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SPIRE
September 9, 2013 The Nashville Pipes & Drums Performed at Both Morning Services
Mission Statement
Growing Disciples of Christ by Seeking God, Sharing Love and Serving Others
Pancake Breakfast Child Dedication - Harrison Percy Jude Mason
Core Values:
Welcoming Outstanding Worship Outreach Different Traditions Mission & Ministry On the Move Nurturing Transforming 2013 Areas of Focus
Prayer - Presence - Peace
Join us this Sunday for a Special Jubilation Youth Choir Reunion in Honor of Thom Schuyler!
Thom served as the Jubilation Youth Choir Director for 30 years and the youth from years past will perform during the 9:30 and 11:00 morning services!
*Picture of Thom with Youth from WCC Pictorial Directory Circa 1997
"Brave" series begins at The Bridge This Sunday New series kicks off with special guest, the "Vicar of Baghdad"
Canon Andrew White is the priest at the only remaining Anglican church in Baghdad. His church operates outside of the safety of the "Green Zone," posing great risk to Canon and to his staff. Don't miss an evening full of stories about life in Iraq!
(See more about Canon on page 8)
Join us for Guest Speakers, David Thomas and Sissy Goff of Day Star Ministries Two Wednesday Nights Beginning September 18th
(See more information on page 4)
woodmontchristian.org
Syrian Dilemma Divides People of Faith by Rev. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
We are again living in challenging times in terms of war and peace. Maureen Dowd put it this way last week in her New York Times article: "It's a bewildering time here in Washington. Nancy Pelosi is the hawk urging military action. Britain refuses to be our poodle. The French are being less supercilious and more supportive militarily. Republicans are squeamish about launching an attack. Top generals are going pacifist. The president who got elected on his antiwar stance is now trying to buck up a skittish Congress and country about why a military strike is a moral necessity." The situation in Syria is certainly serious and very complicated at the same time. Civil War has been raging in that country for years and now our intelligence tells us that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against its own people, breaking international law, and murdering thousands of innocent people including children in the Damascus area. Millions are living as refugees in various parts of the country. Once again, the U.S. has a difficult decision to make and it's basically between the lesser of two evils. Do we turn the other way or do we get involved? And if we get involved, to what degree? As in so many other situations, people of faith are divided over what to do. Given the events of the past decade, I do think it is wise for us to take the time to really think this one through. We are a war-weary country. Many would also argue that we are broke so whatever we do is on borrowed money. There is no easy answer here, and beware of those who say that there is. I spent some time with Stanley Hauerwas this summer at Sewanee, an ethicist at Duke University. He is an outspoken pacifist. I do not agree with everything Hauerwas has to say but I have a lot of respect for his relentless advocacy for peace in light of his Christian faith. A few years ago, he wrote a book titled War and the American Difference (2011). In that book he says, "For Americans, war is necessary to sustain our belief that we are worthy to be recipients of the sacrifices made on our behalf in past wars. Americans are a people born of and in war, particularly the Civil War, and only war can sustain our belief that we are a people set apart." (Hauerwas 27) In regards to the Syrian situation, he recently said this: "What possible grounds does the United States have for intervention? The language of the world's policeman comes up again. You want to know, 'Who appointed you the world's policeman?' You could say the U.S. can justify the intervention because stability is part of our foreign policy in order to maintain ourselves as the premier country in the world. So it's smart to intervene. But there's no moral justification." Many disagree and believe there is moral justification. That's why this predicament is hard. What do we do about leaders like Assad? Is it our responsibility to sort it out, and if so, where does it stop? Throughout history, Just War Theory has been used when trying to justify the use of force. Dating back to the early church fathers like Augustine and Aquinas, Just War Theory seeks to answer the following questions before force is used. Is the war being waged as a last resort? Is it being waged by a legitimate authority? Is it addressing a wrong suffered? Is there a reasonable chance of success? Can peace be reestablished? Is the violence in the war proportional to the injuries suffered? Can we discriminate between combatants and non-combatants? In terms of Syria, many believe that we cannot answer "yes" to each of these questions. Again, what should we do? Andrew Bacevich, a professor of international studies at Boston University recently said this: "What do we expect to achieve? Even if there is a moral case for intervention, how does the use of force remedy the situation? It appears to me that this is going to be a very limited attack with a very limited target set. There's no intention of overthrowing the regime and no intention of limiting the chemical weapons capability of the Syrian Army. So beyond allowing ourselves to feel virtuous because we have done something in response to a reprehensible act, what has been gained? If indeed the episode in Syria rises to the level where it is different from Egypt and we really are morally obligated to do something, then it ought to be something more than just a gesture. And of course as a practical matter, nobody's got the appetite to do anything more than make gestures." In recent years, I have grown increasingly skeptical of those who are quick to beat war drums. War is absolute hell! Anybody who has fought in a war will tell you that. Personally, I don't question the moral motives of those who want to bring justice to a guy like Assad. They see evil and want to address it. What he did and continues to do is unfathomable. What I struggle with is the reality of how things will play out. My humble opinion is that we need to learn lessons from the past twelve years and ask ourselves what we hope to accomplish here. Blessings,
Woodmont Christian Church 3601 Hillsboro Road Nashville, TN 37215 Visit our Webpage: www.woodmontchristian.org
(615) 297-8563 fax: (615) 297-9319 email: wcc@woodmontcc.org Kim Adair, Editor Copyright 2013
Heart for Woodmont by Farrell Mason, Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
Heart for Woodmont Dear Woodmont, I "heart" Woodmont! It's just that simple! And that is why I cannot help but want to love on the hearts, minds, and bodies of the people that I call my family! Ten years ago my eyes were opened in a profound way to the incredible gift of a healthy body. In 1Corinthians, Paul boldly calls the body a "temple for the Holy Spirit." Paul understood the body as the sacred dwelling place for God. Therefore, we honor God by how well we take care of the living architecture that houses God's living spirit. Over the last year as your Pastoral Minister, I have watched many of you endure heart issues, cancer, depression, and declining health. One of the lessons hard won from my own son's cancer was the importance of how we nourish and nurture our bodies, minds, and spirits. You don't have to be a patient at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York or at St. Thomas Heart Clinic here in Nashville to know how important diet, exercise, stress levels, sleep, and faith impacts the condition of our "temples." I wonder what your temple looks like? So many of us are not honoring the incredible miracle of our bodies. Without a healthy body, mind, and spirit, how can we ever expect to effectively be God's love, compassion, mercy, and hope in the world?
Starting this week, we are launching the "Heart for Woodmont Campaign!" From now on, your church will be a place that you can come and be nourished in mind, spirit, AND the body! Start feeling the love! Woodmont is going to try and help you get that "temple" of yours into shape! We are investing in your heart! We are going to educate, encourage, As you can see, we here at Woodmont are investing our and eat healthy together as a church family! There is nothing whole hearts in your hearts! Are you aware of the tremendous more beautiful than a big, healthy heart ready to love big in honor it is to be a "temple" for God to dwell here on earth? the world! It's about time we start living in such a way that honors the Christ that lives inside us! Live in Hope, Farrell
Other Dietary Measures: Nuts, legumes and seeds: At least 4 servings a week Processed meats: No more than 2 servings a week Saturated fat: Less than 7% of total energy intake
card," by calling the church office (297-8563), emailing the church office at rvaughan@woodmontcc.org or thru the website at: www.woodmontchristian.org. The deadline is Monday by noon. Price structure: Adults $8, Children 4 years old thru 5th grade $4 and family cap $28.
Adult Education
Sunday School - September 15th
9:30 a.m.
Disciples Class (105) - Led by Roy Stauffer "All Things Are Possible..." Challenge Class (200) - Led by Mark Drury "Building a Bible-based Community" Young Adult Class (Boardroom) - Led by Rob Quinn Spiritual Journeys Class for Women (The Bay) Led by Anne Alexander Stauffer "Loving God with All Your Soul: Celtic Spirituality for the Woman of Today"
11:00 a.m.
Second Hour of the Spiritual Journeys Class (The Bay) (Open to Men Also) Led by Anne Alexander Stauffer Reflections Class (200) - Led by Roy Stauffer "No Burden Too Great" Points of View (105) - Led by Ralph Parsons and Doug King "Sermon Discussions" College & University-Aged Young Adults (107) Led by Thom Schuyler The Pathways Class for Parents (Boardroom) Led by Wendell & Christy Brown/Tom & Laura Dovan
September 18th (continued) "The Jesus Way: Presence, Purpose, Practice" Led by Beth Pattilo and Sandy Smith 8-week class at 6:30 in Room 100 Special Class Hosted by Day Star Ministries "Intentional Parenting" Led by Sissy Goff and David Thomas One-Night class at 6:30 in the Sanctuary Only on September 25th Special Class Hosted by Day Star Ministries "Taming the Technology Monster" - Led by Sissy Goff One-Night class at 6:30 in the Sanctuary
Starting September 11 Divorce Care Led by Anne Alexander Stauffer 13-week class at 6:30 in The Bay Room Bible Study on Galatians Led by Michael Whittington 9-week class at 6:30 in Room 200 Starting September 18th Healthy Living, Part 1 Led by Guest Teacher, Anna Tinkle 4-week class at 6:30 in Room 105
th
Starting September 25th Intro to Mindfulness: reap the health benefits of learning how to switch between the "doing" mode and "being" mode (Healthy Living, Part 1I) Led by Dr. Tom Patten 5-week class at 6:30 in Room 105 Starting October 2nd * "Traveling Light" - Led by Kathy Patten 4-week class at 6:30 in the Boardroom *PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN DATE* Starting November 6th "Ouch! Where is God When it Hurts?" - Led by Rev. Justin Gung 3-week class at 6:30 in the Boardroom
WCC Youth
Fall 2013 Weekly Schedule - All Youth
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship youth sit together in the balcony or with your family (or join us at The Bridge @ 5:45 p.m.!) 10:30 a.m. Gathering time relaxed hang out time in the soon-to-be renovated youth lounge 11:00 a.m. Sunday School weekly scripture-based lessons taught by Carla (Chi-Rho) and Trey (CYF) in separate groups 12:00 p.m. Lunch join us at the Farmers Market or other local favorites for a casual lunch 1:00-2:00 p.m. Jubilation Youth Choir rehearse weekly for regular performances at WCC and for the summer choir tour trip Tuesday Morning Girls/Guys Bible Study 6:30 a.m. high schoolers meet at Bread and Company in Green Hills for a quick Bible study before school. Girls meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, and guys meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Wednesday Night Youth Group 6:00-8:00 p.m. Youth Group will meet every Wednesday night with dinner provided. We will rotate each week through fun events, small group discussions, meaningful service projects, and youth-led worship services. Please block off Wednesday nights on your calendar for our sacred time together each week.
Small Groups
Visitation Group
We hope you will be able to join us for our first Visitation Group this fall on Monday, September 16th. We will meet in Room 105 at 12:00 p.m. After a brief meeting to discuss our Special Cares List we will have lunch together, then leave to visit our shut-ins. The cost of lunch is $3.00. Please call Liz Anne Allen at 373-4013, or e-mail (ginnis2@comcast.net) if you wish to participate in this very important ministry.
Centre Group
The Centre Group will kick-off their first meeting of the fall on Tuesday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Beth Meador (4239 Wallace Lane). Join us for dessert to reconnect and make plans for the year! If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Gibson at gibby3611@comcast.net or Beth Meador at beth.meador@comcast.net
Traveling Woodmont
We are off on a day trip to Ethridge, TN - a small town with an Amish community about 75 miles South of Nashville. I am hoping that Thursday, September 19th, will turn out to be a beautiful day for a wagon trip around the community (the wagon tour lasts 1.5 hours and the wagon does have shocks and rubber tires!), and lunch at the one and only restaurant in town. You can either get a meat and three or "the best fried bologna sandwich in Middle Tennessee." (The question might be "Where else besides Middle Tennessee can you get a fried bologna sandwich?). Homemade pies are available by the slice or just buy one to eat later. We will have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and other items. (I'll be bringing home some sourdough bread.) The Amish Country Mall will have lots of crafts and food items for sale, and we'll have time to look at the newly acquired Caboose and the Ethridge Museum. If you would like to join us for this day trip, please call or email Carol Parsons at 457-3006 or parsons.carol@comcast.net. The trip will cost $12 plus lunch. Our bus will hold 13 people. Just a note: Traveling Woodmont is the name we use for a group that is open to all. The purpose of the group is to strengthen personal relationships and have a good time together in the process. Occasionally we take a day trip or a longer trip. Suggestions for trips are always welcome. Join us when you can!
The Bridge
Join us for Guest Speaker, Canon Andrew White, at The Bridge This Sunday, September 15th at 5:45p.m. in Drowota Hall
Woodmont Christian Church is excited to welcome Canon White, the pastor of St. George's Baghdad, one of the largest churches in Iraq, to preach at the Bridge service at 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, September 15. Canon White periodically visits the United States to raise awareness for the ministry of St. George's Baghdad and was the commencement speaker at Wheaton College last year. St George's Baghdad ministers to over 3500 Iraqis and operates outside the safety of the Canon Andrew White International Green Zone in the face of great risk to Canon White and the church staff and Chaplain of St George's; Founder congregants (about 35 Iraqi soldiers protect the church, and the area around the church has and President of FRRME been subject to significant damage in recent years from bomb blasts). Most of the members of the congregation are women and children widows and orphans since many of the men have been killed in the decades of violence in Iraq. The profession of the Christian faith subjects congregants of the church to grave danger, and in one instance, of 13 people who had been baptized one week, 11 had been killed within the week. St George's Baghdad also operates a medical and dental clinic within the church compound to provide care to neighbors of the church, regardless of patients' religious or ethnic background. This clinic provides free medical and dental care to around 150 Iraqi patients every day, the vast majority of whom are Muslim. Canon White has also been heavily involved in conflict mediation and reconciliation efforts in Israel and Palestine, including negotiating the end of the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002, and has been the recipient of numerous peace prizes for his reconciliation efforts. Canon White has written several books, including Iraq: People of Promise, Land of Despair (2003), Iraq: Searching for Hope (2005), The Vicar of Baghdad (2009), Suffer the Children (2010), Faith under Fire (2011), and Father, Forgive (2013). When he is not in Baghdad, Canon White resides in England with Caroline, his wife, and his two sons Jacob and Josiah.
Hope each of you are all rested up from your long summer break and ready to mark your calendar for our next September GEMS luncheon. Dr. Gene Regen will present a program Trains! From the mountains of West Virginia, to "Rugenshe Kleinbahn," right here in Green Hills. Trains very big and very small. Re-awaken your "inner child." Program: *Please make your reservations by Friday, September 20th, by calling Rebecca Vaughan (our new WCC receptionist) at 297-8563 or emailing her at rvaughan@woodmontcc.org (*note the new email address above for reservations.) Menu: BBQ Chicken, Cheese Grits, Orzo Salad, Rolls, Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting Visitors are welcome, so bring a friend or two. *(Don't forget: A Door Prize will be given away. Must be present to win!)*
If life is getting you down and you need a Christian friend to listen, that is just what Stephen Ministers are trained to do. Please call Kathy Patten (838-4957) to discuss the possibility of this being the help you need.
The deadline for articles and announcements to go in The Spire is Friday by Noon.
Please send submissions to Kim Adair at kadair@woodmontcc.org. Thanks!
THIS WEEK AT WCC: Sunday, September 15 9:30 a.m. - Children's Moment 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Children's Church 5:45 p.m. - The Bridge Service
CWF Circle 6 is Sponsoring a Girl Scout Troop at Ross Elementary School in East Nashville!
Circle 6 will be collecting an assortment of healthy nonperishable snacks for the weekly meetings of the Ross Elementary Girls Scouts. Suggested items include: pretzels, granola bars, goldfish crackers, whole wheat crackers, raisins, fruit strips, bottled water, and/or juice boxes.
Memory Verse: The Lord took Abraham outside and said to him, "Look up at the sky and count the stars-if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be." Genesis 15:5
Ross is a Title 1 elementary school in East Nashville where more than 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. We want to help support these girls in their second year of Scouting and fuel with them healthy energy for their activities! A collection bin will be in the Gathering Hall and in Kids Commons this Sunday, September 15.
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Bulletin Board
Opportunities at Woodmont
Wednesday, September 11 6:15 a.m. Men's Small Group (107) 7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study (105) Younger Men's Bible Study (BR) 5:30 p.m. Children's Choir Practice (KC) 5:35 p.m. 5-Star Dinner (DH) 6:00 p.m. Youth Group (Jubilation Rm) 6:15 p.m. JYF Kids Club (KC) 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice (Choir Rm); Divorce Care (The Bay)/Galatians Class (105); Alaska Trip Discussion (BR); WCC TRIPS Comm. (107) Thursday, September 12 Library Workday 10:00 a.m. Sit & Stitch Group (GH) 7:00 p.m. Restore Classes (200 & Youth Rooms) Sunday, September 15 Special Jubilation Youth Choir Reunion 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Jubilation Youth Choir (BR) 4:00 p.m. Elder Board Meeting (BR) 4:45 p.m. WCC Knitters (GH) 5:45 p.m. The Bridge Service (DH) 6:00 p.m. Strategic Planning Meeting (BR) Monday, September 16 12:00 p.m. Visitation Group (105) 4:00 p.m. "The Geezers" Men's Group (BR) Tuesday, September 17 6:30 a.m. CYF Girls Bible Study (Off-Campus) 9:00 a.m. Women's Prayer Group (CS) 9:45 a.m. Women's Bible Study (200) 10:30 a.m. WCC Book Club (107) 6:00 p.m. Handbell Practice (Choir Rm) 6:30 p.m. Young Adults (105) 7:00 p.m. Centre Group (Off-Campus)
Our ongoing mission projects, local and beyond The Bridge guest speaker, Canon Andrew White, who ministers in Iraq Good participation and fellowship at Wednesday 5-Star Dinners and
programs Members who are grieving loss and members who are ill or homebound
THOSE SERVING ABROAD: Jesse Garrison, Peace Corp in Armenia Courtney Valk, Peace Corp in Republic of Georgia
now only be listed for up to one month. If you wish to have a continuing concern remain on the list after one month, please renew your request each month by calling the church office.*
Let Us Know: Have information about someone in the hospital or with another ministry need? Please notify the church office during the week (297-8563) and Let Us Know.
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DEACON SCHEDULE
September 15, 2013
Communion Prep: Chris Smith Service Coordinator: 9:30 - George Keith 11:00 - Nick Small Video Camera: 9:30 - Paul Hardin 11:00 - B. James Lowry 9:30 a.m. L.A. Galyon David Reynolds Grant Smothers Hope Walker Honey Hetzel Laura Dovan Tom Dovan 11:00 a.m. Dennis Beck Cynthia Beck Jeremiah Pyron Rich Sanderson Pam Hardin Teri Diamond Terri McConnell Jean Ramsey 5:45 p.m. Jay Everett David Stewart Tami Buchanan Rebecca Everett Jeremiah Weeden-Wright Stephanie Weeden-Wright
WORSHIP SERVICES: September 15, 2013 Special Jubilation Youth Choir Reunion 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Rev. Clay Stauffer, preaching Homily: "Coming Home" Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
9:30 a.m. Hal Tevebaugh and Pat Malone 11:00 a.m. Emmie Thomas and Mart Sesler 5:45 p.m. Chip Phinizy
5:45 p.m. - The Bridge New Sermon Series "Brave" Special Guest Speaker, Canon Andrew White Weekly Prayer Partner First Christian Church, Alamo, TN