Tennessee Conference Church makes tax filing less taxing for people needing help

Julian Suggs, a retired pastor who volunteers with Tax-Aide, helps retiree Thelma Mulloy, 76, and her disabled son, Paul, file their income tax forms. UMNS photos by Ronny Perry.

By Eve Annunziato*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)--Tax season can be one of the most dreaded times of the year, but one United Methodist congregation is approaching it as an outreach opportunity - an outreach that includes hot coffee and fresh donuts.

West Nashville United Methodist Church is offering a free Tax-Aide clinic every Saturday for three months. The Tax-Aide program, created by AARP, has assisted more than 30 million seniors and low-income people over the past 40 years.

"The doors of this church are always open because we have a real open-door policy," says Sherry Cothran Woolsey, director of missions at West Nashville United Methodist Church. She sees being a part of the Tax-Aide program as in line with the church's purpose.

"Anything that we can do that expresses the mission of the church - love of God and love of neighbor - that's what we're all about," Woolsey says.

Tax-Aide provides tax preparation help to low- and middle-income taxpayers free of charge. The program depends on 32,000 volunteers working at more than 7,800 sites around the United States.

One such volunteer is Julian Suggs, a former pastor who serves as the Tax-Aide district coordinator for the Middle Tennessee area. Suggs and a dozen other certified trained experts work at the West Nashville Church site, giving up 11 consecutive Saturdays to give others a special tax break.

"My wife and I, shall I say, have a healthy discussion this time of year," Suggs says. "She says, 'You know you're working a full-time job as a volunteer.' And, I answer, 'Yes, but I believe in it!'"

Tax picture can change
Suggs, with his upbeat demeanor and friendly smile, walks around the clinic assisting clients, answering questions and speaking with people as they await their turn to see an agent.

The tax picture for retirees can change dramatically in a short period of time, Suggs says. For instance, if the spouse who usually prepares the household taxes becomes sick or dies, filing can become a difficult issue. In addition, he says, paying an accountant or broker can be a budget buster.

"There are very few seniors that understand these complicated affairs," Suggs says. "The elderly, widows and poor income families need help, and I feel fortunate that I've been trained to provide that help. And this is very rewarding. After their forms are all accepted, I have the most wonderful calm and peace that I was able to help people and save them a lot of money."

'A great help'
After filing her taxes at the West Nashville Church, retired factory worker Thelma Mulloy, 76, is no longer fretting and fussing over the process. She is getting her taxes completed electronically and claims she couldn't do this without the help of the experts.

"This would take a chunk out of my Social Security check, which I need for house payments, light bills and water bills," she says. "And I need all the money I can get for my medication, so this is just a great help for me."

"When you don't have a lot of funds coming in every month after you retire, you don't have a job and you live on Social Security, you just don't have the money you would like to have. This just means a whole lot," says client Nira Gamble, 74, of the church's Tax-Aide program. "I think this is wonderful. … I appreciate all of these people."

Tax-Aide client Lillian Richmond, 52, also has a trained financial counselor advising her at no cost.

"I'm all finished with my taxes," she says. "And it was for free - and they serve coffee and donuts, too. You can't beat that. I'm relieved and appreciate it now that it's over with and filed electronically. I don't even have to put a stamp on it!"

More information on Tax-Aide is available by calling (888) 227-7669 or going to http://www.aarp.org/ online.

*Annunziato is a freelance producer for United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn.

Nashville to Observe 10-Year Anniversary of Tornado with World Premiere of New Choral/Orchestral Work

On April 16, ten years to the day that a powerful tornado created a path of destruction through Nashville, singers from East Nashville and the Vanderbilt community, accompanied by chamber orchestra, will present the world premiere of a new work commissioned to observe the storm’s 10-year anniversary and the community revitalization that has occurred in that decade.

The four-movement piece, “The Gardener,” was composed by David Childs, Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. The performance will be directed by Joseph Lee, Music Director at East End United Methodist Church. The premiere performance will be Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM in the historic sanctuary of & lt; u1:place u2:st="on">East End United Methodist Church, 1212 Holly Street. The concert is free and open to the public and child care will be provided. A community photo and video exhibit will also be on display at the event.

On April 16, 1998, Nashville became the first major U.S. city in nearly 20 years to be struck by an F2 (or larger) tornado in the downtown area. The tornado, which tore through neighborhoods in East Nashville, claimed the life of Vanderbilt senior Kevin Longinotti and caused approximately $100 million in damages. At the center of Nashville’s historic neighborhoods east of downtown, East End United Methodist Church served as the staging area for countless relief crews providing aide and assistance to storm victims.

“The Gardener” was commissioned by East End United Methodist Church and is sponsored by Rediscover East! and East Nashville neighborhood associations, businesses, and individuals.

Note by Jama Bowen: The East Nashville congregation is no stranger to providing assistance to disaster victims.

The church buildings remained virtually untouched by three major disasters which struck the neighborhood over the last century. In 1916, more than 700 homes were destroyed or damaged by a fire which left 3,000 neighbors homeless. Then in 1933, a tornado ripped through the neighborhood killing 37 persons and causing mass destruction. East End Methodist welcomed Eastland Christian Church to hold services in the sanctuary until Eastland’s own tornado damage could be repaired. Sixty-five years later in 1998, another tornado followed a nearly identical path through East Nashville. The only physical change to the main building occurred when the huge wooden doors of the sanctuary were pulled open by the tornado, despite being dead-bolt locked. East End once again shared the sanctuary with another congregation, the Power of Deliverance, whose own church building was destroyed. Through all three of these disasters, East End United Methodist Church played a pivotal role in providing aide and assistance to thousands of victims.

Bethlehem United Methodist Church hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Blessing of the Animals, Saturday, March 22nd, 10:00 a.m.

Nothing rings in springtime quite like Easter. That means two long-standing Bethlehem United Methodist Church traditions are just around the corner and the community is invited. On Saturday, March 22, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the church grounds at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road in the Grassland area.

Children will be divided into three age groups to hunt in different areas. At 10:00 sharp the children will burst from their starting gates like Derby race horses - so you won't want to be a second late! Just like the Derby, bonnets are always in style for the ladies! To knock off the early springtime chill, hot coffee and cocoa will be served. If the chill is too intense, the hunt will
move inside the church gym, so plan to come - rain, snow or shine! With a little luck, the children's Sunday School caterpillars will be butterflies by then and ready for release!

Immediately following the egg hunt, all attention will turn to our favorite four legged friends. The Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful Easter tradition at Bethlehem. Held next to the children's playground behind the main building, this outdoor service recognizes all God's creatures and the important place they each hold in our world, as well as our lives. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, gerbils, reptiles and even fish have been blessed in the past. It's a short,
but meaningful, service that will absolutely make your day!

Both of these events are wonderful opportunities to reach out to our community.

The church will provide plenty of eggs, candy and atmosphere to make this a fun Saturday morning Easter event. You are also invited to come back to Bethlehem for Easter Sunday morning services at 6:30 a.m. (Sunrise Service) or 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.. For more information on either event or other Easter opportunities, contact the church office at 794-6721 or visit www.bethlehemumc.com.

Antioch Church Remembers “The Passion” Through The Seven Last Words

Back in 2004, “The Passion of the Christ” was the hot topic of conversation, as Mel Gibson’s movie made its way through the movie theaters. Four years later, the movie has faded into history, but the subject of Jesus’ arrest, death, and resurrection continues to be on the mind of those persons who call themselves Christian. This is especially true for the people of the Antioch United Methodist Church as they offer a special opportunity to think about Jesus’ death in a special art/prayer exhibit called “The Seven Last Words.”

Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of the church, Christian people have used the week before Easter Sunday as a time of special reflection and prayer on the story of Christ’s passion. This week, called “Holy Week” in some traditions, begins with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and then follows the subsequent events, including the Last Supper, Jesus’ praying in Gethsemane, his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Many Christian churches host special worship service during this week.

The Antioch United Methodist Church is likewise hosting special worship services on Thursday and Friday of Holy Week, but they are going a bit farther in trying to help all think about the implications of Jesus’ death. The Seven Last Words is both an art exhibit and a prayer space designed to help persons connect with the story of Christ’s death through artistic interpretations of the last seven phrases that Jesus is reported to say in the hours and moments leading up to his crucifixion. The goal of the event is to help persons think in new ways about the meaning of Jesus for our world today, and participants are invited to come and interactively engage in reflecting on the person of Jesus.

The Seven Last Words will open in conjunction with the Antioch UMC Spring Fling on Saturday, March 15 at 9 a.m. and be open from 8:00 until 6:00 p.m. on March 16, 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. on March 19-21, and by appointment (by calling 832-6248).

The Antioch United Methodist Church is located on Tusculum Rd, just off Blue Hole Rd., in Antioch.