The Spire

WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

NOVEMBER 8, 2016

UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENTS!

WOODMONT MISSIONS Update

OUR MISSION:

Growing Disciples of
Christ by Seeking God,
Sharing Love, and
Serving Others.

WOODMONTS JEREMIAH WEEDEN-WRIGHT RECEIVES HCAs HIGHEST

HONOR FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE - See page 5
HCA CEO Milton Johnson, Jeremiah Weeden-Wright, and HCA COO Sam Hazen

OUR CORE VALUES:

WELCOMING
OUTSTANDING WORSHIP
OUTREACH
DIFFERENT TRADITIONS
MISSION & MINISTRY
ON THE MOVE
NURTURING
TRANSFORMING
WOODMONT BUILDS 23RD HOME IN GUATEMALA - See page 2
Woodmont Christian Church 615.297.8563 www.woodmontchristian.org 3601 Hillsboro Road Nashville, Tennessee 37215

Woodmont Builds 23rd Home in Guatemala

The Pol Dioncicio Family

One of the 150 Guatemalan families sponsored by Woodmont, the Pol Dioncicio
family recently became the recipients of the 23rd home funded by members of
Woodmont.

The stalk wall house where the Pol

Dioncicio family lived for 15 years.

The Pol Dioncicio family in front of

their former house.

Middle phase of construction on the

Pol Dioncicios new home.

The family has nine members: father Pedro Pol, mother Juana Dionicio, and seven
children. Pedro makes a living by crafting artisan skirt weavings. Due to the timeconsuming nature of his work, Pedro is only able to weave one complete skirt per
week. He makes $33 per week, which covers some but not all of the households
needs. His wife, Juana, dedicates her time to taking care of the children and
preparing the family meals.
For 15 years, the Pol Dionicio family lived in a house with stalk walls, a dirt floor,
and a tin roof. They endured many problems due to these conditions, including
a leaking roof and deterioration in the rainy season. Security, health, and safety
concerns were abundant.
The Pol Dionicios lives were changed forever through the generous economic
contribution of Woodmont Christian Church! Because of Woodmonts generosity,
the family now lives in a spacious new home that can withstand the elements of
nature in all seasons. This home is a dream to the Pol Dionicios and because of
this gift, they feel privileged and dignified. They dont stop thanking Woodmont
Christian Church!

Stephanie and Jeremiah WeedenWright giving the father, Pedro, the

keys to his familys new home.

Arrival of the sponsors at the new

home for the dedication ceremony.

With cold weather coming, Woodmonts

ROOM IN THE INN needs volunteers!
There are still many openings that need to be filled as soon as possible!
Go here to sign up: www.bit.ly/RITIWCC.
We need a team effort to step up and fill the open positions!
Please prayerfully consider serving the homeless in our
community Friday nights this winter in South Hall.
pg 2

A Church on a Mission
Clay Stauffer

At Princeton Seminary, I had the opportunity to study under Dr. Darrell Guder. For many years, Guder
has taught missional and ecumenical theology and has been on the forefront of predicting what
the church needs to look like in a post-Christian age. What will the church be like in an age where
Christianity is no longer the norm? How will the church serve the world? Building on the theology
of Swiss theologian Karl Barth, Guder has written numerous books over the years, perhaps the most
well-known being Missional Church: A Vision for the sending of the church in North America.
Acknowledging the peak and then decline of mainline congregations around the middle of the twentieth
century, Guder and many others realized that North America would indeed become a mission field of its
own. In 2016, it is now easy to see how that is the case. In that book, he says The gospel, centered profoundly for Jesus in
the announcement that the reign of God is at hand, is eschatological in character. It pulls back the veil on the coming reign of
God, thereby revealing the horizon of the worlds future. The gospel portrays the coming of Jesus, and particularly his death and
resurrection, as the decisive, truly eschatological event in the worlds history.
No longer is the church going to be an end in and of itself. We are called to go out and serve the world and not just ourselves. We
are called to build the kingdom. What does this mean? Guder says, Daily life becomes a discipline of asking how one may move
more squarely into the realm of Gods reign and how one may welcome and receive it into the fabric of ones life this day more than
ever before. There are many ways that we bring the kingdom of God to earth.
As I think about Woodmont, it is simply amazing to see the many ways that we do our best to live this missional mindset through
Seeking God, Sharing Love, and Serving Others. In just over the course of a month, we will have hosted the Faith, Family, Medical
Center Breakfast which works to provide health care for the uninsured and underinsured. This Thursday night, we are hosting
a dinner to support Community Care Fellowship in East Nashville which serves the homeless and underserved populations by
providing a day time haven of safety, acceptance, and love (I would LOVE to see our church form a stronger partnership with this
great ministry). Next Thursday, we will host a breakfast for the Interfaith Dental Clinic, which provides free and subsidized dental
care for the poor and uninsured of our city.
We have now provided rent and bill free space as well as financial support for The Nashville Food Project (formerly Mobile Loaves
and Fishes) for eight years. Under Tallus leadership, that organization has grown tremendously in size, staff, and scope. The TNFP
board has made the decision to begin looking for a permanent home to accommodate their rapid growth so a transition period
will be underway in 2017.
We have started Room in the Inn on Friday nights to house the homeless of our city during the cold months. We host AA on Tuesday
and Thursday nights at South Hall as well AL-Anon on Saturday mornings in Room 105. The Morgan Scott Project has taken off,
serving Morgan and Scott counties in East Tennessee, two of the poorest counties in our state where people live in abject poverty.
Through Unbound, our church now sponsors over 150 Guatemalan families and we have raised the money to build 23 new houses
for families in that country. Some of us have had the pleasure of visiting these new homes and we have seen the gratitude of the
families. We have continued our strong partnership with Heart for Africa to support the orphans in Swaziland. We come together
to build a Habitat House in the Spring and host Walk Thru Bethlehem every December. There is Divorce Care on Wednesday nights
and a grief group that meets twice a month at the home of Hal and Faye Tevebaugh. Three of our members (Steve and Deb Laforge
and Susan Batson) just returned from doing emergency flood relief in North Carolina through Hope Force Intl. and Jeremiah
Weeden Wright just received the Phil Patton award from HCA, the companys highest philanthropic honor. These individuals
inspire the rest of us to live our faith on a regular basis.
The Angel Tree is now up in the Gathering Hall so that we can sponsor families from Fannie Battle Day Home in East Nashville and
give them a better Christmas. All of this on top of the financial grants that we award quarterly to organizations like the Hope Clinic,
Disciples Divinity House, Faith Family, Nashville Food Project, Daystar Counseling, Project CURE, Salama, Tools for Schools, Church
of Another Chance, Room in the Inn, Justice Industries, Morgan Scott, Hope Force Intl, Harvest Hands, Manna Project, Mobile Meals,
the Christian Church of Tennessee, Bethany Hills, Barefoot Republic, Rooftop Ministries, Safe Haven, and the list continues. It is long
and impressive.
All of these organizations are doing kingdom work. When you support Woodmont, you are also helping support these types of
ministries. Heres my hope and prayer: lets take pride in what we are doing and remember that Christ calls to serve the least of
these. Lets remain committed to being a missional church in the twenty-first century because mission and outreach is the life
blood of the church. Lets all choose an area where we can be involved on a personal level. Lets never tire of being generous and
compassionate because this is at the heart of the gospel.
Thank you Woodmont for making all of this possible. Thank you for being a church that is compassionate and outwardly focused,
serving to the ends of the earth. Let us remember the famous words of John Wesley: Do all the good you can. By all the means you
can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.
pg 3

MEET THE ELDERS OF WOODMONT: DONOVAN MCABEE

A key pillar of Donovan McAbees faith was best stated by one of his favorite
authors, Flannery OConnor, who said, You shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you odd.
Donovans odd faith is the center around which he shares and builds his life with
his wife Megan and their newborn son, Aidan Russell McAbee. Since August
2011, Donovan has served as Assistant Professor of Religion and the Arts at
Belmont University, where he teaches classes that explore the intersections of
theology and the creative arts. His wife Megan is an elementary school teacher
in MNPS, currently on maternity leave.
At Woodmont, Donovan appreciates the joys and challenges of being in
community with so many like- and unlike-minded people, seeking to live out
their (sometimes odd) faith in Christ together.

DATES FOR COSTUME CHECK OUT:

Nov. 20: 9 am - 12 pm
Nov. 27: 9 am - 12 pm
Nov. 30: 4:30 pm - 7 pm
Dec. 4: 9 am - 12 pm

If you are interested in providing a meal or snacks for the

volunteers during set up and tear down of Walk Thru Bethlehem,
please contact Pam Hardin at pamhardin92@gmail.com or 615641-2287 to see the needs are still available.
We still have some short short sleeve t-shirts,
long sleeved t-shirts, and hoodies available,
on a first come basis.

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP: www.walk-thru-bethlehem.com

Short Sleeve: Youth: M & L ($6)

Adults: M, L, XL ($8)
Long Sleeved: Youth: M & L ($7)
Adults: XL ($10)
Hoodies:
Adults: M, L, XL ($15)
Old white w/ logo youth t-shirts size 10-12, 14-16 ($2)
Email Pam Hardin: pamhardin92@gmail.com or call
615-641-2287 if you are interested. Cash or checks only.

Opening to the Flow

SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS FOR WOMEN
5th ANNUAL RETREAT

Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
-John 7:38
Here we find ourselves before Advent 2016.are you stressed, searching,
perhaps feeling separate from or lost and looking for fresh vitality in your life?
Consider Opening to the Flow our 5th Annual gathering of Spiritual
Journeyers where you will be well equipped with tools teaching you how to
reach your own optimal flow, that place of creative and divine energy and
space within you are aching to tap and access.
Bethany Hills Camp - December 3rd and 4th, 2016
Cost: $125 (both days) or $75 (Saturday only, includes lunch and dinner)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

pg 4

NEW MEETING SPACE!

WCC Book Club
The WCC Book Club
will meet on Tuesday,
Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Debbie Baird will lead
a discussion of Sue
Monk Kidds book, THE
INVENTION OF WINGS.
The clubs new meeting
space is Campbell West.
Campbell West is the former Parsonage.
Parking is available in Woodmonts rear
parking lot and everyone is welcome!

The Great Cloud

Chris Cox

One of the passages that my father

referenced when he preached at my
ordination service was Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and
let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to
Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
November, a month in which were encouraged to express gratitude,
begins with All Saints Day. This is a day in which we remember this great
cloud of witnesses who have gone before us.
The morning of All Saints, I sat down and wrote the names of all those I
could remember who have impacted my life as a Christian. It reminded
me of an important reality: Who I am in faith is the product of thousands
if not tens of thousands of people who are living and dead, known and
unknown to me, spread across time and some of whom will outlive me in
the future. I did not get here on my own. I was carried by many and will
be carried as I continue to grow in faith until my dying breath. Thats true
for each of us.
We are the products of our families. My parents, brother, sister, my wife
EA, and my sons Jim and Liam have been immense influences on my
faith. This is to say nothing of grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, and
cousins. We are the products of teachers, professors, pastors, youth
ministers, discipleship leaders, and friends.
We are the products of the Church; that great cloud of witnesses. There
are all too human disciples like Peter and Thomas and wide-eyed Christ
followers like Francis of Assisi. There are ordinary people of faith lost
to time who influenced someone who influenced someone else who
influenced someone else all the way down to each of us.
The list goes on. Mine included the people above and everyone from
C.S. Lewis to Charles Schulz to many more than I could name. I would
encourage you sometime to sit down and make a similar list yourself. We
have been the recipient of these beautiful gifts from so many and for that
we ought to be grateful. I pray that we can honor their lives and stories
and run the race set before us.

On October 30, Woodmonts Youth Minister Chris Cox was

ordained as a minister at his home church in South Carolina.
pg 5

Jeremiah and wife Stephanie Weeden-Wright

with the 2016 Phil Patton Award.

JEREMIAH RECEIVES
HCAS HIGHEST HONOR
FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
Woodmonts Jeremiah Weeden-Wright was
named the 2016 winner of the Phil Patton
Award, HCAs highest honor for employee
dedication to community service.
Jeremiah has focused his community work
on the Nashville Food Project, where he
also serves as a board member. He has led
three HCA Community Days with TNFP,
bringing together dozens of employees to
help grow food, prepare nutritious meals,
and deliver this necessity to people in need.
Hes also organized several other volunteer
days bringing together his colleagues, the
most recent being an all-day effort to make
compost bins for the non-profit.
Ive watched this organization evolve
from delivering peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches to people in need, just trying
to do something to help, to an organization
that grows, cooks, and delivers thousands of
pounds of nutritious food from local gardens
and grocery stores, making use of what
would otherwise be thrown away, Jeremiah
said. The Nashville Food Project doesnt
just put a bandage on the problem; theyre
focused on sustainability and solving a huge
need in the Nashville area.

Our annual Thanks and Giving Meal is Sunday!

Sunday, Nov. 13, 12:30 p.m. at The Nashville Food Project (South Hall)
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP HERE TO BRING A DISH!

November memory verse - Genesis 50:20:

Joseph said to his brothers: You planned something bad for me, but God produced something good from it,
in order to save the lives of many people, just as hes doing today.

Woodmont Kids is on Instagram! @woodmontkids

See pictures from all the fun we have in Sunday School, during our special events and get reminders about
activities and events that occur such as Trunk or Treat, Pancakes and PJs and our Christmas Eve services, & more!

Sunday School volunteer links have been sent out to families in the 2-5 year old classes

(Stars, Pandas, Frogs, Monkeys) If you are in one of these classes and did not receive the link, email Abby McLean
at abby@woodmontcc.org. If you are not currently receiving emails from the Woodmont Families email list,
please email Abby and let her know! We want you to be connected!

dfd

WOODMONT CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL IS

CURRENTLY GIVING TOURS FOR THE
2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR!
Sign-up for tours and the registration form can be found at
www.woodmontchristianpreschool.com
The deadline to register for WCPS is December 15!

ORPHAN SUNDAY
November 13
The Christian Alliance for Orphans observes
Orphan Sunday on November 13.
Each November, thousands of events
around the globe will share a single goal:
that Gods great love for the orphan will find
echo in our lives as well.

Please consider commemorating this event

by buying ornaments to support CAFOs
partner, Heart for Africas 142 orphaned
children. There are four different ornaments
that sell for $12 each. They will be available
in the Gathering Space this Sunday.
For more information or to pre-order for easy
pick up Sunday, please contact Mary Welsh
Owen at mwowen1123@gmail.com.

FRESH CHRISTMAS WREATHS FOR SALE!

November 13 and 20 in the Gathering Hall
Boy Scout Troop 92 is selling wreaths again this year!
Custom and beautiful Fraser Fir wreaths. Accented with a red
velvet bow, these wreaths make a wonderful gifts for friends &
family. Less expensive than others of the same quality!
The wreaths are $27.00 each, and Troop 92 uses the proceeds
for outdoor programs: camping, caving, backpacking, and Scout
summer camp. Scouts will be taking orders in the Gathering Hall
from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, Nov. 13 & 20.
Wreaths will be available for pick up at Woodmont Sunday, Nov.
27 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. under the Porte-Cochre on the
south end of the building.
pg 6

Sunday Services

Three options to choose from every week:

9:30 a.m.
Worship Service, Sanctuary
Sunday School Classes

9:45 a.m.
The Bridge Worship, Drowota Hall

Next Weeks Calendar

Sunday, Nov. 13 - ORPHAN SUNDAY

8:15 a.m.
Seekers Bible Study, Room 105
11:00 a.m.
Child Dedication, The Sanctuary
12:00 p.m.
Thanks & Giving Meal, South Hall
6:15 p.m.
Youth Group, Youth Wing
Monday, Nov. 14
4:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary
Sunday School Classes

"Geezers" Men's Group, Boardroom

Tuesday, Nov. 15
9:00 a.m.
Womens Prayer Group,
Campbell-Stone
9:45 a.m.
Womens Bible Study, Room 200
10:30 a.m.
WCC Book Club, Campbell West
12:00 p.m.
GEMS Luncheon
6:00 p.m.
Handbell Practice, Choir Room

Wednesday, Nov. 16
6:15 a.m.
Mens Small Group, Room 100
7:00 a.m.
Mens Bible Study, Room 105
7:00 a.m
Younger Mens Bible Study,

Boardroom
5:30 p.m.
Grace Notes Choir, Kids Commons
5:35 p.m.
Annual All Church Thanksgiving
Dinner, Drowota Hall
6:15 p.m.
DivorceCare, The Bay Room
6:30 p.m.
Choir Practice, Choir Room
6:30 p.m.
Leadership Woodmont, Room 107
6:30 p.m.
Bob Coleman, How Do We Deal with
Change?, Room 105
Thursday, Nov. 17
6:00 p.m.
Youth Basketball Practice, Drowota Hall

Upcoming Special Events

TUESDAY, NOV. 15, Rescheduled from October, GEMS will host Joe Badawy who will talk about his life in Egypt as a Coptic Christian,
his immigration to the U.S., and current affairs in his native country.
MENU: Baked Ziti, Italian Green Beans, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Brownies with Ganache. RSVP ON OUR SIGNUP PAGE!
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16, Annual churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner at 5:35 p.m., Drowota Hall. RSVP ON OUR SIGNUP PAGE!
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16, Guest speaker Rev. Bob Coleman continues a special, two-week class How Do We Deal with Change? at
6:30 p.m. in Room 105. This focuses on the idea of Political Correctness in modern discourse. Change, Evolution, Progress, and base
human needs for security and affirmation get all the more challenged when we approach correct/incorrect speech. How might
the older adults of our world think of change and transformation? What separates us? What connects us? What gives us a sense of
security? What scares us? What does the Good News of the Jesus story have to say to us?
SUNDAY, NOV. 20, Dr. Christal Williams Installation Service as Disciples Regional Minister of TN, 3 PM, The Sanctuary.
SUNDAY, NOV. 20, Youth rehearsal for Hanging Of The Greens at 6:15 p.m. As part of this meaningful service that kicks off
Woodmonts Advent season, all youth are encouraged to serve as wreath bearers, candle lighters, and more! The only requirement is
to attend this rehearsel! Show up in the Youth Wing at the usual time on Nov. 20 and youre good to go!
SUNDAY, NOV. 27, Hanging Of The Greens at 5 PM in The Sanctuary, followed by The Tasting Party in Drowota Hall. Bring your
favorite holiday finger foods and traditional family recipes to Drowota before Hanging Of The Greens service begins.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, Chili Dinner for Walk Thru Bethlehem at 5:35 p.m. in Drowota Hall. RSVP ON OUR SIGNUP PAGE!
SUNDAY, DEC. 11, Walk Thru Bethlehem. Take part in a Woodmont tradition and volunteer at www.walk-thru-bethlehem.com

RSVP FOR ALL EVENTS AT OUR NEW SIGNUP PAGE! WWW.WOODMONTCHRISTIAN.ORG/SIGNUP

pg 7

DEC. 11
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY
SYMPATHY TO:
The family and friends of Nancy Rush, who passed away on
November 1st. Funeral service will be on Sunday, November 13th
from 4:00-6:00 pm at Marshall-Donnelly.
IN THE HOSPITAL:
Katherine Jordan, friend of David and Karen Conrad, Perkins, GA.

THE ELDERS ASK YOU TO JOIN THEM IN PRAYER FOR:

Victims of earthquakes in Italy.
Those who suffer from mental illness.
The newly elected government officials.
The peaceful transition of power.
Healing and understanding for the great divisions in our country.

CONTINUING CONCERNS:
Lynn Bowers
Beverly Small
Beth Shelton
Edwyna Griscom
Brad Jackson
Pete Kyne
Faye Tevebaugh
Luann Brent
Rich Sanderson
Gus Stranch, son of Gerard and Patty Stranch
Dorothy Ann Patterson, mother of Ann Luther
Frances Gibson, mother of John Gibson
Joyce Stanley, Jan Andersons sister
Carol Parsons
Clay Perry, son of Diane and Tim Perry, grandson of
Betty and Bill Johnson, Seattle
Ben Cherry

November 13, 2016 Elders and Deacons Serving

By Our Presence and Our Gifts

Deacons Serving
Date
Sun. School Total Atd.
October 16
334
736
October 23
304
724
October 30
284
744
November 6
357
855

Operating
$23,106
$46,737
$18,022
$65,879

Worship Services November 13, 2016

9:30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.
Clay Stauffer, Preaching
Sermon Title: Worshiping Success
Series: Counterfeit Gods

Communion Prep: Diane Perry

Service Coordinator: 9:30 - Chad Greer
9:45 - Mike Jobe 11:00 - Linda Webb
Video Camera: 9:30 - Randy Drinnon
11:00 - Christy Crider
9:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
John Weldon
Shane Douglas Darden Copeland
Tom Dovan
Heather Douglas Cynthia Arnholt
Mari-Kate Hopper
Anne Arney
Phil Schmutz
Steve LaForge
Kristen Newman
Bob Faricy
Jim Batson
Don Hart
David Schmutz
Phillip Harrison
Katherine Donelson
Christine Harrison
Peggy Burrahm
Joel Hysmith

Elders Serving
9:30 a.m.
Jack Derryberry
Tim Perry
9:45 a.m.
Fran Stewart
11:00 a.m.
Jack Derryberry
Marcella Derryberry
Hospital Pam Richardson

WOODMONTS MINISTERIAL STAFF

Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
Dr. C. Roy Stauffer Minister of Adult Education & Church Life
Katie Sheridan Gossage Assistant Youth Ministry Director
Rev. Justin Gung Minister of Children & Congregational Care Thom Schuyler Director of Young Adults, Missions & Outreach
Farrell Mason Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
Andra Moran Creative Director, The Bridge
Chris Cox Minister of Youth
Stephen Daniel King Worship Musician
Michael Graham Director of Music Ministry
Abby McLean Childrens Ministry Coordinator
Mary Clare Pyron Parish Nurse

WOODMONTS SUPPORT STAFF

Chris Beck Business Administrator
MacKenzie Baldwin Administrative Assistant
Mandy Barton Brown Executive Assistant
Sam Marsh Property & Facilities Manager
Russell Davis Accompanist
Matt Diffenderfer Communications Director
Martha Duff Director of Preschool
For assistance, please call the church office at 615.297.8563 or email info@woodmontcc.org
Get the most up-to-date information at www.woodmontchristian.org

Our Mission Statement: Growing Disciples of Christ by Seeking God, Sharing Love, and Serving Others.