Grace United Methodist Church, Mt. Juliet, Announces second annual Centerfest Christian Music Festival, September 8, 2007

On Saturday, September 8 the second annual Centerfest, Middle Tennessee’s premiere outdoor Christian music festival, will descend upon Mount Juliet from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Centerfest will be a day full of music by nationally and regionally known Christian bands representing many genres of music including rock, pop, hip-hop and metal.

Centerfest will feature both nationally and locally known contemporary Christian bands and artists. Dove Award nominated artist John Reuben (www.johnreuben.com) will headline the festival. Since 2000 Reuben has released six albums on Gotee Records; the first four albums sold over 200,000 copies. Reuben was recently featured on NPR's popular All Things Considered online music feature and his humorous music videos have received several hundred thousand plays on YouTube.com.

Also featured is Arkansas hard rock Tooth and Nail Records artist Spoken (www.spokenmusic.com), a Dove Award nominated hard rock band whose seventh album will be in stores on September 25.

The eclectic KNAPSACKHEROES! will also appear. KNAPSACKHEROES! is a band from the Nashville area who is making a name for themselves with an exciting live show and original blend of pop music. The band is currently in the studio working on a full length CD with producers who have worked with artists including Mute Math, Switchfoot, Faith Hill, dcTalk, Newsboys, Phil Keaggy, David Crowder Band, Rebecca St James, and many others. They have played at Warmth in Winter for the past two years.

Other artists include: Redflecks, Brothatone, The Capture, Salient, Waterside, Natural Habitz, The Last Goodbye, and Spoken Word Praise.

In addition to the music there will be activities for people of all ages, including a kids section with games and other options.

Centerfest will open to the public at 10 am. Music will begin at 11 AM and continue until 9 PM. Tickets are $8 in advance for individuals and $6 in advance for groups of 10 or more. Those tickets are available at www.centerfest.net, and the church office. Tickets will be $10 the day of the event.

Food and drinks will be for sale that day at reasonable rates. No food or drinks will be allowed into the event. Attendees are welcome to bring blankets, tarps and lawn chairs.

Centerfest is an interdenominational outreach of Grace UMC meant to serve the greater Middle Tennessee area. All churches, groups, and individuals are encouraged to come.

Centerfest will take place at:
Grace United Methodist Church
2905 N Mount Juliet Road
Mt Juliet TN 37122

For more information on the CENTERFEST Christian Music Festival visit www.centerfest.net.

Walnut Grove United Methodist Church invites everyone to the Kick Off of a week of Revival Meetings -- Friend Raiser Fish Fry, August 25, 5:00 p.m.

AUGUST 25 – 31, 2007 is Revival Week at Walnut Grove United Methodist Church
Belvidere, Tennessee.

Walnut Grove invites everyone to their annual Friend Raiser Fish Fry on Saturday, August 25, to kick off a week of Revival meetings. Food will be served beginning at 5 p.m.

Revival services begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 26, and continue through Friday, August 31. Rev. Matthew Trussell will be the evangelist. Special music will be presented at each service. The performers include The Mountain Top 4 on Sunday, Ralph Morris on Monday, Justin Sims and Quartet on Tuesday, Sarah Anderson on Wednesday, and The Soul Pickers on Thursday.

The church is located at 980 Walnut Grove Road, Belvidere. Everyone Welcome. For more information contact Rev. Rickey Wade at 469-4648 or e-mail Jerry T. Limbaugh at jtlimbaugh@usa.net.

The Outreach Road Show is coming to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, August 23, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

For only $39 Per Person
(get $156 worth of resources!)

Spend action packed day (4 hours) that includes:

The Four Laws of Effective Outreach – the nation’s leading workshop on the foundation principles of effective outreach.

Law 1—Create an Identity for Outreach

Law 2—Attracting Visitors

Law 3—Connecting Newcomers

Law 4—Equipping members to be inviters

FREE samples, prizes and giveaways – prizes include FREE subscriptions, convention tickets, product coupons and more.

Interactive discussion – idea sharing and opportunities to network for outreach in your city.

5 creative outreach ideas – gathered from churches around the country – to help our church create something unique for any season.

A sneak preview at the upcoming national outreach campaigns – get a head start on planning your church’s involvement with these unique outreach opportunities – from movies, to television, to city-wide ministries.

Bring Your Team and Re-Fuel the Outreach in Your Church.

To register go to http://www.outreachtraining.com/

You Heard It Here First: Blakemore Children's Center Best of Nashville Brownie Bake-Off Benefit, Sunday, July 29

1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in adult and child categoreis!
Enter your BEST BROWNIE and HAVE LUNCH and FUN, TOO
Sunday, July 29, 11:45 a.m.

Bluegrass Music by The Blakemore Boys, and a special performance by magician Scott Tripp

To register for the Bake-off, call 292-5443 or email browniebakeoff@bellsouth.net

God’s Country Bubba Deer Fest, Saturday, August 25th, Crossville First United Methodist Church, starting at 4:30 p.m.

Featuring BBQ & Bologna, Red Neck Olympics, Hunting & Outdoor Vendors

Special guest David Hale from Knight and Hale Game Calls. David Hale and Harold Knight started a game call business in 1971 making turkey calls and waterfowl calls. David came from a Christian family and going to church was natural from childhood. He has been an adult Sunday school teacher and lay speaker for 44 years.

For more information contact Doyle McCoy at 931-335-3030, Wayne Shadden at 931-248, or the church office at 931-248-0333, or the church office at 931-484-3537

Back2School Kickoff, Crossville First United Methodist Church, August 18, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Youth event, 7th -12th grade, featuring Joseph Jennings and Jeff Streszoff as guest speakers. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to register contact Christ Cummings, chris@crossvillefumc.com, 931-484-3537

2007 Chrysalis Golf Tournament, Deer Creek Golf Club, Crossville, Saturday, August 4th

2007 CHRYSALIS GOLF TOURNAMENT

Deer Creek Golf Club
Crossville, TN

Date: Saturday, August 4, 2007
Time: 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
Meal: After Tournament
Cost $60.00 each ($240.00 per team)

Meal provided, goody bags, long drive, and closest to the hole prizes, and hole in one prizes.

This is a fun tournament and the monies raised are used to support ministries directed toward youth, families, and the hungry.
Chrysalis and Chrysalis Journey
Youth Prison Ministry
Hunters for the Hungry
The Bread of Life Rescue Mission


Contact Name:
______________________________________________

Phone:___________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Pllayer #1:___________________________________________________

Player #2:___________________________________________________

Player #3:___________________________________________________

Player #4:___________________________________________________


**Butterfly sponsorships are appreciated and available for $100.00**


Mail application to: Chrysalis Gold Tournament
3019 Seminole Loop
Crossville, TN 38572

For more information, contact
Randy Neal, 931-788-6337
kairostorch@yahoo.com

Cornersville United Methodist Church gets involved with the community

The Rev. Ray Hartman

Over the past year Pastor Ray Hartman, during his sermons, has
been presenting the concept of being involved with the community.
The idea is that by showing we care we can begin to build relationships
with those around us. He suggested volunteer work, delivering baked
goods to neighbors, having neighbors over for coffee, etc.

Some of the members really took this to heart as they became involved
with city government by being elected to public office. Amos Davis is now our new
Mayor, Carl Moses was elected Alderman, Melissa Peters was a write in
candidate for Alderman, and Doris Arthur had been appointed earlier to fill out
the term of an Alderman who resigned. These folks along with the other members
of the city council can now work together to solve problems and continue to
make our community a wonderful place to live.

Other projects from our church this year:
We passed out over 300 plants to everyone in Cornersville as a gift from our church.
We made 8 Mommy Baskets for the Pregnancey Resource Center.
We made up gift bags for first time visitors along with a new church brochure.
We have chartered a new Cub Scout Pack in the community.

Williamson County's Longest Running Fish Fry Set for July 20th, Bethlehem United Methodist Church

FRANKLIN, TN---The smell of fresh cooked catfish, music and laughter will soon be filling the air Friday, July 20 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church’s 33rd Fish Fry in Franklin, Tennessee.

A Middle Tennessee tradition for a third of a century, the event is a cherished, old-fashioned family get-together. Debbie Sims, Fish Fry co-chairman, said all-you-can eat catfish, wonderful live bluegrass music, an incredible silent auction with hundreds of items, as well as a fun-filled children’s area make it a great night of fellowship.

“This has become a favorite family tradition for middle Tennesseans. The fish are still swimming in a pond in Isola, Mississippi and will make its way up just in time to be served up fresh to over 3,500 folks. Also on the menu are hush puppies and delicious cole slaw made from a secret recipe prepared by a committee of wonderful cooks. It is such a fun time for so many great reasons and a portion of the proceeds benefits the missions of our church,” Sims said.

Back by popular demand is the Bethlehem Bluegrass Band organized and lead by talented church Music and Arts director, Harry Robinson. He will be joined by a bluegrass group from Franklin’s First United Methodist Church led by Dr. Jim McGinley.

While the dinner is the main attraction, the children’s area sports an amazing inflatable area, games and more. More than 350 of the church’s members are involved in the event and some of the best cooks in the Grassland area are participating in the bake sale.

“This is an old-time summer social where you’re guaranteed to have a great meal and loads of entertainment,” Sims said.

Another great Fish Fry tradition is the Live Auction featuring items like gourmet dinners, sports equipment and high-quality used vehicles. Pound cakes by noted Grassland cook Emogene Ownby-Hyde return by popular demand as well.

The Fish Fry is held on the church grounds off Old Hillsboro Road in the Grassland Area from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets are $8.00 for adults prior to July 20 or $10.00 the day of the event. Children under 10 are $4.00. Carryout dinners are also available.

Bethlehem United Methodist Church is located at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road near the intersection of Hillsboro and Old Hillsboro Roads in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information and tickets, contact the church at (615) 794-6721 or www.bethlehemumc.com.

City Road Chapel UMC Preaches the “Gospel at the Summer Movies” in July

MADISON, TN – How would the Bible interpret the themes and characters of the blockbuster movies of the summer? Rev. Ray Newell, pastor of City Road Chapel United Methodist Church, will explore the movie plots and characters of four of the summer’s most popular movies from a Christian perspective on five Sundays in July.

“Movies have become one of our primary ways of conveying our cultural values,” said Rev. Newell. “Using Biblical themes, I want to examine these movies and reflect on where they follow Christian understandings or where they depart from or oppose Christian beliefs.”

“The Gospel at the Summer Movies” will follow this schedule:
July 1 “Spiderman 3;”
July 8 “Shrek the Third;”
July 15 “Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End”
July 22 “Evan Almighty”;
July 29 “Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix.”

Worship Services at City Road Chapel are held at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. City Road Chapel is located at 701 South Gallatin Road, at the corner of Gallatin Road and Neely's Bend Road in Madison.

ANTIOCH CHURCH PROMOTES KINDNESS THROUGH aarkFEST and ARKALMIGHTY

(Antioch, TN) Antioch is a community that isn't particularly known for kindness. In fact, recent headlines from Antioch seem to portray the South Nashville community as one in decline, filled with crime and overrun with traffic.

The people of the Antioch United Methodist Church don't believe the headlines. With almost 120 years of presence in the community, this church has seen the ups and downs that go with any neighborhood. And, after 120 years, this congregation wants to offer a bit of kindness back to their community. They began several weeks ago when they handed out free bottled water at the intersection of Hickory Hollow Parkway and Bell Rd. And they continue to promote the notion of Antioch as a community of kindness through their aarkFEST Music and Movie Series in June and July, and their participation in the ArkAlmighty website.

aarkFEST, beginning on Friday, June 15, is a series of free concerts and drive-in movies offered as a gift to the people of Antioch. "aark" is an acronym for Antioch Acts of Random Kindness, and the event designers hope that this can be a time for people all throughout the community to gather together as neighbors for fun. Each week for six weeks, the church will host a different group providing a short concert and then project a family oriented movie on a 20 foot screen in the church yard. All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and sit in the grass, or stay in the car in the parking lot, as the church will be transmitting the movie sound to car radios.

"We offered the drive-in movies as a gift last year..." said Jay Voorhees, pastor of the congregation, "...but we realized that we had a bunch of time before it go dark enough to see the movie. We wanted to encourage folks to make a night of it, so we added the concerts to the mix to fill things out."

While the church can't advertise what movies they are showing each week, hints are being left on their website, www.antiochumc.net. A list of artists performing each week is also available there.

In addition to promoting aarkFEST on their website, the Antioch church is also promoting acts of random kindness through their participation in the ArkAlmighty program. ArkAlmighty (www.arkalmighty.com) is a program designed to connect individual needs with individual resources. It is, in a sense, a clearinghouse for acts of random kindness between individuals.

"We hope that we can be a resource for the people of Antioch connecting basic needs with those who have the resources to help," said Rev. Voorhees.

The Antioch United Methodist Church is located at 41 Tusculum Rd. in Antioch. More information about these programs may be obtained by calling (615) 832-6248 or visiting www.antiochumc.net.

Mayoral Candidates Will Be in Madison on June 25 for Community Forum Sponsored by the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce

Nashville, TN – Six candidates seeking office as Nashville’s next Mayor will participate in a community forum on Monday, June 25, sponsored by the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce. The forum, which will be hosted by City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison, will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

After opening statements from candidates David Briley, Bob Clement, Karl Dean, Buck Dozier, Kenneth Eaton and Howard Gentry, questions will then be accepted from the audience for response. Steve Parker, CPA, with Parker and Parker Associates of Goodlettsville, a Chamber member, will be the forum moderator.

“We are very excited to offer area residents this opportunity to meet the candidates and to hear their positions on issues of concern to our community,” said Debbie Pace, president of the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is committed to the best interests of the residents and business owners in Madison and Goodlettsville. We look forward to hearing how these candidates, one of whom will be our next Mayor, plan to move our community and Nashville forward as a great place to live and work.”

The June 25 event will also feature voter registration. Gayle Patterson, Davidson County Election Commission and a Chamber member, will be there to coordinate registration of eligible voters. Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of City Road Chapel.

City Road Chapel is located at 701 Gallatin Road South at the corner of Gallatin Road and Neelys Bend Road in Madison. The Mayoral Forum will be held in the Fellowship Center; the entrance is at the back of the church. There is plenty of free parking.

For additional information about the June 25 Madison Community Mayoral Forum, contact Debbie Pace, president of the Madison-Rivergate Area Chamber of Commerce at 865-5400.

Antioch Area Church Makes Biscuits for the Hungry

(Antioch, TN) Like many churches in Nashville, the Antioch United Methodist Church has a long tradition of baking. Throughout the 117 years that the congregation has been in existence, there have been many bake sales and church suppers featuring homemade bread, tasty pies, and of course, flaky and fluffy biscuits. But all the biscuits that have passed through the church ovens pale in comparison with their latest goal -- preparing 20,000 frozen biscuits for the hungry of Middle Tennessee.

The church will be sponsoring its first ever "Frozen Biscuit Drop" on Saturday, April 28 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. On that day, members of the church and other area volunteers will be setting up their own assembly lines to prepare biscuits for freezing and distribution to local hunger agencies. The goal for the day is to prepare and freeze as many as twenty-thousand biscuits, packaged by the dozen in freezer bags. These biscuits will be used by local hunger agencies to help feed persons throughout the mid-state region.

"For several years our church sponsored a "potato drop" where we sorted potatoes for distribution to hunger agencies," said Brian West, Outreach Coordinator for the South Nashville church. "However, in recent years we've had a harder time getting potatoes from potato processors. After some conversations with the leaders of local hunger agencies we came up with making biscuits as a way to assist hungry persons in the area."

"Jesus was clear that his followers have a responsibility to feed the hungry," said Jay Voorhees, pastor of the congregation. "Events like these help us to live out that mandate in tangible ways that go beyond simply giving money. We believe that it is important to get our hands dirty to help others. Getting covered in flour for a day to help the hungry of our area is a small price to pay to ensure that we follow in the way of Jesus."

The congregation is funding this from church funds with some assistance from Purity Dairies.

"We are still looking for some assistance with certain items," said Mr. West. "We especially need commercial sheet pans and rolling racks for the sheet pans for the day for the freezing process.
It would be great if some local congregations or hotels would be willing to donate these items for the day."

Volunteers are welcome to assist with the project. Persons are asked to register via the congregation's web site, www.antiochumc.net, and specify whether they want to work on the morning or afternoon shift. Lunch will be provided for all volunteers.

More information about this event may be obtained at www.antiochumc.net, or by calling the church office at (615) 832-6248. The Antioch United Methodist Church is located at 41 Tusculum Rd., near the corner of Blue Hole and Tusculum Roads.

Holly Thompson, WSMV-TV Channel 4, Will Be Featured Speaker at Women’s Day Event on May 5 in Madison

Madison, TN – All women in the Nashville area are invited to participate in a day of Christian fellowship, workshops, fun, and inspiration on Saturday, May 5, at City Road Chapel United Methodist Church in Madison. Set to the theme, “The God-Given Roles of Women”, the day will feature guest speaker Holly Thompson, popular news anchor and host of the More at Midday show on WSMV-TV Channel 4, plus a series of workshops, opportunities for shopping, musical entertainment, a luncheon and door prizes. The day will begin with registration and a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:00 p.m. Inclusive cost for tickets is $15.00 per person. Advanced ticket purchase is required by May 1; call 868-1673 for information. Complimentary child care will be provided for nursery – 4th grade children, but child care services must be requested in advance and parents must provide snacks and lunch.

“We are hosting this event close to Mother’s Day, a time when we are all more mindful of the many important roles that women play in our homes, schools, businesses, churches and society. This event is an ecumenical, non-denominational event for all Christian women of every age,” said Millie Grammer, chair of the event. “Everyone is welcome.”

Nine 45-minute workshops on many topics will be presented on May 5; registrants will be able to participate in three workshops of their choice. Among the workshop topics will be Container Gardening, Caring for the Elderly, God-Given Roles of Women, Feng Shui Windchimes, Decorating on a Dime Tips, and Tablescapes. Throughout the day, participants can browse and shop at displays presented by 12 vendors offering a variety of items including jewelry, skin care products, gift items and candles.

City Road Chapel is located at 701 Gallatin Road South at corner of Gallatin Road and Neely’s Bend Road in the center of Madison. For additional information or to purchase tickets for the Women’s Day Event on May 5, please call 868-1673.

Attention All Business Leaders!!! Maximum Impact Leadership Telecast

Crossville First United Methodist Church Sanctuary on Friday, May 11th from 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The event is free but a $60.00 donation is suggested to cover the workbook, lunch, and other materials.

Maximum Impact: The Influence Index is one of the largest events of its kind in the world, yet still personal enough to impact you and your management team in measurable ways. On Friday, May 11, 2007, The Influence Index will be the premiere leadership development experience that allows you and your team to learn from premiere leadership authorities.

No other event consistently delivers the lineup of respected leaders and offers the quality learning experience associated with Maximum Impact. Each speaker will bring to life qualities and experience imperative to helping you refine your leadership quotient. In one incredible day, you will learn strategies for developing your collective leadership skills- exceeding your organization's standards for performance, productivity and profit, all the while eliminating expensive travel time that drains your people and your budgets.

Some of the speakers during the day will be: Terry Bradshaw , one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history; Tim Sanders, a senior level executive as Yahoo!'s Leadership Coach; Ken Blanchard, Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm, and many more.

This is your best opportunity in 2007 to learn from these preeminent marketplace leaders- the must-read, must-hear thinkers and doers who consistently model the results that mark both successful leaders and the companies they serve. Maximum Impact is an unparalleled opportunity to hear from not just one, but several revolutionary leaders whose practical and tactical approaches to personal and organizational challenges have made them legendary. You will learn time-tested lessons you can put into practice to achieve the right results right now!

Over 80,000 will attend this LIVE global event in over 600 cities and more than 20 countries.

Please call the church at 931-484-3537 for more information and to make your reservation by
April 15th.

Connection United Methodist Fellowship (Manos Hispanas Fellowship) in Cookeville TN announce its 1st Latin-American Festival.

Dancing in the Park with Salsa Music!

Come and celebrate 5 de mayo with us while enjoying food of different countries, games for the children, inflatables and salsa lessons....and of course LIVE salsa music, a Salsa Band from Nashville will be performing starting at 5:00p.m.

Where: Dogwood Park (behind Police station)
Cookeville, TN

When: of course May 5th
What time: from 3:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.

COME AND HAVE FUN

Sponsored by, The Hispanic Ministry in the Cookeville District, Connection and WCTEInformation: Miguel Carpizo (931)267-0199

Miguel Angel Carpizo
Connection United Methodist Community
Comunidad Metodista Unida Conexión
157 E Spring St
Cookeville, TN 38501
P.O. Box 459
Cookeville, TN 38503
(931)267-0199 cell
(931)526-2177 ext 219
E-mail: connectionumc@hotmail.com
www.brokenness-quebrantado.blogspot.com
www.manoshispanasministries.org

Crown of Thorns, Crown of Glory: A Journey Toward Easter

BRENTWOOD, TN, March 19, 2007 -- During Holy Week, Sunday, April 1 through Saturday, April 8, 2007, the Brentwood United Methodist Church (located at 309 Franklin Rd.) invites members of the community to bring your troubles to the cross as we follow Jesus on His journey to the place where He suffered and died. We will be reminded that Jesus’ suffering was not limited to the cross as He endured the pain of following God’s will, of friends who betrayed Him, of losing loved ones, of rejection, of being misunderstood. Through Holy Week worship at
Brentwood United Methodist Church, we trust that you will discover comfort for your journey and great joy in the hope of Easter!

Holy Week and Easter Opportunities:

• Holy Week begins with Noon Day Worship and Lunches, April 2-4. The 30-minute services will be followed by a catered lunch offered by donation.

Monday: message - Rev. Kaye Harvey, lunch - BBQ Pork
Tuesday: message - Rev. Jeremy Squires, lunch - lasagna
Wednesday: message - Rev. Bob Moore, lunch - baked chicken breast.
• “Stations of the Cross” and “Walk with Jesus” Opens at 5 pm on April 1 and continues daily through noon on April 7. Each of twelve stations offers a reflection of Christ’s experience on the way to Calvary, and a call for prayer for us today. This quiet meditation is designed to help draw us closer to the sorrow of the crucifixion and the redemption of Easter Sunday. Accompanying this is the “walk with Jesus” for children and their families.
• Maundy Thursday worship and communion will be held on Thursday, April 5, at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. This moving service commerates the Last Supper of Jesus through scripture, music, and communion ends by stripping the Sanctuary and leaving in silence.
• Good Friday worship will be held on Friday, April 6, at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. The story will be retold of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death on Good Friday.
• Easter worship will be held on Saturday, April 7 at 6 pm and Sunday, April 8, at 8:30, 9:30 and 11:00 in the Sanctuary. The Awakening blended service will be held at 9:30 am in the Chapel.

For more information, contact Shannon Garrett at 373-3663 or sgarrett@bumc.net. Brentwood UMC is located at 309 Franklin Road, directly across from the Kroger Shopping Center.

Holy Week services at Belmont United Methodist Church

NASHVILLE, TN – Holy Week marks the time between Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and Easter Sunday resurrection.Monday, April 2 through Thursday April 5, there will be a 30-minute worship service in the sanctuary each day. Times are staggered to accommodate various schedules and each service is increasingly later in the day as Good Friday approaches.Come participate in worship experiences that will remind your heart of these central events of the Christian faith.

Monday, April 2
7:30am, Service of Annointing
Tuesday, April 3
12:15pm, Service of Candelighting
Wednesday, April 4
4:30pm, Service of Confessing
Thursday, April 5
6:30pm, Service of Communion & Footwashing
Friday, April 6
12:15pm, Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Easter Sunday, April 8
8:15am worship with full choir and brass, Sanctuary; 10:30am worship with full choir and brass, Sanctuary.

United Methodist Church Displays "Stations of the Cross"

NASHVILLE, TN – Walking the "Stations of the Cross" is an ancient Christian practice that reminds participants of the suffering Jesus endured on the day of his death. In the Roman Catholic Church, walking and praying the stations is a well-established tradition. This year, a United Methodist Church in Hillsboro Village is offering a new tradition- a protestant version.

Visual representations of fourteen pivotal events in Jesus’ journey to the cross will be on display in the Sanctuary of Belmont United Methodist Church (at the corner of Acklen Ave and 21st Ave S) daily during the week before Easter, April 2 - 6. To create the visual representations of each event, members of the congregation reflected prayerfully on events leading to the crucifixion as described in scripture. Then they interpreted the historical events in terms of their significance for their present-day faith. The resulting displays are original artworks of mixed media including stained glass, photography, interactive dioramas, and crafts.

Although they tell the same story, the subject matter of the stations differs from the traditional ones used by the Roman Catholic Church. Jesus never falls in this version, and Veronica does not appear. Seven of the stations will sound familiar to Catholics: Pilate tries Jesus, Jesus carries his cross, Simon carries the cross, Jesus speaks to the women, Jesus speaks to his mother, Jesus dies on the cross, Jesus is laid in the tomb. The distinctively protestant stations are: Jesus prays alone, Jesus is arrested, The Sanhedrin tries Jesus, Pilate sentences Jesus, Jesus wears the crown, Jesus is crucified, and Criminals speak to Jesus.

Belmont’s sanctuary will be open 7:30am to 7:30pm April 2 - 6 for persons to visit the Stations of the Cross.

For more information visit the church’s website at www.belmontumc.org or contact Alison Schmied, at alison@belmontumc.org or 383-0832, ext. 13.

HIT MUSICAL COMEDY CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES COOKS UP GOOD TIME AT NASHVILLE'S TPAC, OPENING THURSDAY, APRIL 19

Editor's Note: More than a few Tennessee Conference churches take groups to 'movie nights' or 'nights at the theater.' For that reason I'm trying to give you advance notice of something your senior citizens group, drama group, adult discussion group might miss because they waited too late to make reservations. The original production of CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES is still running after 85 weeks of sold out performances in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Where the touring company has appeared--the story is the same, SOLD OUT performances. Though the story occurs in a Lutheran Church it is "all too Methodist" and even Roman Catholic audiences have felt it also relates very closely to them.
And what are the chances of catching some great humor and having a theatrical production that could be rated "For all ages." Some of the humor may elude younger children, but for junior age on up. The news release describing the play is reprinted below. Just before the news release I've enclosed a few reviews--mainly from United Methodists--so you can see what they felt about the CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES.

Comments from Audiences:
United Methodist Women, ladies of the Bazaar Booster's Group, Decorah, IA, Candace Arp - "No matter the sign on the church door, the women in church basements are the same everywhere ...... they just have different names. Our group had a great day laughing with the 'ladies' and at ourselves."

United Methodist Church, Mankato, MN, Julane Budke--- "We laughed all the way home and are still laughing!"

United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, SD, Carol Flynn---"the acting was superb--the play hilarious, very close to home since every church kitchen has a 'lady in charge' who knows the only right way to do things--the way we have always done it in the church kitchen."


Grace United Methodist Church, Vernon Center, MN, Melanie Smith shares the feelings of her group:
- It was great! My face hurt from laughing so much! Dorothy
- It was excellent! Very true to life & very funny! - I would go back a second time I thought it was so good! Gerry
- I thought it was FABULOUS!!!!! Peg
- A particularly funny and entertaining play! ...laughed so hard I was afraid I was missing some of the lines! ... the actors were truly stupendous... I could see several ladies in our church in them ...I would love to go again! Ann
- Anyone from a small town church will relate, but everyone will laugh ... the actor and actresses were awesome! Melanie

Pastor Gary Olson, Lakeview Lutheran Church---"Church Basement Ladies is both hilarious and poignant because it connects with our experience with people who, out of great love, care for the local church, but who do it with all their foibles, faux pas, and unwritten rules. We've all been there. It's wonderful-!!"

The News Release:
Nashville, TN March 14, 2007… Curt Wollan, Executive Producer of Troupe America, Inc. and Nashville Producer Art Fegan of Art Fegan Entertainment, are bringing the hit musical CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES to Nashville, Tennessee. The critically acclaimed comedy opens Thursday, April 19 at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in the intimate Andrew Johnson Theater. The production is expected to run thru July 1, 2007.

CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES first opened in 2005 at the Plymouth Playhouse in Minnesota and instantly became an overnight sensation. The Minneapolis Star Tribune described the play as being “wickedly funny and exquisite,” while the St. Paul Dispatch called it “an affectionate peek at community life with a pinch of whimsy.” The show has had a phenomenal run at the Plymouth, selling-out every single performance for over fifteen straight months and is still going strong. On the heels of their regional success, the production has now hit the road for a highly successful 53-city tour, receiving rave reviews and packing theaters all across the country.

CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES, a celebration of the Church basement kitchen and the women who work there, is a musical comedy featuring four distinct characters, and their relationships, as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural church in the 1960’s. From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen, to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, the production gives us a touching and humorous look into their lives as we see them handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter Fundraiser and a steaming hot July wedding. Collectively, these basement ladies stave off potential disasters, instruct the young and keep the Pastor on due course –all while thoroughly enjoying (and tolerating) each other. Funny and down to earth, audiences are sure to recognize these ladies as they see the year unfold from the basement of the House of God.

Inspired by authors/humorists, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the creators of the best-selling book Growing Up Lutheran, director Curt Wollan wanted to create a show that celebrates the women who are the foundation and bed rock of the church. Wollan explains, “It’s about the women who work so hard with such dedication to cook, clean and support the Church, whether they be Lutheran, Methodist, Jewish or Catholic and everyone of us know who they are. My Mom and the mothers of all my friends were church basement ladies and I wanted to honor these women. This is dedicated to them.”

Jim Stowell, one of America's favorite storytellers, and Jessica Zuehlke, a performance arts educator, developed the script for CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES and collaborated with composer/songwriter Drew Jansen, well-known writer for Comedy Central’s “Let’s Bowl” and “Mystery Science Theatre 3000.” The production is choreographed by Wendy Short Hayes; set design by Jared Grohs; lighting design by Scott Herbst; costume design by Beth Nistler and musical direction by Drew Jansen.

TPAC is located in the James K. Polk Cultural Center at 505 Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville between 5th & 6th Avenues and Deaderick and Union Streets. Performances are as follows: Thursdays at 1pm & 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm and Sundays at 2pm & 6:30pm.

Ticket prices range from $29 - $40 and are on sale now. About Ticket Sales: To purchase single tickets call Ticketmaster ARTS line at 615-255-2787 or order online at www.tpac.org. For group sales information (10 or more), call 615-782-4060. For further information visit www.cbl-nashville.com.