The McKendree

Vine
Volume 22 Number 2 April 2011

God Sightings
Greetings Holy, Healthy, and Happy People of God,
Superman was always showing up at the right time to rescue those in need.
People expected Superman to show up. He was faster than a speeding bullet,
more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
However, Superman was a fictional character.
We recently visited ROCK CITY and marveled at the massive composition and
arrangement of rocks during our self-guided tour. No Superman or other super
heroes, just the evidence of God’s movement. As a family, we recognized “God
Sightings” of this entire tour.
During this Lenten season, a time of reflection and renewal, have we been
attentive to looking for God in our daily lives? God desires to “show up” as Jesus
experienced during his fasting of 40 days and even beyond those 40 days. God
was in the trials, words, and in the actions of Jesus. And God was with Jesus and
God is with us through God Sightings!
These God sightings often elude us because, unlike Jesus, we forget that God is
“already here.” God is omnipresent (present in our lives without fail) to remind us
of His unconditional love. So during this Lenten season, don’t look for a superhero,
look for God Sightings because they are all around us and ready to come from
within us. Share your God Sightings with someone every day. Expect a God
Sighting!
Remember God’s will for us is good, we must do the rest!

-- Pastor Stephen

McKendree United Methodist Church Non-Profit Org

523 Church Street U.S. Postage
Nashville, TN 37219 PAID
615.271.2600 Nashville, TN
Fax 271.2607 Permit No. 2855

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

 We’re Back!
It’s been a while since the last McKendree newsletter, and I apologize. We plan to
get back on schedule with a newsletter around the first of each month, by email
and by postal mail. McKendree Church is still alive and well, and growing! Right
now, the church is a busy place. This morning (March 22) a group came from
Pulaski, Tennessee to tour the church and learn about our history. Then at noon,
McKendree really got busy as about 400 people are here from the Home School
Association. Adults are in the sanctuary for a seminar, and five rooms downstairs
are being used for children’s groups and crafts. It’s been a lot of hustle and bustle
and noise today making sure everyone knew where to go, but what a wonderful
way for McKendree to be known to the community!

-- Ruth Baggett

>>> DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES <<<

(1) New – Wednesday Noon Services!
Come for a time of Refreshing! We are now having worship
with Communion every Wednesday at noon. The services are
from 12:00-12:30 in the sanctuary and will be every
Wednesday. We invite everyone to attend!

(2) Small Groups – An environment where four different activities occur:

1) Discipleship – learning and teaching how to actively following Christ’s
footsteps together.
2) Mission – going out and making disciples for the transformation of the world.
3) Nurturing – strengthening our relationships with one another.
4) Accountability – sharing our lives together and encouraging each other to
keep our commitments.

McKendree’s small groups include:

(1) Traditional adult Sunday School classes, which meet at 10:00
am on Sundays
(2) Extension groups, which also meet at 10:00 am on Sundays.
These groups continue the topic of the morning sermon with
open discussion.
(3) Church Bible study groups, which meet Wednesday evenings. Pastor Stephen
Handy leads one study at 6:00 in room 209. At 6:30, there are two more Bible
study groups – a women’s group which meets in the lounge/café, and a men’s
group which meets in room 207.
(4) Other Bible study/discussion groups, which meet in members’ homes, or at
local businesses. Time and day vary with each group.
If you are interested in joining a small group please call the church office at 271-
2600 or email Jordan Callaway at mckendreejordan@gmail.com.
(3) Worship/Music Ministry for Lent
Special Combined Choir for Easter - meeting every Saturday from 10:30 am-12pm.
Our Easter music is “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel and “The Power of the Cross” by
Getty and Townend.
Maundy Thursday Evening Service: Thursday, April 21, tentatively 6 pm
Good Friday Services: April 22, 12 pm & 6 pm
The Children's Choir is singing at both services Palm
Sunday.
We are receiving Communion every Sunday during Lent
except Palm
Sunday.
Wednesday Noon Service is every week.

Pastor Handy’s sermon series is Blessings of the Cross!” every Sunday

morning at 9 and 11 am.
We invite you to come and be blessed in the worship of our Lord!

Stewardship Update
McKendree continues to experience growth in our community. Our membership is
increasing, our small groups are growing, our missional efforts are expanding, and
God is receiving all the glory! As a result of our obedience to God’s leading, our
giving has also increased. By the end of March we are expecting to see increases
close to 7 or 8% for 2011. That is on top of an increase of 13% in the first quarter
of 2010!
Our finance team and stewardship teams are actively working together and
making progress on ways to support our church and fund our budget. We have
been blessed with a wonderful facility and we have been using our space more this
year to partner with other groups and missions. Our teams are made up of leaders
who desire to seek God and put their faith into action!
How wonderful to be part of a community who is making a difference in our world!
We are thankful for all of your service and support! May God continue to bless us
as we faithfully strive to walk in obedience to Him!
-- Jordan Callaway

Children’s Ministry Updates:

• Safe Sanctuaries: We had 45 people attend Safe Sanctuaries Trainings.

• Nursery Shower: We received several new toys, books, bedding items, and
over $150 in donations for even more necessary
supplies. The Children's Team and the families,
especially the babies in the nursery, are greatly
appreciative!
• Easter Egg Hunt/Social: Saturday, April 16 at Steve
and Penny Hooper's House
• Mark your calendars ... VBS is coming in June!

Room in the Inn Update

Our Room in the Inn program concludes on March 30 (for this season). In these
five months, we have provided a warm place to sleep for 308 men, and served 924
meals. Many people in our congregation have cooked, served food, driven the bus
and spent the night here as part of this ministry. We are very grateful for the
thoughtfulness and generosity you have shown. McKendree Church is not a
building – McKendree Church is the people! Our ministry is done through you!
Thank you for sharing yourselves with these men.

Who are all these people?

Sleeping bags in the Sunday School rooms? Have
you noticed extra people at church? Well, don’t be
surprised! McKendree Church is hosting several
groups of college students and young adults who
will be in Nashville serving on work projects. These
students give up their free time (spring break) from
school and give their labor to help in flood-recovery
work here in Nashville. Some of the groups stay a week here, sleeping on the
floor, and doing physical labor during the day. So don’t be surprised if there are
sleeping bags in your Sunday School room, or young people in the kitchen. They
are being a blessing and we welcome them to McKendree!

Prayer Concerns (as of March 23)

J.P. Blanchette – at home
Nancy Clymer – Bethany Rehab, recovering from surgery
Linda Foster – at home, recovering from heart surgery
Megan Graf – at her mother’s home, recovering from an appendectomy
Owen Hodges – at home; has been at Skyline Hospital
Gwen Lockridge, Sherley Lockridge’s mother – at home
Harriet Vivion – at home! after hospitalization and rehab
Betty Wood – at home; Betty had a bad fall and fractured a vertebra. She is
having quite a bit of pain and has been unable to attend church
Our love and sympathy go out to the family and friends of:
-- Mary Ellen Baker, Cindy Ligon’s aunt, who died March 1.
-- Barbara Griffin Hooper, who died February 19. Barbara was a member of
McKendree Church for many years. She was a member of the Wesley Class, UMW,
Chancel Choir, and served as secretary.
-- John Robinette, Anita Lewis’ son-in-law, who died February 13. John was the
husband of Anita’s oldest daughter Nicole.

Note of
Thanks
McKendree Family,
Thank you for all the prayers, concern and love sent during
Bill’s illness and death and my illness. These past few
months have been easier knowing so many people are
supporting us through such difficult times.
Love,
Linda Foster and Family

Support our Boy Scout Troop

On March 30 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, Troop 219 is having a
Spaghetti Dinner.
For $5.00 you can have salad, spaghetti, bread and a dessert!
By eating this delicious food you can help our Troop! This
money will help fund our trip to the 2013 National Jamboree!
(We’re planning ahead.)
Following the dinner, at 6:30, is our Court of Honor. Please plan to stay and see
the achievements the scouts have earned!
Thank you for your support!
-- Jenni Kriner

McKendree Day Care News

 Vanderbilt Children’s Health Improvement and Prevention
Training Series
• March 23 – Language is the Key
• April 20 – Improving Your Physical Health and Wellness: Building
Blocks for a Happy, Healthier Future
• May 25 – Keeping Kids Safe: At Home, At Play and On the Way
Vanderbilt Children's Health Improvement and Prevention (VCHIP) is an initiative of
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to improve the lives of children
through outreach, education, treatment, intervention and prevention programs.
This department brings programs beyond the hospital walls and into the
community with the help of their volunteers. They focus on educating children and
parents to ensure that all children have a positive start in life, are cared for and
safe, practice healthy behavior, and make successful transitions to adulthood. The
department targets the leading health issues affecting children today—obesity,
early childhood development, school health and safety.
McKendree UMC Day Care has entered into an agreement to participate in a pilot
of this new training program. Vanderbilt Children’s Health Improvement and
Prevention (VCHIP) will provide three training sessions for our parents and teachers
during the months of March, April and May 2011.
Please plan now to attend a session in this informative training series, to be held at
the McKendree Day Care, on Wednesday, April 20th or Wednesday, May 25th from
noon until 1:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring your lunch and a friend.
-- Cindy Ligon
Memorial Gifts
McKendree Church has received gifts in memory of:
Doris Turner from Helen Appleton, Elizabeth Fox, Harold Edwards,
Gene and Polly Thompson, Sarah and Mark Anderson, Barbara
Kinnane, Sarah Smith, Georgie Ayers, Billie and Bob Turpen,
Elizabeth Marshall, and Vicki Dukehart.
Jane Morris from John Morris; John Robinette from a friend.
Lois Beatrice Russell, sister of Lucille McCall, from Mary Frances Chappell and
Barbara Kinnane.
Thank you so much for your gifts.

Wedding Shower
They’re getting married! Yes, Kevin Sparkman and Jenna Prock are
tying the knot. There will be a wedding shower for them on
Sunday, April 10. Come to the Narthex at 10:00 and celebrate with
them!

Sunshine Group
The Sunshine Group will be going to Lebanon on April 5. We’ll have lunch at Castle
Heights Chop House. The cost of lunch will be on your own. We will spend some
time after lunch at Lebanon Outlet Mall. Several shops from
Opry Mills have opened there.
Park at the back lot of Crieve Hall Church of Christ on Trousdale
Drive. We’ll leave at 10:00 am. Reservations can be made by
calling Ruth or Annie Ruth in the church office (271-2600)

Upcoming Announcements/Reminders
Monday, April 4, 7:00 pm – Worship Team Meeting, Pastor Stephen’s office
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00 pm – Communications Team Meeting, Pastor Stephen’s
office
Sunday, April 10, 10:00 am – Wedding shower for Kevin Sparkman and Jenna
Prock, Narthex
Monday, April 11, 6:00 pm – Congregational Care Team Meeting, Salama Urban
Ministry Office
Wednesday, April 13, 5:25 pm – Staff Parish Team Meeting, Pastor Stephen’s office
Thursday, April 14 – NO Jubilate Rehearsal or Bible Study (due to Southern
Women’s Show)
Sunday, April 17, 9:00 and 11:00 am – Palm Sunday Services
Wednesday, April 20, 12:00 pm – McKendree Day Care, Vanderbilt Learning Series
Thursday, April 21, 6:00 pm – Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 22, 12:00 and 6:00 pm – Good Friday
Services
Friday, April 22 – Day Care closed
Sunday, April 24, 9:00 and 11:00 am – Easter Services
Monday, April 25 – Church office closed
May God give each of you a blessed year!
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his
countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:25-26

February Birthdays
February 1 – Ginny Underwood
February 2 – Diane Blackburn
February 3 – Elizabeth Fox, C. J. McAdams
February 4 – Detra Handy
February 5 – Whitney Keyser, Harold Edwards,
Connie Miller
February 10 – Juanita Overall
February 11 – Evon Zirker
February 15 – Willa Taylor, Jim Hardaway February 21 – Jessica Edward, Lindsey
Wickham
February 16 – Daphne Coomer February 23 – Andrew Skipper
February 17 – Carole Carter, Michael Crawford Jr., February 25 – Stephen Handy,
Vern Muncy
February 18 – Kelsey Foster, Alyene Fowler, February 28 – Jonathan Ousley, Rachel
Ousley,
Julia Hall Suzanne Link
February 19 – John Beauchamp, Tom Hamilton February 29 – Ingrid McIntyre,
Caleb Lane

March Birthdays
March 1 – Barbara Kinnane, Everett Thorington March 19 – Ed Cooper
March 4 – Thomas King, Steve Porter March 20 – Cindy Ligon
March 5 – Mary Frances Chappell March 21 – Judith Barlar
March 7 – Damita Lyneé Fielder March 22 – Jacque Goar
March 8 – Steve Miller, Jr. March 23 – Evan Bourdon
March 9 – Zenola Diggs March 24 – Frederick Congdon, Anne
McNair
March 10 – Linda Follmer March 25 – Connor McGill
March 11 – Ryan Richmond, Sharon Swinney March 27 – Lacey Callaway, Scott
Hooper,
March 12 – Roberta Daws, Larry Lane, Mary Prince Al Mance
March 13 – Richard Hickman, Rusty Miles March 28 – Bud Kilgrow, Alphonso Mance
March 14 – Noah Handy, Linda Foster March 29 – Dorothy Winegarner
March 16 – Steve Hooper March 30 – James Hardaway, Janet
Benton
March 18 – Nancy Pennington, Alison Weakley, Tonda Wright
Shaunielle Murphy, Anna Mueck

April Birthdays
April 1 – Donna Thompson, Jeff Overby
April 2 – Dot Sexton
April 6 – Jordan Callaway, Pat Gleaves,
Phoebe Haddock, Owen Hodges, Nell Spencer April 25 – Greg Harwood
April 7 – Patsey Winfrey
Weakley
April 8 – Debbie McAdams
April 12 – Sarah Long, Kevin Worley
April 14 – Alana Callaway
April 17 – Mildred Ogilvie
April 19 – Greg Gunther
April 21 – John Underwood
April 23 – Barbara Muncy, Kimberly Barr
April 26 – David Allman, Benjamin
April 29 – Emily Kohl, Bruce Swift
April 30 – Buford Winfrey, Jean Griffin,
Marion McCord, Matthew Hodges

Weekly Events & Activities

McKendree Campus
Main building: 523 Church Street, 37219
Christian Life Center: 520 Commerce Street, 37203
McKendree Parking Center, 140 6th Avenue North, 37203

Sunday Wednesday
 8:30 Prayer Time, sanctuary 12:00 Noon Worship, Sanctuary
9:00 Worship Celebration 5:30 Dinner, Fellowship Hall
9:30 THIRST – Children’s Program 6:00 Pastor’s Bible Study, Room 209
10:00 Thread – Youth Group 6:30 Women’s Bible Study, lounge/café
10:00 Extension Bible Studies 6:30 Men’s Bible Study, Room 207
and Adult Sunday School Classes 7:30 Choir Rehearsal
11:00 Worship Celebration
5:00 Thread Youth, meet in CLC gym Thursday
5:30 Bible Study Group, Panera West End 11:00 Jubilate Choir rehearsal
Noon Al-Anon, Room 207
Monday Noon Lunch (bring your own), Fellowship
Hall
9:00 Art Group, Room 304 12:30 Bible Study, Fellowship Hall
9:30 Bible Study Group, 4:00 Meal for Displaced, Fellowship Hall
The St. Paul, 5031 Hillsboro Pike 6:00 Scout Troop 219, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday Saturday
11:30 Community Lunch, Front Lawn 7:00 AM Prayer-fest (4th Saturday each
month)
5:30 Men’s Bible Study Group, 9:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Bel-Aire Salon, 17th & Jo Johnston 10:30 Easter Choir Rehearsal

Building bridges of hope

through the love of Jesus Christ!

Get to know the McKendree Staff

Stephen Handy, Pastor mckendreestephen@gmail.com
Ruth Baggett, Administrative Secretary mckendreeinfo@gmail.com
Jordan Callaway, Administrative Pastor mckendreejordan@gmail.com
Adrienne Harrell, Children’s Coordinator mckendreeadrienne@gmail.com
Austin Jones, Youth Director mckendreeaustin@gmail.com
Cindy Ligon, Day Care Director mckendreecindy@gmail.com
Annie Ruth Griffin, Secretary mckendreeannie@gmail.com
Anthony Mangin, Worship/Arts Coordinator mckendreeanthony@gmail.com
Rodney & Zenola Diggs, Marriage Enrichment Counseling
onefleshm@yahoo.com

McKendree United Methodist Church

523 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219 Non-Profit Org.
615.271.2600 U.S. Postage
Fax 271.2607 PAID
Nashville, TN
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Permit No. 2855