NASHVILLE CHAPTER - Past Programs 2006
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"Meet and Greet" at Chappy's Restaurant, Nashville - December 13, 2006
This special session drew 25 members and guests to Chappy's Restaurant in downtown Nashville. This was a "Meet and Greet" day for the Nashville Chapter. Several members brought co-workers and others who work in various communications areas in church-related organizations, or in a faith-based position in a secular organization. Member Mike Hickcox gave a presentation on the RCC with a focus on making presentations using the official RCC presentation guidelines.
We also had a special presentation by John “Chappy” Chapman. Chapman was born in Mobile, Alabama where his father was the British consul. Later, after his father's death, John and his family moved to New Orleans where he graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans with a degree in business. The original Chappy’s Seafood Restaurant opened its doors in December of 1984 and remained one of the premier restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina demolished Chappy’s restaurant and his home. Chapman and his family moved to Nashville only because a friend had a home in Nashville with two available bedrooms. He decided to stay and re-open his Gulf-coast restaurant in Nashville. We all agreed the food was great and the service terrific.
The photo is of chef Chappy with Nashville Chapter president Amelia Tucker-Shaw on the right. At left is her guest, Rev. Dr. Hilda Davis-Caroll, who was our presenter in September, and who then served as the Faith-based Coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Health.
"Distance Learning Across Continents" at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry - November 16, 2006
Ten members of the Nashville Chapter were treated to a mind-stretching presentation by Rev. Bob Kohler (right), Assistant General Secretary of The United Methodist Board of Higher Education & Ministry.
Kohler talked about the project he heads to bring resources in theological education to teachers and students in the United States, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. The project is not small or simple.
Educational materials will need to originate in the colonial languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese. Then the content needs to be delivered to students all over the world in their local languages.
Delivery from libraries around the world could be by Internet, satellite, CD, and print. The electronic transfer of digital materials will be quick and efficient, but useful only in learning locations where electricity is available.
During the discussion of the necessity of electrical power, the power system shut down. The building went dark. People were stuck on the elevator. Kohler's projector went dark and quiet; the map on the screen was gone. Suddenly we had no digital support; all we could do was talk in a dim room. Point made.
We all talked about ways our own work in communication and information could both support and utilize a world-wide system that ties together seminaries in the U.S. with Bible colleges in the Philippines, and remote theological schools in Africa. The possibilities are amazing. And the lights came back on.
Immigration and Xenophobia, held at the Gordon Jewish Community Center, October 11, 2006
Members were treated to an excellent presentation by Dr. Paul Chang-Ha Lim, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity at the Vanderbilt Graduate Department of Religion.
Dr. Lim spoke about the contemporary debates on immigration and xenophobia. He is now finishing his new book, "From Xenophobia to Philoxenia: Aliens, Immigrants, and the Abrahamic Traditions."
Dr. Lim says Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all believe God expects special care and treatment for widows, and orphans, and aliens. He finds this to be a core belief for all of these faith expressions, and asks why this compassion doesn't rise to the surface in the actions of those who profess these beliefs. As an evangelical Christian himself, Dr. Lim feels his own actions must honor these persons. He has expressed his faith in service to Katrina Flood victims and in other places of need.
In attendance were Carolyn Dandridge, Laura Flippen, Mike Hickcox, Woody Murray, Kathy Noble, Kimberly Pace, Jeanette Pinkston, Judy Saks, and Jeremy Trott.
