First Presbyterian Church First Edition published bi-weekly for the members and friends of the church

February 4, 2015 • Volume 30, No. 03 Dear Members of the Congregation, I have been a member of energy fighting to no avail. Others have left the the church for over 60 years denomination with mixed results. and am finishing my year as Todd and the staff have gone out of their way to Clerk of the Session. I feel meet with small groups as well as holding two open the need to communicate meetings. It is, however, apparent that many in our with the congregation on an congregation want a more definitive statement from the important denominational Session and to know how the Session is going to issue: the vote at the next respond should the General Assembly vote in May to General Assembly meeting in approve the same-sex amendment. John Eason May on the amendment to The Session officially does not vote on General Clerk of Session allow those churches that Assembly amendments; that is done by our selected chose to perform same-sex marriages. commissioners at Presbytery meetings. In my opinion, I must admit I underestimated how many people in the members of this Session are, as always, very our congregation were not aware of the marriage representative of our congregation of which a majority amendment under consideration in our denomination. likely feels as Todd does that marriage should remain as Additionally, the Session took the route of past Sessions defined in the Bible. Just as some members of our in handling controversial denominational issues, to congregation have different opinions on this issue, so do study, discuss and pray about these issues followed by some on the Session and we need to be sensitive to selecting commissioners to vote their conscience at that. However, I am confident the sense of the Session is Presbytery. This has been the process in past votes on the sense of the congregation, which is as it should be. the marriage and all other amendments. As to conveying that sense to the congregation, I We have dealt with controversial denominational misjudged the need to do so earlier and hope this letter issues for over 30 years, and our Sessions have made our will help. collective opinion known in various ways but never in a I appreciate everyone’s concern regarding this issue. I public debate with the broader congregation. Since am also very concerned, as are the Session and all our Elders are voted on by the congregation, we are commissioners and pastors who voted at the Presbytery expected to act as representatives of our church body. meeting. There will be an additional open meeting or The issue of same-sex marriage is obviously a major two, and Todd has called the Stated Clerk at General issue and upon reflection, better communication from Assembly to meet with a few of our members regarding the Session was due. As Clerk, I take responsibility for the divisiveness these ongoing amendments have not connecting with the broader congregation. caused. Other measures can be taken once the May vote As a congregation, we have spent years growing our is settled, and I am sure the Session will discuss possible membership, dramatically increasing mission giving, responses prior to then. nurturing one of the nation’s best youth programs as well as supporting an excellent Christian-based K-6 school. Some churches became embroiled in the politics within the denomination and spent valuable time and The Mission of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville To know Christ, to make Him known and to exhibit His love through worship, education and service.

Sympathy The First Presbyterian Church family extends Congregational Care prayers and sympathy to the following during their time of loss. Luncheon and Seminar Allyson Baggott on the death of her father, Alcy (Shug) Baggott, who died on January 13. Sympathy Preparing for Life’s Transitions to Deborah Baggott. Andrea & Graham Swafford on the death of Andrea’s Each Sunday of February, 12:15-1:30 P.M. grandmother, Peggy Nickas Capadalis, who died on Soup & Salad Lunch ($6) January 14. Sympathy to Kennedy & Graham Swafford, IV. Reservations requested Glenn & Marylee Booth, on the death of Glenn’s mother, Margaret Roberta Folk Booth, who died on January 15. February 8 Bryant & Nancy Tirrill on the death of Bryant’s father, Let’s be Safe! John B. Tirrill, Sr., who died on January 17. Sympathy to Sergeant Raymond Jones will provide us with Elizabeth & Ann Tirrill. information about enhancing our safety and personal Mike & Annette Crout on the death of Mike’s sister, protection at home, in parking lots and other public Jacqueline Darlene Reynolds, who died on January 17. areas, as well as how we can prevent crime. Keith Barksdale on the death of his wife, Josephine Andrews Barksdale, who died on January 23. February 15 Sympathy to Phil & Jean Barksdale. Love Letters If any member of the church desires the Christian support Andy Spickard will discuss end-of-life transitions and of a Stephen Minister, contact Sandra Randleman (298-9502). communicating our wishes in advance. Warner McNeilly will discuss getting our documents in order. The Sacrament of Baptism February 22 In the presence of family, the congregation of How to Give Wisely and Generously First Presbyterian Church and God, the following Ron Knox will provide us with invaluable information person claimed God’s covenant promise through about the means by which we can wisely give and share the Sacrament of Baptism. our blessings today and plan for future generations to Julie & Stuart Burkhalter presented their daughter, enjoy our financial legacy tomorrow. Virginia Lowry Burkhalter, for baptism on January 25. Assisting Elder was Linda Steadman. Questions? Contact Sandra Randleman (298-9502 or [email protected]) Holy Communion Holy Communion will be observed on Sunday, February 22, at the 8:30 A.M., 10:55 A.M., SUNDAY 11:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. worship services. FEBRUARY 8, 2015 Sermon Author Marjorie Thompson to Visit SS “In the Hands of a Good On February 22, Presbyterian minister Marjorie Providence: The Faith Thompson will speak in the Cheek House Dining Room. of George Washington” She will introduce readers to her book, Forgiveness. Is Scripture Readings forgiveness a duty? Is it for individuals, or does it need Genesis 50:15-22 communities? How do we get past barriers to forgiveness? Romans 8:26-30 The Spiritual Journeys for Women class invites all women to their Lenten study of Forgiveness. Contact Dana Todd Jones ([email protected]) for more information. Pastor Meals Packed in November Shipped to Madagascar Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar and previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Southeast Africa. We learned in January that our 25,000+ meals packed by more than 200 volunteers last November have been shipped in a container that includes a total of 230,688 meals and vitamins from the Stop Hunger Now warehouse in Atlanta. The meals will be received by The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Madagascar. The ADRA was started as a way of serving and caring for those in need in Madagascar. ADRA International and its country offices work to improve the quality of life for people in need all over the world. ADRA invests in the potential of individuals through advocacy, supporting families, promoting health, providing food and water, establishing livelihoods and responding to emergencies. In Madagascar, ADRA actively supports communities through a portfolio of development activities, which are planned and implemented cooperatively. These meals will feed more than 1,500 children in rural schools across Madagascar, with a goal to increase school attendance and ultimately, raise the level of education in rural communities. Due to the frequent cyclones that plague the country, ADRA Madagascar will also reserve some of the meals to respond to crisis situations. Our Mission Committee has already committed to another packing event on Monday, November 23. Look for details later this fall and plan to join us in this family-friendly serving event. (YAV + NEP + RITI) FPC = Mary Sellers Shaw Does that headline look like a formula from your Algebra II class? Don’t worry. We have the solution for you — check out the guide below to these “algebraic variables.”

YAV is an acronym for the Young Adult Volunteer program in our denomination. The YAV program is a one year service opportunity for young adults from 19 to 30 years. YAVs live in Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving in communities of need. The YAV program has sites around the United States and around the world, and YAVs serve for one academic year, August – July.

NEP stands for the Nashville Epiphany Project and is a collaborative offering among Second Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee and the PCUSA’s YAV Program. YAVs choosing to serve in Nashville live in locations around Nashville or on the campus of Second Presbyterian Church but connect regularly throughout their year here under the guidance of the NEP.

RITI is a shortened reference a very familiar local ministry to FPC members: Room In The Inn. It is one of nine service sites where Nashville YAVs may choose to serve during their time in Nashville.

Let’s meet Mary Sellers Shaw, the solution to our equation. I am originally from Birmingham and graduated in May 2014 from the University of Alabama. I grew up at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham and was active at First Presbyterian of Tuscaloosa during my college career. I graduated with a dual degree in Communication Studies and Civic Engagement with minors in Spanish and Creative Writing.

How did you remain connected to your faith during your college years? I was active in my campus ministry and through it I had the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Haiti, to be a keynote speaker at several youth conferences and to serve on the Planning Team for the Montreat College Conference. Each of these experiences reinforced the importance of serving the community and led me to spend a year in service after I graduated.

What drew you to the YAV program? As I was looking at various post-college programs, the YAV program stuck out to me. With its focus on simple living and intentional Christian community, YAV became more than just a year of work in a non-profit. It provided the opportunity to grow in my own faith and in understanding of systemic poverty in our society. Through a long period of discernment, I was placed to work here in Nashville at Room In The Inn.

Why did you choose FPC as your church home away from home? An important part of my move to Nashville was finding a church community. When I first visited FPC, I felt immediately welcomed. Everyone reached out to me to hear my story and to invite me into the life of the church.

How have you become involved at FPC? I have joined the choir; attended the Young Adult Sunday School class for a time, but sadly stopped in order to rehearse with the choir; I attend the 5:30 worship service; I participate in the weekly Wednesday night dinner/programs; and I also participate in the Monday night Young Adult Women’s Bible study. Here at FPC, I have been surrounded by many opportunities to enrich my faith. I feel so fortunate to have found this church community and to have become so quickly engaged. I look forward to continued opportunities to get to know the congregation and hope to do so in the months ahead.

What do you do at Room In The Inn? I am part of the Workforce Development team, so every day I open up our Career Center and work with our participants to prepare them for jobs. I help everyone write resumes, send out applications and assist them in determining their long-term goals. In the afternoons, I serve in our Activity Center to help with general needs of the population. What I love about my work is the opportunity to get to know our participants and to hear their stories. My time at Room In The Inn has given me the chance to walk side by side with those who are struggling and, in turn, also to be lifted up by everyone’s amazing love for each other. WOW Bible Study Begins February 4 As believers in Christ, we claim to understand grace. From Sunday School to adulthood, we’ve been taught that we’re saved by grace. We know the Bible verses and the sinner’s prayer, but have we really taken hold of it? Or rather, has it taken hold of us? In Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine, Max Lucado calls Scholarship Assistance is available to FPC members readers back to consider the abundant richness of God’s for all FPC-sponsored trips by contacting Sandra offer. It’s an offer to live a changed life, a call to genuine (298-9502 or [email protected]). transformation and the courage to see it through. Please join this friendly and lively group on Wednesday mornings for China/Taiwan August 2015 discussion and fellowship. We meet in Vance Hall/Room Dates: August 10-23 222, from 9:30-11:00 A.M. For more info, contact Leslee Cost: $4,500 (est); $1,500 deposit due April 1. Bechtel ([email protected]). Brief Details: Relational and cultural visits to learn more about Christian ministry in the Chinese and Taiwanese June Ramsey Class context. PC(USA) Missionary John McCall and Outreach Foundation China Mission Specialist Peter Dr. Douglas A. Knight, Drucilla Moore Buffington Lim will serve as our in-country leaders. Professor of Hebrew Bible and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School will be our speaker February 8 Dominican Republic November 2015 and 15. His subject will be “Secularism.” The class meets in the Cheek House living room at 9:45 A.M. Dates: October 31 – November 6 Cost: $1,300 (est); $800 deposit due June 1; vaccinations recommended. Join Us February 18 for Ash Wednesday Brief Details: Medical personnel offer family practice Dinner will be served in Courtenay Hall at 5:30 P.M., medicine, surgery, dental care or eye care in clinics or in the with the service in the Sanctuary at 6:30 P.M. The menu is a field depending on team member expertise; non-medical baked potato bar, salad bar and chili. Baked chicken is participants needed to assist in processing patients. available with advanced request. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for Trip Leaders: Dr. Jim Cato, Dr. Betsy Triggs and Rev. Dr. children age 3-12, free for children age 2 and under; family Todd Jones. maximum of $22. You may make your reservation online (fpcnashville.org/congregation/wednesday-nights/) or by Contact Patricia Heim in Missions Office to sign up for any calling the church (383-1815). adult mission trip (298-9593 or [email protected]). Celebrating Our Own Wayland Holyfield Spring Forward…Donate Blood Wayland Holyfield, award-winning songwriter whose on Sunday, March 8 songs have been recorded and performed all over the world and member of FPC for 38 years, will be our honored guest • 8:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. at this special Valentine’s luncheon, Thursday, February 19, at • Donation van parked in front noon in Courtenay Hall. Mr. Holyfield has received 37 of Cheek House. Performance Society awards and has written over 40 top 10 • Appointment scheduling on hits and 14 #1 songs. Artists who have recorded his songs Sundays in Courtenay Hall or include , , Brooks & Dunn, Reba online beginning February 1. McEntire, Patti Page, , and • Coreen Ford and Cindy Waller, Waylon Jennings, among many others. Co-Chairs Wayland and Nancy have been married for 39 years and have three grown children, Greg, Mark and Lee. Come hear Donate blood and be an his story and his wonderful music as well. Soup, salad, bread everyday hero to someone and dessert ($6). RSVP by February 16 (383-1815 or in need … cape is optional. [email protected]). A Theological Statement of Passion and Purpose for First Presbyterian Church The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ We are a church deeply committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, growing increasingly into a community of grace. No one can find faith in Christ except by grace alone, and no one can save themselves from their own sinfulness. In a culture that often is marked by consumerism and self-centered living, we seek to be a community shaped by God’s grace. A grace-centered community is one that follows Jesus Christ, “as attested to in Holy Scripture, as the one Word of God which we have to hear and which we have to trust and obey in life and in death” (Theological Declaration of Barmen). Nothing smaller than Jesus Christ or other than Jesus Christ can be the basis for our unity, and no message we have to share can take the place of “the proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind.” A grace-centered community is finally a Christ- centered community, and as such, our life together is to be gracious and joyfully grateful for all that God has done for us. Grace calls us to humility and to a life of sacrificial love. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ calls us to lives marked by gratitude, hospitality and generosity. A working paper offered by our Pastor The Love of God to the Session and Jesus bid us to call God Father, and this has always been at the heart of the Church’s confession of faith. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we Diaconate for direction are” (I John 3:1). Created male and female in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), we are bound to in our life and mission honor that divine image in every person we meet. “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a as a church. human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer” (II Corinthians 5:16). Jesus demonstrates for us “the breadth and length and height and depth” of God’s great love for the human family. Our mission is to proclaim this love and to witness to it in the lives we lead. This is why we take the Great Commission of Jesus to heart, and seek to fulfill it in joyful obedience to God.

The Communion of the Holy Spirit We worship and serve God the Holy Spirit as “the Lord, the giver of life” (Nicene Creed). Paul referred to the “communion” or “fellowship” of the Holy Spirit because God is always calling us into the Church, and into life lived in community. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22). The power of the Holy Spirit is finally the power of love, a love that flows from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. When we worship and serve the Triune God in the power of the Holy Spirit, this love is made manifest in our lives. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” This is our calling and this is what shows the world that we belong to God (John 13:35). All generations, all races and nations are brought together by this message of Good News, as we seek “To know Christ, and to make Him known, and to exhibit His love through worship, education and service.”

Mission Camp Finds a New Date on the Calendar! Mission Camp, an opportunity to serve those in need in the local Nashville area for children entering grades 4-6 in the fall of 2015, will be held July 20-23 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., with oreintation on July Vacation Bible School 2015 19 for campers and their parents. Join us June 23-25, 2015, at G-Force VBS from 8:45- Join us as we are God’s hands noon. Children ages 4½ in June through those entering throughout Nashville. Each grade 3 in the fall of 2015 will move with God, putting Mission camper will serve at one God’s love into action. Through Bible study including God’s agency all week, building call to Moses and the healing stories of Jesus and the story relationships as they serve and of Jesus’ Resurrection, children will learn how God calls us learning about the causes of to move, act, care, follow and share. hunger, homelessness, illiteracy, Science experiments will show children how God’s world poverty and the issues of the is always in motion. Music, velocity memory verses and aging. This is a fun week of fellowship with other FPC fellowship will be part of the VBS morning. Register now tweens as we discover each other’s gifts for serving God. (childrens.fpcnashville.org/vbs/vbs-registration/). Registration is limited to 50 campers. Register now on the church website. Our 5th grade Sunday School is in the middle of the three-year confirmation journey, which begins in 4th grade with a survey of the Old Testament and continues as the 6th graders prepare to make their own profession of faith. During the 5th grade year, the study is on the New Testament, a survey from Matthew to Revelation. Our 5th graders take turns each week leading worship. On a recent Sunday, they used interactive centers to learn about the “I am” sayings of Jesus from John’s Gospel.

Meet the Leaders of the Fifth Grade Class: Our 5th grade teaching team uses their relational skills to build community among the 5th graders. As teachers and small group leaders, they help these people deepen their faith.

Louise Bairnsfather Bob Elliott Cassie Elliott Paige Hill Travis Hill

Mike O’Brien Gwen Peters Jake Peters Dee Ann Stone Bill Stone NONPROFIT ORG First Presbyterian Church U S POSTAGE 4815 Franklin Pike P A I D Nashville, Tennessee 37220 NASHVILLE, TN www.fpcnashville.org facebook.com/fpcnashville PERMIT NO. 27

■ Pastors 4815 Franklin Pike Nashville, TN 37220 Todd Jones Dated church material Pastor Please deliver by February 7, 2015 Sam Cooper Executive Pastor Adam DeVries Associate Pastor to Youth & Their Families Mark DeVries Associate Pastor for New Ministries Stuart Gordon Associate Pastor for Discipleship Keith Gunter Associate Pastor for New Church Development Sandra Randleman Associate Pastor for Congregational Care & Missions Program Staff Raphael Bundage Director of Music Brenda Geise Older Adult Ministry Coordinator Letitia Green Youth Happenings Director of Recreation 11th Gulf Shores Trip — February 27– Patricia Heim March 1. We will stay by the beach and spend February 8, Sunday School: Grades 7-12 Missions Coordinator the weekend playing, eating, bonding as a Susan Kirby will meet in The Gathering Place at 9:40 A.M. grade and preparing for a new kind of Worship Coordinator and then participate in the Mission Trip Stuff leadership as senior year approaches. We’ll Michelle Mangum and Mail. Director of Communications return Sunday evening. Contact Scott Hearon Grades 7-12 Deb O’Brien February 15, Sunday School: ([email protected]) with questions. Director of Children’s Ministry will meet in The Gathering Place at 9:40 A.M. and then meet for Sunday School. Sign Up for the Spring Break Mission Trip — Administration March 14-20! More info at youth.fpcnashville.org. Ginny Barber Administrative Assistant Cindy Bozman Please let us know if you Finance Manager have changes to your contact Lynn Elliott information. Email changes Executive Assistant Karen Fitts ([email protected] or Nursery Coordinator 298-9570). Zonia Nunley Property Manager Kim Rogers Food Service Schools Jennifer Hinote Head of School, Oak Hill School Brenda Lutz Director, FPC Early Preschool

sunday evening worship at fpc The Gathering Place @ 5:3O p.m.