it possible for us to have an impact on homeless youth in our city at large? I left that initial conversation with many questions and the realization that I was going to need some more onboarding from the Holy Spirit to truly hear this call. In the days that followed, I petitioned God to speak to me personally about this. You know my heart Lord, and you know how hyper stressful my life has been in the last 6 months. Is there a role in this you want me to play? Do you want more than just my approval? Are you going to need my hands and feet as well? If that s the case, you ve got to ignite my heart. You ve got to give me some fuel to feel your passion. I need undeniable feedback from you, because without that, I ve got no left-over reserves. Fast forward, one month and a day later. It s a Thursday morning and I m at the office at AP. A call comes into the office. Hi, my name is Angel. I ve been living out of my Mom s car ever since she died three months ago. Is there someone there who could help me with food or a gas card? It was really cold last night, and I was so hungry. I feel really panicked, can you help me? Wow, I get a lot of calls each week at the church from people who are in need. Most of them are looking for money. I know a person is really in need if they start by asking for food. I could tell this was a young person by the sound of her voice. How old are you Angel? I m 24. I explained to her that I could give her food immediately, if she could get to our location. I also had a potential line to overnight resources, but I would need to ask a few more questions to find out availability and details. She was at the lobby doors within 10 minutes. When I greeted Angel at the door, she was wearing what looked like nurses scrubs, a black pea coat and glasses. I brought her into the office and gave her a lunch to snack on while I gathered a few more lunches for the road and made a few calls. She seemed shy and didn t say much while she ate; obviously she was hungry. I went to the Launchpad training the week before and knew all about the program, but I didn t know how the kids get checked in for the night. H.G. quickly referred me to the Oasis

6 Center and they took over from there. With one quick call to Oasis, they had a place for her at City Road that night and an intake appointment with her the next morning to see what additional resources they could offer. Angel was floored. You mean, I have a place to stay tonight? she asked with a look of surprised disbelief. Angel sank more deeply into her seat as I was making notes for her about the location for her overnight and appointment for the next day. She seemed to get lost in the bouquet of flowers I had sitting on the end of my desk and after a few minutes of silence began reminiscing about her mother. Those flowers are so pretty, she said. they remind me of my mother. She had a real quirky personality and one time she made a fence around her flower bed out of bamboo There was nothing she loved more than to sit in her chair on the back porch, drink tea and look over her garden. I suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion. In October of 2017 my own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (a thief that has taken many of the beloved women of my family). I can absolutely imagine the pain and fear of losing your mom. I live with that in waves. However, what I can t imagine, is living through the trauma of that experience at age 24, only to have to process the grief alone, in a car, in freezing temperatures. At the Launchpad training, they tell you not to show emotion, if you can help it. When you become emotional, if can take away from the experience being about them. So, I sat quietly, making notes, as Angel reminisced. heart, Lord, it s Thursday there are no beds on Friday or Saturday and they re calling for snow. I took a few deep breaths and as my lungs filled up with air, I could feel the Spirit pushing back on me, Do you understand the call now? Do you know of a warm, safe place where a girl like Angel might be able to rest her head on Friday or Saturday night? Given all the resources you have, is it too much trouble for you to connect some dots on her behalf? Friends, I hope as each of you are processing your place in this mission, that you will invite the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. If your minds are as full and over occupied as mine, you probably won t readily find the mental real estate you think you need to be a part of a venture like this. However, I assure you, when you hear the call in your heart, you ll find the details of the mind will take care of themselves. Above all else, I believe we are all called to prayer for this ministry. Even as we detail out the steps necessary to begin serving these young people ourselves, temperatures continue to be low and the weekend is coming. As I walked Angel to the door we exchanged hugs and she thanked me again with disbelief that she had a place to stay for the night. I smiled and reminded her that she could always come get a lunch if she was hungry. On the outside, it felt like we accomplished something great, but on the inside, I was worried about what Angel didn t yet know about the program I watched her walk away and let out a sigh, in my

7 Outreach Opportunities HOMLESS YOUTH TRAINING: Volunteer Opportunity Volunteers interested in helping host homeless youth, are invited to sign up for required training by ing by Monday, February 18th with your name & preferred contact information. We are excited to host the next training event on the AP campus, Wednesday, Feb. 20th. Stay tuned to our blasts for the exact time of this event. The goal for this year s work with Launchpad is to be an available host site for the 5 Saturday s in March, beginning March 2nd. We hope you will bring a friend and consider being a part of this vital ministry! 2ND HARVEST FOOD BANK: Food Bank is open Mondays, 9-11 am, Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30-5:30 pm. AP/HB Teams work on the 4th Thursday of each month from 4-6pm. If you wish to be a part of this ministry, you may contact the office for more details. GLASSES FOR LIONS CLUB: Recycled glasses are distributed to people in low and middle income communities through the Lions club. You may drop your donations at AP on the table in front of the library or give to Deane Gardner for donations at HB. Galatians 6:9-10 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Threfore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

8 Church Staff REV. MELISA DERSEWEH Sr. Pastor DEBBIE BYRD Deaconess Church Coordinator DEANE GARDNER Church Coordinator (AP HB) BECKY MALLARD Financial Secretary DR. DARRYL NETTLES Director of Music Pianist Organist Love Accept Engage Go MICHAEL MCGARVEY Next Gen Discernment Fellow Youth Leader ELIZABETH EGAN Are you available to help out with weekly youth activities or food preparation? If so, please reach out to our youth contact & let her know your availability. Andrew Price UMC 2846 Lebanon Pike Nashville, TN In Partnership with Hickory Bend UMC 605 Stewart s Ferry Pike Nashville, TN