NASHVILLE CHAPTER - Past Programs 2008
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Visit to Upper Room Museum, December, 2008
Ministry of English as a Second Language, at the Thirftsmart store, November 19, 2008
How surprising it was to hold a fascinating and instructive meeting at the local Thirftsmart store. We gathered at the store on Nolensville Road, passing through the used furniture, clothes, dishes, books and CDs to the back rooms, where we set up a folding table and chairs.
In the business meeting, President Laura Flippen-Tenzel promoted next year’s convention in Boston, and spoke about the DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards. Mike Hickcox then urged the members to watch for outstanding treatments of faith themes in the secular media, and to send the producers a Wilbur Award package. Carol Mansour already knew of a film she wants to include. Jan Snider and Judy Saks both talked about upcoming programs related to the immigrant community. Jan promoted the December 6 “Immigrant Advocate Training” at United Methodist Communications. Further information is available by writing to TNJFON@comcast.net. Judy spoke about the work of the Coalition for Education about Immigration and its efforts against the proposed English-only resolution for Davidson County, Tennessee.
Following business, Sam House described the ministry of English as a Second Language classes for immigrants that are held Tuesday evenings in the Thriftsmart store itself. Starting in the summer of 2007, about 25 volunteers have taught English, tutored children, and provided daycare. Each semester 60-100 adults from many countries are taught in six different levels of English education. The next semester begins on January 13. Sam’s leadership is evident, the volunteers are committed, and the students are eager. The program, by the way, needs donated white boards and dry-erase markers.
Present were: Laura Flippen-Tenzel, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Sam House, Carol Mansour, Tom McInally, Judy Saks, Chelsea Sanchez, Katie Schull, and Jan Snider.
ArtSpace at Downtown Presbyterian Church, October 15, 2008
Following the weekly chapel service for the homeless, The Rev. Ken Locke, pastor of Downtown Presbyterian Church, met with members of the Nashville RCC group. He gave us a tour of the artist studios, and we visited the history room. We learned that Presbyterians have worshiped at the corner of Fifth and Church, the current location, since 1816. The building was twice destroyed by fire and was last rebuilt in the 1800’s. The current building (built in 1851) is one of the few examples of Egyptian Revival architecture in the entire country.
Artist and church member Tom Wills says artists benefit by having the work space, and they give the church “time and energy . . . through volunteer work such as outreach to the homeless or . . . at Hodge Podge Lodge, an art camp for children.” This
arrangement has proved to be a “win-win situation” for both the church and the artists. The space was not being utilized before the artists took it over, and the church is pleased with the partnership.
It's a good fit. Artists need spacious well-lit places to work but often can't afford high rent. And having other artists as neighbors is another plus.
In attendance were: Al Dittes, Laura Flippen-Tenzel, and Carol Mansour. Denominational meetings and a religious holiday had most members away for this meeting. It will be good to visit this program again another year.
(Thanks to Laura Flippen-Tenzel for providing this write-up.)
APR Accreditation, with Philip Poole, at LifeWay on September 17, 2008
Philip Poole, past-president of the RCC nationally, was the speaker at our September
17 meeting. Philip is executive director of university communications at Samford University in Birmingham, and is a member of the Birmingham chapter.
An enthusiastic supporter of APR accreditation, Philip has had the "APR" letters following his name since he, himself, worked at LifeWay in Nashville many years ago. Philip drove into Nashville to be with us at this meeting.
The presentation was very well received, with questions from nearly everyone in attendance. Polly House had just submitted her application for the APR process and expects to receive her certification in the next year.
In attendance were: Tom Albin, Amanda Bachus, Laura Flippen-Tenzel, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Carol Mansour, Andrew Schleicher, and Amelia Tucker-Shaw
Bob Smietana, Religion Writer at the Tennesseean, August 20, 2008
More accustomed to writing the lead than being the lead, Bob Smietana spoke to the chapter about being the new religion writer for the Tennessean. Bob arrived last Fall from Chicago where he was the features editor for a national publication of the Evangelical Covenant Church. He has also written for Christianity Today, Religion News Service, and other publications. In addition, Bob has authored two books, Good Intentions, and GP Taylor: Sin, Salvation, and Shadowmancer.
Bob talked about recent stories well received (abstinence, atheists at the county fair, Tim McGraw and "live like you are dying".) He talked about good angles to a story (interesting, local, quirky;) the least wanted (conflict in the church;) and the best days to email him: (Monday and Tuesday.)
Although we didn't get in an actual tour of the newspaper, the walk to the
conference room took us through the newsroom and we got a great view of the press while walking down an upper floor hallway with a great view of the pressroom.
Members and guests in attendance: Vicki Brown, Roger Burgess, Pam Campbell, Albert Dittes, Laura Flippen-Tenzel, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Jen Lind, Carol Mansour, Judy Saks, Chelsea Sanchez, Katie Schull, Andrew Schleicher, and Debbie White.
Visit to the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple in Nashville, July 17, 2008
This meeting was an opportunity to experience a faith and a culture unfamiliar to most of us. We gathered for an 11am tour at the Sri Ganesha Hindu temple in the Bellevue section of West Nashville. Our guide, Radha Babu, (left) has been a leader in the temple for many years. She began with a talk explaining Hindu concepts of deities, of Karma, and of worship. She provided us some understanding of the faith before bringing us upstairs to the sanctuary to see where worship happens each day in the temple.
Notable quotes from Rahda: "Like drops of water move inevitably toward the sea, every soul moves toward its home." In suggesting that all faiths can bring followers to God, she said, "God is in a way like electricity; every outlet is a good outlet because the same power flows through each of them."
Following the talk and tour, the group travelled down the road to the Lemongrass Sushi and Thai Restaurant for a luncheon meeting (below). President Laura Flippen conducted the meeting and promoted the national convention next year in Boston.
Among those attending: Madhavi Balla, Carolyn Dandridge, Al Dittes, Hilda Davis-Carroll, Laura Flippen, Jerry Haas, Ann Hall, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Harry Leake, Jen Lind, Nancy Lowe, Carol Mansour, Judy Saks, Chelsea Sanchez, Katie Schull, and Amelia Tucker-Shaw.
Members of the chapter gathered on the front steps of the Sri Ganesha Temple.
"Online Merger of Facts & Trends and LifeWay Newsroom" at LifeWay - May 21, 2008
Eleven members and guests met at LifeWay for lunch and a regular meeting. We hope Sam House feels better soon. Sam was planning to talk to the group about English as a Second Language as a ministry to persons in Nashville, but he had been ill and couldn't be with us. We hope to schedule him again soon.
Filling in were Jenny Rice and Brooklyn Noel (seen at right) who talked about the process of integrating "Facts & Trends Online" with the LifeWay newsroom online presence. This has meant a coordinated determination of what material appears on each part of the site, and when the same story appears -- in different form -- in both areas. It has also been a process of continual updating, and the implementation of regular deadlines and new daily stories. They also report almost daily calls from news organizations due to material appearing on the site.
Concern was stated for the seven Bahai's recently rounded up and arrested in Iran. And we noted the Israel photo contest and display now being shown at Gordon Jewish Community Center in West Nashville.
Present were: Al Dittes, Kathy Gilbert, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Kathy Noble, Brooklyn Noel, Jennifer Tramel, Jeannette Pinkston, Jenny Rice, Judy Saks, and Chelsea Sanchez. Jennifer Tramel is an intern working with Polly House at LifeWay this summer.
"Show and Tell" and "Award Winners" at LifeWay - April 9, 2008
"Looking at God in Music City" at United Methodist Communications - March 19, 2008
God in Music City is an amazing look at many aspects of music in Nashville under the influence of God. Twenty-three members and friends of the local RCC chapter were under the influence of Dr. Allison Pingree (at left) as she explained the genesis and the experience of the God in Music City program. Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture at Vanderbilt University, GIMC incorporates an eclectic CD, live performances, a university course of study, a tour of sanctuaries, musical approaches to Psalm 23, music videos, and a full-day conference. Our members asked questions and raised issues of interest. Allison got us thinking about the elusive, elastic, but undeniable interconnection of religion and music.
In attendance were: Pam Campbell, Hilda Davis-Carroll, Al Dittes, Laura Flippen, Linda Green, Mike Hickcox, Mary Lynn Holly, Polly House, Royya James, Deborah Jarrett, David Kim, Nancy Lown, Tafadzwa Madambanuki, Tom McInally, Steve Morley, Kathy Noble, Melina Palvides, Judy Saks, Chelsea Sanchez, Katie Schull, Ken Sloane, Amelia Tucker-Shaw, and Debbie White. (Pam Campbell and David Kim were with us for the first time.)
"Visit to the Nashville Baha'i Faith Community Center" - February 20, 2008
The timing of the meeting was perfect. The enlargement and enhancement of
the Baha'i community center is just being finished and the official re-opening is still a few weeks away. We received a tour of the building from building manager Derek Anderson, and a visit to the bookstore with Carol Mansour. (Thanks to Carolyn Stalcup for the building photo.)
The Baha'i Center provided lunch, then Joyce Jackson welcomed us to the center.
Aram Ferdowsi (left) then told us about the Baha'i faith, with a fascinating talk about its origin in Iran, its history, its beliefs that draw from the prophets and leaders of many faithful peoples, and even the story of her grandfather traveling from Tehran to Russia to bring information on the faith to Leo Tolstoy.
Members and friends present at the meeting were: Derek Anderson, Aram Ferdowsi, Laura Flippen Tenzel, Kathy Gilbert, Linda Green, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Joyce Jackson, Harry Leake, Nancy Lown, Carol Mansour, Kathy Noble, Jan Snider, Amelia Tucker-Shaw, and Debbie White.
"Photography for Writers" at LifeWay - January 16, 2008
This meeting featured the expertise of Kent Harville, (photo below) corporate visuals coordinator at LifeWay for the past six years. Kent is the photographer for
LifeWay events at its conference centers in New Mexico and North Carolina, and also takes shots for "Facts & Trends", "LifeLines", Baptist Press, and Baptist newspapers, as well as LifeWay presentations and its web sites.
He is a former police officer and CSI in the Oklahoma City Police Department, a fingerprint examiner, and CSI instructor.
Kent presented "Photography for Writers" -- a crash course in the basics of putting the "snap" into snapshots. He says religion photographers are visual communicators who need to communicate through their photos what God is doing in people's lives.
Present at the meeting were: Al Dittes, Laura Flippen Tenzel, Mike Hickcox, Polly House, Nancy Lown, Jeanette Pinkston, and Judy Saks.
This was Laura Flippen's first meeting as president, and we look forward to her continued leadership through 2008.
